Mon, Aug 29th - 8:48PM

GOD IN CREATION

Fri, Aug 26th - 1:13PM

GOD AT CREATION

If I did not mention this in my opening post, the word "compass" comes from the Hebrew word meaning sphere.  This same term is found over in Isaiah 40:22 where it says that God sits upon the circle of the earth.  The unbelievers claim that this is evidence of belief in flat earth.  Rather, it is proof that God spoke of the earth being a sphere. 

Looking back again to our text from chapter 8:27-28, God then established the clouds above.  The Hebrew word from which this was translated means "thin mists" referring to the great water canopy found above the firmament in Genesis 1:7.  Moving forward to verse 29 we find that God strengthened the fountains of the deep, locking them under the foundations of the earth.  This could be construed as the aquifers, or perhaps something altogether different.  Whatever the case here, we are told that these fountains in the deep were broken up in order to create the Flood of Noah's time period.

Now, that all having been said, we turn to chapter nine and immediately find that "wisdom" built a house and it was upon seven pillars hewn out.  I must point out that we find many sevens in the Book of Revelation.  There are the seven seals, the seven stars, the seven trumpets, the seven last plagues, the seven bowls of wrath, seven mountains, seven kings, and seven spirits of God.  I would say that the seven pillars represent the seven spirits of God which then means that wisdom is God who is Christ. 

All believers in Christ are considered to be the "Bride" of Christ, so in verse 2 the maids sent out to call out to everyone to come represent believers in Christ.  This is what one of our jobs is, to call people to come and experience Jesus Christ, to become intimate with Him on a spiritual level.  Verse five speaks of bread and wine; these two things are bedrock symbols in communion with Christ for they speak of the New Covenant.  As we go down through the verses of chapter nine we discover how we are to relate to people.  Do not hang out with the foolish, do not reprove scorners, do not rebuke wicked people, but do rebuke a wise person for they will end up loving you because of it.  The fear of God is but the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.  I have done a study on the "Knowledge of the Holy" and you could very well head off in that direction at this point.  But as we continue on through these verses it is seen that gaining wisdom and understanding gains one increased life span and prosperity spiritually. 

The last few verses of this chapter of Proverbs enlightens us as to the true nature of sinful living.  It may appear to provide us with pleasure, sensual delight, satiation of lusts, and happiness, but the end results of the consequences of sinful actions always is death.  Death and a final destination of the lake of fire from out of which none return.

And that provides us with a foundation upon which to build this particular study.  God has spoken to us through the Proverbs of the Old Testament, proclaiming to us the fact that Jesus Christ was with God in the beginning, before anything was, Christ was with God.  But now we must ferret out more verses which tie Christ to Creation.  That is the task of my next blog posting. 

Grace and peace be with all those who prepare for the oncoming hurricane up the eastern American seaboard.  Use wisdom and understanding to be prepared to survive the storm and its aftermath.  May God be with us all over the next few days.

~Eric

Thu, Aug 25th - 1:43PM

GOD AT CREATION: WHO WAS AT WORK?

"When He prepared the heavens, I was there: when He set a compass upon the face of the depth: When He established the clouds above: when He strengthened the fountains of the deep (Proverbs 8:27-28)." 

Time for a brand new study.  This one is to figure out which part/s of the Godhead were present and active during Creation and what applicability that might have in our Christian lives.  Why is it important to understand Who created what, and Who was present at the time of Creation?  We may create quite the spider's web of passages as we wade through both "shallow" and "deep" waters in this study.

This chapter of Proverbs contains a beautiful description of some of God's works during Creation.  It also opens up to us the possibility of unveiling who did the creating of our universe.  Yes, we all know it was God.  But which part of God actually carried out the creating? 

From chapter one the reader can quickly conclude that these Proverbs were written with the intention to provide people with wisdom, instruction, understanding, justice, judgment, and equity.  To the young people they can acquire discretion, subtlety, and knowledge.  To the wise people can be acquired increased learning and understanding.  We also are informed that the "fear of the Lord" is just the beginning of knowledge. 

Beginning with chapter two the reader is lead to the personification of "wisdom."  Feminine pronouns are used as we are told to seek her out as if we looked for hidden treasure, we are to place immense value upon attaining wisdom.  Moving on through the verses of chapter two the reader can begin to draw some connections between what is written here and the Person of Jesus Christ.  Jesus is a buckler to those that choose to walk uprightly.  It is He that preserves the paths of judgment and the paths of His saints.  Verse ten speaks of wisdom entering into the heart and being the agent of keeping a person from following after wanton men and women into lusts of the flesh.  Chapter three verse 15 speaks of wisdom being more precious than all of the things which we could possibly imagine wanting.  Wisdom is priceless.  All paths lead by wisdom are peaceful ones; Christ Jesus is the Prince of Peace. 

We then come to verse nineteen of chapter three and are confronted with the statement that God founded the earth by wisdom.  Hhhmmm.  By understanding He established the heavens.  Hhhhmmm.  A couple of verses later we read that wisdom, understanding, and knowledge will be life to our souls and grace to our necks.  Jesus Christ is the Way, the Life, and the Truth.  Hhhhmmm.  The final verse of this chapter then tells us that the wise shall inherit glory.  Christ told us that we shall be given glorified bodies upon His return.  Hhhhmmm.

In chapter four of Proverbs we then read about how we are to keep the words of wisdom and understanding for they are life to those that find them and that a person ought not to turn to the left nor to the right once they have discovered the path that they ought to walk.  Does this speak of Christ Jesus as being the Way?  Once I find Christ am I not instructed to not veer to the left or the right?  I am to follow in His footsteps. 

Chapter five is a warning against giving in to temptations of the flesh.  It is an exhortation to resist all types of adultery: physical, emotional, and spiritual.  Then in chapter six we find warnings against associating with wicked people.  We also find urgings to never forget God's Law for it will allow us to understand when we are beginning to stray off of the narrow path to eternal life.  Flirting with sexual sin leads to becoming torched by the "fires" of betrayal, divorce, brokenness emotionally, and sexual diseases.  Play with fire, get burned by fire.

Chapter seven of Proverbs provides another account of what transpires consequently to becoming involved with a harlot out in the streets.  No need to go deeper into that at this time.  Chapter eight is where I want to begin to focus upon what is written.  Again, wisdom is personified.  Why?  Verse four informs us that "wisdom" calls out to people and desires that people would hear her call.  From out of her mouth come words of truth, righteousness, understanding, and knowledge.  Verse thirteen delineates a distinction even further.  "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil:  pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate."  Identification is solidly made right here.  Fear of the Lord is to hate evil and I, wisdom, do hate the same things.  The next verse states that this "wisdom" has strength, has the power to give kings authority to rule and give out righteous decrees.  Hhhmmm.  God has said that He is the one who gives every government the authority to rule over human groups.  Wisdom, God. 

Verse 17 then goes on to say that those who seek wisdom early shall find it.  Sounds quite similar to seeking the face of God early and finding Him.  Verses 22-29 then proceed to describe how wisdom was possessed by God in the beginning of His way, before He began His works of Creation.  Wisdom existed from the very beginning, from BEFORE the beginning.  I will only point out here that "compass" comes from a Hebrew word which means "sphere."  So, no flat earth belief existed from within Biblical scriptures.

Upon reaching verses 30-36 we discover a relationship between God and this "wisdom."  They both existed together, and God delighted in wisdom as if this was an actual person.  Hhhhmmm.  We find that mankind will be blessed if they keep the way of wisdom.  Blessed will be the person who hears wisdom, watches daily for her return, and finds her.  Finding wisdom brings life and favor of God.  Sinning against wisdom wrongs the soul and brings about death. 

I think that I shall stop right there for today.  Please read these chapters of Proverbs and get the sense of what is being presented to those who have ears to hear.  Is this Jesus Christ speaking t o us from out of Proverbs?  Is it He who came manifested in human flesh to verbally present these same truths to mankind?  Is the Old Testament useless, lifeless, spiritually worthless?  Or are we being awakened to the fact that the entire Bible is of immense profit to us?  We shall see.

Next time I plan on looking at the nineth chapter of Proverbs and applying it to the human condition.  Hope you come on back for this feels like it will be an enlightening study for all of us!

~Eric

Mon, Aug 22nd - 6:45PM

PRAYER - What Good Is It?

In an earlier post I mentioned the Book of the Law given to Moses by God.  How long that Book had languished, having been laid aside by the Israelites, we do not know.  But then someone by the name of Josiah heard that it had been discovered and he tore his clothes and was hugely disturbed.  He grieved over the neglect of God's Word and saw the results:  iniquity running rampant throughout Israel.

Then Josiah commanded Hilkiah, the priest, to go and make inquiry of the Lord God Almighty.  He had decided that such neglect of God's Word concerning the Law was a serious enough matter that it could not be treated lightly.  God's face must be sought out.  Josiah knew that he and his nation must repent of its sins.

II Kings 22:13 tells us, "Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found:  for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not listened to all the words of this book, to do according to all that which is written concerning us."  That was just the beginning.  Josiah was convicted of the need for a revival of religion in his entire kingdom.  He gathered all of the elders of Jerusalem and Judah together to speak to them of this need.  He even went to the house of God and read all of the words of the Book of the Covenant that was found in that place.

Josiah was a righteous king, he comprehended the huge importance of God's Word.  He clearly understood that God's Word was not being correctly considered by his people.  He prayed to God for direction in this matter.  He asked others to pray to God, to "inquire for me" as to what should be done concerning the Book of the Law and the Covenant.  He knew that the peoples' hearts needed to be changed, him and his people needed to repent of their ongoing sins and make right their relationship with their God. 

Years later, when Ezra was seeking the reconstruction of his nation, the people gathered themselves together before the Water Gate.  "And they spoke to Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law before the congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding...And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday...and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law (Nehemiah 8:1-3)." 

Are we that attentive to the reading of God's Word today?  Too many times we become impatient if the sermon stretches much beyond 30 minutes.  How in touch with the Holy Spirit are we at those times?  The leaders in Ezra's time saw the clear need for spiritual revival of their people through hearing God's Word read out loud.  Not only was the Word read to the people, preaching was done for they caused the people to understand the reading.  God's Word was explained clearly, it was applied to their current situation and circumstances. 

It is here in this eighth chapter of Nehemiah that we find the scriptural definition of preaching.  It is to read the Word of God distinctly so that the hearers can hear and understand the words.  The sense of the words is to be made clear to everyone.  Those people gathered before the water gate of Jerusalem were treated to expository preaching, something dearly needed in our day.  The hearts of these people were touched, invigorated, renewed, by the presentation of God's Word. 

Topical, historical, controversial, preaching may have their rightful place in the pulpit, but expository preaching, the prayerful expounding of the Word, is something which is needed in every age, for every generation.

For this type of preaching to be successful the preacher must be a person of prayer.  Time must be spent upon bended knees seeking God's wisdom and leadership in order to properly present God's intended message to those gathered regularly to hear God speak to them.  Prayer and preaching is the combination needed today in our churches.  To be able to speak the words which God desires the preacher to speak he/she must prayerfully seek out the will of God and to be given the words which God wishes them to use to present the message.  God will bring to mind passages studied previously which He wants to become a part of the message to those gathered.  God will provide the passion, the tone, and the pace of that which the preacher is to present. 

Well, that concludes this study about the necessity of prayer in all believers' lives.  I hope it has enabled you to trust that you can receive answers to your prayers.  I hope it has enabled you to clearly understand why your prayers won't be answered.  I also hope that it has enabled you to clearly understand what steps you must begin to take in your daily life in order for God to be willing to listen and answer your prayers.  May Christ bless you richly in all that you put your hand to doing!

~Eric

Fri, Aug 19th - 6:36PM

PRAYER - What Good Is It?

Prayer draws its life from the Scriptures.  The nature, necessity, and character of prayer is based on the Word of God.  Psalm 119 is a directory of God's Word.  Virtually every verse contains a word which identifies or locates the Word of God.  The writer often breaks out into supplication, praying.  "Teach me Your statutes (Psalm 119:12)", "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law (Psalm 119:18)."  The prayer is a call for the need for divine illumination to see, to understand, the wonderful things recorded within the Bible.

From beginning to end, this Psalm shows that prayer and God's Word are intertwined.  It leads to this declaration to be made:  "Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against You (Psalm 119:11)."  This leads me to ask you a question.  Are you sinning against God still?  Are you hiding God's Word in your heart?  If not, that is the crucial place to begin to make correction in your spiritual life. 

Protection against sinning is found by reading and studying God's Word and putting it into your heart, by putting it into action in your daily life.  It is a matter of impregnating yourself completely with the Word of God and forcing out everything that is carnal.  In this way also, we protect ourselves from attack by Satan.

Through prayer one becomes aware that its power creates a very real "love" for the scriptures and places within one a nature which takes pleasure in God's Word (verse 97 and 103).  To have a heart for the reading of the Bible one must never forget to pray first.  Having love of the Bible means to also have love of prayer. 

Christ Jesus was a man of prayer.  All through His earthly life He observed Sabbath-keeping, churchgoing, and the reading of the Word of God.  His praying intermingled with all aspects of His earthly ministry and with His training of the twelve. 

No two things are more essential to living a Christian life than Bible reading and prayer.  Neglecting these two items means leanness of soul, loss of joy, absence of peace, aridness of spirit, and decay in all that concerns spiritual life.  Neglect of these two things leads to apostasy and gives Satan place in the person's heart.

We must never forget that prayer affects places, times, occasions, and circumstances.  It plugs us into God and everything which is related to God.  It is intimate, and forges a special relationship between God and the person who prays.  The house of worship ought to remain a sacred place, set apart from all unholy uses.  It is not a common place where bingo can be participated in.  It is where God comes to meet with His children, it is where communion with the Most High occurs.  It is where God takes delight in the worship of His saints.

When prayer becomes a stranger in a house of worship it has ceased to be God's house at all.  This point was driven home when Jesus cast out the buyers and sellers from within the Temple.  He repeated the words from Isaiah, "It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer (Matthew 21:13)."  Prayer is preeminent above all else within the house of God.  Since we too are now the "house of God" it means that prayer must predominate our private lives. 

The house of God is a holy place for united worship of the brethren of Christ.  The prayer closet is for individual prayer and the house of God is for mutual, united prayer.  But even in the house of God there is the element of private prayer/worship.  Even in public worship there are the moments when we can privately pray to Him and offer up our praise. 

The life of the church's members depends directly upon prayer.  The presence of God is secured and kept by prayer.  Without prayer the church is lifeless and powerless.  Even the building itself is nothing more than any other structure.  With prayer we invoke the Shekinah glory to come dwell in us, and with us.  Our prayers separate the building from all others, making it holy, set apart to do God's work.  Prayer sanctifies it, making the building a divine sanctuary.  Thus is how the Tabernacle, moving continually about from place to place became the Holy of Holies.  God and prayers were there. 

Without prayer a congregation is like a body without any spirit; it is a dead, inanimate thing.  Set prayer aside and God is outlawed.  If prayer is an unfamiliar thing, then God Himself is a stranger there.

The house of worship/prayer is set aside as a place to meet Christ.  God has made promise to meet us there.  It is our duty to go.  I concede that preaching of God's Word has an important place in the house of God, but prayer must be the predominating, distinguishing feature. 

Since God's house is a house of prayer, prayer must then precede everything that is done there or through there.  Prayer is to touch every sort of work relating to the Church.  It must become a necessary thing to transform prayerless people into prayerful people.  This is a vital part of creating disciples.  The house of God is a divine workshop, the work being prayer.  Or it is a divine schoolhouse in which prayer is taught.  We all must learn to pray and then graduate from the school of prayer.

That is all for today my friends.  Next time I will finish up this study by posting some words concerning Josiah and God's Word.  See you next time!  Grace and peace be yours.

~Eric

Sat, Aug 13th - 11:42AM

PRAYER - What Good Is It?

Thu, Aug 11th - 1:07PM

PRAYER - What Good Is It?

Prayer can't exist in a vacuum, it must be joined to something.  Prayer must be joined with obedience and the Word of God in order that all God's gifts will be made sacred.  Prayer not only is to receive things from God, but to make them holy.  It is not to simply receive a blessing, but also to be able to give a blessing to another.  Prayer makes common things holy and secular things sacred.  Prayer receives things from God with thanksgiving and makes them holy with thankful hearts and devoted service.

Looking at I Timothy 4:4 we find Paul giving us these words:  "For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if received with thanksgiving:  For it is sanctified by the Word of God and prayer."  This directly opposes the belief of Gnosticism which believes that some creatures were created to be evil, and that of certain ascetics that command that certain foods must be abstained from or avoided.  Nothing that God has created is unfit for food based upon it being clean or unclean.  A person is not polluted/corrupted by what they eat but by what comes out of their heart.

So, God's good gifts are to be holy, not only by His creative power, but because they are made so by our prayers.  We receive them, take ownership of them, and sanctify them by prayer.  Doing God's will, having His Word abiding in us, is an imperative of effectual praying.  Hopefully we all remember from school what imperative means.  It is expressive of a command, entreaty, or exhortation; necessary.  It can be seen then that doing God's will is necessary for effectual prayer and it is commanded of us and we are exhorted to follow in doing it continually.

But how are we to know God's will?  The answer:  By studying His Word, by hiding it in our hearts, and by letting the Word dwell in us abundantly.  "The entrance of Your words, gives light (Psalm 119:130)." 

In order then to know God's will in prayer we must be filled with God's Spirit for He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.  To be filled with God's Word, to be filled with the Holy Spirit, is to know God's will.  Such filling of the heart with the Spirit and the Word gives us insight into the will of God the Father.  It enables us to correctly discern His will and allows us to be of a mind and heart to make God's will our guide and compass throughout our lives.

Epaphras prayed in Colossians 4:12, " Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God."  In this verse "will of God" refers to God's will regarding His eternal purpose, His economy concerning Christ Jesus.  It also provides us with the knowledge that we not only can know God's will, but that we can know all the will of God.  We can know all the will of God and we can do all the will of God.  Doing all the will of God can become an established habit rather than an occasional impulse or afterthought.  This verse also shows us that we not only can do the will of God externally, but that we can do it from the heart without holding back from the intimate presence/fellowship of the Living God.

Well, beloved, that is all for today.  Hope that this post has given you added focus regarding your prayer life.  I did not mention that in order to have the Holy Spirit dwelling within me I must have first become reconciled with Jesus Christ.  Before I can have effectual prayers through knowing the will of God I must first enter in through the "narrow gate."  Said gate is none other than Jesus Christ.  There is no other way to legitimately enter into the sheepfold.  All other attempts at entering in are considered to be unlawful. 

May Christ's grace and peace guide your every step through life!

~Eric

Wed, Aug 10th - 12:06PM

PRAYER - What Good Is It?

Here are a few of the comprehensive and exhaustive statements of the Word of God about prayer, the things to be taken in by prayer, and the strong promise made in answer to prayer:

"Pray without ceasing;" "continue in prayer;" "continuing instant in prayer;" "in everything by prayer, let your request be made known unto God;" "always to pray, and not to faint;" "men ought pray every where;" "praying always with all prayer and supplication." 

What clear and definitive statements these are!  These were put in the divine record to give us a sturdy foundation of faith and to urge and encourage us to pray.  These scriptures move us to go out and seek this God of prayer, with all of our wants and needs.

We also find in the pages of God's Word examples, incidents, and observations, stressing the importance and absolute necessity of prayer while emphasizing prayer's all-prevailing power to change lives.  To benefit from these rich promises of the Word of God we ought to humbly receive them and put God to the test!

This world of ours will never receive the full benefits of the gospel until prayer is fully embraced by the body of Christ.  That being said, I do not see visible evidence that prayer will ever be embraced to this extent by the body of professing believers.  It will not be embraced for it requires too much work, demands too much effort from a people who desire to see instant fixes and live care-free lives. 

If asked what is to be done in order to make God's promises real, the answer is that we must pray until the promise is fulfilled.  By prayer, we bring these promises of God's holy will into the realm of the actual and the real.  By prayer, we dumbfound the doctors who can't explain miraculous remissions of cancer.    Let's face reality:  God's promises are too huge to be conquered by aimless praying.  Our prayers must meet the demands of the situation.  Situation urgent?  Prayers urgent.  Does any of us measure up to the promises of our Lord Jesus Christ? 

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he that believes on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go to My Father (John 14:12)."

How much is here for the good of all humanity!  For the glory of God!  How much is here for proving the manifestation of Christ's divine power!  For the reward of our abundant faith!  Here is another of God's great promises:  "If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you (John 15:7)."  We are informed that if we do not turn our backs on Christ and that we read, study, and live out His Word, whatever we ask of God will be done.  The Word of God is then able to strengthen us and our faith.  God turns Himself over to the will of His people for they have sought out His will and made it their own.  When Christ actually becomes our all-in-all, then God's treasures will lay at our feet.  John 4:22 reveals the practical solution of the first century church: "Whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things which are pleasing in His sight."

Those are the keys.  Keeping Christ's commandments and doing those things which are pleasing to God.  That is abiding in Christ.  That is how we then love the brethren of Christ.  That is how we become reconcilers and peacemakers.

Well beloved, that is all for today.  Next time I will post some thoughts about knowing God's will.  I hope that you return for at least one more day!  Grace and peace be with you.

~Eric

Mon, Aug 8th - 12:29PM

PRAYER - What Good Is It?

The apostle Paul had a definite promise from Christ, but then we find him exhorting the Romans "Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints (Romans 15:30-31)."  Christ's promise to deliver Paul from the people and the Gentiles was to come true through the praying efforts of fellow believers. 

The Word of God is immensely helpful in prayer, if it has been previously engrafted into our hearts and memories.  Promises of God, stored within our hearts, become the fuel for our future prayers.  God's Word is the food by which our prayers are fed and made strong.  Prayer, like man, can't live by bread alone, "but by every word that proceeds from out of the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4)."

Life giving force is imparted to our prayers by God's Word.  Leaving out this vital component guts our prayers, leaving them empty, void of any power.  This means that for my prayers to become powerful I must have already been feeding myself constantly from God's Word and must continue to do so.  God's Word repairs the utter waste of my life and renews my life, transforming me into a closer image of Christ Jesus.  If I wish to learn to pray well, I must first study God's Word and store it in my mind and heart.

Study of God's Word reveals that no duty is more binding or exacting than that of prayer.  Also revealed is the fact that no privilege is more exalted, no habit more abundantly owned of God.  God desires in His heart for a people who pray in everything, in season and out of season, and are thankful no matter their circumstances.  Matthew 21:22 speaks of all things being received by prayer because all things are promised.  There is not limit to God's provisions nor is there exclusion from prayer's promises.  "For every one that asks receives (Luke 11:10)."  "If you shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it (John 14:14)."  The Word of God is all embracing as long as I ask in His name, have forgiven others of their sins against me, hold no grudges, and love the saints whole-heartedly.

That is all for today my friends.  Next time we shall take a quick look at a few of the promises found in the Bible.  Until then may grace and peace be abundant in your heart, in your home, and in your daily life.

~Eric

Fri, Aug 5th - 12:42PM

PRAYER - What Good Is It?

We find in the Bible the fairly constant use of such words as "field, seed, sower, reaper, waterer, and harvest."  The use of such metaphors interprets a fact of nature by a parable of grace.  The field is the entire world and the good seed is the Word of God.  Whether the Word be spoken or read, it is the power of God leading to salvation.  In the work of evangelism the entire world is our field, every pamphlet and tract becomes a seed from God.

One fact we must be aware of is that God's Word is a record of prayer, of praying men and their achievements, of the encouragement given to those who pray, and of the divine instruction to pray.  No one can read all of these instances and come away without realizing that the cause of God and the success of His work being done through us is reliant upon prayer.  Throughout the ages praying men and women have been God's appointed officers here on earth.  Prayerless people have never been used by God.

Reverence for God's holy name is closely related to having a high regard for His Word.  That men ought to always pray and not faint is as valid and as fundamental to God's cause today as it was when Jesus Christ spoke the parable about the persistent widow before the unjust judge.

God's house is to be called "the house of prayer" because prayer is the most important activity to be performed there.  The Bible may be called the book of prayer.  As the Word of God dwells richly in us (Colossians 3:16) we become transformed.  Faith is constructed from the Word and the Spirit, and faith is the body and substance of prayer.  Thus we may transition from being a non praying person to a person who prays fervently from the bottom of our heart. 

Jesus Christ said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you (John 15:7)."  There are not many restrictions placed upon effective prayer, but this is one of them.  If I stray from God's Word and begin changing what is plainly stated within it, then God will not answer my prayers for I am no longer "abiding" in Him and His words no longer "abide" within me. 

So the Word of God is the support mechanism upon which the lever of prayer is place and by which all things are powerfully moved.  God committed Himself, His plans, and His promise to prayer.  God's Word becomes the basis and the inspiration of our prayers.  Persistent prayer can bring additional assurance of His promises given to us.  In Hebrews 11:33 we read of how the old saints through their faith received promises.  Prayer done correctly would seem to have the ability, the capacity, for going beyond the Word, beyond God's promise, and enter into the very presence of God Himself, to approach the throne of grace in heaven.

Jacob wrestled with the Promiser.  If we never choose to take hold of the Promiser, the blessing will remain afar off.  In Isaiah 64:7 God laments over the fact that there is no one that stirrs themselves up in order to take hold of Him.  Again in Isaiah 27:5 "Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me,"  reflects upon not asking God for what you might lack. By taking hold of the Promiser we are able then to have the personal promise released to us.  Prayer is what achieves this goal.

By scriptural authority, prayer may be divided into the petition of faith and that of submission.  The prayer of faith is based upon the written Word, for "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17)."  Thus, pray faithfully for what is written in God's Word and you shall receive exactly that for which you have prayed.  The prayer of submission has no specific word of promise.  But it takes hold of God with a humble and meek spirit and asks and pleads with Him for that which the soul desires beyond measure.  Abraham had no definite promise that God would spare Sodom.  Moses had no definite promise that God would spare Israel.  In the case of Israel God even spoke of utterly destroying those who refused to believe in Him.  Only Moses' fervent, persistent, intercession on the peoples' behalf, the shedding of tears and incessant prayer gained the promise from God to spare them all.  Daniel had no definite promise that God would reveal to him the true meaning of the king's dream; but he prayed specifically, and God did answer exactly as he had asked.

Earnest and fervent prayer makes God's Word effectual and operational.  The Word of the Lord came to Elijah, "Go, show yourself to Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth (I Kings 18:1)."  Elijah did as he was instructed by God, but the answer to his prayer did not materialize until he had prayed fervently for seven days.

That is all for today beloved.  Sometimes God will require us to do something in order to receive the answer to our prayer, it depends upon what it is we are asking God to do.  Until next time, grace and peace of Christ our Lord be with you.

~Eric

Thu, Aug 4th - 1:10PM

PRAYER - What Good Is It?

SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS

The body of Christ is a spiritually militant host.  Let's make that very clear.  I am a soldier in the Lord's army, but I am not waging physical battles here on earth.  I am waging spiritual warfare against Satan and his demons.  I am fighting to establish God's kingdom on earth.  Those unseen forces of evil aim to destroy the sovereignty of God while I am aim to destroy the sovereignty of Satan and clear the way for the kingdom of heaven to appear.  The kingdom of God is "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17)."   Therefore the armor of God is needed for defense, and prayer crowns the entire army of believers.

Perhaps prayer is so simple and so obvious that it is quickly dismissed as being vitally important in our day and age.  But necessity gives being and shape to prayer.  Prayer is one thing which no one can prevent a living and breathing believer from performing.  Prayer can traverse the globe instantly.  Prayer is faster than the speed of light.  The life of a Christian soldier is dependent on it being a life of prayer.  Without prayer I become an easy mark for Satan.

Without prayer the graces of a Christian life will wither and die.  Without prayer preaching is futile and powerless.  Christ Jesus is the law-giver of prayer.  He declared its primary importance and demonstrated its necessity through the actions of His life.  Christ's prayers covered all places, included all times, and comprehended all things.  How, then, can I hope or dream of victory, unless I am plugged into the power of prayer?  How can I possibly fail if I pray and put on the full armor of God?  I can't fail if at all times and seasons I am "watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (Ephesians 6:18).

That is all for today beloved.  Next time I will write about prayer and God's promises given to us.  May these posts be a blessing to you, may you be inspired to make changes in your life due to the blessings.  Perhaps you, who have never accepted Christ, will decide to give your life to Jesus in order for you to find your true life.  I pray that it might be so.

~Eric

Wed, Aug 3rd - 12:37PM

PRAYER - What Good Is It?

"Prayer without work is like an empty wagon---lots of noise but no load."

                              ~Anonymous

"When we become too glib in prayer we are most surely talking to ourselves."

                             ~A. W. Tozer

Christian soldiers are to pray in all seasons and under all circumstances.  My praying must be arranged so that it covers my times of peace as well as my times of active conflict.  Prayer must be transmitted in all efforts, saturate all tasks, decide all issues.  I must be as intense in my praying as in my fighting; victory will be more dependent upon my praying than on my fighting skills. 

Fervent supplication must supplement my steady resolve to pray to God.  Prayer and supplication must be joined with the armor of God.  The Holy Spirit is required to assist our supplication with His own urgent plea.  Eternal vigilance is the price of victory in spiritual warfare, just as in other forms of warfare.  Therefore, watchfulness and perseverance are critical elements of every activity of the Christian soldier.

The soldier-prayer must show his/her deep felt concern for the success and well-being of the entire army of Christ.  The battle is not entirely a personal matter for victory can't be gained just for one's self.  God teaches us that when one member of His family achieves glory then all members of His family have achieved glory.  I do not dare to limit my praying to myself.  Selfish praying dries up spiritual blessings rapidly.

Please recall that in Ephesians we are shown that upon clothing ourselves in the armor of God we are not commanded to then go out and do battle with Satan.  No, we are directed to pray humbly for all of the saints of Christ.  We are directed to ask God to give us the words He wishes us to speak to others, and to speak those words boldly.  Prayer holds everything together and makes it most effective.  Prayer must so infuse my life that my every breath becomes a petition, every sigh becomes a supplication.  I must always be fighting, of sheer necessity I must always be praying.

In other passages of the Bible I am given pictures of watchmen upon the walls of the city, searching out the approach of the enemy.  I, as a Christian soldier, am compelled to constant guard duty.  I am opposed by an enemy who never sleeps and seeks my ruin 24/7.  Satan is ever ready to seize advantage at any given moment in my life.  In Matthew 26:41 we are told to "watch and pray."  I can't afford to be asleep at my post.  This will not only elicit the displeasure of God (of whom I say I love) but it also exposes me to heightened danger of attack.  I must be watchful for myself, my loved ones, my co-workers, my neighbors, and others. 

In the New Testament three different words can be found which are translated "watch."  The first word means "absence of sleep" and implies a wakeful frame of mind, as opposed to listlessness.  It is a command to keep awake, attentive, and vigilant.  The second word means "fully awake" which is a state brought about by rousing, active, cautious effort otherwise through caelessness or laziness some destructive catastrophe might suddenly develop.  The third word means "to be clam and collected in spirit" which is to be unemotional, untouched by confusing situations, cautious against all traps, snares, and diversions.

Paul uses all three of these words.  Two are used in connection with prayer.  Watchfulness must guard and cover the entire spiritual man/woman and prepare him/her for prayer.  Unpreparedness and/or lack of vigilance is sudden death to prayer.  In Ephesians 6:18 the apostle drives the point home, in effect shouting to us: "Watch, watch, WATCH!" 

Sleepless alertness is the price I must pay for victory over my spiritual enemy, Satan.  Be assured, Satan never rests.  I Peter 5:8 states that Satan "walks about, seeking whom he may devour."  The male lion ceaselessly maintains his domain against all challengers.  None may trespass unchallenged nor remain alive.  All are killed or driven out.  Upon accepting salvation I became a challenger to Satan, he must either kill me or drive me out unless I am victorious against him.  He being a spiritual creature, I can't fight him except upon the spiritual plane which means prayer becomes necessary.  The companions of prayer are watchfulness and vigilance.  The apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving (4:2)." 

How long before Christians will more completely embrace the two-fold lesson that we are called to a great warfare and that, in order to gain the victory, we must give ourselves to unsleeping watchfulness and unceasing prayer?  "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walks about, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8)."

That is all for today beloved!  Be sober, be vigilant!  Satan, our adversary, is walking all around this world of ours, seeking out whom he may consume!  And consume us he will if we remain ignorant of the nature of our conflict in life!  We struggle against spiritual beings, not physical beings.  We must get down on our knees and pray continually for God to enable us to fight the good fight, just as the apostles did so many, many years ago.  Grace and peace be yours.

~Eric

Mon, Aug 1st - 1:05PM

PRAYER - What Good Is It?

THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER

How thought provoking are all of Paul's directions to the Christian soldier who is determined to defeat Satan and save his/her soul!  They must possess a clear idea of the character of the life in which they have now entered.  Then, they must know something of their enemy, their adversary, of their immortal soul.  They must learn of the enemy's strengths, skills, and viciousness.

Knowing these things, one then realizes the absolute need for preparation to defend against and to defeat him.  A Christian must be prepared to hear the apostle's decisive conclusion:  "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of Satan...Therefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand (Ephesians 6:10-11,13)." 

All of these directions climax in prayer.  Upon clothing ourselves in the armor of God are we to run out to battle?  No.  We are to finish our preparations by praying to God.  For how else can we be made stronger?  How else can we, the victorious warrior, be made even more victorious?  Only through prayer to God.

Verse 18 of Ephesians 6 points out that we are to pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.  Supplication means to make a humble entreaty; to ask for something earnestly and humbly.  So we see that praying in the Spirit translates into asking God for things earnestly and humbly and we are to do so continully.  Then we see that all of this prayer is to be done with all perseverance and again, supplication.  On top of doing this for ourselves, it is also to be done for all saints found in the body of Christ Jesus our Lord.  We can't limit our prayer lives to just praying for ourselves, our families, or our congregational families.  We must extend ourselves, get out of our comfort zones and pray for those in other parts of our town, our county, our state, country, other countries, on other continents. 

A Christian's prayer life means prayer and more prayer, adding to the "fighting" skills and the more certain victories of God's good and faithful servants.  The power of prayer is most forceful on the battlefield in the middle of the noise and strife of the conflict. Paul was supremely a soldier of the cross.  He was not any sort of dress-parade, holiday soldier, whose only duty was to don a uniform for special occasions.  Paul's was a life of intense conflict, facing many adversaries, exercising unsleeping vigilance and constant effort and striving.  And when at last he had the end in sight, we hear him singing his final song of victory:  "I have fought the good fight (II Timothy 4:7)." 

The apostle Paul indicates the nature of his, and our, soldier-life, giving us some views of the kind of praying required for such a career.  "Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; that I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea (Romans 15:30)." 

Paul had enemies in Judaea, those who surrounded and opposed him in the form of unbelieving men.  For this reason he requested the Roman Christians to strive with him in prayer.  The word "strive" indicates wrestling, the expenditure of great effort.  This is the sort of effort and spirit which we must possess as we pray to God.

Here is Paul, a Christian soldier, in the middle of the great struggle against malignant spiritual forces which seek his ruin.  He obviously had reached a point in this ongoing struggle where he realized that he needed support, reinforcements, on the spiritual level.  Was he asking the Roman Christians to drop everything and come to his physical reinforcement?  No, Paul asked them to enter into prayer for him, that he might prevail against this wickedness that was arrayed against him.  And through their added prayers Paul did prevail and was ultimately victorious.  Just as Paul was able to do, we today can win our fight, overcome our adversaries, and, ultimately, prevail against Satan.

That is all for today in this study my friends.  Next time we shall continue to study out how prayer is the support system for the armor of God as we battle spiritually.  Hope you will be able to return and study with me!  Grace and peace be with you all!

~Eric