Prayer
is our inner man crying out for help,
fellowship and spiritual nourishment! It is
born out of our need and the assurance that
God is there to meet that need and answer
our prayer!
PRAYER
IS TALKING, LISTENING AND COMMUNING WITH THE
LORD
Prayer
is talking, listening and communing with our
Maker as we enter into the very presence of
Almighty God. It
is intimate fellowship on a "one-to-one
basis" with God, through Jesus Christ
our Lord!
WHEN
WE PRAY, OUR TOTAL MIND, BODY & SPIRIT
BECOMES INVOLVED
Our
spirit cries out in response to our needs
and those of others, as God plays on our
heart strings, encouraging us to share those
burdens with Him.
Our
minds stagger under the weight of sin, fear,
worry and care and our spirits soar both to
heights unknown as well as plumb to
incomprehensible depths.
We
groan in the spirit of intercession or exult
in the joy of God, knowing that He is taking
control of the situation! And that by our
compassion, care and faith people in need
are being convicted, strengthened, healed
and blessed!
As
we weep in travail our eyes redden, our
physical strength is taxed and our body
becomes weary! Then the Holy Spirit takes
over and intercedes through us with
groanings that cannot be uttered, and we
enter into a new realm as we pray in the
Spirit (unknown tongues), as St. Paul did.
(1 Corinthians 14:15)
The
Divine Paraclete (the Comforter - the One
sent alongside to help) helps us as we do
not know how we ought to pray. But He comes
to our rescue and prays through us to the
Father!
The
entire Trinity is involved in our
fellowship, as we pray to God our Father in
the name of Jesus Christ our Lord!
PRAYER
IS MANKIND'S MOST VITAL LINK WITH THE
ALMIGHTY GOD
Prayer
is mankind's most vital link with Almighty
LORD God. It is, in fact, entering into His
very presence with our requests, petitions
and thanksgiving.
The
scripture says, He is closer than our hands
or feet. It is therefore, not difficult to
draw upon His power by reaching out in
prayer and touching Him.
WHEN
WE PRAY, GOD NOT ONLY LISTENS TO US,
BUT GOD SPEAKS TO OUR SPIRITS
When
we pray, God not only listens but speaks to
our spirits and answers our requests in His
own way, according to His divine and
gracious will.
The
woman with the "issue of blood"
touched Him with her faith and received an
instant miracle. Jesus turned about in the
crowd and asked specifically, "Who
touched My clothes"?
Many
rubbed shoulders with Him, but one person
touched Him by faith. She had said within
herself, "If I but touch His garment, I
shall be whole." She was made whole,
and Jesus declared that her faith had gotten
the job done! (Matthew 9:21)
God's
Word says: "And it shall come to pass
that, before
they call, I will answer; and while they are
yet speaking, I will hear." (Isaiah
65:24).
'Prayer
is talking, listening and communing with God
as we enter into the very presence of the
Almighty!'
The
20th Century Bible renders the account this
way: Jesus said, "Someone has touched
Me". And they said, "Master, the
multitudes press Thee and crush Thee".
But He answered, "No, someone has made
a demand upon My ability".
When
we believe and reach out for a miracle, we
make a demand upon His ability and draw from
His great storehouse of blessing, that which
we desire!
Another
beautiful aspect, is that the woman received
the miracle without Jesus knowing she had a
need. The miracle was already accomplished
before Jesus was aware of it!
PRAYER
CAN COMPLETELY CHANGE YOUR LIFE AND OTHER'S
LIVES
The
Psalmist prayed: "Let the words of my
mouth and the meditation of my heart be
acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength
and my Redeemer. Thou hast heard the
desire of the humble." (Psalms
19:
14
;
10:
17
)
'PRAYER
NOT ONLY CHANGES THINGS; IT CHANGES LIVES'
The
easiest way for me to illustrate God's
provision for us, is to compare it to a
buffet banquet. Many tables, loaded with the
best foods sits in the middle of the room
and guests help themselves at will. The host
simply walks among his friends to see if
everyone is getting enough to eat, while the
servers keep loading the tables with fresh
supplies!
The
host is not really concerned whether you
make one or three trips to the tables, so
long as you get enough to eat. He doesn't
watch to see if you take one leg of chicken
or two!
FORGIVENESS,
HEALING, BLESSING & PROSPERITY ARE ALL
AVAILABLE TO US
Forgiveness,
healing, blessing and prosperity are all
provided for us. We can have all we need!
All we have to do, is reach out by faith and
make a demand on His ability, by receiving.
Automatically,
when we tap into His resources by faith in
His finished work on Golgotha, the miracle
happens!
PRAYER
CHANGE THINGS FOR THE BETTER
Prayer
changes things! Many situations have been
altered, lives changed and priorities
rearranged by spending time in prayer.
Why
is this? God answers prayer! God performs
miracles! He is real, and communion with Him
is a glorious reality! God does answer
prayer.
Through
prayer and communion with God we can affect
the course of this world and change the
complexion of society!
Not
only does prayer change things but it
changes people - the lives of the ones
prayed for as well as the persons praying.
Thousands of answers to prayer are recorded
regularly in the books of heaven, as well as
in the remembrances of committed Christians.
Miracles
of salvation, healing, preservation,
deliverance and prosperity are common
occurrences for those who really believe
God's Word and appropriate His promises for
themselves!
PRAYER
CAN CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE AND GIVE YOU A NEW
OUTLOOK ON LIFE
A
person gets a totally new outlook on life
when he spends time in God's presence. His
priorities change as well as his desires and
goals in life. And his disposition becomes
kinder and more caring!
The
hymn writer penned these words which have
blessed millions down through the years.
"Sweet
hour of prayer, sweet hour of prayer
That calls me from a world of care
And sets me at my Father’s throne,
Makes all my wants and wishes known.
In
seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare,
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer."
THE
TWIN PILLARS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH ARE
REPENTANCE & FAITH
The
twin pillars of the Christian Church are
REPENTANCE and FAITH. St. Paul makes that
very plain: "Testifying both to the
Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance
toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus
Christ." (Acts 20:21)
Writing
to new converts he said: "For by grace
(God's unmerited favor) are ye saved through
faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the
gift of God. Not of works, lest any man
should boast". (Ephesians 2:8-9)
YOU
MUST HAVE FAITH TO BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST
AND TO RECEIVE HIM
To
believe in Jesus Christ and receive Him into
your life is to have faith! Faith is a fact
but faith is also an act, because faith
requires corresponding action!
The
Bible says, "For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in Him should not
perish, but have everlasting life."
(John 3:16)
When
you have faith in God, you will believe the
Gospel of Jesus Christ and dedicate your
life in His service! Real faith transforms a
person's lifestyle, because faith in God
works miracles in people!
"Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new
creation: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new." (2
Corinthians 5:17)
HOW DO WE
RECEIVE FAITH ?
According
to the Holy Scriptures, God has given each
one of us faith to believe in Jesus Christ,
His Son and be saved: "...think
soberly, according as God hath dealt to
every man the measure of faith."
(Romans 12:3)
He
has placed His Word within our conscience
and our spirit which came from God! (Romans
7:22-25)
THE BIBLE
WHICH IS THE WORD OF GOD CREATES FAITH
The
Word of God also creates faith! "So
then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by
the word of God." (Romans 10:17)
God has called us to a life of faith and
worship, through Jesus Christ His Son!
The
Bible says, "Now faith is the substance
of things hoped for, the evidence of things
not seen. But without faith it is impossible
to please Him; for he that cometh to God
must believe that He is, and that He is a
rewarder of them that diligently seek
Him." (Hebrews 11:1,6)
WHAT
IS FAITH ? FAITH IS 3 VITAL THINGS:
1)
Coming to God with our needs.
2) Believing that God exists and that He is
Who the Bible says He is.
3) Expecting a miracle (an answer) when you
pray!
'Faith
in the Father & faith in the Son
Faith in the Holy Ghost, three in the One
Demons will tremble & sinners awake
Faith in Christ Jesus will anything shake!'
Faith
is also a gift as well as a fruit of the
Holy Spirit! "To another faith by the
same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing
by the same Spirit;" (1 Corinthians
12:9)
THE
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE,
LONGSUFFERING, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS &
FAITH
"But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith," (Galatians 5:22)
GOD
CALLS US TO SEPARATION
What
does it mean when you say, "God calls
us to separation"?
When
we accept Jesus Christ as our LORD, to serve
and live for Him, the LORD God sets us apart
from non-believers through the divine
process of redemption and the infilling of
the Holy Spirit.
But
God requires that we must separate ourselves
totally and completely unto Him, in order
that His miraculous provisions will work
within us.
Jesus
calls us to righteous, holy and pure living!
The Bible says, "But as He which hath
called you is holy, so be ye holy in all
manner of conduct." (1 Peter
1:15)
SANCTIFICATION
IS THE PROCESS IN WHICH BELIEVERS ARE SET
APART FOR GOD AND HIS SERVICE
Sanctification
is the process by which believers are set
apart for God and His service, to be made
holy and purified from sin by His gifts and
graces and our determined will to do that
which is right!
We
cannot do this in our own power. The
Scripture says, "But of Him are ye in
Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us
wisdom, and righteousness and
sanctification, and redemption." (1
Corinthians 1:30)
St.
Paul admonished, "For this is the will
of God, even your sanctification, that ye
should abstain from fornication: That every
one of you should know how to possess his
vessel in sanctification and honor."
"For
God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but
unto holiness." (1 Thessalonians 4:3,
4, 7)
GOD
DESIRES HIS PEOPLE TO LEAD PURE,
WHOLESOME LIVES - COMPLETELY SEPARATE FROM
EVIL
The
Bible clearly states that God desire His
people to lead pure, wholesome lives - not
like the pagan. We must be separated
from evil completely. We must be
separated from the evil practices of lying,
witchcraft, hatred, gambling, idolatry,
sodomy and adultery. The Bible which
is the Word of God teaches purity of though,
word and deed.
WHEREFORE
COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM, AND BE YE
SEPARATE, SAITH THE LORD
St.
Paul declared, "Wherefore come out from
among them, and be ye separate, saith the
Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I
will receive you." (2 Corinthians
6:17)
GOD
PROMISES TO BE OUR FATHER, IF WE BELIEVE HIS
WORD AND LIVE BY IT !
In
His dealings with Israel ~ the Children of
Israel, He demanded that they separate
themselves from idols and the pagan
practices of the heathen!
"But
I say, that the things which the Gentiles
sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not
to God: and I would not that ye should have
fellowship with devils." (1
Corinthians 10:20-21)
As
Christians, we are followers of Jesus Christ
and must not try to drag Him down to the
filth in which the ungodly live, but allow
Him to lift us to the place of purity and
wholeness which He exemplifies.
JESUS
CHRIST SAVES US FROM SINS - NOT TO LIVE IN
OUR SINS
The
Bible says, "If a man therefore purge
himself from these (carnal, sinful &
dishonorable pursuits) he shall be a vessel
unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the
Master's use, and prepared unto every good
work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow
righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with
them that call on the Lord out of a pure
heart." (2 Timothy 2:21-22)
Again
God's Word states, "Having therefore
these promises, dearly beloved, let us
cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the
flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the
fear of God." (2 Corinthians 7:1)
THE
CALL TO DEDICATION
The
word dedicate means to "set apart and
consecrate to a divine being. To give wholly
or earnestly to a patron, friend or
purpose." It
is in this sense I now use this word. We
should be willing to give ourselves wholly
and earnestly unto the cause of
righteousness, loving God and our fellowman!
THE
BIBLE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT IF WE DO CERTAIN
THINGS, GOD WILL BLESS AND PROSPER US
The
Bible does not compromise. It is clear in
its teachings that if we do certain things,
God will bless and prosper us! And if we do
not, there will be no blessing!
Here
is His clarion call to dedication:
"And
be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good, and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
(Romans 12:1-2)
This
stern admonition was sent to former pagans,
who had converted to Christ. St. Paul
demanded that they break from evil, lustful
and perverted deeds and live in purity as
Christians!
There
is no such thing as a Christian thief, a
Christian liar, a Christian drunkard, a
Christian drug addict, a Christian
homosexual or a Christian fornicator.
When
Christ comes into our hearts, the Holy
Spirit does a work in us whereby we are
liberated from the lusts and perversions of
this wicked old world!
He
admonishes Timothy and all of us: "but
thou, O man of God, flee these things; and
follow after righteousness, godliness,
faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the
good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal
life, whereunto thou art also called, and
hast professed a good profession before many
witnesses."
"I
give thee charge in the sight of God, Who
quickeneth all things, and before Christ
Jesus, Who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a
good confession; That thou keep this
commandment without spot, unrebukeable,
until the appearing of our Lord Jesus
Christ:" (1 Timothy 6:11-14)
It
is certainly a slap in our face, when
Muslims and other non-Christians reject
Christianity because of the lewd way in
which our so-called Christian society
conducts itself!
I
hasten to say that the rock and roll music,
loose living, pornography, abortion,
alcoholism and perversion, which is so
prevalent in our society, is in no way
Christian! On the contrary, it is anathema!
It
is sad to hear Muslim leaders saying that
they do not want their people contaminated
with "the abominable practices of
sodomy, pornography, drug abuse, obscene
rock & roll music and alcoholism, which
are rife in Western Christian culture!"
GOD CALLS
US TO ABSTAIN FROM ALL APPEARANCES OF EVIL
The
Bible says, "Dearly beloved, I beseech
you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from
fleshly lusts, which war against the soul:
Having your conversation honest among the
Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against
you as evildoers, they may see your good
works, which they shall behold, glorify God
in the day of visitation." (1 Peter
2:11-12)
We
are instructed, "Abstain from all
appearance of evil." (1 Thessalonians
5:22)
MAY JESUS
CHRIST ALWAYS BE OUR EXAMPLE, HE WAS
PERFECT IN ALL RESPECTS
May
Jesus Christ always be our example. He was
perfect in all respects - SINLESS in deity
and humanity - yet was obedient to the
cross, suffering for our sin and shame, so
that He could save us and bring us to God!
The
Bible says, "Looking unto JESUS the
author and finisher of our faith; Who for
the joy that was set before him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and is set down
at the right hand of the throne of
God." (Hebrews 12:2)
Jesus,
"...being in the form of God, thought
it not robbery to be equal with God: But
made Himself of no reputation, and took upon
Him the form of a servant, and was made in
the likeness of men: And being found in
fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and
became obedient unto death, even the death
of the cross". (Philippians 2:6-8)
St.
Paul was totally dedicated: "I am
debtor both to the Greeks, and to the
Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the
unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready
to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome
also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of
Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth; to
the Jew first, and also to the Greek."
(Romans 1:14-16)
THE
CALL TO CONSECRATION
Consecration
is the act of obedience, when we privately
and publicly make a statement that we have
given ourselves in dedication for God's
service!
In
like manner, as we consecrate a church
building or musical instruments to Go''s
service, so we consecrate our bodies,
talents and riches unto the cause of Christ
and His Church!
CHRIST
IS CALLING US TO CONSECRATE OURSELVES TO
RIGHTEOUS LIVING AND EVANGELISM
Christ
is calling us to give ourselves
wholeheartedly to His cause. To CONSECRATE
OURSELVES unto a life of righteous living
and evangelism! He
is looking for those who will be totally
committed to His gospel, so that His light
may shine in this ungodly world.
The
Bible says, "...let us lay aside every
weight, and the sin which doth so easily
beset us, and let us run with patience the
race that is set before us." (Hebrews
12:1)
WHAT
DOES THIS MEAN TO THE LIAR, THIEF,
ADULTERER, GAMBLER, SINNER
What
does that mean to the liar, thief,
adulterer, homosexual or gambler? Pure and
simple - STOP DOING THOSE THINGS AND BEGIN
LIVING PURE LIVES!
Jesus
said, "Whosoever will come after Me,
let him deny himself, and take up the cross,
and follow Me. For whosoever will save his
life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose
his life for My sake and the gospel's, the
same shall save it." (Mark
8:35-36)
OUR
LORD REQUIRES A FULL COMMITMENT &
CONSECRATION FROM US
Our
Lord requires a full commitment and
consecration from us, for Him to trust us
with His authority, gifts and power! He does
not want to be the "fifth wheel"
of our existence or a "fire-insurance
policy" kept in a safety deposit box.
GOD
MUST TAKE CENTER STAGE IN OUR LIVES
He
must take center stage in our lives so that
our lifestyle will be pleasing in His sight,
and effective in our relationship to others!
Jesus,
Who is our grand example, "set His
face" to go to Jerusalem where He knew
He would die upon a rugged cross and become
"a curse for us", in order to
purchase our salvation! (Galatians 3:13)
St.
Paul said, "What mean ye to weep and to
break mine heart? For I am ready not to be
bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for
the Name of the Lord Jesus."
(Acts 21:13)
Again
he stated, "For I am now ready to be
offered, and the time of my departure is at
hand. I have fought a good fight, I have
finished my course, I have kept the
faith." (2 Timothy 4:6,7)
The
great apostle was totally dedicated to Jesus
Christ. His life was consecrated to His
Gospel!
Martin
Luther emphasized: "I live as though
Jesus Christ was crucified yesterday, arose
today & is coming again tomorrow."
The
great leader of the Protestant Reformation
was consumed with the Gospel of Jesus
Christ, and that is why God used him so
mightily to bring back the simplicity,
truth, purity & power of Christ's Gospel
to a corrupt, idolatrous and backslidden
Church!
This
is the commendation given by the leaders of
the Primitive Church regarding the preachers
they sent out: "These are men that have
hazarded their lives for the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 15:26)
WE
CAN CONSECRATE OURSELVES TO GO BY
LIVING A 'DISCIPLINE CHRISTIAN LIFE'
A
proper way to consecrate ourselves to God is
through a 'Disciplined Christian Life'!
Fasting & prayer is a good way to humble
ourselves before God and to become
consecrated wholly to God and His Kingdom!
Jesus
declared, "Go ye into all the world,
and preach the gospel to every creature. He
that believeth and is baptized shall be
saved; but he that believeth not shall be
damned." (Mark 16:15)
The
paramount duty of the Christian is to
communicate the gospel to our fellowmen by
our chaste lifestyles, honesty, compassion
and wholesome outlook. We
are "saved to serve"!
JESUS
SAID, "THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD
WITH ALL THY HEART"
Jesus
said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,
and with all thy mind. This is the first and
great commandment. And the second is like
unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyself. On these two commandments hang all
the law and the prophets."
(Matthew 22:37-40)
The
only road to true happiness is going God's
way, walking the Gospel road, by loving God
and loving our neighbors as ourselves!
Let
us always follow the Golden Rule:
"Do
unto others as you would have them do unto
you." (Luke 6:31)
TRUE
BELIEVERS OF CHRIST ARE CONCERNED ABOUT
THE SPIRITUAL, EMOTIONAL & PHYSICAL
NEEDS OF OTHER
Born
again Christians automatically seek the
"high road of life" after an
encounter with 'Jesus Christ'. We are
concerned about the needs of others,
spiritual, emotional and physical, because
our lives have been changed: "Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new
creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new."
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
Angelic
beings brought the message of Christ's
victory to the disciples, at the empty tomb
on that first resurrection morning. They
said, "Come and see the place where our
Lord lay, and go and tell His
disciples..." (Matthew 28:6, 7)
It
is incumbent upon all Christians to
experience God's blessings through Christ,
and then to "go and tell" others
the good news that there is hope for our
nation and our world!
AND
THAT HOPE LIES ONLY IN THE PROCLAMATION AND
RECEPTION OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!
The
Bible says, "And this gospel of the
kingdom shall be preached in all the world
for a witness unto all nations; and then
shall the end come." (Matthew 24:14)
WE
ARE TO BE THE HANDS AND FEET OF CHRIST OUR
LORD
Christ
has no hands but our hands, to do His work
of preaching and spreading His Gospel to the
ends of the earth. Let us be about our
Father's business!
Christ
is calling us all to communicate, share,
spread, dispense, articulate and live His
Gospel before this wicked world, so that
many more will be saved before it is too
late.
This
also includes paying our tithes and giving
offerings to God's work. Let us remember the
words of our Lord Jesus: "It is more
blessed to give than to receive." (Acts
20:35)
GOD'S
WORD SAYS, "GIVE, AND IT SHALL BE GIVEN
UNTO YOU"
He
also stated: "Give, and it shall be
given unto you; good measure, pressed down,
and shaken together, and running over, shall
men give into your bosom. For with the same
measure that ye mete withal it shall be
measured to you again." (Luke
6:38)
Sir
Winston Churchill said, "We make a
living by what we get, but we make a life by
what we give". My question to us all
is: Are we doing our share to spread the
Gospel through our giving?
Or
are we guilty of spending too much time
& money pampering ourselves when
multitudes are going to a 'Christless
Eternity' because NO ONE HAS SHARED THE
GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST WITH THEM?
William
Penn stated: "If there is any kindness
I can show, or any good thing I can do to my
fellow human being, let me do it now, and
not deter nor neglect it. I shall not pass
this way again."
Francis
of Assisi said, "Preach the gospel
everyday and if you must use words...It is
in giving oneself, one receives; it is in
forgetting oneself, that one is found; it is
in pardoning, that one obtains pardon".
He taught his students that there is no
point in, "walking somewhere to preach,
unless you can preach while you are
walking"!
SEEK
YE FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Jesus
said, "But seek ye first the kingdom of
God, and His righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you."
(Matthew 6:33)
The
Bible instructs: "But sanctify the Lord
God in your hearts: and be ready always to
give an answer to every d man that asketh
you a reason of the hope that is in you with
meekness an fear:" (1 Peter 3:15)
"Charge
them that are rich in this world, that they
be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain
riches, but in the living God, Who giveth us
richly all things to enjoy; That they do
good, that they be rich in good works, ready
to distribute, willing to communicate;
Laying up in store for themselves a good
foundation against the time to come, that
they may lay hold on eternal life." (1
Timothy 6:17-19)
God
loves you, my friend. He has purchased your
total salvation through the death of His Son
Jesus Christ Who paid for our sins with His
pure and perfect blood!
The
Bible declares that He not only died for our
sins on the cross, but arose from the dead
for our justification! (Romans 4:25)
Here
is our Lord’s invitation to you:
"Come unto Me, all ye that labor and
are heavy laden, and I will give you
rest." (Matthew 11:28)
