Category: Daily Word

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,
     I could use a miracle, how about you?  As I have been studying about miracles, it has come to my attention that we as believers should experience miracles more regularly than we do.  "There are also many other signs and miracles which Jesus performed in the presence of the disciples which are not written in this book.  But these are written (recorded) in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of God, and that through believing and cleaving to and trusting and relying upon Him you may have life through (in) His name [through Who He is]." (John 20:30-31) The recording of miracles have been done in order that we may believe.  There are not only to help unbelievers begin to believe, but also to help us to believe.  Here the word signs and miracles are written.  Miracles plainly means a spectacular event, or an event which triggers wonder.  An extraordinary event which is unfathomable [incapable of being measured] in conditions of normal natural forces.  An occurrence which causes the witnesses to assume a phenomenal origin.  Miracles are events which unmistakeably involve an immediate and powerful action of God designed to reveal His character and or His purposes.  Nine times out of ten operating without the use or means capable of being discerned by the senses.  It is above nature and man, otherwise man would take the credit.  It shows the intervention of a power that is not limited by the laws either of matter or of mind.  A power that interrupts the fixed laws which govern their movements.  A supernatural power, that is what I need.  How about you?  Why am I bringing up miracles?  Well.  It is about time for us to hear about them once again, for the Word of God says that, "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." (Rom. 10:17) So the more of the Word of God you hear concerning "miracles" then the more your faith will be built up to believe for miracles.  From Genesis to Revelation, miracles are written there for our benefit to help us in our faith.  From Daniel in the lion's den to the record of Creation, from the parting of the Red Sea for the Israelites to walk through on dry land to Paul and Silas chains being broken off as they praised and worshiped in jail.  Of course there is no way for me to rewrite all of those miracles on this site, but it would be worth your while to begin to dedicate some of your time to search it out and by doing so build up your faith and expectation for miracles in your life.
     In the New Testament there are four Greek words that are used to designate miracle.  Semeion– a "sign", evidence of a divine commission, an attesting of a divine message.  Tetra– a "wonder", wonder causing event; a marvel or prodigy that produces astonishment in the beholder.  Dunamis– "might-work", works of superhuman power; God's pervasive activity in nature, history, or in people's lives.  Erga- 'works', an act or deed accomplished by God's hands.  We will see and experience for ourselves more miracles, signs, and wonders, that we as 'Believers' should experience, especially as we come closer to the End-times.  We are to imitate our Lord just as he imitated the Father.  When we believe that miracles, signs and wonders are as much a part of our faith as every promise in the Bible, we will begin to place a demand upon it in our own lives.  Look, we will be like Jesus!  "So Jesus answered them by saying, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, the Son is able to do nothing of Himself (of His own accord); but He is able to do only what He sees the Father doing, for whatever the Father does is what the Son does in the same way [in His turn].  The Father dearly loves the Son and discloses to (shows) Him everything that He Himself does.  And He will disclose to Him (let Him see) greater things yet than these, so that you may marvel and be full of wonder and astonishment!" (John 5:19-20) Next time we will talk a little more about miracles in the life of the believer.
 
Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,
     "Who is there among you who is wise and intelligent?  Then let him by his noble living show forth his [good] works with the [unobtrusive] humility [which is the proper attribute] of true wisdom.  But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth.  This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal).  For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.  But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle).  [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity)."  (James 3:13-17) True humility has an attitude, it is unobtrusive humility.  Unobtrusive means not to impose, not being forceful, forward, or aggressive.  Humble denotes being modest, not proud or arrogant.  Attitude is our manner or disposition regarding a person or thing.  So simply put, our manner regarding the wisdom that we have from God, must be gentle, not forceful towards sharing what we have from God with others.  We can't have an attitude of pride of knowing what you have, your part of the many-sided wisdom of God.  If anything that you have received from God has an attitude of jealousy, rivalry or selfish ambition, it is not true wisdom.  That wisdom is earthly, sensual, and demonic.  Human nature carries the desire to receive praise, admiration, and commendation.  We all want to be approved and accepted for being unique or great.  Quite often we forget that God has already given each of us His approval and acceptance.  That is the highest praise.  We must learn God's way of wisdom, otherwise you will never truly come to the place that you are content with the 'you' that God has made you to be.  Where we value every part of the many-sided wisdom of God.  "And those [parts] of the body which we consider rather ignoble are [the very parts] which we invest with additional honor, and our unseemly parts and those unsuitable for exposure are treated with seemliness (modesty and decorum), Which our more presentable parts do not require.  But God has so adjusted (mingled, harmonized, and subtly proportioned the parts of) the whole body, giving the greater honor and richer endowment to the inferior parts which lack [apparent importance], So that there should be no division or discord or lack of adaptation [of the parts of the body to each other], but the members all alike should have a mutual interest in and care for one another". (1 Corin. 12:23-25)  Everyone in the Body is important, everything you do in the Kingdom is a needed and high ranking call.  Everything, and, everyone, is valued highly by God.  Yet, we must adapt our attitudes when it comes to sharing the wisdom that we have.  God's wisdom is first, pure [free from all that would contaminate, like jealousy, rivalry, and selfish ambition].  Next, God's wisdom is peaceable [brings peace, harmony, safety, and prosperity; doesn't wreak havoc].  It is gentle [kind, fair, and equitable].  Easy to be entreated, simply means no one has to beg for the wisdom that you have, they only need to ask.  Wisdom is offered with mercy and compassion and it is always bearing good fruit.  To receive it you can be any part of the Body that ask for the wisdom from another part of the Body of Christ, and you don't have to jump through hoops to get it.  Just like the Father Who said, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." 
     So whatever wisdom or insight that you may have, remember; 'freely you have received.  Freely give!"  Now go and grow the Body of Christ with His wisdom that He has given you.
 
Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,
    
     "Also to enlighten all men and make plain to them what is the plan [regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men] of the mystery kept hidden through the ages and concealed until now in [the mind of] God Who created all things by Christ Jesus.  [The purpose is] that through the church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere.  This is in accordance with the terms of the eternal and timeless purpose which He has realized and carried into effect in [the person of] Christ Jesus our Lord." (Ephes. 3:9-11) We are a part of the complicated, many sided wisdom of God, each one of us bring to the 'body of Christ', a part of the wisdom of God.  Wisdom means knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; discernment.  I like that the Amplified Bible says that the wisdom of God is many-sided, which offers to our finite mind an understanding that God has more than one or two ways to get something to us.  He can also use the many-sided 'body of Christ' to meet the need for this wisdom to be displayed or put into action.  The fact that His wisdom can be complicated as well as given to us simply, shows that we need to make ourselves available to hear this wisdom.  Complicated is to be composed of elaborately interconnected parts; complex or difficult to analyze.  We realize that we need this kind of in-depth wisdom, well it is ours just for the asking.  "If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him". (James 1:5)  Heaven is calling us to walk in this complicated many-sided wisdom in the approaching days.  This means we must ask to fill the void of our deficiency in wisdom, but that we must learn to depend and accept the part of this wisdom that the other members of the 'body of Christ has'.  Because this wisdom is elaborate and complex.  Yet, we must still exercising some God-like discernment as well, where we know when it is God's part that is being given and not the world's wisdom [there is a difference, we will see it in the next verse].  The rest of this wisdom is the infinite variety and innumerable aspects.  Infinite variety means indefinitely or exceedingly great diversified and different, unlimited or unmeasurable and unique.  Innumerable is countless and very numerous in its nature, quality or character.  This definition describes God's wisdom, as well as the part that we have that we bring to the 'body of Christ'.  Each one of us are different, all of us bear numerous natures, quality, and character.  Even when we are under the direction of Holy Spirit, we each have a unique part of God's wisdom that He gives to each one to participate in building up the Church.
     Finally, since we are part of God's great heavenly wisdom, we must maintain a pure heart.  That will affect the wisdom and how it is received.  Now let's read and meditate on how to keep a pure heart as we learn how to share and impart the wisdom, that part that we have.  "Who is there among you who is wise and intelligent? Then let him by his noble living show forth his [good] works with the [unobtrusive] humility [which is the proper attribute] of true wisdom.  But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth.  This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal).  For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices [this is the world's wisdom that we spoke of earlier].  But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity)".( James 3:13-17)  Next week we will talk about how to be unobtrusive and humble with your piece of God's many-sided wisdom.  The whole earth is waiting for the mature sons of God to be revealed. This wisdom comes from heaven so it is much higher than anything earthly and will elevate the Kingdom and those of the Kingdom, us.  It's our time to grow up in our love walk while exercising pure wisdom in order to fulfil our purpose, being the extraordinary children of God.  It's our time to shine!
  
Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,
     We can read most anywhere in the Scriptures and see that God is faithful.  He will build us up and support us, He is firm and permanent in His love and certain and sure.  We can depend on Him, but can He depend on us?  Are we steadfast and faithful?  Are we true to our word, promises, and vows?  Are we steady in our allegiance and affection?  We must be faithful to God just as He is faithful to us.  After all we are in a covenant.  Listen to the Psalmists allegiance to God; "I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.  How sweet are thy words unto my taste!  yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!  Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments". (Ps. 119:102-106) That is being faithful, not to depart from keeping the Word of God and performing the Word and his word.  Perform simply means to fulfill, to confirm, to maintain, and to fix.  The Psalmist has determined to fulfill God's Word in His life.  We all want and need God to fulfill His Word or promise to us, yet are we determined to fulfill our part of the covenant?  We saw that God will do what He has promised, (Is. 55:10-12).  Jeremiah 1:12 says, "I will hasten My word to perform it."  We all want to hear what God has promised to do for us, but usually we don't spend quality time on our part of the  covenant.  "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister."  If we continue in the faith grounded and settled; If means, on condition that; in the event that; supposing, allowing, conceding, or granting.  A little word with a big meaning, if we stay grounded and settled.  Grounded is to lay the foundation; to make stable, establish.  Settled means to be firm, immovable, and steadfast.
     We should be built on the sure foundation, which is Jesus Christ.   We must be cautious to only place on this foundation more of what God's Word says and not man-made traditions, or religious notions, or popular cliches.  "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon.  But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is".
(1 Corin. 3:10-13) One of the most important parts of the covenant for us to keep is to stay grounded and settled on the 'Sure Foundation', which is Christ.  We can not be moved away because of 'things' going on in our lives.  Let's be as faithful to the Lord as He is to us, let's perform our promise to love and obey Him.  "I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end". (Ps. 119:112)
 
Love,

Pastor D.


Ears to Hear

Good Morning,
     "We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia.  We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it.  In fact, we expected to die.  But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.  And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again.  We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.  And you are helping us by praying for us.  Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety." (2 Corin. 1:8-11) As you read this verse you can see that the early saints were going through tough and difficult times.  How relevant is the Word of God for us today?  It is like reading today's headlines.  During the trials and tests they learned to rely on God and to stop putting their trust in their abilities and strength.  Maybe, the Lord is bringing us to that place of relying only on Him.  Rely is to hold and cleave to; to have confidence and a feeling of security, to expect with certainty; to lean and rest upon.  Are you confident that God will rescue, deliver, save, and restore you and do whatever is necessary to bring you out?  "And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you." (Phil. 1:6)
     Our Father is not going to stop or quit until He completes the work that He started, so we must not quit.  Completion means to bring to fruition; to accomplish; to finish; to carry out in action; to bring to the intended or final condition or perfected state.  God is bringing us to a perfected state, we are maturing, growing in Him.  We can trust and rely on God, for over and over He affirms that He is not confused by anything going on in our lives.  I realize that we struggle with the temporary things that we go through, but we must come to the place that know that the key is that we 'go through.'  Those states or conditions are not permanent for us.  Remember, "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you." (1 Peter 5:10) After, after, after, you have suffered a little while.  Whoa, what does that mean to us people of faith?  Suffered carries the meaning to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo.  So after you undergo an experience, [tests, trials, tribulations, etc], then God will bring to fruition or bring you to your intended or perfected state, making you what you ought to be.  All of us go through in order to become established securely and settled in Him, we learn to rely on Him and not in our own crafty schemes or abilities.  God's Word is constantly working on our behalf.  Remember; "For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish [same as completion; bring to fruition] that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." (Is. 55:10-11)  We can rely on God to rescue us and to finish what He started in us! It shall be accomplished.
  
Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,
     "What then shall we say to all this?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?  He who did not withhold or spare (even) His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will he not also with Him freely and graciously give us all other things?" (Romans 8:31-32)  This is a sure promise from God to us.  We have Father God, Jesus, our Lord, and Holy Spirit, as well as a whole host of angels to assist.  "We have the prophetic word (made) firmer still.  You will do well to pay attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dismal (squalid and dark) place until the day breaks through the gloom and the Morning Star rises (comes into being) in your hearts." (2 Peter 1:19) Pay attention to the Word of God for it shines through the darkest days, even if it glows like a lamp.  The Morning Star will arise in a little while, that means more than only when the Lord one day rapturing us away.  Notice that the last part of that verse says, when the Morning Star rises in your heart.  When the revelation of the Word shining through the dismal, dark places comes to your heart, it will cause you to get up from where you are, giving you assistance to move.  "Arise [from the depression and prostration from which circumstances have kept you – rise to a new life]!  Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord ), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!" (Is. 60.1) The depression and prostration of circumstances makes all things look more dismal and gloomy than they really are.  Allow the light of the Word to illuminate the gloominess of the circumstances in your life.  Little by little the lamp of the Word will grow brighter and brighter as you stay under the light of it and you will begin to arise and move.  Arise is to get up from sitting, lying, or kneeling; rise; to awaken; wake up, to move upward; mount; ascend.  Remember, circumstances may cause you to bend or lie down, but God, Who is on your side will see to it that you have the ability to get up.
     "But no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall show to be in the wrong.  This [peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord [those in whom the ideal Servant of the Lord is reproduced]; this is the righteousness or the vindication which they obtain from Me [this is that which I impart to them as their justification], says the Lord." (Is. 54:17) This is our heritage [portion, share, inheritance].  That means that whatever device, strategy, scheme, assignment, plans, etc. that the enemy tries to come up against us with it will not prosper [succeed, to advance, make profitable, or to be successful] that is our heritage.  The enemy can never win.  Sometimes the fight may endure awhile thereby giving off the illusion that the enemy has won, {he is a deceiver} but it's not over until God is done.  He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.  Remember that God is working in you;  "Not in your own strength, for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and the desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight, (Phil. 2:13)  Power and desire, both to do His will and His work, it comes from God working in us.  We could never pull this off on our own, we need all the help that God has made available.  Daddy wants to help us, let's just receive.  God knows how to rescue the godly out of temptations and trials..(2 Peter 2:9)
 
Love,

Pastor D. 

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,
     I was thinking how hard it is sometimes to keep our eyes on our own track.  Obviously, we can all benefit from learning how to 'keep our eyes looking right on.'  "Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you." (Prov. 4:25) We tend to look around at others to see if we are far enough along on the path that has been laid out by the Father for us.  You know, judging ourselves by ourselves, hmmm.  I like this verse from the Amplified Bible, because it puts in the words 'fixed purpose.'  Fixed denotes fastened, attached, or placed so as to be firm and not readily movable; firmly implanted; stationary; rigid.  Rendered stable or permanent, set or intent upon something; steadily directed.  Purpose means the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc. an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.  Our Father's purpose for us is to bring us to the desired result that He has planned for us and that is for our 'good.'  So we should learn by practicing, keeping a fixed purpose in our view.  We have to become steady, and intent, to go toward the plan that God has for us constantly, not being easily distracted or manipulated, by circumstances or situations in life.  We have to become rigid with the purpose for which we exist.  That is the equalizer for keeping our eyes looking right on.  The next verse says, "Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your feet from evil." (Prov. 4:26-27) In other words, [my words to be exact], we have to keep our eyes on our own path the majority of the time.  Who can run someone else's race while trying to run their own?  You can't keep your eyes successfully on your path while minding someone else's.  Establish means to install or settle in a position or place.  So, we must be settled in our position and place, our very own steps that God has ordered for us to bring us to our destiny.  "The Lord directs the steps of the godly.  He delights in every detail of their lives.  Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand." (Psalm 37: 23-24) You know that our Father directs our steps, as long as we stay in His hands, and yield to Him.  Otherwise, we orchestrate our own steps and plans, they are usually crooked and full of holes.  To direct means that Abba Daddy manages us, and guides us with His counsel {His Word, Holy Spirit, fivefold ministers, etc].  He regulates our course and supervises us to help maintain the steps that have been ordered for us.  Wow, it would be hard to fail with that kind of expert help!  Why not just receive that help?
     "Day by day the Lord cares for the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that will last forever.  They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough." (Psalm 37:18-19)  The Word of God is so present tense.  This really speaks to us now.  I could use some of that right now, how about you?  If God takes such care to plan every detail, do you think He planned today as well?  The word  every is being one of a group or series taken collectively; each and all possible; the greatest possible degree of.  Details can mean an individual or minute part; an item or particular or particulars collectively.  God is a great detailer!  The smallest, minute detail in our lives, He is bringing them together to fit in the great tapestry of His plan for our path.  I know that some of the edges seem rough and ragged right now, but He isn't finished.  It's not over until He says that it is over.  Every day our Father cares for us, so He is bringing it all together.  Care from the Father is to pay attention to detail, and to have special preference for each and every one of His children.  Caring means to make provisions for.  So, keep your eyes looking right on, for this path leads to your inheritance, the Father has provided.
 
Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,
     We have the power of prayer that is fervent and earnest because we have the Holy One living on the inside of us.  "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:26-27) Precious Holy Spirit is our teacher and guide to direct us in our prayer life.  He teaches us what to pray for and how to pray, and intercedes [to act or interpose in behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble as by pleading or petition; to attempt to reconcile differences] on our behalf.  We have expert help in our prayer life.  He also helps our infirmities [want of strength; weakness; frailty; and lack of capacity].  He takes the place of us saying that we can't do it or we are not smart or gifted enough too.  Holy Spirit is helping us to pray the will of God, as we yield to Him.  "And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.  And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him." (1 John 5:14-15) It is important to line our prayers up with His will, that is why the Holy Spirit comes alongside to aid and assist us.  When we pray according to his will, we have power/authority.  Which silences the voice of the enemy.  Remember part of the definition of earnest was, 'enough power to get results.'  Power is the sense of ability; force, capacity, competency, mastery, freedom {superhuman, potentate, token of control}, delegated influence, authority.  The Word tells us that we have power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt us.
     As we learn how to be more effective in our prayer life, confidence [full trust, belief in God's ability], will continue to be established in us.  We will believe that He hears us and answers us, this is not something set aside for the 'special few', but for all who practice prayer and bulid up their confidence, as they see the answers manifested in their own lives.  "Thus says the Lord Who made [the earth], the Lord Who formed it to establish it–the Lord is His name: Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand)." (Jeremiah 33:2-3)
     Not only does He listen and hear us, He answers and reveals more of Himself and His works.  Secret things that we didn't know before we prayed.  Revelation comes as we communicate/pray to God, He wants us to be aware of some hidden things that are going on in our lives!  Sounds like prayer can open some doors in our lives.  Let's be about it. 
 
Love,
Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,
     Let's talk about prayer and our authority and privilege to do so.  We discussed last week about praying/communicating especially during the times of testing and trials.  How important it is for us to keep coming near to God in worship through our prayer life in times of hardships.  We must make our requests known to God.  Philippians 4:6-7;  "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  Supplication and requests means need; wants; petition; a seeking, asking; to voice ones petitions; asking for the action desired.  As we pray we make our request, then we must also resist the enemy, remember the goodness of God in times past.  Then we must offer up thanksgiving and rejoice by faith that He never changes, His plan is always for our good.  "Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.  Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.  Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset–rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.  And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you." (1 Peter 5:6-10) Withstand is to make an effort to oppose; to resist with force, to exert oneself to counteract; to strive against the enemy.  Remember James 4:7 says; "So be subject to God.  Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.
     As we continue to pray, we must resist the lies of the wicked one.  The Word of God tells us that he is a liar, and that there is no truth in him.  He is always trying to get us to doubt God and to believe his lies.  God is working on turning every situation around that we have asked for in prayer that lines up with His Word.  He requires us to resist the lies of the devil, as we continue to communicate our needs and wants, and stand and see the salvation of The Lord.  Let's read James 5:15-16; "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."  When we pray according to the Word of God and in the name of Jesus, we are praying a prayer of faith.  Effectual means to be operative; to be at work serious heartfelt continued until enough power is availed to get results; to put forth power; to show forth oneself in adequate, operative power to produce the intended effect.   Fervent means to be intense or to extreme degrees; showing great intensity of spirit, feeling; to be hot, burning, glowing with passion.  Do you pray like that?  Is your prayer-life on fire and glowing?  We will see that we actually do have the power or the ability to be this intense, but we usually do not stir ourselves up to the degree needed unless motivated.  Let's be motivated in order to see results of answered prayer!
 
Love,

Pastor D.

Ears to Hear

Good Morning,
     Our communication with our Father must be kept at all cost, for we must lean heavily upon our heavenly insight and information more than anytime before.  Prayer means to come near to God in worship, to draw near in supplication.  Supplications denotes to voice ones petitions or requests; a humble prayer of what one wants; asking for the action desired.  We must always keep our asking in line with the Word of God, we cannot afford to go off on a selfish tangent.  "You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it.  You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them.  Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.  And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure." (James 4:2-3).  Motives are our goals or our object for our action; the reason behind what we do.  Therefore we must keep our motives in line with the Word because God keeps His Word.  As we keep our prayer clear of selfish motives and make sure they are established by The Word, we will be confident about our prayers being heard and answered.  "And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.  And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him." (1 John 5:14-15)
     Remember that as we go through difficult times the enemy's tactic is to stop all communication between the soldiers and their headquarters.  The enemy tries to discourage us from talking to our God, our help and Rescuer.  He does it through doubt, discouragement, intense maneuvers, sorrows, longevity of time, anything that he has been successful with in the past, he will use to stop all communication/ prayer to God.  "Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known;  And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."(Phil. 4:6-7) We see that as we continue in prayer/ communication in everything and in every circumstance and make our wants known to God we will experience His peace.  We can stop the worry, the anxieties from building up in our heart and mind by praying, making definite requests on a continual basis.  This builds up a kind of peace that will cause you to be able to stand when all others are blown away.  It's because as we continue to talk with God through our prayers and petitions we are actually drawing closer to Him.  It is the door of communication that keeps the way open so that we experience peace that goes beyond our ability to understand, peace that guards our mind and our heart.  The very areas that our enemy is trying to take us captive, our thoughts and our feelings.  Our prayers are helping us to build up a fortress of peace.  "O God, listen to my cry; Hear my prayer!  From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help, when my heart is overwhelmed.  Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.  Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!" (Psalm 61:1-4)  So, continue to pray and communicate in every circumstance and in everything, opening up a fortress of peace and safety, a place where our enemy can't really hurt us. 
  
Love,
Pastor D.