POWER IN PRAYER

Concerning prayer, when all is said and done, there is a lot more said than done. How many sermons have we heard about prayer? Have many studies have we done about prayer?  These are of value to be sure. Yet, as James warned us, we must be “doers of the Word and not hearers only,” (James 1:22). John states three principles in 1 John 5:14-15 that must be practiced to experience power in prayer.

First, we must ASK, “that if we ASK anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ASK, we know that we have the petitions that we have ASKED of Him.” [emphasis added]. James also told us, “you do not have because you do not ask,” (James 4:2c). Unasked prayers are unanswered prayers. Sin is at its depraved heart about the ego. We see in center of sin the letter, “I.”  When we pray, we are not informing God of that which He does not know.  Rather, we are admitting that we know we need Him and cannot handle things on our own. He is God and we are not. As a preacher, I have found it easier to speak to men about God than to speak to God about men. But, my preaching will be without power if I do not seek Him.

Second, we must ABIDE, “that if we ask anything according to HIS WILL, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions we asked of Him.” [emphasis added]. Abiding in the will of God—being in submission to it—brings power in prayer. We are linked to Christ and can ask anything for we only want what He wills. Surely, John recalled these words from the lips of Jesus, ‬‬“If you ABIDE in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you,” (John‬ ‭15‬:‭7‬‬, emphasis added). The will of God is expressed in the Word of God—a Book of “exceedingly great and precious promises,” (2 Pet 1:4). As we abide in that Word so it abides in us, then we find ourselves abiding in Christ and in His will, which far from limiting our prayers, liberates our prayers to ask for absolutely anything. 

Third, we must ANTICIPATE, “Now this is the CONFIDENCE that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if WE KNOW that He hears us, whatever we ask, WE KNOW that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”  Our anticipation is to receive an answer. Faith is the foundation on which powerful praying rests. Our confidence in God’s power to answer and purpose for answering flips the switch that unleashes the energy of Omnipotence! Man says, “I will believe it when I see it,” but God responds, “You’ll see it when you believe it!” Our Lord—who cannot lie—stated it, “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive,” (‭‭Matt.‬ ‭21‬:‭22‬‬). I suspect that one day when I stand before the Lord, I will be disappointed in knowing that I did not ask God for too much, but too little. He has limitless power, but my experience of that will be limited by my unbelief. Some of the most shocking words in Scripture are these: “Now [Jesus] could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.” (Mark‬ ‭6‬:‭5‬-‭6‬). 

May we fervently and faithfully ask, abide, and anticipate power in prayer!  

PRAYING WITH POWER

 

Praying as a ritual and prayer that is effectual are altogether different. The former is about self-righteousness, and the latter is about Kingdom mindedness. Paul tells Timothy that praying with power involves three elements. 

Powerful praying demands SANCTITY, “holy hands.”  Our hands must be clean—meaning our sinful actions have been cleansed by the blood of Christ. We are devoted to a sanctified life. God does not want to hear our petition until He has our confession. The Psalmist said, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear,” (Psalms‬ ‭66‬:‭18‬‬). Repentance removes this roadblock to receiving God’s response.

Powerful praying also requires SERENITY, “without wrath.”  Not only must I be forgiven, but I must be forgiving. Bearing malice toward another puts up a roadblock to my prayers reaching heaven. Jesus taught this to His disciples, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. …But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matt. ‭6‬:12,‭15‬‬). Wrath will be an impediment to our intercession. There is a serenity that comes when we commend our enemies to God and let Him deal with them.

Powerful praying further needs SURETY, “and doubting.”  Faith is our confidence in God that we pray in alignment with His will to an Almighty God who is able to answer our prayer. While our hands must not be sullied by defilement and our heads not be filled with discord, neither can our hearts be consumed with doubt. Our Lord gave the promise, “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them,” (Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭24‬‬). Man says, “I’ll believe it when I see it,” but God says, “You’ll see it when you believe it.”  This is our surety.

Now, this is not some name it and claim it, blab it and grab it prosperity gospel nonsense. Faith is rooted in the Word of God and that Word of God defines the will of God. I can have absolute assurance that if my supplication aligns with Scripture that God will be pleased to answer in His time and in His way.

Let us devote ourselves to praying with power!  What a difference that will make in us, in the church, and in all those for whom we pray!

THE ISSUE OF OUR IMPOTENCE

Often, we may feel that we preach without productivity. Despite attempting to be faithful, we do not find ourselves fruitful. The issue is not with God. Hear what Spurgeon said on this matter:

           “Is the Spirit of the Lord straitened?” Cannot He prepare your heart and tongue? No, the Spirit of the Lord is not straitened. Still is that promise our delight “My grace is sufficient for thee.” It is a joy to become weak that we may say with the apostle, “When I am weak then am I strong.” Behold, the, strength of the Lord is gloriously revealed, revealed to perfection in our weakness. Come, ye feeble workers, ye fainting laborers, come and rejoice in the unstraitened Spirit. Come you that seem to plough the rock and till the sand, come and lay hold of this fact, that the Spirit of the Lord is omnipotent. No rock will remain unbroken when He wields the hammer, no metal will be unmelted when He is the fire. Still will our Lord put His Spirit within us and gird us with His power, according to His promise, “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” 

           But some have said, “Yes, but then, see how few the conversions are nowadays! We have many places of worship badly attended; we have others where there are scarcely any conversions from the beginning of the year to the end of it.”  This is all granted, and granted with great regret; but “is the Spirit of the Lord straitened: are these His doings?” Cannot we find some other reason far more near the truth? If there are no conversions we cannot fall back upon the Spirit of God and blame Him. Has Christ been preached? Has faith been exercised? The preacher must take his share of blame; the church with which he is connected must also inquire whether there has been that measure of prayer for a blessing on the word that there ought to have been. Christians must begin to look into their own hearts to find the reason for defeat. If the work of God be hindered in our midst, may there not be some secret sin with us which hinders the operation of the Spirit of God? May He not be compelled by the very holiness of His character to refuse to work with an unholy or an unbelieving people? Have ye never read, “He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief”? May not unbelief be turning a fruitful land into barrenness? The Spirit Himself is not straitened in His power; but our sin has made Him hide Himself from us. The want of conversions is not His doing: we have not gone forth in His strength. We shake off with detestation the least trace of a thought that should lay any blame to the Spirit of the Most High. Unto us be shame and confusion of face as at this day. (Spurgeon, Service and Honor, pp. 35-37, Kindle edition)

Preacher, let us humble ourselves before the Lord and cry out for His power to attend our ministry!  Church member, if your pastor’s preaching lacks potency, it does not help to talk to fellow Christian’s about him but talk to God about Him and seek the Lord’s anointing upon him. You may find a new preacher with a new power in the same body and with the same voice—now energized with Divine unction.

The issue of impotence is not God. The problem is with us—our prayerlessness, our self-sufficiency, our lack of holiness. The good news is that God now calls us to repentance and reliance on Him that will bring real results of eternal significance. We may have what Jim Cymbala titled his book, “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire,” with Pentecostal power!

LIVING IN THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving is not meant to be only a holiday, but a holy devotion—not an event, but a lifestyle!  This is in contrast to the negativity we observe all about us these days. 

Negativity produces toxicity. There are many unhealthy churches because of the poisonous attitudes preached from pulpits and parked in pews!  

If ever a man had an excuse for complaining, it was Paul in the circumstances he finds himself in as he wrote to the Philippians. But, instead there is an expression of celebration!  Joy flows from the pages of this letter, and the crescendo is reached in 4:4-20. 

Paul calls us to PRAISE, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” (v. 4-5). We make the choice to praise. While the circumstances may be bad, the Lord is good—and we rejoice in Him. Because He is always good, we can always rejoice. No matter how you feel, God is unchanging. 

A grateful heart toward God will gender a gentle spirit toward others. Ultimately, we know the Lord is with us and is literally returning soon!  It will be OK!  Hallelujah!

The Apostle commands us to PRAYER, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” (v. 6). The formula is simple to say—though challenging to do—and that’s why few do it!  But, here it is: worry about nothing, pray about everything, be thankful for anything. 

Are you facing a challenge that is beyond you?  Then, why worry about it?  Will worry fix it?  Give it to the One who in His sovereignty permits it and in our supplication will help us. Indeed, we can express thanksgiving even before the situation changes—and this is faith verbalized. Do we believe Romans 8:28?

Those living in thanksgiving are promised PEACE, “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (v. 7-9).  A supernatural peace flows from the Infinite God. You cannot explain it, but you can experience it. I am not sure how electricity works, but I’m not going to sit in the dark until I do!  In the dark times, claim the peace of God that will brighten your days. 

His peace will function as a sentry, so that when the devil seeks to make you doubt, that peace will drive the enemy away. When we choose to meditate on the true, noble, just, pure, lovely, the good reports, the virtuous, and praiseworthy, that peace of God will fill our soul!  

Paul is an example. He practiced what he preached!

Rely on God’s POWER,  “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (v. 10-13). No matter the physical state Paul found himself in, he had the spiritual power to rejoice in the Lord—and that not a little, but a lot!  Whether he was abased or abounding, famished or full, he knew the resources of the Almighty Christ. That same Savior is with us!  The promise is not of power to do what you want to do,  but what you ought to do—and that is truly only what we should want to do anyway.

Trust in God’s PROVISION, “Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound.  I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. ” (v. 14-19).  The progress of the Gospel moves on the provision of support from God’s people.  God so loved the world that He gave, and if we love Him, and the church that is Christ’s bride, as well as the lost He died to save, then we must give also. 

Thank God for the faithful giving of His people across the centuries and that is why we are saved and have opportunity to continue investing in that which is of eternal significance. 

Our giving is not about fulfilling a grudging obligation, but a glad offering. The Lord loves a cheerful giver. It is a matter of the heart and an expression of worship. If you trust God by giving, He promises to supply all your needs. You cannot out-give God.

We are reminded in conclusion of our ultimate PURPOSE,  “Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (v. 20‬‬). All the universe is moving toward the glory of God. It is all about Him—His praise and worship. Whatever happens, however we feel, no matter the conditions, we are assured that ultimately it all redounds to His glory. It is God’s proper desire and rightful due. Living in thanksgiving is about giving God glory. It will be the order of eternity, so it is time we start practicing on earth!

Let us choose to be living in thanksgiving!

THE POWER OF UNBELIEF

As I read these sobering words I thought how many times God might have used me in a greater way had I only trusted Him more. Pastors may be struggling to lead their flock forward because either they or their congregation just do not trust God. Our preaching on faith will have little impact if our practice of faith is absent. Lord, increase our faith!

CAN I TRUST THE BIBLE? The Experiential Testimony: THE MYSTERIOUS POWER OF SCRIPTURE EXPERIENCED, Part 4

In this series, we have entered the courtroom of truth and have presented witness after witness of the trustworthiness of the Bible.  We have listened to the logical rationale for why God must speak and that Scripture is the way He would have chosen.  We have examined evidence that is found internally in the text and externally in archaeology, history, prophecy, and science that verifies the Bible’s veracity.  Then we have considered this week the experiential testimony of what the Word of God has done in its God-given power.  At last, I add my own witness.  This Book has been life-changing for me.  I have read it through repeatedly, studied it intensely, and have taught it extensively for over forty years—and I am more certain of its authority and accuracy today than ever.

Paul wrote:  “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.’ ” (I Corinthians‬ ‭1:18-19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)‬‬

This is the message which the world says is foolishness, but which God in His grace has infused with saving power to those who will believe it.  There is something of mystery how God can take such a message and employ it to transform a life.  I cannot fully explain how, but I have experienced it, and seen that life-change in many people.  I cannot fully explain electricity, but I am not going to sit in the dark until I do!

We see the power of the Word IN CREATING FAITH.   “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom.10:17) This is a matter of salvation.  The Spirit of God used the Word of God to produce saving faith in God.  The seeds of truth were sown in the soil of my soul by my parents and preachers and teachers for eighteen years until faith was produced—and the more I hear it, the more I believe it.

There is a mysterious power in the Word IN CULTIVATING GROWTH.   Believers are to be, “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,” (1 Peter 2:2).  This is a matter of nutrition.  Being born of the Word, we are then nourished by it.  I will tell you that whatever growth I have experienced in my Christian life has been from feeding on the Word.  Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3, appealing to the authority of the Word to overcome the devil, when He said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matt.4:4)

That leads to the next dimension of the Bible’s power IN CONQUERING SIN.   “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.”  (Ps.119:11) This is a matter of sanctification. This is the Sword of the Spirit to beat the Devil.  It’s how Jesus did it. There is no other way.  When I have looked to the power of truth to resist temptation, I have known victory.

Then, there is the power of the Word I have witnessed IN COMMUNICATING TRUTH. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  (2 Tim.3:6-17) This is a matter of mission.  I believe in the sufficiency of Scripture to change lives, build the church, and impact the world.  As a man of God, I have stood equipped with the Word of God to lead the people of God in the mission of God, week after week, month after month, year after year, for more than four decades.  I have never wondered about what to say—trying to figure out some novel message.  I just open the Book, dive in, and then stand with a Bible in my hand, and see its wonderworking power!  Last Sunday, almost 400 souls sat in an auditorium to surrender thirty minutes of their life to hear what I had to say—really what God had to say through me.  That is a mystery and a marvel—a miracle of God’s Word!

Has the Word transformed you?  Have you received with meekness the implanted Word which is able to save your soul?  Are you feeding on it?  If you have read this far, then I assume you have some appetite for truth.  O, taste and see the Lord is good!  Have you hidden that Word in your heart through memorization and meditation so you might live a holy life?  Will you be equipped by the Word to be useful for God in this world, so that one day you may hear God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. …Enter into the joy of your lord.” (Matt.25:21)

I cannot persuade you against your will to believe the Bible.  There are people today that refuse to believe the earth is a globe.  They think it is flat!  One of my dear grandmothers died convinced that men never walked on the moon—it was all staged in Hollywood.  What I have done is given you met the burden of truth—that if you weigh all the evidence, it gives you the ground for this verdict: the Bible is the Word of God, beyond REASONABLE doubt.

THE GRACE OF GOD

But the LORD was gracious to them, had compassion on them, and regarded them, because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not yet destroy them or cast them from His presence.  (2 Kings 13:23)

None of us deserve the blessings of God.  We have failed Him repeatedly, yet His love is unfailing.  We wander from His will, but not beyond His reach.  That is truly amazing grace!  There are several examples of this grace in 2 Kings 13.

God is gracious in answering prayer (v.1-9).  “So Jehoahaz pleaded with the LORD, and the LORD listened to him….”  (v.4a)  We have often heard that God does not hear the prayers of sinners.  Generally, that is true—and there is a Scriptural basis.  It would be better stated that God has no obligation to hear those prayers.  Yet, sometimes God chooses to do so, as we see with Jehoahaz.  Whether it be the cry for forgiveness from a penitent sinner or the call for help from a prodigal son, it is amazing grace that God responds at all.  There are times we struggle to comprehend why God doesn’t answer some of our prayers.  We ought rather to be surprised that He answers any, considering how often we disobey Him.  That’s grace!  God disciplines the disobedient and we see that in this text, but He does not disown His children, delivering them when they call.

God is gracious in supplying power (v.10-21).  “So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.”  (v.21)  Grace is God’s power for the demands of life.  God’s power can give us insight into future decisions.  Elisha was a man who had tapped into God’s resources and so was able to offer counsel to the king.  This was not a natural gift, but supernatural grace.  Unfortunately, the king failed to fully avail himself of the gracious power of God to achieve an enduring victory.  Such was the power of the prophet that even after Elisha died, a corpse contacting his bones brought a resurrection!  Grace is such that those who have received it, transmit it—even beyond their lifetime.  For example, the grace that rested in Paul flows on into our lives today.  The grace that resided with Spurgeon is still impacting pastors today.  It may be that your parents are in the grave, but the godly prayers they offered are still bringing grace!

God is gracious in giving provision (v.22-25).    “And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz recaptured from the hand of Ben-Hadad, the son of Hazael, the cities which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war….”  (v.25a)  God is good—even when we are not.  Grace is the provision of our need.  We are in poverty, but God has plenty.  Someone has described grace with this acrostic: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.  Here we see Israel reclaiming what they has lost.  Thought they were undeserving, God was gracious in granting them victory.

Justice is when we get what we deserve.  Mercy means we do not get what we deserve.  Grace means we get what we do not deserve.  If we receive justice, we will be in hell.  Mercy means we do not have to go there.  Grace means that heaven is opened to us instead.  How precious is this grace!

CONFIRMATION OF THE CALL

Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth.”  (I Kings 17:24)

God still calls people to specific tasks, for set times, in select territories, and with special tools to do His work.  Some are called to be missionaries, pastors, and evangelists.  Others are called to be Sunday School teachers, deacons, and nursery workers.  Every Christian has been called to be God's worker in this world--and that may be in the office, a factory, or a shop.  Every church member is to be in a ministry.

In 1 Kings 17, specifically, it is the ministry of the Word that is emphasized repeatedly (v.1-2, 5, 8, 16, 24).  The chapter begins and ends with this--and is mentioned eight times in total.  Like Paul, who declared that his speech and preaching were not with the enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power, Elijah's call was confirmed.

His call was confirmed in THE STAND THAT HE TOOK (v.1).  Elijah could take a stand against a wicked king because he knew what it was to stand before the King of kings!  God promised, "When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him."  (Isa.59:19)  Ahab and Jezebel unleashed a flood of evil in Israel, but God raised up His standard-bearer.  Elijah seemingly pops up out of nowhere, exploding on the scene.  We know little about him, save that he is a man of God with a message from God confirmed by the might of God.  He prays that the rain will stop--boom--the drought comes and the fields wither.  This was a predicted consequence of God's discipline on His people's sins (Deut.28:20, 23-24).

His call was also confirmed in THE SACRIFICE THAT HE MADE (v.2-16).  The call of God is not a promise of comfort.  Elijah wasn't going to make a profit, but be a prophet.  The Lord assures us He will meet our need, but not our greed!  The man of God was fed--road-kill--and washed it down with brook water!  No ribeye steak and sweet tea for him.  Later, we see how a poor widow became the source of his supply.  Her sacrificial act of faith and obedience became the channel of provision for God's servant--and the Lord rewarded her accordingly.  She was like the widow in the New Testament who gave her all (Mark 12:41-44).  Where would we be in the church today without the loving giving of dear widows?  This pastor has often been the recipient of their sacrifice.  They partner with us in service and God rewards them by stretching their supply!

His call was further confirmed by THE STRENGTH THAT HE FOUND (v.17-24).  The Lord responds to the grieving heart of a mother and the fervent prayer of the prophet in a miraculous manner.  Elijah is set forth as an example of prayer in the book of James that we are to emulate.  That is the source of our strength!  His credentials were confirmed. The ministry of the Word in the power of the Spirit brings life.

What has God called you to do?  Where are your gifts and passions?  Has God confirmed this by His hand of blessing upon you?  Step out in faith and make a difference!

HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN?

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.  (1 Corinthians 16:13) 

Today is a day to remember the worst terrorist attack on American soil.  We are too quick with the passing of time to move on with our lives.  Darryl Worley’s haunting lyrics remind us: 

They took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it's too disturbing for you and me
It'll just breed anger that's what the experts say
If it was up to me I'd show it everyday
Some say this country's just out looking for a fight
Well, after 9/11 man I'd have to say that's right

Have you forgotten how it felt that day?
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside going thru a living hell
And we vowed to get the one’s behind bin Laden
Have you forgotten? 

Behind this terror attack—and all evil in the world—is that which was launched in heaven when Satan led a third of the angels in rebellion against God.  It is a war that shifted theaters to earth.  This conflict is not with bullets and bombs, but fought with the weapons of truth and love.  It is a struggle for the souls of men and women, for the direction of a nation, and ultimately, for the freedom to share the Gospel with the world.  There was a time Christians sang enthusiastically, “Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war with the cross of Jesus going on before.”  Much Biblical imagery testifies to this truth.  The verse before us does. 

DON’T FORGET WE ARE SOLDIERS OF VIGILANCE: “Watch….”  Christians are sentries posted in the camp.  Jefferson said, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”  Until the end of time, there will always be foes to face and forces to fight.  The enemy will probe our defenses and we dare not drop our guard.  He sneaks in behind the church’s walls with a Trojan Horse of compromise—doctrinally or morally—with disastrous consequences. 

DON’T FORGET WE ARE SOLDIERS OF VERACITY: “stand fast in the faith….” Veracity means, “habitual observance of truth…conformity to truth.”  That is what Paul demands.  He is not speaking of faith as a belief in truth, but THE faith as a body of truth.  It is the system of doctrine that had been once for all delivered to the saints.  We cannot waver in the withering assault of heresy and apostasy—from the cult that adds to the Word and the liberal that subtracts from it.  Dig in your heels.  “The B-I-B-L-E, yes, that’s the Book for me; I stand alone on the Word of God, the B-I-B-L-E!” 

DON’T FORGET WE ARE SOLDIERS OF VALOR: “be brave….” Courage enabled Noah to stand alone against an unbelieving world as he successfully got his family on the ark.  Courage led Moses’ mother to hide her son contrary to Pharaoh’s decree.  Courage provided a boy named David with victory over a giant, armed only with a slingshot.  Courage stiffened the spines of three Hebrew lads willing to be cast into a fiery furnace rather than bow to an idol.  It is a clarion call to courage that we need in these days. 

DON’T FORGET WE ARE SOLDIERS OF VIGOR: “be strong.”  God never said it would be easy.  What He promised is the power of Christ to equip us.  The old hymn reminds us, “Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Stand in His strength alone.”  That is all the power we need. 

Let us never forget these truths!

HEAVENLY HARMONY

 

Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.  (Acts 4:32)

Have you heard an orchestra warming up before a concert?  It is the most horrendous sound.  There is no rhythm, no tune—just noise.  Everyone is doing his or her own thing in a kind of musical anarchy.  When the conductor steps up and raps the baton, everything changes—as the percussion, woodwinds, strings, and brass blend in beautiful harmony.  God has designed the church with diversity—some are cello players, others hold cymbals, and some clarinets, yet in following our Great Conductor, and reading from the same sheet of music—the Word of God—there will be heavenly harmony.  Sadly, many churches are more like the orchestra warming up with awful, discordant notes!  We discover the difference in the latter portion of Acts chapter four.

Harmony comes in PRAYER (v.31).  Something happens when people bind themselves together in a chorus of corporate prayer.  The church was birthed in prayer at Pentecost, and now we see them bound in prayer here.  Likewise, the glory of God came down, and His power was manifested in a remarkable manner.  The filling of the Spirit was evident, and their witness to Christ was courageous.  How we need such a move of God today!  Until God’s people unite their voices in prayer, the church will lack power.

Harmony is nurtured in PURPOSE (v.32).  We move forward together when we focus on a common goal.  They shared a common faith—their shared belief in Christ united them in the same family, and their shared beliefs in conviction united them in the same faith.  They had a complete fellowship—their hearts knit together in grace and generosity.

Harmony yields a credible PROCLAMATION (v.33).  The Great Commission was their assignment and they refused to be sidetracked.  Any church that permits the Devil to detour them from evangelism and discipleship will soon find itself in the quagmire of division over lesser things.  A congregation hot after lost souls has no time to get hot with each other in anger.  Such will be a great church for they have tapped into great grace!

Harmony leads to sharing POSSESSIONS (v.34-37).  Talk is cheap.  If we love someone, we will put our money where our mouth is!  They laid their possessions at the feet of God’s men, signifying their submission to God’s will and dedication in God’s worship.  Our giving ought never to be an afterthought, but an act of adoration.  It involves worship.  They gave all.  While God may not call us to share everything we have, He does call us to surrender all we have.  The needs of others are met when we do.  One of us cannot fund the missions and ministries of the church, but pooled together we can do all God wants.

If we are not in harmony with our fellow believers, we are not in harmony with God.  Let us look to the Conductor, get on the same page, and make music that will wow the world!

HOW TO PRAY FOR OTHER CHRISTIANS

For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you….   (Col.1:9a)

Often we pray wholesale when we should pray retail.  General prayers are generally pointless!  We pray, “Lord bless so and so…” and how would we know if He did?  Prayer needs to be specific.  Blind Bartimaeus cried, “Son of David have mercy on me.”  Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?”  When he asked for sight, Jesus opened his blind eyes (Mark 10:46-52).  It is also true that prayer must align with God’s will if we are to expect an answer.  The will of God is in the Word of God, so prayers grounded in Scripture unleash the faith that moves the hand of God.  Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9-11 is one that we can confidently pray for other Christians.

PRAY FOR THEIR WISDOM, “that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (v.9b).  How valuable this is!  When Solomon was given a blank check from God, and could ask for anything he wanted, the young king requested wisdom—and God was so pleased with that He threw in everything else along with it!  No wonder Solomon would later write in Proverbs that it is worth more than gold!  Every day brings a multitude of choices.  It is not always a matter of choosing between right and wrong—which is more readily apparent—but can be a choice between the good and the best—and that is more difficult.  God will enable us to see what lies ahead—“wisdom”—and to see what lies behind things—“spiritual understanding.” 

PRAY FOR THEIR WALK, “that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him” (v.10a).  Discerning the will of God should direct our walk with God.  Convictions should set our course.  Some folks just get a big head from what they know, when what is needed is a burning heart for what we should do!  Our walk is to be worthy of the precious name that we bear—the name of Christ.  Peter tells us we “should follow His steps” (1 Pet.2:21).  Our prayer is for a life that is fully pleasing to God.  We pray for our brothers and sisters to have a passion for His pleasure as did Paul when he wrote, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  (Phil.3:14) 

PRAY FOR THEIR WORK, “being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy” (v.10b-11).   Our head—discerning God’s will—our heart—directing our walk—and our hands—doing God’s work—leads us to fruitfulness, forcefulness, and faithfulness.  Our prayer for the saints is that as they abide in Christ they will bear much fruit for the glory of God (see John 15).  This connection to Christ causes His very life to flow in force—a divine energizing—for supernatural service.  Satanic opposition is guaranteed, but God gives endurance that is greater still, so we do not give out, give in, or give up!  We can even smile in the struggle and sweat—full of joy!  This doesn’t arise from self-reliance, but spiritual dependence.

Pray this for your fellow Christians.  I know I want you to pray this for me!  By the way, it would be good to seek this for yourself also.  Just a thought.

PLUGGED IN

"Do not sorrow for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)

The other day my wife was ironing, when I heard her yell!  A ball of fire had shot out of the iron--the cord working loose and short-circuiting.  That was the end of the iron's usefulness.  Electric irons must be plugged into the power source or they are worthless.  That helps us to understand Christ's words in John 15 where we are told to be abide in Him--to be plugged in--for, "apart from Me, you can do nothing."  Only what is done by the Spirit of Christ and for the glory of Christ is of eternal value.  Sadly, very much done in the name of Christ today is false advertising.  Church work done in the energy of the flesh and glorying in the flesh may sometimes be impressive to the world, but the Day of Judgment will reveal it as hay, wood, and stubble.  The Devil laughs at a church with the form of godliness, but without the power of God.  It does not have to be that way!  It ought not be that way!  In the eighth chapter of Nehemiah, we see the people of God plugged into God's power.  How can we have such an experience?

The church must be UNITED IN THE WORK OF GOD.  "Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded Israel." (v.1)  The love of God binds us together--and when the wire is intact, the power flows.    It was that way on the Day of Pentecost, where a people of one heart, prayed with unity, the power of God came down, and the world would never be the same.  Petty personal agendas and peevish selfish preferences will fray our fellowship--short-circuiting the power of God.  The Kingdom progress made in ancient Israel and the early church could be seen today if we united in genuine love to accomplish God's mission.  God's work is to be done together.

The church must be INSTRUCTED IN THE WORD OF GOD.  "And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. Then all the people answered, 'Amen, Amen!' while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground." (v.5-6)  The bulk of this passage focuses on the faithful communication and reception of God's Word that brought transformation to the congregation.  God's Word makes a connection between Heaven and humans.  As Jesus taught us that to abide in Him was to abide in His Word and that Word to abide in us.

The church must be ACTIVATED IN THE WORSHIP OF GOD.  "Do not sorrow for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (v.10)  They were remorseful over their prior disobedience but summoned to rejoice in their present reverence.  They had reconnected with God in worship.  An overwhelming joy washed over them as they experienced Him.  This would empower them in consecrated service.  What would happen on Monday if on Sunday we truly plugged into the Spirit as we worshipped?  The world would see the difference!  God so move in the hearts of Your people!

ARE WE LIVING BENEATH OUR PRIVILEGES?

 

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.  (2 Peter 1:2-4)

The man who wrote these words had an audacious faith that enabled him to access an awesome force, and thus, to have an amazing impact.  His name was Simon, but Jesus gave him the name, Peter—the Rock.  His ministry would be foundational to the building of the church—and so his influence is still being felt today.

If you have read your Bible at all, then you are aware that Peter had his failures—and some of them were huge.  He was not Superman; he was a man of flesh as we are—a real human with real human weaknesses.  Nevertheless, he also was a man who did not allow those limitations to prevent him from tapping into the limitless resources of God!

That should encourage us, for he assures us that those same resources are available to all those who know Christ.  Twice in these opening verses of his second letter, the Apostle references this knowledge of God and His Son.  It is out of that context—the intimate connection with God through His Son—that we have all He is available for all that He wants us to be!  Are we living beneath our privileges?

The Lord is not stingy in His gifts—“grace and peace” are not simply added to us in small measure, they are “multiplied” with exponential possibilities!  There is no excuse for failing to attain the high and holy life of maximum impact that God has for us, except that we do not know or do not care!  I am attempting with God’s help to deal with those two issues—in my life first, and then in yours.

Divine power—the Almighty God’s power—may be experienced and from that we may freely receive the standard of living Jesus purchased for us on Calvary and provides in resurrection life.  Peter is pointed when he proclaims, “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.”  What more could we need?

God assures us, “by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”  We are in the world, but do not have to be of the world.  We can be Heaven’s change agents in this world!  That is what Jesus came to do—and is doing.  It is what He desires to do through you and me, as He lives mightily in and though us!  Let us not live beneath our privileges!

CONNECTED THROUGH PRAYER: The Facets of Our Praying

 

praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints  (Ephesians 6:18)

Like a diamond with its many facets, giving the precious gem its sparkle and shine, so there are many facets to this rich treasure we call prayer.

Prayer is worship.  It is making a connection with God where we praise Him for who He is and we thank Him for what He has done.

Prayer is work.  I recall the late Ron Dunn saying that “Prayer doesn’t just fit us for the work—prayer is the work.”  When I work, I work, but when I pray God works!

Prayer is warfare.  The context of Ephesians 6:18 is significant.  Paul has presented the classic passage on spiritual warfare in verses 10-17.  In describing the adversary we confront and detailing the armor for combat, he proceeds to define the arena of conflict.  This spiritual battle is fought in the prayer dimension. It is against spiritual forces of evil and requires spiritual weapons to attain victory.  This power is accessed by prayer.

The pervasive nature of this is found in the phrase, “praying always.”  There is never a time, nor a place that prayer is not appropriate.  While the act of praying, if meaning bowing the head, folding the hands, bending the knee, and speaking the words is being called for, then we cannot do that continually.  But, if we understand this as the attitude of prayer—the connection of God in our heart and mind that leads to a disposition of communion with Him—then this is to be something we may practice continually.

The preeminent nature of this is presented with, “with all prayer.”  There are many dimensions to prayer.  We can pray standing up, sitting down, kneeling or prostrate.  We can be loud, or silent—or something in between.  We can pray in private or in public.  Prayers may be in the form of celebration, contemplation, contrition and much more.  There is petition, supplication and intercession.  Its boundless nature is a testimony to its preeminent quality.

The provisional nature of this is meant by “supplication.” You see the root word, “supply.” We ask God to supply our need and the needs of others.  This verse concludes with, “supplication for all the saints.”  We would not even have a crust or crumb without asking, “give us this day our daily bread,” as Jesus taught us to pray.  Prayer humbles us as we acknowledge our dependency on God.  It strips away our self-centeredness as we plead for others.

The powerful nature of this is seen as we pray, “in the Spirit.”  Because we are weak, and do not know how to pray as we ought, we must rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us in the will of God (see Rom.8:26-27).  When we pray in alignment with His will, then nothing is beyond the reach of our requests, for we have brought Omnipotence into the situation.

The protective nature of this is acknowledged in the exhortation, “being watchful to this end.”  As alluded to previously, Satan is lurking near—ready to strike.  We must pray with our eyes open!  The Christian is a sentry at his post when he prays to fortify his soul, his home, and his church against the attack of the Wicked One.

The persistent nature of this is stated as, “with all perseverance.”  You will always be tempted to give up.  Often the answer is delayed, though not denied, unless we depart from patiently praying.  Many texts point to the need of persevering prayer.  We are not overcoming the reluctance of a stingy Father, but overcoming the resistance of a spiritual foe.  This builds our faith muscle as it is tested, and although potentially changing the situation, will always change us as we spend much time in prayer.

Prayer is hard.  It is a struggle.  Satan will seek to distract you with a multitude of distractions and diversions—even good things that keep you from the main thing.  Seek God—passionately and persistently—and do not think you can live one moment without this oxygen of the soul.  When all is said and done, there is sadly more said about prayer than is done.  So, as Nike famously put it, “JUST DO IT!”

CONNECTED THROUGH PRAYER

 

praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints  (Ephesians 6:18)

There is much we can do after we pray, but nothing can be done until we pray.  If there is a desperate need in the church today, it is a renewed zeal for prayer.  Without this direct connection with heaven, the power we need to fulfill our mission is short-circuited.  The church is tasked with a work so great that it is humanly impossible, and demands heavenly intervention.  This requires our holy intercession.

Do we not recall the scene nearly 2,000 years ago in that upper room where 120 believers gathered?  They connected with each other in fervent prayer and connected with God Almighty through His Son.  The Holy Spirit came down in response—and the world has never been the same.  It was a dark and demonic time—a world in bondage to idolatry and immorality.  Paganism was pervasive.  But, God would raise up an army to march against the gates of Hell—and they would prevail through prayer.  The advance of the church is always on her knees.

It has been said that on the Day of Pentecost those first Christians prayed for ten days, preached for ten minutes, and three thousand were converted.  Today, we pray for ten minutes, preach for ten days, and if three get saved, we declare a revival has come!

It is time for the church to recover the prayer connection, and understand the reality of an old hymn we used to sing:

Brethren, we have met to worship and adore the Lord our God;
Will you pray with all your power, while we try to preach the Word?
All is vain unless the Spirit of the Holy One comes down;
Brethren, pray, and holy manna will be showered all around.

Sisters, will you join and help us? Moses’ sister aided him;
Will you help the trembling mourners who are struggling hard with sin?
Tell them all about the Savior, tell them that He will be found;
Sisters, pray, and holy manna will be showered all around.  (George Atkins)

Will you?

CONNECTED IN SERVICE: Unleashing God's Power for Service

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)

God never asks us to do something without equipping us for the task.  The work He has assigned to His church cannot be accomplished with human ingenuity and ability; it takes the power of Almighty God.  Yet, the corollary is that God does not do His work apart from us.  In His omniscience, He has chosen to make us channels of His omnipotence.  The very Spirit of God indwells His Body, the church, and we become Christ's hands and feet to the world.  When we share the Gospel, the Spirit calls sinners to Christ in transforming power.

The Spirit resides in every believer.  But, to be filled with the Spirit means more--it means He presides over us!  The command to refuse being filled with wine and instead receive the fullness of the Spirit are linked together for a reason.  This is not the first time that connection has been made.  When the Holy Spirit first invaded the church on the Day of  Pentecost, the believers were accused of being drunk.  A careful reading of Peter's response shows that he was not so much denying they were drunk, but that they were not drunk with wine--they were intoxicated with God!

When a person is drunk with wine, they have chosen to be under the control of alcohol.  It affects negatively everything about them--the way they think, how they see, how they talk, how they walk, and alters their very personality.  In a positive way, when we are filled with the Spirit, we have submitted to His control, and we think in a different way, see from another perspective, talk with a new vocabulary, walk in obedience to Christ, and lose our inhibitions in taking a bold stand for the Lord!

This is not meant to be a rare experience of an elite few Christians.  Being Spirit-filled is the normative standard for all God's people.  I  once heard that this is not so much a promise to claim as a command to keep!  If i disobey God and get drunk, it is sin.  If I am not filled with the Spirit, it is likewise sin--and will lead to more sin!  On the other hand, if the Spirit of Holiness fills me, sin has no room to operate.  We cannot be full of self and full of the Spirit.  Our passion should be that of John the Baptist who said of Jesus, "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)

Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5), but with Him, we can do all things (Phil.4:13)!  Let us confess our sin and be cleansed, asking God to empty us of self and fill us with Himself.  Moment by moment, as we submit to the Lord, we can walk in the fullness of the Spirit and serve Christ with freedom and fruitfulness.  That is the connection that unleashes the power of God in my service.  What an impact we can have on our world, when a local church has Spirit-filled members connected with each other!  We can be like those in the first-century who, upside down" (Acts 17:6).  Really, it is putting it right-side up!  Isn't it about time?