The Path To A Powerful Prayer Life – Part 2 of 2
Nehemiah 1:5-11
In the previous post, we covered the Priority of Sovereignty, now we see:
A - ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SIN – 1:6-7
Once we recognize God as being sovereign, our next step down the path of powerful prayer will be to acknowledge our sin. We should respond as Isaiah did once he saw the Lord high and lifted up - Isaiah 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
A child of God cannot have a proper view of God and still condone and be unrepentive of their sin. Many paths of prayer come to an abrupt stop because we are unwilling to recognize and acknowledge our sin. I like what Stephen Davey says on this subject – God does not forgive excuses, He forgives sin. (pg 28). The acknowledgement we read of in 1:7 is no blanket confession, but he named sin one by one. He did not live in some made-up dream world were everything was perfect all around him, but became personally responsible and concerned with the need. Alan Redpath once wrote, “Let us learn this lesson from Nehemiah: you never lighten the load unless you have first felt the pressure in your own soul. You are never used of God to bring blessing until God has opened your eyes and made you see things as they are (Hand Me.., pg 21).”
Nehemiah did not respond like the typical Christian does today to problems and bad reports. Our first response today usually is, “Who’s fault is this…who do I have to get on to?” Instead, Nehemiah demonstrated compassion and wept to God for his own sin and the sins of the people. Acknowledging our sin before God is of the utmost importance because our sin separates us from God in prayer. There are two types of people who are separated from God by sin
Lost - John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. Many people claim to believe in God but not in Jesus and think that God hears them when they pray and they are wrong. The 1st prayer of the unbeliever that God hears is the prayer asking Jesus Christ to be their saviour.
Disobedient Christians - Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: The word regard does not mean to be sinless, it means to approve, enjoy. When we refuse to repent and turn away from known sin, or when we choose to do something knowing, “I can just ask for forgiveness afterwards…” it separates us from God and He will not hear our prayer
T - TRUST IN THE SCRIPTURES – 1:8-10
The Bible has been called given many names by many Christians. One is “The Answer Book,” or “The Instruction Manual For Life.” But a better, more accurate description is, “The Promise Book.” Why? Because it does not matter what it says if you do not trust it. In Nehemiah’s prayer, he quotes and paraphrases from Ex. 20:6, Lev. 26:33, Deut. 30:2,4, and Ex. 32:11.
Nehemiah recognized the first part was true and fulfilled; now he was pleading to God to fulfill the second part of the promise. Same for us today. Jesus has already came the first time and died for our sins and rose again from the grave the third day. Now, we are praying for God to fulfill the second part of His promise and return to take the saints to heaven with Him.
Nehemiah was able to pray this way because he hid God’s Word in his heart and his mind. In great time of need and despair, he recited and paraphrased it back to God. Stephen Davey shares this thought on this subject – Nehemiah had a grasp of the Word, and the Word had a grip on him (pg 33). I think that one of the main reasons that many Christians don’t know what to say in prayer is because they don’t know what God has already said to them in His Word.
H – HUMILITY IN SUPPLICATION – 1:11
The last thing that Nehemiah prayed for was his request. The first thing we usually pray for was the last thing he prayed for. Being humble means laying aside your own pride, and your own ideas, and fully submitting yourself to God. Nehemiah personally signed up to be the solution. He was willing to put “feet to his prayer.” “The greatest thrill in praying is not necessarily in receiving an answer, but in becoming the answer. (Nehemiah: Memoirs of an Ordinary Man, pg. 34)” Is it our prayer that God that He might use us to fulfill His will?
Remember our boy who was asked to pray for the meal but just started eating instead? His parents asked him why he didn’t pray, and the boy answered, “I already prayed for this food; these are leftovers!” (1001 More Humorous Illustrations For Public Speaking, pg 256). This boy has already traveled down that path for that meal. Are you on the path to a powerful prayer life?
Priority…Acknowledge…Trust…Humility.
Showing posts with label Brief Bible Blog Brad Gilbert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brief Bible Blog Brad Gilbert. Show all posts
6/10 The Path to a Powerful Prayer Life
The Path To A Powerful Prayer Life - Part 1 of 2
Nehemiah 1:5-11
A little boy was asked to pray before the meal. The boy looked over the meal set on the table before bowing his head. He picked up his fork instead and began to eat. His parents asked him why he didn’t pray before his meal. We will find out why the boy did not pray in just a moment, but it reminds me that a lot of people are puzzled and confused when it comes to prayer.
There are few places better in God’s Word to learn about prayer than the book of Nehemiah. A study in the life of Nehemiah is a study in the life of prayer. There are few prayers that you will ever read that are greater than this one before us today.
Notice with me the Focus of Nehemiah’s prayer. If you read Nehemiah 1:1, then 2:1 and study the different names of the months they used during Nehemiah’s day, you would notice that it covers a span of approximately 100 days. And as we see in 1:11, he prayed everyday that that day would be the day.
Nehemiah was consistent and persistent in his prayer for God’s intervention. Reminds me of that great prophet Isaiah and what he says in Isaiah 62:6-7, “ …ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, (7) And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” There is a single subject that that this grouping of books (Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther) share. Remember when Mordecai was encouraging Esther to do something about Haman’s plan to have all the Jews killed in the book of Esther? He tells her in Esther 4:14, “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” I believe Nehemiah realized that God had placed him in a position of prominence for such a time as this, and his prayer reflected this great desire and burden. It was Chuck Swindoll who wrote this about Nehemiah – It is a tough combination to find a person who holds a high position in the eyes of the world and yet who is tender before God (Hand Me Another Brick, pg 19).
You understand that what Nehemiah was asking for was something that would be considered humanly impossible. While being the one who made sure the king’s food and beverages were not poisoned may not seem like a desirable job for us today, you have to remember that these were different times. Kings would often pick the best and brightest of those in their captivity for this sacrificial job. It had to be someone who he trusted, and with this great trust came great benefits. History shows that these cupbearers were often respected and honored more than even the king’s own family. So to be released from his position of king’s cupbearer and allowed to go back to Jerusalem for a rebuilding project would be unprecedented. Would the king be willing to give up the one person he has grown to trust in making sure that his meals and drinks were not poisoned? Nehemiah’s prayer needed to be very focused.
Also, we notice the Friend’s of Nehemiah’s Prayer. Something I have overlooked until I was studying for this series was a small phrase tucked away in 1:11, “…and the prayer of thy servants…” What an encouragement to Nehemiah to know that he was not alone in praying for God’s help. There are times in your life when you can literally feel the prayers of God’s people moving and motivating you. You will never be closer to a friend than when you pray together.
Prayer is one of the greatest weapons the Christian has at their disposal; yet it is often the tool that is most neglected and under used. One of the reasons is that there are a lot of questions surrounding how to pray. A preacher once shared this thought and said, “I am often asked this question, “How does prayer work?” My answer usually begins with the admission, “I don’t know how prayer works, I just know that prayer is work, and those who work at prayer discover prayer works!” (Nehemiah: Memoirs of an Ordinary Man, pg. 21)
Let me ask you this question today - How powerful is your prayer life today? Stephen Davey, in his book Nehemiah: Memoirs of an Ordinary Man, gives us a path to follow that leads to a powerful prayer life that I want to share with you.
P - PRIORITY OF THE SOVEREIGN – 1:5
The word Sovereign is one you often hear in description of God, which means supreme ruler, above all others. Dr. Harry Carr, in his book This I Believe, defines it this way - The sovereignty of God is not a divine attribute. It is the exercising of the divine will of God (This I Believe, pg. 44). We must always remember when we begin to pray that we are praying to the Sovereign, and we are His servants.
The first step down the path of powerful prayer is at the feet of the sovereign God’s throne. When we pray, we are not trying to manipulate and pressure God into doing what we want Him to. God is not some genie in a bottle who grants us three wishes. We must always pray as Jesus prayed in the Garden just before His trial and death by crucifixion – Not my will, but thine will be done. This is the start to the Lord’s model prayer – Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Our prayers should be a balance of boldness and reverence. Through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, we can enter into the holy of holies and approach the throne of grace. So, we can approach God with confidence because we have been invited. Yet, we do so with trembling because we are aware Who it is that has invited us.
Nehemiah 1:5-11
A little boy was asked to pray before the meal. The boy looked over the meal set on the table before bowing his head. He picked up his fork instead and began to eat. His parents asked him why he didn’t pray before his meal. We will find out why the boy did not pray in just a moment, but it reminds me that a lot of people are puzzled and confused when it comes to prayer.
There are few places better in God’s Word to learn about prayer than the book of Nehemiah. A study in the life of Nehemiah is a study in the life of prayer. There are few prayers that you will ever read that are greater than this one before us today.
Notice with me the Focus of Nehemiah’s prayer. If you read Nehemiah 1:1, then 2:1 and study the different names of the months they used during Nehemiah’s day, you would notice that it covers a span of approximately 100 days. And as we see in 1:11, he prayed everyday that that day would be the day.
Nehemiah was consistent and persistent in his prayer for God’s intervention. Reminds me of that great prophet Isaiah and what he says in Isaiah 62:6-7, “ …ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, (7) And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” There is a single subject that that this grouping of books (Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther) share. Remember when Mordecai was encouraging Esther to do something about Haman’s plan to have all the Jews killed in the book of Esther? He tells her in Esther 4:14, “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” I believe Nehemiah realized that God had placed him in a position of prominence for such a time as this, and his prayer reflected this great desire and burden. It was Chuck Swindoll who wrote this about Nehemiah – It is a tough combination to find a person who holds a high position in the eyes of the world and yet who is tender before God (Hand Me Another Brick, pg 19).
You understand that what Nehemiah was asking for was something that would be considered humanly impossible. While being the one who made sure the king’s food and beverages were not poisoned may not seem like a desirable job for us today, you have to remember that these were different times. Kings would often pick the best and brightest of those in their captivity for this sacrificial job. It had to be someone who he trusted, and with this great trust came great benefits. History shows that these cupbearers were often respected and honored more than even the king’s own family. So to be released from his position of king’s cupbearer and allowed to go back to Jerusalem for a rebuilding project would be unprecedented. Would the king be willing to give up the one person he has grown to trust in making sure that his meals and drinks were not poisoned? Nehemiah’s prayer needed to be very focused.
Also, we notice the Friend’s of Nehemiah’s Prayer. Something I have overlooked until I was studying for this series was a small phrase tucked away in 1:11, “…and the prayer of thy servants…” What an encouragement to Nehemiah to know that he was not alone in praying for God’s help. There are times in your life when you can literally feel the prayers of God’s people moving and motivating you. You will never be closer to a friend than when you pray together.
Prayer is one of the greatest weapons the Christian has at their disposal; yet it is often the tool that is most neglected and under used. One of the reasons is that there are a lot of questions surrounding how to pray. A preacher once shared this thought and said, “I am often asked this question, “How does prayer work?” My answer usually begins with the admission, “I don’t know how prayer works, I just know that prayer is work, and those who work at prayer discover prayer works!” (Nehemiah: Memoirs of an Ordinary Man, pg. 21)
Let me ask you this question today - How powerful is your prayer life today? Stephen Davey, in his book Nehemiah: Memoirs of an Ordinary Man, gives us a path to follow that leads to a powerful prayer life that I want to share with you.
P - PRIORITY OF THE SOVEREIGN – 1:5
The word Sovereign is one you often hear in description of God, which means supreme ruler, above all others. Dr. Harry Carr, in his book This I Believe, defines it this way - The sovereignty of God is not a divine attribute. It is the exercising of the divine will of God (This I Believe, pg. 44). We must always remember when we begin to pray that we are praying to the Sovereign, and we are His servants.
The first step down the path of powerful prayer is at the feet of the sovereign God’s throne. When we pray, we are not trying to manipulate and pressure God into doing what we want Him to. God is not some genie in a bottle who grants us three wishes. We must always pray as Jesus prayed in the Garden just before His trial and death by crucifixion – Not my will, but thine will be done. This is the start to the Lord’s model prayer – Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Our prayers should be a balance of boldness and reverence. Through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, we can enter into the holy of holies and approach the throne of grace. So, we can approach God with confidence because we have been invited. Yet, we do so with trembling because we are aware Who it is that has invited us.
1/20 A Prayer To The Eternal God
Today, I want to focus on the time after Abraham and Beersheba made a covenant together. The Bible tells us in Genesis 21:33, “And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.” Here, Abraham uses the name, “Yehovah el olam,” calling attention to the Eternality of God. When I read this, my thoughts turned to AW Tozer and his great work The Knowledge Of The Holy. The following are some quotes of his on this subject:
- Because God lives in an everlasting now, He has no past and no future. When time-words occur in the Scriptures they refer to our time, not to His.
- God dwells in eternity but time dwells in God.
- That God appears at time’s beginning is not too difficult to comprehend, but that He appears at the beginning and end of time simultaneously is not so easy to grasp; yet it is true.
- God’s eternity and man’s mortality join to persuade us that faith in Jesus Christ is not optional.
Usually, I end with one of my own prayers. But today, I will leave you with Tozer’s written prayer on the subject of the eternity of God.
This day our hearts approve with gladness what our reason can never fully comprehend, even Thine eternity, O Ancient of Days. Art Thou not from everlasting, O Lord, my God, mine Holy One?
We worship Thee, the Father Everlasting, whose years shall have no end; and Thee, the love-begotten Son whose goings forth have been ever of old; we also acknowledge and adore Thee, Eternal Spirit, who before the foundation of the world didst live and love in coequal glory with the Father and the Son.
Enlarge and purify the mansions of our souls that they may be fit habitations for Thy Spirit, who dost prefer before all temples the upright heart and pure. Amen.
1/19 Old Sins Die Hard, Sometimes
As I continue studying the life of Abraham a little more in-dephtly, I am drawn this time to a little encounter Abraham had in Gerar with King Abimelech. Once again, Abraham and Sarah make the choice to lie about their marriage and tell this king from a strange land that they are not married, but are brother and sister. A LOT could be said about this, but I focus today on Abraham’s reasoning as to why they did this. In Genesis 20:13, Abraham tells Abimelech, “And it came to pass, when God caused me to wander from my father's house, that I said unto her, This is thy kindness which thou shalt shew unto me; at every place whither we shall come, say of me, He is my brother.”
What is interesting about this statement Abraham makes is that it was said before Abraham and Sarah went down to Egypt, or the FIRST time that they made this mistake (Gen. 12:13). Even though they had experienced and lived through their sin and mistake the first time, they did not learn from it.
This is a reminder to all of us today of that old phrase we have heard many times before, “Old Habits Die Hard.” Paul said it this way in Romans 7:15-17, “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (16) If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. (17) Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.” There is a spiritual battle that we must go through every day. Old sins do die hard, sometimes. But let us pray after the example Jesus left for us and ask (Matthew 6:13), “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
Heavenly Father, we seek your presence and your power in our life today. Often, we find ourselves a lot like the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. Our spirit cries from within us to reach out to you, yet we are weak in our flesh and often fall asleep spiritually and return to the old habits of sin. Help us Lord to follow the advice of Paul and die to our flesh and desires daily, and walk with you in humility and in love. In Jesus name we pray and ask these things. Amen.
1/18 A Prayer To A God Who Will Talk With Us
I am fascinated with the life of Abraham. If you just read the “cliff notes” version of it, you would think that he was a man who did no wrong. Yet, the story of his life in Genesis shows us a real man, who faced real problems with his marriage, extended family, work, etc. And while he was in no way, shape, or form perfect, he is remembered for his great faith in believing God and having it counted to him for righteousness. One of the amazing truths we learn about God’s character from the life of Abraham is that God is a God who does want to talk with us (Genesis 17:1-3). In verse one, the Bible says that God “said unto him,” This implies that God made a statement to Abraham, a one-way conversation if you would. Once Abraham falls on his face to worship the LORD, the Bible then tells us in verse three that “God talked with him.” How humbling and wonderfully encouraging to know that when our position changes, God will change how He converses with us!
Heavenly Father, help us to always remember that the position of our heart determines our conversation with you. I am thankful that you speak to me even in those times that I am not where I should be spiritually in my standing with you. Help me to always fall to my face in adoration and humility before your throne so that you may talk with me within my heart. In Jesus name, Amen.
1/17 A Prayer For Looking For God’s Rewarding
I was reminded this morning of the account of Abram (who latter God would change his name to Abraham) going and rescuing his nephew Lot and the people that he lived amongst (Genesis 14). As Abram returned from victory, the king of Sodom told Abram that he could keep all the spoil that he had taken back, but just release all the people that were taken prisoner. Abram’s response was a very noble one, in that he told the king of Sodom to keep everything, “lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich.”
This stand taken by Abram does not go unnoticed or unrewarded by God. In the very next chapter, God shows up to Abram and tells him, “I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” Reminds me of the fact that we are not living for an earthly reward, where moth and rust can corrupt it. We are to be living for a heavenly reward that is laid up for us in heaven. It is so easy to be distracted by the riches this world offers, but our Heavenly Father has in store for us an exceedingly great reward!
Our Father, we are so grateful to know that no matter what this world had to offer us, it is temporary in pleasure, and nothing in light of the exceedingly great reward you have in store for us. Help us Father to bide our time on this earth with our eyes fixed to you in Heaven above while we lay up eternal treasures that no thief can steal away. In Jesus name we pray and humbly ask these things. Amen.
1/14 A Prayer For God’s Will To Be Done
My concern with these types of prayers is that often well-meaning Christian will say to those who are in a trial and facing great odds, “Well, I prayed about it and KNOW that God will answer our prayer, etc.” The problem with this is that we don’t know how God will choose to answer. The prophet Isaiah tells us in Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
So then, when faced with these types of situations, how should we pray. As I discussed this with our church during prayer meeting, the Lord Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane came to mind. We know that Jesus was the God-man. As Dr. Raymond Barber used to tell us in Bible College, “Jesus was just as much God as though He never was man. Yet, just as much man as though He never was God. He was the God-man.” Jesus was coming to the time of His crucifixion, and knowing what was before Him rayed these faithful words in Luke 22:42, “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Jesus recognized the enormity of the task at hand, and knew the pain and agony that He must go through in taking upon Himself the entire wrath of God for the sins of man. So, even though He knew in His flesh what He must go through, He prayed for the Father’s will to be done.
Now, how should that affect our prayers today? Well, in the face of great odds I believe it is not only right, but Scriptural to pray for God to do a miracle. But, we must always lay beside our desire and submit to the Father’s will for that particular situation. So, on that night, we prayed that if it would be the Father’s will, that those two people would be found alive. But whatever the answer was, we would glorify our Heavenly Father. So, when faced with impossible situations, we should pray and ask our hearts desire, but all the time realizing that the Father’s Plan will come to pass and we will glorify Him in all that He does.
Heavenly Father, we come before you today thanking you that you are a loving Father who hears our prayers and petitions. We may not always understand and know why we go through the trials and tribulations that we do, but we know you never leave us nor forsake us in these times of difficulty. Help is Lord to always submit ourselves to your will, so that you may be honored and glorified in every aspect of our lives no matter how you chose to answer our prayers. We are so thankful to know that even when we may not understand, we know that in your time you make all things work together for good when we love you and follow your purpose for our lives. Give us the strength to continue on when we don’t understand why, and draw us closer to you by your Grace. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.
1/10 A Prayer For Purpose
Reading Romans chapter 10 shows you a miniature picture of the life of the born-again child of God. We are lost in sin because of our failure to live up to and keep the Law (10:1-7). We are saved by faith that flows from our heart to our lips (10:8-13). And now, we are called to tell a lost and dying world of a Saviour who loved them and gave Himself for their sins (10:14-21). As we see in the last part of the chapter, it is not up to us how the world hears and responds, just that they hear it from us. The response is between them and the Lord.
Heavenly Father, thank you for saving my sin sick soul. I had not and could not earn my salvation through the righteousness of your law, and you knew that about me so you sent your Son to take my place. He is our mediator, who gave His life a ransom for all. Help me now to do my part to preach the gospel and declare the glad tidings of good peace. And thank you Lord for the missionaries you have allowed me the privilege to know and befriend over the years, and bless them for their faithfulness to follow you and preach your gospel all around the world. In Jesus name. Amen.
1/5 A Prayer To The Whosoever God
Romans 5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
Romans 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
Notice how the word “many” is used in v. 15. There are those who would say, “See, not every will be saved because it does not say all.” But in doing so, they ignore the context of the verse and the entire chapter. Remember, it said, “For if through the offence of one many be dead…” Last time I checked, everyone who has ever lived has or will die. Why? Because the wage we earn from sin is death, and the sin of Adam has passed down to all men (5:12). So, “many” is in quantitative term that is defined by “all” in v. 18. So, when it says “many” we can define how many with “all.” Just as the penalty of sin was passed to all, the way of salvation is offered to all. We can rejoice today that we serve a “whosoever” God, and as the great hymn of our faith sings, “Whosoever meaneth me!”
Heavenly Father, we are grateful that your Word tells us that you are a whosoever God and that you will in no wise cast out any who come unto you by faith in your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I pray for those who will read this devotion that if they have not called upon your name in faith and repentance that they will know that you are there to receive them. Help those of use who know you as Lord and Saviour to fulfill your great command for us and tell a lost and dying world that your salvation is at hand. In Jesus’ name we pray with thanksgiving. Amen.
1/4 A Prayer To Exercise Faith
Today, I was reminded how righteousness is not imputed unto us by or through the keeping of the Law, but by faith. Abraham’s righteousness had nothing to do with circumcision because he had righteousness imputed onto him BEFORE circumcision came. Knowing that we are imputed righteousness through nothing of our own doing should strengthen us in our faith. No matter how difficult the task that God has laid before us, we should exercise strong faith in the One who gave us the task; who is the same One who will accomplish the task.
Heavenly Father, I am humbled today by your grace and mercy. Forgive me Father for my lack of faith, and the weakness of my faith when I doubt the task ahead of me. Give me a strong faith, like Abraham, so that I may not stagger at your promises and plans for my life. Help me to be fully persuaded that you have placed me here and given me a responsibility, not so that I can fail, but so that through strong faith you may work in me and through me to accomplish that which you see fit. Strengthen my faith in you today. In Jesus’ wonderful name. Amen.
1/3 Resting in God’s Truth
This morning I came across Paul’s statement in Romans 3:4, “God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.” Then, I go on to read the third chapter of Genesis and recall the lies that began there in the Garden of Eden. Earlier, in Matthew 3, I was reminded while reading about John baptizing converts that there came unto him Pharisees and Sadducees wanting to be baptized. But John refused them and told them to, “bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” A common thread throughout all of these is the untruthfulness of man and the truthfulness of God. Let’s make it our prayer today that we will not only be honest with God, we will not put our trust in man.
Heavenly Father, we come before you today unworthy sinners saved by your everlasting grace and mercy. Father, ever since man began we were involved in lies, and it has not changed today. Help us to be truthful and honest in our hearts and minds with You in everything that we say or do. In the end, it only harms and hinders us to lie to You and grieve your Holy Spirit. Father, increase our faith in You, and lesson on dependence of fellow man. In your Son’s precious and holy name we pray. Amen.
1/1 A Prayer Of Worshiping the Creator and Not the Creature
{I am beginning a new Bible reading program - you can find it here: http://www.4shared.com/file/84820158/92ad7a9e/professor_grant_horners_bi. My goal is to write about what I read, and pen a prayer (much like the psalmist) for what God places upon my heart for that day. I will do my best to post often, but there are some days that I don't get to the blog.}
1/1/11 - As I read this morning, I was moved with how often and how quickly the created will stop worshiping their Creator and instead move their focus to the creation. This is a form of simple idolatry. But, as I read Paul's words, I am reminded of the power of the Gospel in leading sinful man to turn from their false idols to the true God of Heaven. Yet, if it were not for God's grace and mercy, we today would be no greater than, and in the same predicament as Sodom and Gomorrah. In turning from our idols to the living and true God, our responsibility is to not restore or bring about the kingdom, but to go out in the power of the Holy Ghost and be a witness to those around us, and to those all around the world. This is the outpouring of biblical worship of the Creator of all things.
Father, we come before you today Lord convicted and ashamed that we are so quick to turn from you to worship the idols made of our hands, whether those idols are physical or mental. May the grace and mercy of your Gospel and the power of the resurrection be evident in our lives every day as we worship you and you alone. Help us Lord to make your goals our goals, your desires our desires. If it were not for Your grace and mercy, we would be destroyed in everlasting punishment like Sodom and Gomorrah. As we return to you our complete mind, heart, and body, let us to do so in the power of your Spirit witnessing to all those we come in contact with. And may your power and protection be upon those faithful men, women, boys and girls who, by faith, leave the comforts of their environments to go and spread your Gospel of Grace to a lost and dying world. We pray this in the name of your precious Son, Jesus. Amen.
12/17 Brief Bible Study
Multiply the Impossible
Luke 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
Most of my readers are familiar with the first couple of chapters of the Gospel According to Luke in relation to Christmas. As I was re-reading these chapters for upcoming messages this Christmas season, something new stood out to me this time. Now, we all realize there is nothing new in Bible; but as we like to say when we buy a used car, "It may not be new, but its new to me!"
Something that I never considered before was the timing of what Gabriel tells Mary about her cousin Elisabeth. I began to imagine what was going through Elisabeth's mind the past six months, and what is now going through Mary's mind as she contemplates all that Gabriel tells her. It must be reassuring for each of them to know that they are not the only one in this boat of impossibility.
I began to think how sometimes when we see God bless us and do something impossible in not only us, but others around us, our attitude begins to change. If we are not the only one who God is blessing at this time, then we silently get upset. This reveals the true nature of our heart - we are selfish and prideful. Our desire should be to have God bless us in a way that will give Him, and not us, the glory - and that His blessings of making possible the impossible will be poured out on others.
Our prayer should be that God will multiply the impossible in our life and the lives of those around us this Christmas season.
Luke 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
Most of my readers are familiar with the first couple of chapters of the Gospel According to Luke in relation to Christmas. As I was re-reading these chapters for upcoming messages this Christmas season, something new stood out to me this time. Now, we all realize there is nothing new in Bible; but as we like to say when we buy a used car, "It may not be new, but its new to me!"
Something that I never considered before was the timing of what Gabriel tells Mary about her cousin Elisabeth. I began to imagine what was going through Elisabeth's mind the past six months, and what is now going through Mary's mind as she contemplates all that Gabriel tells her. It must be reassuring for each of them to know that they are not the only one in this boat of impossibility.
I began to think how sometimes when we see God bless us and do something impossible in not only us, but others around us, our attitude begins to change. If we are not the only one who God is blessing at this time, then we silently get upset. This reveals the true nature of our heart - we are selfish and prideful. Our desire should be to have God bless us in a way that will give Him, and not us, the glory - and that His blessings of making possible the impossible will be poured out on others.
Our prayer should be that God will multiply the impossible in our life and the lives of those around us this Christmas season.
9/13 Brief Bible Study
Slide commeth before the fall...
Okay, so that is not exactly how Proverbs 16:18 records it, but the title is still true today, especially in light of the 73rd Psalm. I think over the next couple of blog posts I will be covering different truths we glean from this Psalm.
Today, I want to focus on Psalm 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. We read in this verse an honest confession from the psalmist on his own personal life and struggles. In the next couple of posts, we will look at what caused this slide in his life.
But as I read his words and confession this morning, I was reminded that we often only focus on the aftermath of a life that is in trouble. We see the family that is separated, the marriage that is estranged, or maybe the dependency upon drugs and alcohol. But what we fail to often realize is that before a person, family, and a life falls apart, it begins with a small, backwards slide. The Bible tells us in the Song of Solomon 2:15 ...the little foxes, that spoil the vines:... It is usually the little steps that lead a person over the edge of the cliff of sin, not some giant leap. It starts with the little things: missing a church service here or there, not reading our Bible or praying on certain days because we get too busy, etc. Sometimes we can even be so focused on serving God and busy with "ministry" that we don't recognize that we have slowly slidden further and further away from God in our own personal relationship with Him.
Often, we are so focused on the big picture that we fail to notice the little things that lead us closer and closer to destruction. When many Christians think of the invitation at the end of a church service, or hear the word "repentance," they think those things are just for those who are in deep, dark sin. But the truth of the matter is that if we don't daily confess those "little" sins and stop the slide, we once day will find ourselves in the middle of a deep dark fall.
Okay, so that is not exactly how Proverbs 16:18 records it, but the title is still true today, especially in light of the 73rd Psalm. I think over the next couple of blog posts I will be covering different truths we glean from this Psalm.
Today, I want to focus on Psalm 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. We read in this verse an honest confession from the psalmist on his own personal life and struggles. In the next couple of posts, we will look at what caused this slide in his life.
But as I read his words and confession this morning, I was reminded that we often only focus on the aftermath of a life that is in trouble. We see the family that is separated, the marriage that is estranged, or maybe the dependency upon drugs and alcohol. But what we fail to often realize is that before a person, family, and a life falls apart, it begins with a small, backwards slide. The Bible tells us in the Song of Solomon 2:15 ...the little foxes, that spoil the vines:... It is usually the little steps that lead a person over the edge of the cliff of sin, not some giant leap. It starts with the little things: missing a church service here or there, not reading our Bible or praying on certain days because we get too busy, etc. Sometimes we can even be so focused on serving God and busy with "ministry" that we don't recognize that we have slowly slidden further and further away from God in our own personal relationship with Him.
Often, we are so focused on the big picture that we fail to notice the little things that lead us closer and closer to destruction. When many Christians think of the invitation at the end of a church service, or hear the word "repentance," they think those things are just for those who are in deep, dark sin. But the truth of the matter is that if we don't daily confess those "little" sins and stop the slide, we once day will find ourselves in the middle of a deep dark fall.
7/27 Brief Bible Study
They Think It Strange
1Peter 4:3-4 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: (4) Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
As I was reading and studying today, I came across verse 4 and it just stood out to me. Peter makes the application that even though they used to run with sinners and live a life of sin, they no longer did and those that they did it with now think they are strange. There was such a dramatic change in not only their inner being but also in their outer being, that it was just strange to the old crowd who was not saved. And because this "new life" was so strange to them, they spoke evil of them.
How many times have we heard the saying, "They are running with the wrong crowd"? What we notice from Peter today is that no only is that crowd wrong, but they are going to think of you strange for not following them. But our job is not to blend in with every one else, but to stand out for our Lord, remembering what Peter said in chapter 2:
1Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1Peter 4:3-4 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: (4) Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
As I was reading and studying today, I came across verse 4 and it just stood out to me. Peter makes the application that even though they used to run with sinners and live a life of sin, they no longer did and those that they did it with now think they are strange. There was such a dramatic change in not only their inner being but also in their outer being, that it was just strange to the old crowd who was not saved. And because this "new life" was so strange to them, they spoke evil of them.
How many times have we heard the saying, "They are running with the wrong crowd"? What we notice from Peter today is that no only is that crowd wrong, but they are going to think of you strange for not following them. But our job is not to blend in with every one else, but to stand out for our Lord, remembering what Peter said in chapter 2:
1Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Special Notice
We have started "A Proverb a Day in May." If you are unfamiliar with it, what we are doing is reading a chapter a day from Proverbs in the month of May (May 1st, read chapter 1; May 2nd, read chapter 2; etc.) Then, everyone is encouraged to read that day's thought, and tell us how the Lord spoke to you in that chapter, what you learned, or any question you may have had about what you read. Just go to http://www.brobrad.blogspot.com/ to participate.
4/17 Brief Bible Study
Judgment - Do It For The Lord
2 Chronicles 19:6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.
Jehoshaphat, the king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, just was rebuked by Jehu for aligning with Ahab and the Northern Tribe of Israel in their battle of Ramoth-gilead. But, in spite of his failure in this respect, God had a good thought about Jehoshaphat: 2 Chronicles 19:3 Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.
Jehoshaphat rebounds from his mistake and begins to restore order of worship in Jerusalem. We read in our text one of the first instructions he gives, which is to the judges that they should begin to judge the people. They were to be before the people judging right and wrong. In doing so, they were to remember how God judges people (vs. 7). While this may speak judicially, there is a wider application of Christians exercising daily judgment.
The common misconception today is that we are not to judge anyone, regardless of what they are doing. We are to turn a blind eye to anything that someone may do that is contrary to the Word of God. Yet, as Christians we are to judge righteous judgment. Now, we are NOT to condemn anyone - that is God's responsibility; we are to JUDGE what is right or wrong. When Christians no longer judge between right and wrong, they soon follow after wrong.
In exercising this judgment, we would do well to remember Jehoshaphat's advice and take heed how we do so since we are doing it for the LORD. It is a part of our service for God.
2 Chronicles 19:6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.
Jehoshaphat, the king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, just was rebuked by Jehu for aligning with Ahab and the Northern Tribe of Israel in their battle of Ramoth-gilead. But, in spite of his failure in this respect, God had a good thought about Jehoshaphat: 2 Chronicles 19:3 Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.
Jehoshaphat rebounds from his mistake and begins to restore order of worship in Jerusalem. We read in our text one of the first instructions he gives, which is to the judges that they should begin to judge the people. They were to be before the people judging right and wrong. In doing so, they were to remember how God judges people (vs. 7). While this may speak judicially, there is a wider application of Christians exercising daily judgment.
The common misconception today is that we are not to judge anyone, regardless of what they are doing. We are to turn a blind eye to anything that someone may do that is contrary to the Word of God. Yet, as Christians we are to judge righteous judgment. Now, we are NOT to condemn anyone - that is God's responsibility; we are to JUDGE what is right or wrong. When Christians no longer judge between right and wrong, they soon follow after wrong.
In exercising this judgment, we would do well to remember Jehoshaphat's advice and take heed how we do so since we are doing it for the LORD. It is a part of our service for God.
4/14 Brief Bible Study
Who Do We Rely On?
2Ch 16:7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.
Our text today occurs after the 12 Tribes of Israel were divided and now Asa was the king of 2 southern tribes of Judah and Baasha was the king of the 10 northern tribes of Israel. Asa had just experienced what he thought was a great victory. King Baasha, had built Ramah to prevent anyone from coming to Asa and Judah. Asa goes out to confront Baasha and many of Israel die in the conflict, and Baasha stops building Ramah. Afterwards, Asa comes and takes the materials that were being used for the building of Ramah and used them to build Geba and Mizpah for Judah.
Everything sounds great, except in my description I left out one important fact: Asa took all the silver and gold from the house of the LORD and hired the King of Syria to help them in the battle. Now, the seer Hanani came to Asa with a troubling message: the king of Syria has escaped because you did not seek the LORD thy God's help.
How many victories have we celebrated in our lives, that really weren't victories at all because we excluded the LORD from the battle? How many church's are caught up in the race to build a larger church audience, and have used the help of the world and not the LORD to do so? How many families have sought the advice of doctor's and counsellors in how to fix their marriage and their families and excluded God's blueprint for our marriages and families?
May we always seek the LORDS help and guidance in all that we do. The world may have a recipe for the result that we seek, but it will be at the expense of God's approval.
2Ch 16:7 And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.
Our text today occurs after the 12 Tribes of Israel were divided and now Asa was the king of 2 southern tribes of Judah and Baasha was the king of the 10 northern tribes of Israel. Asa had just experienced what he thought was a great victory. King Baasha, had built Ramah to prevent anyone from coming to Asa and Judah. Asa goes out to confront Baasha and many of Israel die in the conflict, and Baasha stops building Ramah. Afterwards, Asa comes and takes the materials that were being used for the building of Ramah and used them to build Geba and Mizpah for Judah.
Everything sounds great, except in my description I left out one important fact: Asa took all the silver and gold from the house of the LORD and hired the King of Syria to help them in the battle. Now, the seer Hanani came to Asa with a troubling message: the king of Syria has escaped because you did not seek the LORD thy God's help.
How many victories have we celebrated in our lives, that really weren't victories at all because we excluded the LORD from the battle? How many church's are caught up in the race to build a larger church audience, and have used the help of the world and not the LORD to do so? How many families have sought the advice of doctor's and counsellors in how to fix their marriage and their families and excluded God's blueprint for our marriages and families?
May we always seek the LORDS help and guidance in all that we do. The world may have a recipe for the result that we seek, but it will be at the expense of God's approval.
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