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Praying always with all prayer. —Ephesians 6:18
Prayer needs to be a part of your life. But in order for prayer to be the great adventure God wants it to be in your life, and prayer can be an adventure, if you give yourself to prayer.
Our friend Phill Halverson was a great man of prayer and when they came out with a book about his prayer times, they called it Adventures in the Holy Ghost! And that is what prayer can be. A great adventure!
There are all kinds of ways to pray or types of prayer. Don't get stuck with just one way to pray! That's when it becomes an adventure!
Ephesians 6:18 says, "Praying always with all prayer." Some translations say all kinds of prayer,different kinds of prayer or at each and every occasion.
This verse goes on to say that you are to pray with all prayer, or with all kinds of prayer. This is to help you and us the Church to maintain a victorious position in life, God has given His people various kinds of powerful prayer.
Other translations of Ephesians 6:18 include:
"Use every kind of prayer." (Goodspeed )
"Pray. With all manner of prayer." (AMP)
"Pray. With all kinds of prayers." (NIV )
"Pray. With all kinds of prayers that are available for you to use." (REV)
Most people don't realize there are different kinds of prayer. But according to this verse, God has actually made many forms of prayer available to us to use as needed, such as the prayer of faith, the prayer of intercession, the prayer of consecration, and the prayer of agreement.
Sometimes life can be difficult and challenging. And the devil doesn't want you to be blessed or successful. So to face the attacks that come against your marriage, finances, body, job, and career, you must come to realize that prayer is not an option but a necessity. You cannot succeed as a Christian without an active and effective prayer life.
No matter how anointed, skilled, or gifted you may be or how bold and courageous you think you are, you simply cannot have a victorious position in life without prayer.
If you don't pray you can be sure of absolute and total defeat in your life. But when you develop a lifestyle of prayer, taking advantage of every form of prayer available to you, you will find that victory is yours in the midst of every challenge!
The various kinds of prayer have been given to you for your benefit and spiritual growth. So take the time to study the Word and learn how to pray with "all kinds of prayer."
Don't let this day go by without spending quality time in prayer with the Heavenly Father.
There is victory waiting on the other side!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
IS JESUS THE WAY
One of the main foundations of our prayer life is the understanding that Jesus is the way.... The only way to God.... Jesus said we must pray in His name.
I know this seems like a useless question to most Christians, but a recent poll among professed believers in Jesus indicates over sixty percent believe most any religion will take you to heaven.
In other words, Jesus is only one of many ways to heaven.If you are like me, when I see a well-known minister appearing on an evening talk show and they are asked the question, “Do you believe faith in Jesus is the only way to heaven and eternal life?” I am interested in w-hat his or her response will be.
I have repeatedly been disappointed with respected ministers who have avoided the issue or have even professed they agree with the belief that there is more than one way to eternal life.
I thank God for those ministers who boldly agree, “Yes, I believe Jesus is the only way to eternal life because that is what the Bible teaches.”
THE UNIVERSE RUNS ON LAWS
Jesus, speaking with the Pharisees, commented on their perception of the natural laws governing the weather. He answered them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” (Matthew 16:2-3 KJV).
The universe and the earth run on laws that do not vary. The sun always rises in the east and sets in the west. The weather forecast can tell us the night before exactly when the sun will rise and set the next day or on any day in the future. The laws of nature are precise.
You cannot put just anything in the gas tank of your automobile and expect it to run. You cannot drive on any side of the road and expect to arrive safely at your destination. You cannot eat just anything, including poisonous plants, and expect to maintain your health or live a full life.
ALL ROADS?
If the universe runs on laws that never vary, why would we believe the answer to the ultimate question in life, “How do I gain eternal life and get to heaven?” Do all roads lead to heaven? Would it not seem plausible that the same God who created the universe to run on unchangeable laws would also create an unchangeable plan to spend eternity with Him?
Do all roads lead to Rome? The answer is no. Why don’t you get into your car this evening and start driving down the road and see if it gets you to Rome. Of course, it won’t. Then why would you trust your salvation and eternal life to any road, any religion, or any philosophy?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
A friend of mine once told me this story, "I was once seated next to a college professor on a flight I was taking. After learning I was a minister of the gospel, she informed me she believed Jesus was very “open-minded” toward all religions and believed there were many means of arriving in heaven. My response was my belief that Jesus was very “narrow-minded.” I also related to this professor Jesus’ statement, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father but by Me.” I explained how the book of Acts says there is no other name under heaven, given among men by which we must be saved than through the Name of Jesus Christ. I commented to the professor how this also seemed narrow-minded. However, this also makes eternal life and getting to heaven very simple. There is only one way. Find it and you are assured of your eternity."
POLITICALLY CORRECT
In these days of not wanting to offend anyone, the gospel remains offensive. In other words, the gospel is not politically correct; it is completely correct!
The world does not want to hear such dogmatism concerning religious matters. The world wants religion to be “personal,” meaning there is a right religion for everyone regardless of what it is. Just choose one and you will get to heaven. This broad-minded view will keep anyone who embraces it from “ruffling the feathers” of the world. Yet, Jesus “ruffled feathers” in His day as did believers in the book of Acts.
Christians have been controversial since the New Testament writings were completed.Christians do not need to be antagonistic, but neither do they need to back down from what the Bible teaches. Right is right. We are not just preaching a message, we are giving a warning. If the bridge is out ahead of us, we need to warn the cars behind us. Those drivers may not appreciate us waving our arms at them to warn them of impending danger, but once they reach the collapsed bridge they will be thankful! Today we are warning people of the impending danger down the road ahead. The world may not like our warning, but will one day understand. Heaven and hell are in the balance!
We are living in a time when the truth is being challenged on every front.
Folks, the only way to pray to the father is asking in Jesus name.. not Budda or Alla, or by meditation or incantation... it's only by the name of Jesus!
I know this seems like a useless question to most Christians, but a recent poll among professed believers in Jesus indicates over sixty percent believe most any religion will take you to heaven.
In other words, Jesus is only one of many ways to heaven.If you are like me, when I see a well-known minister appearing on an evening talk show and they are asked the question, “Do you believe faith in Jesus is the only way to heaven and eternal life?” I am interested in w-hat his or her response will be.
I have repeatedly been disappointed with respected ministers who have avoided the issue or have even professed they agree with the belief that there is more than one way to eternal life.
I thank God for those ministers who boldly agree, “Yes, I believe Jesus is the only way to eternal life because that is what the Bible teaches.”
THE UNIVERSE RUNS ON LAWS
Jesus, speaking with the Pharisees, commented on their perception of the natural laws governing the weather. He answered them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” (Matthew 16:2-3 KJV).
The universe and the earth run on laws that do not vary. The sun always rises in the east and sets in the west. The weather forecast can tell us the night before exactly when the sun will rise and set the next day or on any day in the future. The laws of nature are precise.
You cannot put just anything in the gas tank of your automobile and expect it to run. You cannot drive on any side of the road and expect to arrive safely at your destination. You cannot eat just anything, including poisonous plants, and expect to maintain your health or live a full life.
ALL ROADS?
If the universe runs on laws that never vary, why would we believe the answer to the ultimate question in life, “How do I gain eternal life and get to heaven?” Do all roads lead to heaven? Would it not seem plausible that the same God who created the universe to run on unchangeable laws would also create an unchangeable plan to spend eternity with Him?
Do all roads lead to Rome? The answer is no. Why don’t you get into your car this evening and start driving down the road and see if it gets you to Rome. Of course, it won’t. Then why would you trust your salvation and eternal life to any road, any religion, or any philosophy?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
A friend of mine once told me this story, "I was once seated next to a college professor on a flight I was taking. After learning I was a minister of the gospel, she informed me she believed Jesus was very “open-minded” toward all religions and believed there were many means of arriving in heaven. My response was my belief that Jesus was very “narrow-minded.” I also related to this professor Jesus’ statement, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father but by Me.” I explained how the book of Acts says there is no other name under heaven, given among men by which we must be saved than through the Name of Jesus Christ. I commented to the professor how this also seemed narrow-minded. However, this also makes eternal life and getting to heaven very simple. There is only one way. Find it and you are assured of your eternity."
POLITICALLY CORRECT
In these days of not wanting to offend anyone, the gospel remains offensive. In other words, the gospel is not politically correct; it is completely correct!
The world does not want to hear such dogmatism concerning religious matters. The world wants religion to be “personal,” meaning there is a right religion for everyone regardless of what it is. Just choose one and you will get to heaven. This broad-minded view will keep anyone who embraces it from “ruffling the feathers” of the world. Yet, Jesus “ruffled feathers” in His day as did believers in the book of Acts.
Christians have been controversial since the New Testament writings were completed.Christians do not need to be antagonistic, but neither do they need to back down from what the Bible teaches. Right is right. We are not just preaching a message, we are giving a warning. If the bridge is out ahead of us, we need to warn the cars behind us. Those drivers may not appreciate us waving our arms at them to warn them of impending danger, but once they reach the collapsed bridge they will be thankful! Today we are warning people of the impending danger down the road ahead. The world may not like our warning, but will one day understand. Heaven and hell are in the balance!
We are living in a time when the truth is being challenged on every front.
Folks, the only way to pray to the father is asking in Jesus name.. not Budda or Alla, or by meditation or incantation... it's only by the name of Jesus!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
In the stillness
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Psalm 46:10-11 - NKJV
Years ago I heard on a tape the lady evangelist Virginia Brandt-Berg tell of how she found herself in a situation where she just had to contact someone who had recently moved house. (The tape was a 1960s radio recording.) The problem she faced was that she had no new address or number for her. At the urgency of the matter, she was tempted to panic. However, in her spirit she heard this scripture.
"Be still!” this phrase resounded in her heart. In response, she got still before the Lord. Rather than frantically making every human effort to contact the person instead, she gave the whole situation to God in prayer.
It was then that in the quiet of her heart the Holy Spirit said, "Go to the house the person you need has just moved from". On the face of it that seemed pointless but she did it anyway in obedience to that inner voice.
Sure enough, she hadn't been there long when the person she needed arrived. Apparently, some items still needed clearing up. Virginia rejoiced at the Lord's guidance and the completely urgent matter was taken care of.
I had a similar experience in 1976. I was attending Christ for the Nations in Dallas Texas. I was not planning on going home to Canada for Christmas because I didn't have the finances to do so. My roommate's mother insisted I go home with him to Indianapolis for Christmas. While there, I realized that I had some friends from home that lived near by them... Only 20 miles away.
I didn't have an address... but they were connected with a ministry and I was sure we would be able to find it when we got there. They were not listed in the phone book; the local Christian book store wasn't open to ask...
Then I got quiet and listened to the Holy Spirit... I had just read some of the adventures of the Azusa Street saints had just like this. SO I asked the Lord to help me find the place.
I sat there in the quiet of the car and heard directions to start driving... my friend did, and then I followed more directions. Turn left here, turn right there... and suddenly we were at the back side of a rather large and old multi story brick building and the Holy Spirit said that's it.
We drove around to the font and it was! Listening prayer can get you places you'd never be able to get on your own!
The Holy Spirit is a faithful companion. If you get your heart still before God by worship, praise, and prayer then in that stillness the Holy Spirit can speak.
God's Spirit can smooth things out and set things right. As you acknowledge Him God's Spirit can direct you so you can enter into what He is doing and providing for you.
In quietness discover God's companionship
Years ago I heard on a tape the lady evangelist Virginia Brandt-Berg tell of how she found herself in a situation where she just had to contact someone who had recently moved house. (The tape was a 1960s radio recording.) The problem she faced was that she had no new address or number for her. At the urgency of the matter, she was tempted to panic. However, in her spirit she heard this scripture.
"Be still!” this phrase resounded in her heart. In response, she got still before the Lord. Rather than frantically making every human effort to contact the person instead, she gave the whole situation to God in prayer.
It was then that in the quiet of her heart the Holy Spirit said, "Go to the house the person you need has just moved from". On the face of it that seemed pointless but she did it anyway in obedience to that inner voice.
Sure enough, she hadn't been there long when the person she needed arrived. Apparently, some items still needed clearing up. Virginia rejoiced at the Lord's guidance and the completely urgent matter was taken care of.
I had a similar experience in 1976. I was attending Christ for the Nations in Dallas Texas. I was not planning on going home to Canada for Christmas because I didn't have the finances to do so. My roommate's mother insisted I go home with him to Indianapolis for Christmas. While there, I realized that I had some friends from home that lived near by them... Only 20 miles away.
I didn't have an address... but they were connected with a ministry and I was sure we would be able to find it when we got there. They were not listed in the phone book; the local Christian book store wasn't open to ask...
Then I got quiet and listened to the Holy Spirit... I had just read some of the adventures of the Azusa Street saints had just like this. SO I asked the Lord to help me find the place.
I sat there in the quiet of the car and heard directions to start driving... my friend did, and then I followed more directions. Turn left here, turn right there... and suddenly we were at the back side of a rather large and old multi story brick building and the Holy Spirit said that's it.
We drove around to the font and it was! Listening prayer can get you places you'd never be able to get on your own!
The Holy Spirit is a faithful companion. If you get your heart still before God by worship, praise, and prayer then in that stillness the Holy Spirit can speak.
God's Spirit can smooth things out and set things right. As you acknowledge Him God's Spirit can direct you so you can enter into what He is doing and providing for you.
In quietness discover God's companionship
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