PERSISTENCE – – The Key Ingredients for Persistence in Prayer…


Spiritual Blog - Persistence

Galatians 6:7-10 – “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”  NKJV

 

I want to examine a few key and necessary ingredients for establishing Persistence in Prayer and learning how to Persevere.  In the pursuit of success and excellence, it is imperative that we begin at the right place and have the right foundation.

We must have a Proper Prayer Perspective if we are to Persevere.  Perspective is the point of view or understanding we have in or about a subject.  Our Perspective or View will determine how we pray.  If we consider it lightly, we will easily or eventually disregard the necessity of prayer.  In Colossians 1:9, the apostle Paul prayed that the Colossian believers would be “…filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.”  That is important as we discover what “Spiritual Understanding” is.  It means that we adopt the Perspective that God has about any given subject.  It was the lack of that Perspective that prompted Jesus to say to Peter in Matthew 16:23, “…you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”  We need to embrace God’s Perspective of sin, salvation, holiness, and life.  How does God view the Prayer of the believer?

He sees it as an indication of our trust.  I had a man tell me once that he did not believe we should pray about all things, only big things because God was too busy to be bothered by the small stuff.  No, if we pray about all things and in all things, we demonstrate our trust and dependence on God and we learn to TRUST and REST in His Promises.  God sees our prayer as an indication of our Concern and is often an indication of Spiritual Depth as well as our capacity and desire spiritually.

We must have a Prayer Priority.  In my years of Christian service, I have discovered that most believers agree that Prayer is important for spiritual growth.  HOWEVER, prayer is often last or almost last on the list of our daily priorities and/or activities and then it disappears completely as we become distracted by the busyness of life.  We need to be reminded of the directive of Jesus in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  I saw a list published by a major Christian denomination enumerating its Twelve Goals for the Coming Year.  At first glance, it looked good and complete. It included things such as improved Youth Ministry, endeavors to include and encourage more women to become involved in Church functions, more effective pastoral counseling and improvements in Christian Education.  The one thing that did not make the list was PRAYER.  Their lofty goals and ambitions will fail without being seasoned in prayer.

We must set a Daily Appointment for Prayer.  If we do not set aside time for prayer it will get set aside.  When we consider the biblical record, we find that for those who pressed in and accomplished things for God Prayer was the First Priority in their lives.  Samuel’s parents had a practice of rising early for prayer. (1 Samuel 1:19).  Hezekiah rose early for prayer. (2 Chronicles 29:20).  David rose early for prayer. (Psalm 57:8). That is a short list of many who had a practice of beginning their day with prayer.  I believe that before Prayer will become a daily habit we must SET a Prayer appointment and keep it regularly.

We must Guard our Time of Prayer and not let other things take priority over it.  Psalm 55:16, “As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord will save me.”  David guarded his time of prayer regardless of how others responded he guarded his prayer time. We should also Stretch that Time as much as possible as we PRESS INTO THE PRESENCE of God.  Never rush your time of prayer and earnestly endeavor to schedule your day around prayer not insert prayer where you can in your busy schedule.

I will pause here and deal with this a bit more because I sense it is incredibly important for us to become that which God has designed and desired.  May God richly bless you as you Persist in Prayer and Press into His Presence.

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PERSISTENCE – – The Christian’s Mountain to Climb…


Spiritual Blog - Persistence

Galatians 6:7-10 – “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”  NKJV

  

I have said quite a bit about PERSISTENCE in the past few days but it is something that is heavy on my heart and something that I fear is waning in many hearts today.  In the Journey of Prayer, there may be nothing more impactful than PERSISTENCE.  The historic record is filled with accomplishments of men and women who PERSISTED in Prayer.  In the secular world, the great leaders of our time are those who exhibit PERSISTENCE.  Those who refuse to quit achieve success.

I see Four Price Tags of Success that I’d like to share in brevity today.

  • Painstaking Preparation.
  • Aiming High.
  • Help Others to Grow.
  • Expect Long Days and Sleepless Nights.

 John Wesley challenged people to harness the power of Faith and Prayer saying, “Bear up the hands that hang down by faith and prayer.  Support the tottering knees. Have you and days of fasting and prayer?  Storm the throne of grace and persevere therein and mercy shall come down.” 

One of the characteristics of our time seems to be QUITTING.  Far too few in this generation have the spirit of determination and striving.  The painter Raphael encapsulated the spirit of determination when asked, “What is your greatest painting?”  His response was, “The Next One!”  I believe that one of the things the devil most fears in believers is the Spirit of Persistence, especially Persistence in Prayer!  If we truly believed and understood that the devil has NO POWER to hold back our answers from God I believe we would be more persistent in prayer.  He may delay it, for a time, but HE CANNOT prevent it from coming.  That is encouraging and exciting to me.  Delay is not denial nor is it defeat it is delay.

To PERSIST in any endeavor is to HOLD FIRMLY and STEADFASTLY to that endeavor despite obstacles or setbacks.  PERSISTENCE is to be “obstinately repetitious, insistent, or tenacious in some activity.”  Years ago, I heard the testimony of a woman who had prayed for her husband for over 30 years.  She said, “I prayed for him day after day and asked God to Save his soul.  This week he bowed his knee and accepted Jesus as his savior.”  OVER THIRTY YEARS!  That is persistence and perseverance.  That is the good Spirit of Striving. That is Determination.  That is refusing to be denied.  George Muller said, “The great point is never to give up until the answer comes.  I have been praying for 63 years and 8 months for one man’s conversion.  He is not saved yet, but he will be. How can it be otherwise for I am praying!”  That is persistence and faith.  I have long contended that the only way the devil can win is if we quit and the only way we can lose is to give up!

Due to time and space, I will pause with that and come back in the next devotional and discuss some of the necessary ingredients to become PERSISTENT in PRAYER.  In this hour, we live one of the most needed activities and acts of war that we, believers, can engage is Prayer and we must be Persistent in that endeavor.

God, bless you richly as you Persist in Him and Press into His Abundant Life!

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INITIATING ACTION – – Who Is Responsible???


Spiritual Blog - Prayer

James 5:13-18 – “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.”  NKJV

 

There are some words, in the Greek, translated into our English that is confusing and this passage seems to contain some of those.  I only say that because I have dealt with the philosophy in Christian conversation that this passage makes no reference to Divine Healing but Salvation which, the argument is that it represents ULTIMATE HEALING.  I agree about Salvation but disagree on the context and content of this passage.  Otherwise, unless we are making this entirely spiritual and eliminating the physical totally, it is dealing with both the Spiritual and the Physical.

The more I have studied this passage and recently with the battle my wife and I are fighting for her health, I have asked the Holy Spirit to illuminate my understanding regarding the intent and content of this passage more fully and clearly.  One of the immediate things that came into my consciousness was the question, “Who initiates the CALL FOR PRAYER?”  That, in my mind, is a very important question and one I will attempt to expound upon momentarily.  But first, let’s walk through this passage and see if its light will illuminate our path in the desire for healing and health.

James begins asking numerous questions and offering specific instruction.  If one is SUFFERING, the prescription is PRAYER.  If one is CHEERFUL the prescription is SINGING PSALMS.  If one is SICK, the prescription is MAKE THE CALL.  Who makes the call for the Elders of the Church?  The one who is sick!  The first responsibility of the person suffering any sickness is CALL FOR PRAYER.  That means you cannot remain in the shadows but must reach out for help from those who are charged with your spiritual care.  The Elders have a specific duty, according to this directive, to do two things:  Pray over the sick person and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.  Both are incredibly important and while the latter may be somewhat symbolic, representative of the Oil of the Holy Spirit and invoking His Power and Person into the situation, it is significant.  No, I do not adopt prescriptions that become formulas in God because that tends to diminish our dependence on Him and transfer it to a formula.  God does not work in magic, He responds to faith, not a formula. 

The Elders fulfill their duty and charge by PRAYING and ANOINTING with oil and then James reveals what happens or is expected to happen.  The Prayer that they Pray is identified as THE PRAYER OF FAITH.  What is the expected result of that prayer?  HEALING.  Before you challenge me and say, “it does not say healing it says, save the sick,” I ask that we go to the Greek.  The word translated save is “sozo” which means heal, preserve, save, do well, be whole.  It conveys the idea of a hedge being built around something and its imagery is that of a deliverer coming to the rescue and protecting or setting free.  James continues saying, “…and the Lord will raise him up.”  That word in the Greek is “egeiro” and means to awaken, lift up, rise, stand, take up.  The picture is that of being roused from sleep and the understanding is that the sick person is being raised up from their disease and it no longer has power over them.

Then James takes us another step and connects the physical and the spiritual or the body and the soul, saying, “And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”  Wait?  Up to this point, we have not heard the instruction to repent which is required for forgiveness of sin and salvation, only calling for the Elders to pray when suffering and sick.  There is Spiritual Healing here but that is not the only provision.  Because the person calling the Elders of the Church is likely a believer this is not coming for salvation but calling for the Prayer of Faith for Healing and a side benefit is forgiveness.  Jesus frequently connected healing physically and forgiveness spiritually. NO, I am not saying if you are sick it is because you have sinned but I am saying that sickness exists in the world because of sin and God deals with both.

James continues in instructing and encouraging believers to become transparent to the point that we do not pretend to be flawless or faultless.  He says, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another that you may be healed.”  The Greek word is “iaomai” which means to cure, heal, make whole.  Why does so much of the Church today not believe in Divine Healing?  That is a mystery to me when I examine passages such as this, read the words of Jesus regarding healing, consider the provision of the Atonement in Isaiah 53 and numerous other biblical passages.

James concludes saying, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”  All of us desire our prayers to be effective and if we are consistent we should acknowledge that our prayers should also be fervent “energeo”.  Our prayers should weigh heavy enough on our hearts to be offered in passion and energy.  NO, I am not saying you must shout at the top of your lungs and work yourself into a frenzy but your heart should burn within as you pray.  The need you are focusing on HEALING should compel you to fight passionately for the answer.  Jesus even identified healing as the children’s bread in Matthew 15:26 and we are His Children, therefore we can expect to eat of His bread.

If you are sick – CALL for Prayer and if you are suffering – Pray yourself.  We should enter each day with Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs, singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord!  We enter His gates with Thanksgiving and His Courts with Praise.  He is the same Yesterday, and Today, and Forever!

I am praying for your healing and hope that you pray for my family as well.  God, bless you richly is my prayer and desire!

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THE GREATEST PRAYER EVER RECORDED… (Continued)


Spiritual Blog - Prayer

John 17

             We considered the greatness of this prayer because of WHO prayed it and the CONDITION or SITUATION Jesus faced when He prayed.  But what else makes this prayer the greatest ever prayed?

  • Consider WHAT Jesus Prays.

I believe that Prayer that asks nothing accomplishes nothing.  Specific Prayer gets specific results.  There are four words that could be used to sufficiently summarize Jesus’ Prayer – GLORY, SECURITY, SANCTITY, and UNITY.

In the first five verses, our LORD asks the Father to Give Him the Glory He held and enjoyed before He came to earth.  Without this petition being granted the remaining requests would be futile and fail.  In verses 6-19 our LORD prays specifically for His disciples and He prayed for their SECURITY and their SANCTITY.  In verses 20-26, He prays for the entire Body of Christ and His major request was UNITY.  How we need that today and how we have missed the importance of Christian Unity in today’s world.  These four requests are incredible guidelines for us to follow and should cause us to reflect on what He has given us – LIFE!

I have heard some foolish prayers in my life and even received a call once from a person who had just been involved in a car accident, a minor fender bender, and the request was, “Pray that this did not happen.”  SORRY, that would be foolish and fruitless because IT DID HAPPEN!  We should always test our prayers with the Word of God and ensure they meet the biblical parameters.  Prayer has power!  RATHER, believing prayer has power!  I have talked to doctors who tell me that every physician longs to study after the greatest in their field.  Lawyers yearn for the opportunity to sit at the feet of the best and brightest of their profession. Educators who long to be the best want to study with the best and Theologians will sacrifice much to be schooled by the most revered.  You and I have the opportunity to LEARN PRAYER and follow the example of Jesus from the Greatest Prayer ever prayed.  In this prayer, we SEE HIM.  In this prayer, we LEARN how to handle life’s crisis situations.  In this prayer, we LEARN how to model your prayers and lives to fit God’s pattern, purpose, and plan.

  • Consider WHAT This Prayer Has Given Us.

In a very real sense, it has given us TODAY!  When Jesus was meeting with His disciples in the Upper Room He concluded with the words of John 16:33, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”  HALLELUJAH!  I urge you to take note that in this prayer Jesus used the word WORLD 19 times and I believe that makes this prayer an instruction manual for OVERCOMING THE WORLD.  He clearly declared that He had OVERCOME the world and prayed that HIS JOY would be infused into the hearts of all His followers.

Jesus gives us COURAGE to overcome the world, knowing He has already overcome.  There are multiple definitions for WORLD.  It can be the created universe as seen in John 17:5. It can be PEOPLE or HUMANITY as seen in John 3:16. It can be ORGANIZED SOCIETY as seen in John 17:4.  Jesus said in John 17:6, “…they [the disciples] are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”  We were citizens of THIS WORLD but now we are citizens of HEAVEN.  We operate and live in this world but our authority is God’s Kingdom.  We have been delivered from this World which is a ‘deceived world.’  We have been delivered from this World which is a ‘dangerous world.’  It is PASSING AWAY. (1 John 2:17; 1 Corinthians 7:31).

You may think you are safe in the confines and environs of this world but is it passing away.  Jesus said in Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and Earthy will pass away, but My words shall not pass away.”  The world is dangerous because it is deceptive and leads people into destruction.  It is dangerous because it is defiled.  It is dangerous because it is divided.  Even in the Church, we have a hard time getting along.  We put labels on everything and everyone and they only tend to divide not unite.  Jesus gave us an example how to overcome the world. He taught us that it is deceived, dangerous, defiled, and divided.  His answer to a deceived world is Eternal Life.  Through His name, we have security and through His blood we have cleansing.  Through His love, we have Unity. Henry Ward Beecher said, “It is not good for a man to pray cream, and live skim milk.” 

We need to take inventory in our lives.  What is my attitude toward the world?  Are we being deceived and robbed of reality in Christ?  Are we placing ourselves in danger that could ruin our testimony, work, or home?  Is this world defiling us?  Are we creating unbiblical divisions instead of seeking UNITY of the Faith?  I challenge you to consider that we are not Blessed for our study of the Word of God we are Blessed because we OBEY THE WORLD.

James 1:25 – “But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the Law of Liberty, and abides in it… This man shall be blessed in what he does.”  There is potential, power, peace, and purpose to be gained in Christ.  This Prayer opens the Door to God’s Abundant Life and we need to embrace and walk through it.

          Blessings abundantly as you enjoy this wonderful day in Jesus!

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THE GREATEST PRAYER EVER RECORDED…


Spiritual Blog - Prayer

John 17

             I am totally convinced that nothing worthwhile and lasting can be accomplished without prayer and with prayer nothing is impossible!  That is one of the reasons that I am a part of the ministry of Breakout Prayer Network www.bpnradio.com a 24/7/365 Internet Radio Station that has as its primary function to call the nation to prayer.  Charles Spurgeon said, “Some brethren pray by the yard, but true prayer is measured by weight, and not by length.”  I believe that is correct!  It is not the length of your prayer but the weight of your prayer. It is not your using vain repetitions but the how deeply it moves you within that is the most important.

In John 17, we have the Greatest Prayer ever recorded in the Prayer of Jesus for Himself, His disciples, and all believers.  It is brief but the awesomeness is breathtaking.  There are 650 definite prayers in the Bible and not one of them comes close to this prayer.  I believe it is the Greatest Prayer ever prayed but what makes it so?  What sets this prayer apart from all the other prayers of the Bible?  Although I will not attempt to be thoroughly detailed I will highlight a few reasons for you to consider and hope they benefit and inspire you in your Walk, Work, and Warfare in Christ.

  • It Is Great Because of WHO Prayed It.

I hold the view that if Jesus prays something it must be very important.  He is not only God’s Son but He is God the Son.  He is the eternal God who came to earth in human form, lived a sinless life, offered Himself as our substitute, paid the price for our redemption, rose from the dead, and is now ascended to the Right Hand of the Throne of God making intercession for us.  John 20 reminds us of the purpose of the recorded miracles and signs of Jesus was that “you believe that Jesus is the Christ…”  I believe that is a reason that John included this prayer in His gospel.

Only the Son of God could ask the Father to GLORIFY HIM.  Moses asked to SEE God’s Glory but Jesus RECEIVED God’s Glory.  Jesus identified that this was the Glory that He had BEFORE THE WORLD WAS when He was with the Father.  Jesus knew He was one with the Father and the way He prayed indicated that He was God.  He prayed saying FATHER but told us to pray saying OUR FATHER. 

Jesus prayer was an example for us.  There are 19 recorded instances of Jesus praying, but why would God pray?  Jesus was our example for living and everything He did as a man and for man was in total dependence upon the Father, so He prayed!  If Jesus needed to pray HOW MUCH MORE DO WE?

  • Consider the Situation at the Time of the Prayer.

Jesus was about to go to the Cross.  He had just finished giving His disciples detailed and in-depth instruction [John 13-16] and now He prays this prayer.  His prayer reminds us that Prayer and the Word of God are inseparably joined.  If we have all Word and no Prayer, we have Truth but no Power.  We are light but not heat.  If we have all Prayer and no Word we are in danger of becoming harmful fanatics. Heat but no light.  A Proper balance is necessary for us to fulfill our mission, commission, and ministry on this earth.

2 Samuel 12:23 – “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.”  In Acts 20:32 we read, “And now I commend you to God (PRAYER) and to the Word of His Grace, which is able to build you up.”  In Acts 6:4, the disciples understood the importance of prayer saying, “But we will devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.”

Jesus prayed for Himself as He was facing the trial of the Cross.  Jesus began His ministry praying, continued praying, lived praying, and died praying.  In praying for Himself He prayed for us.  I ask you to consider some parallels regarding prayer.  Abraham interceded for Sodom but Jesus interceded for the entire world.  Moses interceded for the nation of Israel and even offered to die for them, Jesus died for the entire world.  Solomon prayed a long prayer in his dedication of the Temple but Jesus’ prayer meant the creation of a Spiritual Temple and the birth of the Church.  Phillips Brooks wrote, “Do not pray for easy lives, pray to be stronger men.  Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers, pray for powers equal to your tasks.”

I want to say more but realize that time and space is limited.  I hope you grasp the importance of prayer and consider this prayer’s spiritual revelation.  I pray that it will inspire and encourage you to carefully evaluate the words of Jesus and realize that it is God the Son praying for humanity and focusing on us in the shadows of His greatest time of testing, the Cross.

God, bless you and we will pick up here next time.  Have a Fantastic Day is my desire and prayer!

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GOD’S REQUIRMENT IN PRAYER – Persistence…


Spiritual Blog - Persistence

Luke 18:1-8 – “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.  3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’  4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.'”  6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.  7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?  8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”  NKJV

 

This has been a problematic passage for believers for a long time and will continue to be UNLESS we grasp some powerful truths presented in this parable of our LORD.  If God knows all things, and He does, and if God desires to give His children good things, and He does, and if God hears us the first time we pray, and He does WHY PERSIST?  Why not ask once and then forget it?  Before you say, that is what we should do, I ask you to hear some thoughts I have on this matter.

I have heard many renowned men of God argue against PERSISTENCE in prayer.  Although their arguments have often been eloquent and a valiant attempt to defend God and argue that persistence was our trying to force God to do something He was reluctant to do, I believe Persistence is biblical and desirable.  Many of the great men of prayer in our Christian history have contended for PERSISTENCE in prayer.  P.T. Forsyth wrote, “Prayer is never rejected so long as we do not cease to pray.  The chief failure is its cessation.”  But, even more, powerful are the words of our LORD as illustrated in two parables.  Jesus taught the need of PERSISTENCE.

In our text, Luke 18 we find the widow who had been abused and wronged. Day after day she brought her case to the judge, a man who “neither feared God or cared about what people thought.”  He was, at first, indifferent but through her persistence, he relented and said, “Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.”  That is where it is problematic for Christians.  Jesus was not making the point that God was anything like the insensitive and unjust judge.  God does not have to be worn down and badgered to get Him to reluctantly respond.  Jesus’ point was that when God’s people PERSIST and ‘cry out day and night’, He as the just judge will provide their petition.  Luke prefaced the parable with the word of Jesus, “And Jesus told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.”  That’s the key!

God’s delay may result in us losing heart and giving up, but Jesus urged us not to succumb to that temptation and tendency of LOSING HEART.  Remember his question, “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”  PERSISTENCE is needed in the development of our relationship and faith. I have long contended that the devil cannot win UNLESS we quit.  If we do not grow weary in well doing, in due season we will reap IF WE FAINT NOT.  If we quit, we lose but if we persist we receive!

In Luke 11 our Lord makes the same point saying, “I tell you, even though he, (the neighbor) will not get up to give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your persistence he will rise and give you all you need.”  NO, God does not need to be nagged and if we do not need what we are praying for all the bugging we can muster won’t move Him.  If what we are asking is at odds with the Will and Word of God, you can persist until you are totally exhausted and it won’t matter.  God does not answer prayer because He is pressured He answers because it is right and good.

Persistence is not for God it is for us.  Have you ever noticed that people who get what they want the moment they ask for it often begin to take things and people for granted?  If God granted every petition the first moment we asked our human tendency would be to treat Him like our genie, supermarket, or candy store.  Persistence demands WAITING and “they that WAIT upon the LORD renew their strength, mounting up with the wings of an eagle, they run and do not grow weary, and walk without becoming faint.”   WAITING is powerful in our spiritual development, enhancing our resolve as well as our character and maturity. God will use PERSISTENCE in prayer to purge our desires molding and transforming our desires into His purposes.  PERSISTENCE does not guarantee you will get what you have asked for but it does guarantee you will get what is BEST FOR YOU.

God, bless you as your Persist and Persevere in Prayer.  NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give up or quit!

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PERSISTENCE AND PERSEVERANCE…


Spiritual Blog - Perseverance

Matthew 7:7-12 – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.  9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?  11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!  12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”  NKJV

 

Before we are through I hope to address some of the overlooked or forgotten portions of this passage but the overriding thought is PERSISTENCE and PERSEVERANCE in prayer.  I wonder how many times we miss the answer to our prayers by ceasing to pray?  I wonder how many times we fail to receive the miracle or the provision of the petition because we gave up?  We live in what I call a “microwave world” where we expect instant everything including answers to our prayers.  Our entertainment mentality and television programmed minds expect instantaneous results and if we do not get an immediate response we become bored and move on to the next few minutes of focus.

Jesus gave this three-part or tiered directive regarding prayer and He layered one upon the other, I believe, to impress upon us the importance of PERSISTENCE and PERSEVERANCE.  Just because we do not get the positive answer to our petition immediately and may hear nothing or see no movement as we ASK, that does not mean God is not listening or that He does not care.  Jesus did not say, “Ask and maybe you will receive.”  He said, “Everyone who asks receives.”  I would suggest that we do not really believe that but that is what He said and I can try to analyze, theorize, doctrinalize, and using a theological argument to counter that, but it is what He said!  He then said, “he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”  So, if you have not gotten the answer in asking, start seeking.  If you are out of work and need a job, do you just ask God to give you another one and do nothing else?  No, you seek a job in conjunction with your asking God for a job.  Is that the end?  No, you knock, beat the bushes, and exhaust the possibilities as you ask and seek.  Simply your PERSIST and PERSEVERE you do not give up, give in and quit.

If you have not received the answer and you have asked multiple times is that reason to believe that God does not care and quit?  I say NO!  Have you considered that the reason you have not received is that you have not persisted? Have you considered that the reason you have not received is that you are not ready and God needs to do some things in your life to prepare you for that answer?  Have you considered that maybe God has something better for you?  Have you considered that the timing may be all wrong or that you are asking before what you desire is ready?  Maybe God needs to work on you or work on others before He can grant your petition but don’t quit.  Ask, Seek, and Knock!  Someone asked, “Are you saying I should become a pest in my request?”  Not really, but if that works to keep you pressing in, YES!

Consider vv.9-12 with me if you will.  Jesus asked a very interesting question on the heels of His declaration about our Persistence and Perseverance in prayer.  He asks, “…what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?”  That should be a reminder that God is more righteous than we and if we would ignore our children’s requests or give them something unneeded, unnecessary, or harmful why would we think God would do so?  He continued saying, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”  HALLELUJAH!  That is an important truth for us to grasp in prayer.  We, human beings who are bent toward evil and outside of Christ living depraved KNOW HOW to give good gifts to our children.  WE DO!  God is our Father and loves His children and IF WE HUMANS know how to give good gifts – WHAT ABOUT GOD?  He most assuredly knows how, He desires to, and will give His children good gifts.

Persistence and Perseverance in Prayer are not for God it is for us.  It helps us to focus on the Person, not the Problem.  The Person of God and draws us into His presence.  It helps us develop confidence in His Promises and Provisions.  It teaches us the value of refusing to give up.  It trains us in spiritual warfare.  If we consider any delay in the answer to our prayers as God’s timing or training, we will find it easier to PERSIST and PERSEVERE than if we simply believe the lie of hell that God does not care causing us to wonder why should we continue. Consider the incredible Love of God for humanity, as witnessed in the Cross.  If you can view the Cross without seeing God’s Love then nothing I can saw will be of benefit, but if you view the Cross through the eyes of incredible Love you will desire to PERSIST and PERSEVERE and the Promise of Jesus will become reality for you.  He will either grant what you desire, provide something better, transform you, or teach you that what you requested, sought, and knocked for is not right for you and not in your best interest.  HE ALWAYS ANSWERS PRAYER!

            God, bless you richly as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!

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BEWITCHED – How Did Paul Know?


Spiritual Blog - Bewitched

Galatians 3:1-4 – “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain — if indeed it was in vain?” NKJV

 

Paul charged that the Galatians had been BEWITCHED but how did he come to that conclusion?  Basically, two things are clear.  It was largely through LEGALISM and CARNALITY.  That may be shocking but if those two things are evidence of bewitchment that is heavy.  But to assert it is one thing and to prove it another.  Let’s see if we can validate this charge.

I do not think there is a greater stumbling block for new Christians than LEGALISM.  It has single-handedly done incredible damage to the Church in the Western World.  The thing that goes hand in hand with Legalism is “Trusting the Flesh” or CARNALITY.  (v.3).  That is what Legalism produces.  Legalism is an expression of ‘carnality’ not ‘spirituality.’  It causes us to become judgmental and self-righteous. It seeks to present an image that is so good it appears highly religious and pious.  All attempts to JUSTIFY self by keeping rules puts us back in the Flesh and when you operate in the flesh you will always find the LAW and Man-made Rules and Regulations that are anti-biblical.

Through the Cross, our old man dies and we are joined to Jesus.  BUT, if we lose sight of the Cross and the finished work of Jesus we are easy marks for LEGALISM and seek to Perform and Earn our Salvation.  There are only two forms of Religion.  GRACE by Faith – (Somebody else did it for me).  WORKS – (Do it yourself and earn your forgiveness and acceptance).  The Bible makes it perfectly clear that it is either Grace through Faith or we are attempting to do it ourselves by keeping the rules.  Legalism produces bondage and spiritual slavery.  Let me offer something that may shock you, it also brings the Church under a curse, the very thing that we have been redeemed.  We return to a condition that is outside our covering in Christ.  Galatians 3:11, “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘the just shall live by faith.’”  There are two ways to live:  Law or Faith.  Galatians 3:12, “yet the law is not of faith, but ‘the man who does them shall live by them.’”  You don’t need faith if you are following the flesh you are doing the right thing and keeping the rules.  That is not faith it is works.  Galatians 3:13, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’) …” Therefore, Paul says, “If we lose sight of the Cross, we go back into legalism, trust the flesh, and come under a curse.”

Jeremiah 17:5, “Thus says the Lord, cursed is the man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his strength.”  Psalm 146:3, “Do not trust in princes, in mortal man, in whom there is no salvation.”  That is Legalism. If I trust my methods, my way, my rules, and what I do trying to earn what Jesus accomplished at the Cross I am embracing the Arm of Flesh and that opens the door for the devil’s entry and influence.  I know churches that insist they have thrown out Moses (The Old Law) and embraced Christ (The New Covenant) and proudly proclaim they are no longer under the Law.  But, I’ve noticed that many impose their new set of laws and every tribe has their own that are unique to them.  Sadly, many believers demonstrate that they believe they have to keep all the rules in order to stay right with God and accomplish His purposes and to feel worthy.  That is Legalism and Carnality it is not Faith or Grace.

In Hebrews 9, the apostle Paul calls our attention to the ceremonial ordinances and laws or that which are carnal.  He informs that “nothing we do will ever make us clean on the inside.”  We can attempt to keep all the rules and still have an unrighteous heart.  That is the Law.  It forces you back to trusting the flesh, your ability, and will-power.  If you adopt that position you are obligated to keep EVERY PORTION OF THE LAW.  If you do not, you are cursed and nobody keeps it all.  We either DO IT OURSELVES or we TRUST JESUS.  It is Grace or Works and works will not cleanse our hearts but Grace will justify us and bring us into His kingdom and presence.

If we are going to fully enjoy the victory of Calvary we MUST accept the Work of Christ on the Cross and in no measure, try to Earn our Acceptance.  If we desire to enforce the victory of Calvary and become a Warrior for God we must become Grace People and simply receive.

God, bless you richly is my prayer and desire!

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ILLEGITIMATE AUTHORITY and Warfare…


Spiritual Blog - Authority

Galatians 3:1-4 – “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain — if indeed it was in vain?” NKJV

 

I am fully persuaded that there is a clear cause of the condition of much of the church world, America, and the world.  We have witnessed far more WIMP than WARRIOR in our world.  I am also persuaded that a significant cause for this condition has been SPIRITUAL WITCHCRAFT.  I realize that saying that some will be cautious about hearing the conclusion of the whole matter, but I pray you will.

I believe that there is a clear directive in Scripture for the Body of Christ to be Warriors or Good Soldiers rather than Wimps.  We are instructed to Fight the Good Fight of Faith, pull down Strongholds, and Resist the devil.  Therefore, anything that hinders us in God’s Purpose must be exposed and destroyed.  IF there is “Spiritual Witchcraft” in the church it must be exposed for what it is so God’s people can be set free and transition from Wimp to Warrior.  My desire is that God’s people live TOTALLY FREE and experience the FULL VICTORY of Jesus in this life.

When we examine what our Lord Jesus won for us at the Cross we realize that His work on the Cross COMPLETELY and IRREVERSIBLY defeated the devil.  Jesus went into the Strongman’s House, totally defeated him, bound him, stripped him of all his weapons and spoiled him. (Colossians 2:14-15).  Jesus then released all those held captive by the devil. (Ephesians 4:8).  Therefore, according to the Word of God, “Satan is Bound”.  Jesus did it. He has given authority over all of hell’s power, but sadly too many are defeatedly waiting for some future millennium for it to become reality.  We have, according to Scripture, been given Spiritual Weapons by which we can administer and enforce the Victory of Jesus on the Cross.  (2 Corinthians 10:4-5; Ephesians 6:10-18).  Jesus did it, but it is now up to us to enforce it using His weapons and through the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit.  In Matthew 28:18, Jesus said, “All authority in both heaven and earth is given to Me…”  He then, on that basis said, “Go Ye Therefore…”  Simply, He said, “I have authority and have defeated the devil, I give you that authority, so it is in your hands to administer and enforce that victory!”

I ask you to participate in this exercise.  Suppose for a moment you were the devil.  That you had suffered this complete crushing defeat.  You had successfully put Jesus to an open death on the Cross and you believed you had fully defeated and aborted God’s Plan.  But, Jesus refused to stay dead.  He not only rose from the dead he took all your weapons and placed them in the hands of your mortal enemies. What Would You Do?  The only thing you could do, short of quitting is to attempt to DECEIVE.  You would try to blind the minds of the people of God and keep them from learning what their weapons are and how to use them.  That tactic has worked too frequently.  The devil’s devices have been to keep us from plundering his house further.

Galatians 3:1 – “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?”  The word ‘bewitched’ is important for the apostle is identifying Spiritual Witchcraft existing in the church.  Those people were born again and spirit filled believers.  They have experienced the miraculous in signs and wonders.  This is who Paul is speaking to and that is important to note.  In Galatians 3:2-5 – “This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain — if indeed it was in vain? 5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?”   They had the Gifts of the Spirit, experienced miracles but Paul said they had been BEWITCHED. That is amazing and disturbing.

Unfortunately, it is possible for a Church to be filled with God, born again, and enjoy the Holy Spirit and yet have a haze or a stupor over them and no matter how good the preaching, how present the truth they embrace, they are unable to SEE or HEAR it fully.  They find it impossible to fully respond.  WHY?  There is a bewitchment involved.  The Greek means to smite with the eyes.  I don’t want you to get nervous and think I’m talking about Christians being demon possessed.  What I am talking about is Christians being so deceived they are bound by the devil and bewitched by his tactic of deception.  Why would the devil want to “obscure the Cross” or blind us to what happened to him at the Cross?  WHY?  Where was, he defeated?  The Cross!  Therefore, if he can prevent us from seeing what truly happened at the Cross he can blind us and regain control over our lives.

I am cautious about stopping here but I will come back next time and identify HOW Paul knew the Galatians had been bewitched.  We will consider it and hopefully, it will result in the scales being removed from eyes and freedom result.

Blessings abundantly as you enjoy this day!

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WAR IS HELL…


Spiritual Blog - War

Luke 4:5-8 – “Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.” 

8 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'”  NKJV

 

We are at War spiritually!  Too often we focus on the giants that we are facing and as fear grips our hearts we turn and run.  We seem to forget that this Walk, Work, and War is not without casualties and difficulty.  WAR IS HELL!  Natural war or spiritual war is terrible and difficult.  We seem to have the idea that the devil is just going to walk away and leave us alone because we are Christians.  Coming to Christ did not end the attempt of the devil to intimidate and influence our lives negatively.  I declare that it does not matter that he will not voluntarily go away, we have the weapons, the victory, authority, and anointing to enforce the victory Jesus won at Calvary.  We have to MAKE HIM GO in the Name of Jesus and with the weapons of our warfare that are mighty through God.  We will either be Wimps or Warriors!

I have had people warn me not to preach this way because it will stir up the devil.  WHAT?  Either Jesus defeated him or he didn’t.  What do we think the devil is going to do?  He has threatened me before saying, “I’m going to kill you.”  I remind him of the reality of Jesus’ victory and that he has no authority over me.  The Lord quickened to my heart in one of those incidents, “Don’t you think he would have already killed you if he could?”  We belong to Christ and the devil hates our Lord Jesus.  IF we will stop being a whimpering, complaining, cowering Wimp and learn to stand in the name of Jesus, the devil will have to flee.  THIS IS WAR and truly War is hell but in Jesus we have victory.

Believer, if we KNOW our inheritance in Jesus and truly understand and believe that the devil has been defeated and that we have been given power and authority over the devil we can ENFORCE THE VICTORY OF JESUS.  We need to GET MAD at sin and the devil.  We need to GET MAD at the deception that is far too evident in the lives of many.  We need to determine that we are going to stand for God and having done all to stand we are going to stand.

David was a Warrior, not a Wimp.  He was a shepherd boy tending his father’s flock, as instructed.  He went to check on his brothers in the battle against the Philistines, as instructed. He came upon an incredible scene, one he found impossible to believe.  Israel’s mighty army had taken on the characteristics of WIMPS rather than WARRIORS.  This shepherd boy was stirred inside and he HEARD what the others could not see because of their fear. He SAW what they could not see because of their fear. They say an imposing intimidating undefeatable giant but David saw a defeated foe.  He saw a strongman that must be defeated and plundered and he volunteered, “I will go fight and defeat the giant!”  He was rebuked by his elder brother and questioned by the King but David’s stance was, “NO, I didn’t come to see the battle, I came to do it and win it.  You, brother, came to watch, I came to Win!”

Remember the twelve spies Moses sent into Canaan?  Ten of them were Wimps but two of them were Warriors and saw God’s victory rather than the obstacles and opposition.  Ten saw giants, the whole land full of giants and saw themselves as grasshoppers in the eyes of the giants.  NO, IT WASN’T.  Some of it had giants but not all of it.  The Wimps said, “We look like grasshoppers to them, we cannot go up.”  The Warriors said, “We can do this because God said we can.”  We are more than conquerors through Jesus!

God, bless you richly is my prayer!

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