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Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
God Is Sufficient
Over a hundred years ago, a French inventor came up with a marvelous innovation called motion pictures. He learned that by organizing a sequence of photographs and moving them quickly in front of a bright light, it gave the impression of real life happening before his eyes. This inventor knew he was onto something special, so he scheduled a premiere for what would be one of the most famous public showings of a movie ever. Expectations were high as dignitaries and guests filled the auditorium. The film, "Arrival of a Train at a Station," was only 50 seconds long, but it had a powerful impact. Too powerful, in fact. It showed a train chugging directly toward the camera, and some historians state that when the people saw it, they panicked. With no context for what they were experiencing, they thought an actual train was about to run over them! The people were convinced their lives were in danger, when in reality what they experienced was mere smoke and mirrors. This is the trick Satan plays on us whenever our faith is challenged. At such times, our needs seem to outweigh our resources. It looks like our God-given dream will be destroyed by a runaway train. That's when the devil tells us, "It's over. This is too much for you." But the "reality" that Satan presents is superficial. The truth is that Jesus is greater than any hardship we face. He holds our reality in his hands, and that reality is victory. When all seems lost in the face of an oncoming problem, Jesus tells us not to flee but to "sit down" (see John 6:10). As Jesus faced a large, hungering crowd, "...he himself knew what he would do" (John 6:6, ESV). Christ's confidence was based on his sense of God's reality behind every situation. He instructed the disciples, "Have the people sit down, because the Father is about to meet this need. It's time to trust him to provide all that this situation requires." Friend, God is sufficient for every circumstance you may face. |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
The Spirit of Lawlessness
"For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way" (2 Thessalonians 2:7, KJV). The Greek word Paul uses for iniquity in this passage more literally means "lawlessness." Therefore, the mystery is one of lawlessness, meaning that multitudes are going to act without law or restraint. This lawlessness is not simply a rebellion against the rule of man. It is not about rebelling against civil authority or committing robbery, rape, or murder. These things do provoke God's wrath, but the mystery of lawlessness goes much deeper. It is an outright rejection of the truth that is in Christ, a casting aside of God's Holy Word, and rebellion against the restraints of scripture. This spirit of lawlessness is rampant in our nation today. It is the force behind the legislation that seeks to banish God from our society and the same spirit that Satan used to deceive Eve when he told her, in so many words, "God is easy; he won't punish you for disobeying. You can eat the fruit and indulge your lust, and you won't have to pay for it!" Today, Satan is using this same lie to convince masses of believers that they can indulge their sins without paying any penalty. It is a demonic scheme to pervert Christ's gospel of grace and turn it into a message of licentiousness. Tragically, many lukewarm Christians are succumbing to this spirit of lawlessness. Satan will deceive masses of people by convincing them of a subtle but powerful lie, just as he convinced Eve, "God doesn't punish sin." Paul says the Antichrist will rise to power because people will be blinded and deceived by their own sin: "The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie..." (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10, NKJV). The apostle is saying, "Those who refuse to obey or respect God's Word will fall under a powerful delusion. At first, they will wink at their sin and justify it. But soon they will actively seek out a message of easy grace. They will invent a grace that is far beyond what God intended." God's grace never leads to license; it always leads to repentance. |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Rest in Him
Under pressure, most of us rehearse our need over and over: "If only I had this one thing... If I could just work on that one weakness..." However, Jesus tells us not to fixate on our need but rather on our supplier. "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?" (Matthew 6:25-27, ESV). In the Old Testament when things looked impossible for King Asa, he fixated on his supplier, not his problem. When the kingdom was surrounded by a massive enemy with no hope in sight, Asa prayed, "Lord, I don't know what to do, but my eyes are fixed on you" (see 2 Chronicles 14:9-12) Jesus shows us that we are to give thanks in the midst of our situation. Facing the starving masses with just a handful of fishes and bread loaves, Jesus gave thanks to God. Jesus thanked the Father before the need was even filled, and a miracle followed. "...He told his disciples, 'Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.' So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, 'This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!'" (John 6:12-14). Your situation doesn't depend on your resources; it depends on God's. "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19). You may have cried your heart out over your need. Now it's time to remind yourself of God's goodness. It's time to stop fretting and instead give him thanks. It's time to draw on the strength of your faith-family when you don't have it for yourself. Rest assured, your God is about to show himself great in your life. Believe it, and find rest in him! |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Bring Them Home to Glory
The heavenly Father wasn't willing to lose his beloved creatures to the powers of hell, so he formed a rescue plan for us. "Of old you spoke in a vision to your godly one, and said: 'I have granted help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people.'" (Psalm 89:19, ESV). The Father said to his Son, "Humankind is going to grow weak and miserable because of their sin, helpless to find their way back to me. I appoint you as my holy one to help bring them back into my favor." We hear the Son's own covenant words: "I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart" (Psalm 40:8). Everything Jesus did on earth was in fulfillment of his terms of the covenant: "For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment; what to say and what to speak" (John 12:49). The Bible states the terms of this covenant clearly. Jesus was to divest himself of all heavenly glory, taking on a human body: "...who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men" (Philippians 2:6-7). He was to endure reproaches and suffering: "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not" (Isaiah 53:3). After all this, he was to submit himself into the hands of wicked men; and in great agony, he lay down his life as an offering for humankind's sin. In making atonement, he would have to endure God's wrath for a season. God then laid out the type of ministry his Son would undertake to redeem humankind. He told Jesus, "Your ministry is going to be that of a priest. I've known all my children from the foundation of the world, and now I give them as a flock for you to shepherd." Jesus testified on earth, "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out" (John 6:37). This is our great hope and glory in Christ! Let us rest in that today. |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Trusting in a False Peace
America today is under the seductive power of a satanic lie. Before I say anything more, please know that what I speak here has nothing to do with politics but everything to do with spiritual truth. The fact is that our nation's leaders have cast aside God's Word completely, showing no respect for biblical truth. Now the Lord has allowed a deception to fall upon us. The demonic lie blanketing America today is a false peace. It is the idea that we can do whatever we please with no fear of consequences. We have already crossed a line in this deception, and now judgment is inevitable. Paul laid out this divine judgment in the first chapter of Romans. He wrote of those who tried to retain the truth in unrighteousness. In short, they wanted God's Word and their lusts at the same time, so the Lord turned them over to reprobate minds. They wanted to believe a lie, and he sent a strong delusion upon them. This is the very state of our nation right now. In my time, a former President told the entire country, "I did not commit this sin," but later was exposed for committing the very act he named. I have heard that many Americans have turned a blind eye to both his sin and his lies, saying none of it matters. As prophesied, truth has fallen in the streets. We constantly hear lies, cover-ups, and manipulations from our nation's capital. Satan's deceiving power, though, goes far beyond those treacheries and depravity. His big lie is an outpouring from hell against God's people. Paul warned, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables [lies]" (2 Timothy 4:3-4, NKJV). Who are these deceived masses Paul is talking about? They are deceived Christians! He wrote this letter to the Thessalonian church, addressing born-again believers. These people had sat under biblical teaching and had known God's truth, yet they held on to their lusts and sought out heresies that would comfort them in their sins. Let it not be so with us, dear believer! Turn to Christ, and tune your ear to his voice and his voice alone. |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
We Get All the Benefits
As we read the gospels, we see that everything Jesus did on earth was for the purpose of fulfilling the terms of the covenant he had made with the Father. He went after lost sheep, opened the eyes of the blind, raised the dead, opened spiritual prison doors, spoke words of eternal life, performed miraculous works, cast out demons, and healed all manner of infirmities. In every verse of the gospels, Jesus was fulfilling the things the Father had sent him to do. Through it all, Jesus appropriated his Father's covenant promises to him: "...for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord, and my God has become my strength" (Isaiah 49:5, ESV). "'I will put my trust in him.'..." (Hebrews 2:13). The Father's faithful words kept Jesus through his agonizing death: "The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting" (Isaiah 50:5-6). When Jesus uttered his final prayer, we see once more the open-covenant dealings between Father and Son. "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him?. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed" (John 17:1-5). What does all of this have to do with you and me? It's a picture of God's love for his beloved creation! He formed this covenant because he was unwilling to lose a single child to destruction. Jesus was saying there, "Father, I have fulfilled my part of the covenant. I have brought about the redemption of humankind, and I have made your body one." In short, God gave his Son, the Son gave his life, and we get all the benefits. "I will establish his offspring forever and his throne as the days of the heavens... I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips" (Psalm 89:29, 34). |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Staying in Christ
Is the Father true to his terms of the Covenant for his Son and all believers? Did God lead and guide Jesus as promised? Did his Spirit hover over his Son, giving him encouragement and consolation? Did he bring him through all his trials and usher him home to glory victorious? Yes, absolutely! Not only that but the Father has pledged an eternal oath to do the same for us. Jesus said, "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world" (John 17:15-16, ESV). Christ was saying, in essence, "Father, sanctify them through your truth. Make them holy and pure and keep them from the wicked one. Be with them through all their temptations. Let the promises you gave me be theirs, as well." By keeping the word of his covenant in love, the Father's glory was displayed to the world: "The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me" (John 17:22-23). The next time you struggle with a besetting sin, you may hear an accusing voice: "You've gone too far and sinned too often. God has turned you over to a reprobate mind. You're unclean, unholy, no good, a disgrace to the gospel. You've driven the Holy Spirit from your life completely." When this happens, remind God, the devil, and yourself: "I am one in covenant with the Father and Son. Jesus co-signed the Covenant with his own blood, and the Father promised to keep me through all my trials. He'll hold my hand no matter what comes and will never remove his love from me. He'll lead me to victory." By revealing his covenant to us, God wants to remove any doubts we have about his ability to keep us. It's as if he is saying, "I'm going to treat you as though you have no faith at all. I'll make such a strong oath to you, you'll have no choice but to believe in me." We are to stay in Christ, abide in him, trust him, depend on him. If we do this, we will surely see his glory! |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
When We Tempt God
The psalmist writes of Israel's sin, "And they tested God in their heart by asking for the food of their fancy" (Psalm 78:18, NKJV). The Hebrews had no human means left to provide for themselves. When they came to this place, though, they believed God had abandoned them and was remaining silent and out of sight. In short, this is what it means to tempt God. It happens when his chosen, blessed ones are placed in the fires of testing and their crisis keeps growing more intense until fear grips their hearts, and they cry out, "Lord, where are you? Where is my deliverance? Why aren't you on the scene? Are you with me or not?" It is impossible for an unsaved person to tempt the Lord since such a person does not acknowledge God in any area of his life. To him, everything that happens is either good luck or bad luck. Only those who are closest to the Lord can tempt him, those who have seen his power, tasted his mercy and grace, and been called to walk by faith. Even the righteous John the Baptist faced the kind of trial that can lead to tempting God. As he sat in prison, he must have wondered where God was in his situation. Word had come back to him of all the wonderful things Jesus was doing, healing people, performing miracles, drawing crowds who had once flocked to John. John had known that he had to decrease so Christ could increase, but the thought must have crossed his mind, "Decrease, yes, but death? Why do I have to die if Jesus is truly God? If he is performing all these wonders for others, why can't he deliver me? Lord, this is all too much to endure." (Remember, Christ had not yet removed the sting of death.) The last words Jesus sent to John were incredibly significant: "And blessed is he who is not offended because of me" (Matthew 11:6). Christ was telling this godly servant, "Don't be offended at me, John. You know I only do what I see and hear from the Father. He has a plan in all this, and he is worthy of being trusted. If he wanted me to come and release you, I would be there in a moment. You can rest assured that whatever comes of this, it will be to his glory. It will mean eternal glory for you!" I believe John did endure. When he was finally beheaded by Herod, he went home to glory full of faith and honor. You are enduring your final test. Don't let doubt rob you of your faith. Instead, rest in the Father's love and faithfulness to you. You're not being judged. On the contrary, you are greatly honored in God's eyes. Just hold steady! |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Measuring Greatness
John the Baptist would not let himself be distracted from leading a life of great consequence. The gospel of John tells us, "Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. And they came to John and said to him, 'Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness__look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.'" (John 3:25-26, ESV). John's followers were speaking of Jesus. Evidently, they had theological concerns about him. Maybe they had heard about his miracle at Cana and thought he had mishandled those cisterns that normally held water for purification but ended up holding wine. Regardless, John wasn't going to be distracted by the debate. He knew that something greater than doctrinal sticking points was at stake. "John answered, 'A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.'" (John 3:27). In other words: "Can someone work a miracle like this if he hasn't been sent by God? That kind of power comes only from heaven." What John says next is powerful: "You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.'...He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:28, 30). John's focus in life was clear; his holy calling was centered completely on Jesus. For that reason, John the Baptist was known as a great man. The problem for many of us today, in our success-driven culture, is that we seek great things for ourselves. We may convince ourselves we are pursuing things for God, but is Jesus really our focus? Without rigorous examination of our hearts, we won't be able to discern whether we are pleasing our Savior or following an inner longing for validation. The prophet Jeremiah addressed this question directly: "And do you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not, for behold, I am bringing disaster upon all flesh, declares the Lord. But I will give you your life as a prize of war in all places to which you may go" (Jeremiah 45:5). Jeremiah makes clear that God's measurement of greatness is much different from the world's. As Jesus himself said, "...You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all" (Mark 10:42-44). |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
He Is in Control of Everything
When you give your heart to Jesus, you win a great battle. The powers of hell are defeated, robbing Satan of the spoil he took from you when he ruled your life. Afterward, though, as you are still glowing with spiritual victory and freedom, two kings await you, the same two kings that awaited Abram in Genesis 14:17-24. Abram faced as strong a temptation as any human being ever experienced. Before him was an offer of riches, material goods, and fame; but he did not have to think twice about his decision. His response to the king of Sodom's offer was a quick and clear no. Why? Because what mattered most to Abram was preserving God's reputation, not his own. In effect, he was telling the king of Sodom, "I'm returning all these things to you--the people, the riches, everything--because my Lord owns it all anyway. If he decides to make me wealthy, so be it; but I don't want you to be able to brag that you made me rich." Where did Abram get such detachment from the world, such independence that he was able to reject outright the devil's offer of material blessing? It is clear from scripture that Abram derived his strength from a fresh revelation of who God is. Melchizedek had opened Abram's eyes to an amazing vision of God's character. "And [Melchizedek] blessed him and said: 'Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.' And [Abram] gave him a tithe of all" (Genesis14:19-20, NKJV). Embedded in this verse is a name for Jehovah: El Elyon. It means, "God most high, creator and possessor of heaven and earth." Melchizedek was declaring to Abram, "Your Lord is not just a God above all other gods. He is the creator of the entire universe. Everything in it belongs to him, all wealth, cattle, possessions. He is in control of everything you see around you." Such an assurance gave Abram the strength to refuse worldly offers; he was consumed with seeing the God of all the earth instead! |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
The Bridegroom's Friend
John the Baptist is a biblical example of how to resist worldly distractions and pursue true greatness. He testified, "The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete" (John 3:29, ESV). In Jesus's day, the supporting role in a wedding was a place of honor and respect. It called for a person of great stature and responsibility. In that time, the friend of the bridegroom was in charge of the entire marriage event. He invited the guests, planned and organized the wedding ceremony, and hosted and oversaw the reception. He even arranged the honeymoon, going ahead of the couple to make sure everything was in place for his friend and the bride. He also secured their new home, preparing it for the couple to live in. In short, the friend of the bridegroom was responsible for it all. His role was a rigorous work of love and grace from beginning to end. John the Baptist was saying, "How can anyone be fixated on minutiae like disagreements over tradition or which servant of God is being honored more if you're truly focused on the essentials? Jesus is going to give his life as a sacrifice, rise from the grave, and return for a bride whose faith is spotless and without wrinkle. Can you not see what God is doing in your midst?" John had good reason for his focus. King Herod's household had begun calling for his head, and he knew he was about to die. John was telling his followers, "I have limited time remaining to me, and I want everything I say to be fueled with this urgent message: 'Turn to Jesus.' I want my passion to be for the one true thing." John the Baptist had one overriding passion, and it is contained in John 3:29. Knowing his own time was short, John could rejoice over one thing: Jesus had come to proclaim the kingdom of God. We all play John's role in God's kingdom, paving the way for people to receive Jesus. When that is our singular focus, all else falls into its rightful place. God promises to empower us in our service to him. As John the Baptist testified, "For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure" (John 3:34). |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
His Time Is Short
Perhaps you have recently renewed your commitment to pray with all diligence. Perhaps you have consecrated your mind and body to God as a living sacrifice. You have cried out, "I'm not going halfway anymore. I'm giving everything I have to Jesus." These kinds of commitments stir up the devil's wrath as nothing else does. He knows that anyone whose life is wholly given to God is a great threat to his kingdom. The devil knows all too well that everyone who seeks God with all his heart will find him and that praying saints will eventually prevail. Satan also knows there is a period between the time the prayer is spoken and when it is answered. Beloved, that is the devil's short time to work. He knows the importunate widow cried for a season before she was heard. Likewise, our answer will come in due season. In the meantime, the devil tries to devour us as we wait on the Lord. The fact is that God doesn't jump every time we cry, "Lord, I give it all to you!" God knows that consecration, surrender, and hunger for Christ do not always accompany a one-time, emotional cry. Therefore, his Spirit does not respond until he sees in us a sustained determination, some kind of evidence that we will not turn back from our hunger. Satan recognizes this also. He knows from having observed our lives when we are not serious about our commitment to the Lord. If we are not serious about following through, he does not waste his time on us. He leaves us alone in our weakness and sin. The moment Satan sees true devotion in us, a desire to be set free from sin, a determination to put off all foolishness and put on Christ, then he knows his time is short. He knows there will be only a brief period before we are out of his clutches and walking in glory, operating by faith, living in victory. That's when he starts throwing everything in hell at us. Revelation 12 is telling us: Go ahead, Christian, step out of your lethargy. Yield your body to Jesus as a living sacrifice. Seek God with all that is in you, but be prepared to face the trial of your life because Satan will come at you with all his might. Satan knows your weak spots, and he will try to carry you away in a flood of trials and temptations. He is frantic because he sees you on the brink of victory, and he knows his time is short. |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
The Forgiven and Accepted
In the story of the woman caught in adultery told in John 8, Jesus turned the accused into the accepted. Instead of rejecting the adulterous woman, whose life hung in the balance, he accepted her. He does the same for us today. He takes everyone pushed to the margins by their own sin and tells them, "You are mine. You're right in the center of the Father's love." This gesture by Jesus was crucial for the adulterous woman. Why? Because she still had to live in her community with the reality of what she'd done. You see, while it's true that there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, there are still real-life consequences to sin. Ask any addict who's gone through a recovery program. There are broken bonds to mend with family, friends, children, or coworkers. In the case of adultery, there can be unwanted pregnancies, broken love with a spouse, strained relationships with children, betrayals of trust within a community. These are matters that can take years to repair. That's why there is very real mercy in Jesus's two distinct statements to the adulterous woman: "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more" (John 8:11, ESV). I would not be a faithful minister of God if I didn't say that while, yes, Jesus loves you, accepts you, and forgives you, there is very real fallout to sin. As a pastor, I have seen it all the time. That's why our sin is of great concern to God beyond the moral reasons of law-breaking. Paul says, "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body" (1 Corinthians 6:18). This is all the more reason to bring any and every sin to Jesus. Only his powerful, redeeming grace can fully heal and restore. There is a third group impacted by God's grace: the accusers. The Pharisees' heartless, accusing plan backfired on them. Ultimately, the sinful woman wasn't condemned but instead was rescued and healed. When that kind of radical grace manifests, evil is forced to slink away in shame. "When they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him" (John 8:9). |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Transformed by Grace
Throughout his ministry, Jesus was asked two kinds of questions by the people he encountered, questions that revealed everything about the hearts of those asking. The first type of question was accusatory. Time after time, religious leaders asked Christ, "Why do you eat and drink with sinners? How could you be sent by God with a reputation like that?" The second kind of question came from people bearing the problems of life: "Would you heal my sick daughter? Would you deliver my son who is being thrown into the fire by demons? Would you heal my issue with bleeding, which has plagued me my whole life?" Do you see the difference between the two kinds of questions? Both seek an answer about the nature of God. The first asks, "Do sinners deserve God's love?", while the second asks, "Does God want to help me?" Jesus answered both questions with his actions. First, he transformed the outcasts, bringing them from the farthest margins of society to the very center of God's love. He told them, "You are on center stage now. You're at the very heart of my Father's kingdom." Second, Christ revealed that the accusers were not at the center of God's kingdom. He told them very clearly, "You have no say in my Father's kingdom." Scripture tells us, "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" (James 4:6, ESV), and also "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Do you want a meaningful role in God's kingdom? Be willing to lay down your stones and pick up the cross of his grace. Every time you act as Jesus did, extending grace to those marginalized by sin, you take part in a great transformation. You will be changed by your actions, the accused will be changed, and those accusing will be changed. Meanwhile, passive believers will be stirred by the manifestation of God's grace. May we all become his army of grace, drawing to his kingdom the addicted and the clean-living, the grieving and the carefree, the poor and the wealthy, the lonely and the lively. Let every soul be loved and belong, and may we all be transformed by the amazing grace of our Savior. |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Touching Nations for Christ
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8, NKJV). I am amazed and perplexed by the scores of ministers, both young and old, who run all over the world looking for strategies to produce growth in their churches. Today, many preachers attend seminars, conventions, and "think tanks" where young ministry professionals use charts and polls to show them how to build larger churches. Other ministers flock to "revivals," hoping to learn new methods of how to have the Holy Ghost fall on their congregations. Right now, mission societies are sending out more workers than ever before. Their rallying cry has become, "We have to get more manpower on the mission field! More qualified men and women are needed to win the nations to Christ." Too many of the missionaries being sent are coming home within a few years. They've been beaten down, discouraged, flailed by demonic forces in those foreign nations. Why? Because their lives didn't match the gospel they preached; they never developed a firsthand knowledge of Christ's lordship or of the fullness of the Holy Ghost. Beloved, it takes more than new ideas or strategies to touch nations for Christ. All our plans are in vain if Jesus isn't enthroned in every area of our lives! Never in history has there been such a wild rush of demonic spirits bursting forth from the bowels of hell. Lawlessness is sweeping the earth, with nation rising up against nation. God is never caught off guard by anything that happens in our world. So what is his response in this time of turmoil and depravity? What does he propose as an antidote to the apostasy and growing demonic power? His answer is the same as it has always been, to bring forth the victory of Christ in a renewed way. God has always responded by raising up a fresh remnant of men and women who will be a pure testimony to his saving and sanctifying power, and the same is true today. His plan is to bring onto this scene a body of separated, Christ-filled men and women who will live in total submission to his government and lordship! |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Jesus Is Knocking
?You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it? (John 8:44, NKJV). Christ spoke these words to a religious crowd who thought they were good in God?s eyes. They were outwardly clean and religious; but inwardly, they were full of lust, sensuality, fornication, and covetousness. There is a sin-sickness that strikes the children of the devil. The deeper in sin a person falls, the more critical this sickness becomes. It reaches its peak when sin suddenly loses its pleasure, becoming boring and unfulfilling. In my time, I remember how sin-sickness drove a famous, young TV star to suicide. The actor was starring in a hit series and making a fortune. He had just signed contracts to star in movies and was dating a beautiful actress. He had fame, fortune, and good health; but then his lifeless body was found in a cheap porno hotel. Apparently, none of the world?s pleasures had satisfied him. His life had become empty, and suicide finally ended it all. He died as a result of sin-sickness. If you have never given your life to Jesus, then the devil has had complete control over you up to now. He has ruled and reigned over your life. Perhaps now Satan sees a change coming over you, though, and he knows that he is losing his hold on you. Sin has suddenly lost its sweet taste to you. You do not go to the evil places you once frequented, and you are not as anxious to party anymore. Money no longer satisfies you, and neither do sex or possessions. You feel a growing emptiness inside you. Now here you are, reading this message. Perhaps you have become willing to read the Bible. Nobody is making you do it; something inside is urging you to pick it up. Dear one, right now Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart, and the devil knows it. The one thing Satan fears most is that you will open the door to Christ! |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Steadfast in the Faith
The gospel of Luke tells us of a father who brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus. Christ told the father, "Bring thy son hither. And as he was yet a-coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him..." (Luke 9:41-42, KJV). The word tare means to violently convulse, to terribly shake. This young man came to Christ and was about to be set free, translated out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of light. The devil saw he was about to lose another victim; so in a rage, he threw the young man to the ground in one last, violent attack. He wanted to kill him and take his soul before Jesus could deliver him. Satan will try to do the same thing to you. The moment you move toward Christ, he will attempt one last devouring attack. He will put before your eyes the most alluring temptations. He will try to cast you down with lies, telling you that you will never be free from sin and lust. He will try to convince you that you'll always be his, not God's. Let me remind you that the instant you move toward Jesus, the devil is rendered helpless. He cannot stop anyone who is headed to Christ. He could not keep the demon-possessed young man from reaching Jesus. All Christ had to do was say a word: "...Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father" (Luke 9:42, NKJV). James tells us, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). So how do you resist the enemy? You do it by faith alone. Simply come to Jesus, trusting that he will rescue you from Satan's clutches. "Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world" (1 Peter 5:9). You can be free today. You can say to Satan, "When I finish reading this message, I'm going to be a free person. Jesus is going to deliver me from every lust and ungodly passion. It's all going to go because he said so." The times ahead may get hard for you, but the Father's glorious, blazing sun will shine ever brighter for you! |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
A Faithful Guide
"But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out" (John 10:2-3, ESV). We all need guidance for decisions in life. In a world as chaotic as ours, though, getting good guidance isn't always simple or easy. Jesus says it is different for Christians. He makes it clear in the above passage that his followers---"his own sheep"---know his voice and come to him. The picture is of a good shepherd providing his sheep with all the oversight and care they need. Does that suffice for the hard decisions we all have to make? Each of us has serious matters to decide like "Whom do I marry? What vocation should I pursue? What is my purpose in life?" These decisions can be fraught with tension, especially if we regret poor decisions made in the past. My life has been immensely blessed by God, but I don't want my children or grandchildren to make the mistakes I've made. Like any parent, I want to be able to give them the best guidance possible. The good news is that we have a shepherd who is a faithful guide to us in all things, no matter how faulty our decisions. He has the authority to guide us into an amazingly blessed life, regardless of our failures. Indeed, he says that is his purpose in guiding our lives: "...I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). We all know it is important to follow a quality guide. Think about the big life decisions you've made: Who was guiding you? What was their experience? What skill and knowledge did they use in getting you to where you wanted to go? Some guides in life have the knowledge to get us through troubling dilemmas. However, do they also have the knowledge to carry us to the abundant life Jesus promises? As our Lord, Jesus is up to more than just guidance; he is forming a relationship. He wants us to know more than just when and where to go. He wants us to have the rich blessing of knowing him personally in every area of life. While we're busy looking for an instruction manual, he's saying very simply, "Follow me." |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
The Fullness of Christ
If you hunger and thirst for the fullness of Christ, Satan will declare outright war on you. When he sees evidence that your commitment is real--your diligence in prayer, your discipline, your denial of self--he will use every weapon in hell to try to destroy your testimony. Why? Because your testimony is God's answer to apostasy and ruin. This is what the fiery furnace in the book of Daniel is all about. Satan devised an elaborate plan to destroy the only testimony of God's power left in Babylon. It culminated in a white-hot oven, meant to kill all living proof of God's gospel truth (see Daniel 3). Satan entered the heart of Babylon's evil king. The king erected a huge golden statue and declared it the official national god, an object to be worshiped. Then he summoned all officials and servants from every nation under Babylon's thumb so he could introduce the new religion. When the ceremonial music began, everyone was to bow to this new god. Satan also prompted the king to erect a huge brick furnace and stoke it so the white-hot flames were visible to everyone. Why did Satan do this? Surely he knew there wasn't a governor, judge, or law-keeper anywhere in Babylon who would resist the new decree. They did not need to be seduced or threatened. So what was the fiery furnace all about? It was totally the work of Satan, a manipulation rigged by him to destroy the three young men. He wanted to kill off the only remaining testimony of God in Babylon. The three young men answered the king's command: "If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us from your hand, O king" (Daniel 3:17, NKJV). Three godly young Israelites served in high government offices in Babylon, men who were visible testimonies of the gospel they preached. They had separated themselves from the sensuous lifestyle of Babylon, committing their lives instead to prayer. These three men were not prophets or priests but laymen who remained faithful to God and were pure in heart in the midst of the idolatrous masses. They were God's witness to the world! |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
The Lord Will Come
Today, the heat of temptation and compromise is many times hotter than it was a generation ago. For example, Satan has rigged the entire technology of our age, corrupting it with seduction, sensuality, lust, and temptation. Why do we face such a white-hot furnace of temptation today? Why are lust and sex being used to sell every conceivable kind of product? Why are there hundreds of porno websites on the internet? Who is the target of this flood of filth? It isn't the secular world that has already been seduced. No, Satan's target is none of these. Rather, he has manipulated the media to snare the hearts of overcoming Christians. He wants to weaken and destroy the testimony of the gospel<.p>Right now the furnace is being heated seven times over in the lives of many believers. Satan has created situations in their homes, their jobs, and their relationships that are more intense than ever. Many once-strong Christians are giving up, quitting on God. They no longer pray for help. Instead, they think, "My trial is too intense for me to survive." In Daniel 3, God turned the devil's scheme into an opportunity to expose the whole nation of Babylon to his testimony. Because the three young men would not bow, the Lord delivered them. They were instrumental in bringing the nation a clear manifestation of the Lord Jesus Christ. "Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, 'Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? ...Look!' he answered, 'I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.'" Quickly the king nullified his first decree of idol worship and issued this new decree: "Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this" (Daniel 3:29). Beloved, it all happened because of the testimony of three men, righteous lovers of God who were willing to lay down their lives in faith. Yes, things are going to get hot mentally, spiritually, and in every other way. God has already put his hand on godly men and women in every place, and his gospel will be preached as a testimony. Then the Lord will come! |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Revelations of God's Glory
Scripture makes clear that it is possible for every true follower of Jesus to see and understand the glory of God. Indeed, our Lord reveals his glory to all who ask and seek for it diligently. I believe the revelation of God's glory will equip his people for the perilous days ahead. Paul states that this revelation "....is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified" Contrary to some Christians' thinking, the glory of God is not a physical manifestation of some kind. It's not an ecstatic feeling that overcomes you, nor is it a kind of supernatural aura or angelic light that bursts forth. Simply put, God's glory is a revelation of his nature and attributes. Moses's experience with the glory of God demonstrates this truth. The Lord sent Moses to deliver Israel without giving him a full revelation of who the God of Israel was. The Lord merely told him, "Go, and say I AM sent you" (see Exodus 3:14), but he gave no explanation of who "I AM" was. Moses had a gnawing hunger and thirst to know who the great I AM was, to know what his nature and character were all about. The Lord answered Moses's prayer. First, he instructed Moses to hide himself in the cleft of a rock. As Moses waited for the glory of God to appear, he did not see it in the thunder, lightning, or shaking of the earth. Rather, God's glory came to him in a simple revelation: "And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, 'The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation'" When we pray, "Lord, show me your glory," we are actually praying, "Father, reveal to me who you are." If the Lord does give us a revelation of his glory, it is of how he wants to be known by us. |
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