I was thinking today about the people of Isreal and how God promised them a land flowing with milk and honey.
Exodus 3:8 - "So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites."
God promised to deliver them from captivity and suffering and bring them into a good and spacious land. Yet, there were two requirements for them to enter the promised land. The first was to have faith in God. They had to believe that God was great enough to defeat the giants in the land and their enemies. They had to believe in God's strength and provision for them. The second requirement was that they needed to obey his command to go into the promise land. We see that the people who were brought up out of Egypt failed in both requirements for their success and blessing. As result, they had to walk around in the desert for forty years. It was the new generation who believed God and obeyed him who ended up possessing the land of milk and honey.
You today may be in a difficult situation. You may be suffering. You may be wandering in the desert, not seeing the blessing of God. God has promised those who put their trust in Him and obey His commands blessing, protection, and prosperity.
Psalms 1:1-3 -"1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. "
There will be times of suffering, and difficulty. There will be desert experiences. yet, God does not intend to leave us there. He wants to bless us. He does seek our good.
Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Yet, we are often in the desert and remain in the desert due to our lack of trust and obedience in Him. Let us be the new generation of people, not like our forefathers, and step out in faith and obedience. There is no situation to great for God. he wants to see you prosper and live in peace.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Great Expectations
Below is a weekly study or word of encouragement that my brother writes every week. I thought that you might like it.
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26
This was a trying time for Mary and Martha. Their brother Lazarus had been sick, and they had sent a message to Jesus to come quickly. Mary, Martha and Lazarus were good friends of Jesus, almost like family. Jesus often stayed in their home that was not far from Jerusalem . But for some reason beyond their comprehension, Jesus had delayed, and now Lazarus had been dead for four days. When Jesus finally arrives, Martha is the first one to meet him. Notice her comment in verse 21. "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” She is declaring her faith that Jesus could have healed her brother. But now that he is dead and buried, all hope is passed.
Sometimes we are like Mary and Martha. We have received promises from God, had visions or dreams that we have prayed and believed for, and they just haven’t come to pass. Maybe we have an unsaved loved one or a child who has strayed away from God for whom we have prayed for years, and there seems no more hope. Maybe we have launched out in ministry and expected great things for God, and it hasn’t happened. Maybe we have prayed for a job or some desperately needed financial provision, and nothing has come forth. We don’t understand why it hasn’t happened. We really believed God. Over time the call, the vision, the prayer and desire dies’ and we bury it and go on with life. Like Martha, we say, “God if you would have come through then it would have been awesome, but it is a little late now.”
Our challenge is that we live in time, bound by circumstances and situations that are beyond our control. But God is not bound by either time or circumstances. Revelations 13:8 says that Christ was crucified from the creation of the earth. In God’s mind, even before He created Adam and Eve, Christ had been crucified for man’s redemption. It was a done deal. Neither time nor circumstances could alter it. In Eph 1:18-20 Paul prays, “that the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know ….what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead.” That resurrection power is available to you to fulfill His promises to you.
The Bible says, “By faith Abraham, even though he was past age and Sarah herself was barren was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.” Hebrews 11:11 Notice the time factor, Abraham was past age, and circumstance, Sarah was barren. What we think is past may be the present to God. What we deem as dead is not dead to God.
2 Corinthians 1:20-22 says “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” The same one who established you, anointed you and sealed you by His Spirit will do it through you. “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:” Hebrews 10-35-36
May God by His Spirit rekindle the great expectations that you once had.
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26
This was a trying time for Mary and Martha. Their brother Lazarus had been sick, and they had sent a message to Jesus to come quickly. Mary, Martha and Lazarus were good friends of Jesus, almost like family. Jesus often stayed in their home that was not far from Jerusalem . But for some reason beyond their comprehension, Jesus had delayed, and now Lazarus had been dead for four days. When Jesus finally arrives, Martha is the first one to meet him. Notice her comment in verse 21. "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.” She is declaring her faith that Jesus could have healed her brother. But now that he is dead and buried, all hope is passed.
Sometimes we are like Mary and Martha. We have received promises from God, had visions or dreams that we have prayed and believed for, and they just haven’t come to pass. Maybe we have an unsaved loved one or a child who has strayed away from God for whom we have prayed for years, and there seems no more hope. Maybe we have launched out in ministry and expected great things for God, and it hasn’t happened. Maybe we have prayed for a job or some desperately needed financial provision, and nothing has come forth. We don’t understand why it hasn’t happened. We really believed God. Over time the call, the vision, the prayer and desire dies’ and we bury it and go on with life. Like Martha, we say, “God if you would have come through then it would have been awesome, but it is a little late now.”
Our challenge is that we live in time, bound by circumstances and situations that are beyond our control. But God is not bound by either time or circumstances. Revelations 13:8 says that Christ was crucified from the creation of the earth. In God’s mind, even before He created Adam and Eve, Christ had been crucified for man’s redemption. It was a done deal. Neither time nor circumstances could alter it. In Eph 1:18-20 Paul prays, “that the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know ….what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead.” That resurrection power is available to you to fulfill His promises to you.
The Bible says, “By faith Abraham, even though he was past age and Sarah herself was barren was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.” Hebrews 11:11 Notice the time factor, Abraham was past age, and circumstance, Sarah was barren. What we think is past may be the present to God. What we deem as dead is not dead to God.
2 Corinthians 1:20-22 says “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.” The same one who established you, anointed you and sealed you by His Spirit will do it through you. “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:” Hebrews 10-35-36
May God by His Spirit rekindle the great expectations that you once had.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
One Demonic Spirit
I want to talk about a topic of great importance to all, but even more so to those who lived the January 12th earthquake. I am saddened to see poeple still gripped with fear in the nation of Haiti. Many not willing to sleep in their homes that are not damaged. Even more sad is seeing Christians un-willing to spend time in building with concrete roofs for fear of them collapsing when or if another earthquake happens. This should not be so.
We have all experienced fear. We have all had to deal with fear at some point in our lives. Many of us deal with it on a daily basis. Some people are all bound up with fear. We usually call them phobias. There are many things to fear, and many reasons to fear. Maybe we have more reason to fear now then ever before in the history of the world. There is violence, wars, famines, flooding, hurricanes,earthquakes, poverty, and all sorts of evil taking place all over the world. We in Haiti may have more reason to fear than some other places. It only takes 10 minutes of listening to the news, talking to someone about what is happening in Haiti or hear the terrible stories before fear begins to set in. I have heard of things that have taken place these past months that are so terrible. I wouldn’t even repeat. Most people in Haiti are living in fear, or at least having to deal with fear on a daily basis.
Where did fear originate? It began with Adam and Eve when they fell. It was one of the curses that sin brought into the world. God never intended or desired for man to live in fear. Satan now uses fear to control and immobilize people. There are those who become possessed by fear. I know this for a fact because a spirit of fear once possessed me. My last year in Bible school, I was plagued with all kinds of fears. It wasn’t until I read a book called, “One Demonic Spirit” that I got set free.
It is not in God’s plan for us to live in fear, and he wants us to be free from fear.
The Bible says that we should not fear our enemies.The odds may be great, and seemingly overwhelming, but we don’t need to be afraid, God is with us.
Deuteronomy 20:1-4 - "When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
The Bible says we don’t need to be afraid of those who hate us or those who seek to destroy us, because we serve a great and powerful God.
II Chronicles 32:7 - ""Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him."
Do not be afraid of what you have heard. There are all kinds of rumors flying around Haiti of bigger earthquake coming, and of fire shooting out of the sun.
II Kings 19:6 says, "Isaiah said to them, "Tell your master, 'This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid of what you have heard—those words with which the underlings of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me."
We must not live out of fear of what I call, "the what if's". What if an earthquake comes? What if my house falls? What if I can't feed my family? What if the person hates me? What if my loved one dies? What if, what if, what if. I know that I have a tendecy to do just this kind of thing, but I must not let it get a hold on my life.
We must not fear those who try to trap us, neither the evils of day or of night as long as we abide in God.. (
Psalms 91:1-7 - "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
There is a part here that is of great importance to those in Haiti, "you will not fear the terror of night". Many people live in their houses during the day, but unwilling to sleep in them at night. It is because they fear the terror of night. They fear the house falling on them in the night. As Christians, we are not to fear the terror of the night.
We must not fear evil tidings or bad news.
Psalms 112:6-8 - "Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
We are not to fear natural disaster or when the world around us is in turmoil.
Psalms 46:1-3 - "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah"
We are not to fear sudden disaster. (Prov. 3:25,26)
Proverbs 3:25,26 - "Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared."
If we take a careful look at all these passages, we will find that God never promises that these will not come our way or happen to us. Yet, he promises that he will be with us and give us victory over them or through them.
The only things the Bible tells us to fear is God only and his judgment or wrath. (Deut. 10:12; Isa. 8:13; Ps. 119:120)
There are several reasons that we fear.
We fear because we lack faith in God.
Isaiah 12:2 - "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."
We fear because we don’t understand God’s love for us. (I John 4:18)
1 John 4:18 -"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
God wants us to have peace. (Ps. 29:11; 85:8; Jhn. 14:27; 16:33)
We find peace when we have confidence in God’s protection. (Ps. 4:8)
Psalms 4:8 - "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
We find peace when we keep our minds fixed on him.
Isaiah 26:3 - "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."
A Spirit controlled mind will bring peace.
Romans 8:6 - "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;"
We find peace when we cast our cares on Him. (Philippians 4:6-8)
Fear is from the devil. God commands us not to fear. Fear becomes sin when it immobilizes us, and hinders us from doing what we need to do. Fear becomes sin when it hinders us from obeying God and doing what is right. (I Peter 3:6,14) Fear is the opposite of faith. The Bible says without faith we can not please God. When we fear, it is not pleasing to God. Yet, God has come to give us peace. He is able to give you peace that passes all understanding. The Bible says that there will be many trials and troubles, but God is able to give you peace over them or through them. We need not be afraid.
I found the victory over fear in my life when I realized it was not from God but a demonic spirit. When I understood this, I bowed down in prayer and bound the spirit and asked God to deliver me from the spirit of fear. It left me immediately. This doesn't mean it doesn't pop up its ugly head at times, but now I know it is not only psychological, but spiritual and that I need to do battle with it.
We have all experienced fear. We have all had to deal with fear at some point in our lives. Many of us deal with it on a daily basis. Some people are all bound up with fear. We usually call them phobias. There are many things to fear, and many reasons to fear. Maybe we have more reason to fear now then ever before in the history of the world. There is violence, wars, famines, flooding, hurricanes,earthquakes, poverty, and all sorts of evil taking place all over the world. We in Haiti may have more reason to fear than some other places. It only takes 10 minutes of listening to the news, talking to someone about what is happening in Haiti or hear the terrible stories before fear begins to set in. I have heard of things that have taken place these past months that are so terrible. I wouldn’t even repeat. Most people in Haiti are living in fear, or at least having to deal with fear on a daily basis.
Where did fear originate? It began with Adam and Eve when they fell. It was one of the curses that sin brought into the world. God never intended or desired for man to live in fear. Satan now uses fear to control and immobilize people. There are those who become possessed by fear. I know this for a fact because a spirit of fear once possessed me. My last year in Bible school, I was plagued with all kinds of fears. It wasn’t until I read a book called, “One Demonic Spirit” that I got set free.
It is not in God’s plan for us to live in fear, and he wants us to be free from fear.
The Bible says that we should not fear our enemies.The odds may be great, and seemingly overwhelming, but we don’t need to be afraid, God is with us.
Deuteronomy 20:1-4 - "When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
The Bible says we don’t need to be afraid of those who hate us or those who seek to destroy us, because we serve a great and powerful God.
II Chronicles 32:7 - ""Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him."
Do not be afraid of what you have heard. There are all kinds of rumors flying around Haiti of bigger earthquake coming, and of fire shooting out of the sun.
II Kings 19:6 says, "Isaiah said to them, "Tell your master, 'This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid of what you have heard—those words with which the underlings of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me."
We must not live out of fear of what I call, "the what if's". What if an earthquake comes? What if my house falls? What if I can't feed my family? What if the person hates me? What if my loved one dies? What if, what if, what if. I know that I have a tendecy to do just this kind of thing, but I must not let it get a hold on my life.
We must not fear those who try to trap us, neither the evils of day or of night as long as we abide in God.. (
Psalms 91:1-7 - "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
There is a part here that is of great importance to those in Haiti, "you will not fear the terror of night". Many people live in their houses during the day, but unwilling to sleep in them at night. It is because they fear the terror of night. They fear the house falling on them in the night. As Christians, we are not to fear the terror of the night.
We must not fear evil tidings or bad news.
Psalms 112:6-8 - "Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
We are not to fear natural disaster or when the world around us is in turmoil.
Psalms 46:1-3 - "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Selah"
We are not to fear sudden disaster. (Prov. 3:25,26)
Proverbs 3:25,26 - "Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared."
If we take a careful look at all these passages, we will find that God never promises that these will not come our way or happen to us. Yet, he promises that he will be with us and give us victory over them or through them.
The only things the Bible tells us to fear is God only and his judgment or wrath. (Deut. 10:12; Isa. 8:13; Ps. 119:120)
There are several reasons that we fear.
We fear because we lack faith in God.
Isaiah 12:2 - "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."
We fear because we don’t understand God’s love for us. (I John 4:18)
1 John 4:18 -"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
God wants us to have peace. (Ps. 29:11; 85:8; Jhn. 14:27; 16:33)
We find peace when we have confidence in God’s protection. (Ps. 4:8)
Psalms 4:8 - "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
We find peace when we keep our minds fixed on him.
Isaiah 26:3 - "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you."
A Spirit controlled mind will bring peace.
Romans 8:6 - "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;"
We find peace when we cast our cares on Him. (Philippians 4:6-8)
Fear is from the devil. God commands us not to fear. Fear becomes sin when it immobilizes us, and hinders us from doing what we need to do. Fear becomes sin when it hinders us from obeying God and doing what is right. (I Peter 3:6,14) Fear is the opposite of faith. The Bible says without faith we can not please God. When we fear, it is not pleasing to God. Yet, God has come to give us peace. He is able to give you peace that passes all understanding. The Bible says that there will be many trials and troubles, but God is able to give you peace over them or through them. We need not be afraid.
I found the victory over fear in my life when I realized it was not from God but a demonic spirit. When I understood this, I bowed down in prayer and bound the spirit and asked God to deliver me from the spirit of fear. It left me immediately. This doesn't mean it doesn't pop up its ugly head at times, but now I know it is not only psychological, but spiritual and that I need to do battle with it.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Unveiled Faces
As I was having devotions this morning I came across the following passage and thought that I might share with you what God showed me.
II Corinthians 3:15-18 - "Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect[a] the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
God has given us His written Word, but how often do we read it with veiled hearts? We read it with our mind, but don't understand it with our hearts. We read it without understanding the spiritual truths that God has for us in it. We read it without it impacting and changing our lives. We read it without receiving a fresh word (Rhema word) from the Lord.
To hear, see and understand what God is saying to us, we must first turn to Him. The unbeliever will never understand the things of God. Also, a Christian who does not turn his face towards the Lord, he will never fully receive from God. He will never be fully transformed.
What does it mean turning our face towards God? It means stop looking at others. Some times we are so preoccupied with what others are doing or not doing, we miss what God has for us. It means stop looking at your self. Many times we are so focused on our goals, desires, and problems, we don't see God's goals, desires and solutions.
What is our part? Determine to set our hearts and minds on Christ. It is important to see here in the passage that the Lord removes the veil, not us. This does not exclude our involvement. Our involvement is positioning ourselves and getting out of God's way. We are to look upon Christ with a humble heart. We are to honestly look at our heart motives and thoughts. This means not covering up or making excuses. An unveiled face is one that puts everything that would hinder aside and seek the Lord with all our hearts.
The veil that God removes is not sin or even self centeredness. The veil is a darkness in our understanding of who Christ is and the truths that are in Him. There are those who strictly obey God's Word but don't know God.
What is the result of an unveiled face? We reflect the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into His image. This can only be accomplished through the Spirit of God. The other result is freedom. You are not working to be saved or to find God's favor, but you are experiencing God's saving grace. The law is no longer your master, but your servant.
Let us turn our face to the Lord!
II Corinthians 3:15-18 - "Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect[a] the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
God has given us His written Word, but how often do we read it with veiled hearts? We read it with our mind, but don't understand it with our hearts. We read it without understanding the spiritual truths that God has for us in it. We read it without it impacting and changing our lives. We read it without receiving a fresh word (Rhema word) from the Lord.
To hear, see and understand what God is saying to us, we must first turn to Him. The unbeliever will never understand the things of God. Also, a Christian who does not turn his face towards the Lord, he will never fully receive from God. He will never be fully transformed.
What does it mean turning our face towards God? It means stop looking at others. Some times we are so preoccupied with what others are doing or not doing, we miss what God has for us. It means stop looking at your self. Many times we are so focused on our goals, desires, and problems, we don't see God's goals, desires and solutions.
What is our part? Determine to set our hearts and minds on Christ. It is important to see here in the passage that the Lord removes the veil, not us. This does not exclude our involvement. Our involvement is positioning ourselves and getting out of God's way. We are to look upon Christ with a humble heart. We are to honestly look at our heart motives and thoughts. This means not covering up or making excuses. An unveiled face is one that puts everything that would hinder aside and seek the Lord with all our hearts.
The veil that God removes is not sin or even self centeredness. The veil is a darkness in our understanding of who Christ is and the truths that are in Him. There are those who strictly obey God's Word but don't know God.
What is the result of an unveiled face? We reflect the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into His image. This can only be accomplished through the Spirit of God. The other result is freedom. You are not working to be saved or to find God's favor, but you are experiencing God's saving grace. The law is no longer your master, but your servant.
Let us turn our face to the Lord!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
The Light that Penetrates the Darkness
The world is full of darkness. In the world their is all kinds of trouble. There are people who kill people. There are those how steal and cheat. There is a lack of love therefore many are looking out for number one, themselves. There are all kinds of fighting and jealousy over money and power. The root of all this evil is sinfulness of man. Truly the world is full of darkness.
Take a moment here and read Isaiah 9:1-7. In this passage it talks of a great darkness over the land of Israel, but Isaiah prophesies that a great light will appear. He says this light will bring blessing and joy. The Light will deliver people from slavery and usher in peace. This light is a person, this person is Jesus Christ.
Haiti is in great darkness and trouble, but their is a light breaking forth upon Haiti and that Light is Jesus the Christ. He is the hope of Haiti. He is the only one who can deliver this nation from corruption and all forms of evil. He is the only who bring light into the heart of men which will bring joy and peace. He is the only one who can bring healing and deliverance to this land. We must not look to any government or agency, but to the Christ.
Jesus declares that He is the Light in John 8:12 - "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
When Christ was in the world he was the light of the world, but now that Christ has left this world, we (his people) are the light of the world. We have the Light in us. Matt. 5:14 - "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Do people see the Light in you? Do people know that you are a child of God? Are you a godly example to others?
Haiti is in crisis. There is darkness every where. This is not the time to concern ourselves with our own problems to the extent that we ignore the hurting around us. This is not the time to be slack in God's work. This is the time to rise up to the occasion and stand up for Christ and become a light in the darkness. We need to reflect Christ even more during these last days. I believe a spiritual revival is breaking forth upon Haiti.
A Christian who is a light will penetrate the darkness and bring change. We can bring change as walk in truth and justice. We can bring change when we do not act as others who are doing wrong. We can bring change when we declare the Good News of Christ. We can bring change when we show love and help those who are needier then ourselves. We can bring change when seek others interest and not ours only.
The Bible says in the last days the darkness will be come darker while the light will become brighter. Christians let us shine brightly that we might expel the darkness in the land and bring salvation and prosperity to all.
Take a moment here and read Isaiah 9:1-7. In this passage it talks of a great darkness over the land of Israel, but Isaiah prophesies that a great light will appear. He says this light will bring blessing and joy. The Light will deliver people from slavery and usher in peace. This light is a person, this person is Jesus Christ.
Haiti is in great darkness and trouble, but their is a light breaking forth upon Haiti and that Light is Jesus the Christ. He is the hope of Haiti. He is the only one who can deliver this nation from corruption and all forms of evil. He is the only who bring light into the heart of men which will bring joy and peace. He is the only one who can bring healing and deliverance to this land. We must not look to any government or agency, but to the Christ.
Jesus declares that He is the Light in John 8:12 - "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
When Christ was in the world he was the light of the world, but now that Christ has left this world, we (his people) are the light of the world. We have the Light in us. Matt. 5:14 - "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
Do people see the Light in you? Do people know that you are a child of God? Are you a godly example to others?
Haiti is in crisis. There is darkness every where. This is not the time to concern ourselves with our own problems to the extent that we ignore the hurting around us. This is not the time to be slack in God's work. This is the time to rise up to the occasion and stand up for Christ and become a light in the darkness. We need to reflect Christ even more during these last days. I believe a spiritual revival is breaking forth upon Haiti.
A Christian who is a light will penetrate the darkness and bring change. We can bring change as walk in truth and justice. We can bring change when we do not act as others who are doing wrong. We can bring change when we declare the Good News of Christ. We can bring change when we show love and help those who are needier then ourselves. We can bring change when seek others interest and not ours only.
The Bible says in the last days the darkness will be come darker while the light will become brighter. Christians let us shine brightly that we might expel the darkness in the land and bring salvation and prosperity to all.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Successful Prayer
In this article we want to look at some steps to being successful in prayer. We all want results from our prayers, but many a time we don't seem to be heard. Last time we talked about hindrances. Now on a positive, we want to look some steps that will help us. Now there is no magic formula for successful prayer, but I believe the Bible gives us some helpful guidelines.
First of all is important for us to abide in Christ.
John 15:7 - "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you."
What does it mean to remain in Christ. It means living according to God's plan. It means being in the center of God's will. We do this by remaining in contact with Him through prayer, fellowship and His Word.
Let see how the Psalmist says this in Psalms 37:4 -"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."
As a Father, which of your children would you more joyfully help and give to, would it be the one who delights you or the one who grieves. Of course, it will be the on who delights in you. It doesn't mean that the Father loves one greater than the other, but loves to be with and bless the one who shows his love towards him. SEE Psalms 145:18-20
The second step is ask according to God's will.
I John 5:14,15 -"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him."
How do we know God's will? We know it as we look into His Word and listen to His Holy Spirit. Also, we need to use our common sense. If use ask God for the necessities of life, you can be assured that He will give them to you, anything beyond that is up to the Father's discretion, He may or may not as He sees fit. This doesn't mean you can't believe God for great things. God loves to give us good and big gifts because He loves to lavish His love on us.
Thirdly, our motives are important in successful prayer.
James 4:3 - "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."
Does this mean our pleasure is not important to God. No, it doesn't mean this, but our good and the good of others is more important to God. What ask for our own pleasure is often not good for us and may not be good for those around us. If we ask for the good of God and the good of others our prayer success rate will rise. SEE 2 Kings 4:32-35
Fourthly, we are to pray in the Spirit.
Jude 1:20 - "But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit."
When we prayin the Spirit, we are being led by the Spirit in our prayer. When we do this, we pray God's will and purposes, and we can't fail. You have heard of high praises. This is high prayers. SEE Ephesians 6:17-19
Fifthly we are to pray earnestly and/or intensely.
James 5:17- "Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years"
Acts 12:5 - "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him."
I Thessalonians 3:10 - "Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith."
When we pray earneslty, it shows the Father how much we really want what we are asking. Yes, God knows our heart, but He likes us to express what is in our hearts. I bleieve that our earnestness moves the heart and hand of God.
Sixthly we are not only to earnestly seek the answer or gift, but we are to earnestly seek God our Father.
Hebrews 11:6 - "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
It is interesting here, he says God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. The Bible says, seek you first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33) Even in this world, one is more ready to help the person who has a relationship with, and one who is not just after the gift.
I trust these six steps help you in your prayer life. The Bible teaches that He loves to bless His children and loves to hear us pray. Yet, we must follow the principles laid out in God's Word to be more successful in our prayer lives.
First of all is important for us to abide in Christ.
John 15:7 - "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you."
What does it mean to remain in Christ. It means living according to God's plan. It means being in the center of God's will. We do this by remaining in contact with Him through prayer, fellowship and His Word.
Let see how the Psalmist says this in Psalms 37:4 -"Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."
As a Father, which of your children would you more joyfully help and give to, would it be the one who delights you or the one who grieves. Of course, it will be the on who delights in you. It doesn't mean that the Father loves one greater than the other, but loves to be with and bless the one who shows his love towards him. SEE Psalms 145:18-20
The second step is ask according to God's will.
I John 5:14,15 -"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him."
How do we know God's will? We know it as we look into His Word and listen to His Holy Spirit. Also, we need to use our common sense. If use ask God for the necessities of life, you can be assured that He will give them to you, anything beyond that is up to the Father's discretion, He may or may not as He sees fit. This doesn't mean you can't believe God for great things. God loves to give us good and big gifts because He loves to lavish His love on us.
Thirdly, our motives are important in successful prayer.
James 4:3 - "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."
Does this mean our pleasure is not important to God. No, it doesn't mean this, but our good and the good of others is more important to God. What ask for our own pleasure is often not good for us and may not be good for those around us. If we ask for the good of God and the good of others our prayer success rate will rise. SEE 2 Kings 4:32-35
Fourthly, we are to pray in the Spirit.
Jude 1:20 - "But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit."
When we prayin the Spirit, we are being led by the Spirit in our prayer. When we do this, we pray God's will and purposes, and we can't fail. You have heard of high praises. This is high prayers. SEE Ephesians 6:17-19
Fifthly we are to pray earnestly and/or intensely.
James 5:17- "Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years"
Acts 12:5 - "So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him."
I Thessalonians 3:10 - "Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith."
When we pray earneslty, it shows the Father how much we really want what we are asking. Yes, God knows our heart, but He likes us to express what is in our hearts. I bleieve that our earnestness moves the heart and hand of God.
Sixthly we are not only to earnestly seek the answer or gift, but we are to earnestly seek God our Father.
Hebrews 11:6 - "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
It is interesting here, he says God rewards those who earnestly seek Him. The Bible says, seek you first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33) Even in this world, one is more ready to help the person who has a relationship with, and one who is not just after the gift.
I trust these six steps help you in your prayer life. The Bible teaches that He loves to bless His children and loves to hear us pray. Yet, we must follow the principles laid out in God's Word to be more successful in our prayer lives.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Hindrances to Prayer
The apostle James speaks of a hindrance to pray, which could be one of our greatest hindrances. Let us look at James 1:5-7.
"5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;"
We see here that God loves to give to all without finding a reason not to give. Yet, James says, our unbelief hinders God’s answer to our prayers. If we doubt, we should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Faith is being certian that God will give you what you ask Him. God knows our hearts and minds. He knows if we are asking in full faith. Where does faith come from? Can we talk ourselves into having faith? Not usually, faith comes from God and His Word.
Matt. 13:54-58 says, "54Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked. 55"Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56Aren't all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?" 57And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 58And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith."
They didn't receive their miracle because of lack of faith. They lacked faith because they looked at the vessel instead of the one who sent the vessel. How true this can be of us. When our eyes are not fixed on God, we will lose faith.
Another hindrance to our prayers is a lack of knowledge or understanding of the will of God.
James 4:3 - "3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."
Many times we pray and don't receive what we ask for because we are asking what we want, not what God wants. Often we do this in ignorance.
Another hindrance to prayer is pride. Let us look at Luke 18:9-14.
"9To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: 10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about[himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
13But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.14I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
13But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.14I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Of these two men, the one God heard and gave what he asked for is the one who humbled himself before God. God doesn't owe us anything, and if we come to Him with this attitude, we shouldn't expect to receive anything from Him.
Unforgiveness is another hindrance to prayer. Let us look at Mark 11:25-26.
"25And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."
Our relationship to the Father is intertwined or connected to our relationship with our brother in Christ. If our relationship with our brother or sister in Christ is not right, it will be a hindrance to our prayers.
Another relationship that needs to be right before God in order for God to hear our prayers is our relationship with our wife.
I Peter 3:7 says, "Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."
This goes two ways. If our relationship with our spouse is not good, it will be a hindrance to our prayers.
A real big hindrance to our prayers is the sin in our lives. Sin breaks the line of communication. A life of sin separates us from God.
Isaiah 59:1-2 says, "Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."
You may be wondering why God may not be answering your prayer. It could be because you are living a sinful life. No one is perfect, God knows this. We don't have to be without sin or perfect to receive the answer to our prayers, but the more we sin, the greater the separation and greater is the chance of God not hearing your prayer. Take note that He did not say iniquity, but iniquities. An accumulation of sins hinders God in answering our prayers.
One who continues to disobey God willingly is in rebellion. Rebellion brings God judgement and unwillingness to listen.
Jeremiah 11:10-11 says, "10 They have returned to the sins of their forefathers, who refused to listen to my words. They have followed other gods to serve them. Both the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken the covenant I made with their forefathers. 11 Therefore this is what the LORD says: 'I will bring on them a disaster they cannot escape. Although they cry out to me, I will not listen to them."
The prayers of those who don’t obey God’s Word is an abomination to the Lord.
Proverbs 28:9 -"9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable."
Wow! I hope that we never find ourselves in this situation.
Well, praise be to God, He desires to restore those who have fallen and turned away from Him. Therefore, He has given us a very specail promise in I John 1:9.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Look at your own life and ask God, what is hindering the answers to your prayer. God loves His children and wants to give them good gifts.
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