A place to grow your relationship with God

Posts tagged ‘sermon notes’

The Creation: God’s Eternal Power and Wisdom

Creation

In the Beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The Lord God made the heavens and the earth. He has made the earth by His power; He has established the world by His wisdom and has stretched out the heavens at His discretion. 

(Genesis 1:1, 2:4; Jeremiah 10:12)

Vocabulary:

God -Elohim (H430 – ‘ĕlōhîm) אֱלֹהִים ʼĕlôhîym, el-o-heem’; plural of H433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:—angels,  exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly),  (very) great, judges, mighty.

LORD – Jehovah (H3068 – Yᵊhōvâ) יְהֹוָה Yᵉhôvâh, yeh-ho-vaw’; from H1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God:—Jehovah, the Lord.

created – (H1254 – bārā’) בָּרָא bârâʼ, baw-raw’; a primitive root; (absolutely) to create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes):—choose, create (creator), cut down, dispatch, do, make (fat).

power- H3581 – kōaḥ כֹּחַ kôach, ko’-akh; or (Daniel 11:6) כּוֹחַ kôwach; from an unused root meaning to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard:—ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth.

wisdom – H2451 – ḥāḵmâ חׇכְמָה chokmâh, khok-maw’; from H2449; wisdom (in a good sense):—skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit. (in Proverbs 8 wisdom is a personified divine attribute showing God’s omnipotence and omniscience)

  • The Eternal Godhead
    • In the beginning God – Elohim
    • In the beginning God created – Elohim bara
    • In the beginning God’s power – koah
    • In the beginning God’s wisdom – hakam
    • Genesis 1:1-3 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
    • John 1:1-5,14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
    • Revelation 19:13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
    • Colossians 1:15-17  Who (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
    • John 10:30 I (Jesus) and my Father are one.
    • Revelation 3:14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
    • 1 John 5:7-8 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
    • Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
    • Jeremiah 10:10 But the Lord (Jehovah) is the true God (Elohim), he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
  • Eternal Power
    • Psalm 33:6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
    • Romans 1:19-20 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
    • Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
    • Isaiah 48:13 Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together.
    • Isaiah 45:18 or thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else.
    • Psalm 95:3-5
    • Isaiah 40:28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
    • Psalm 33:8-9 Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
    • Hebrews 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
  • Eternal Wisdom
    • Proverbs 8:22-31 The Lord possessed me (Wisdom) in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was. When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.  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: When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
  • Eternal Praise
    • Psalm 19:1-4 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
    • Psalm 50:6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.
    • Revelation 4:8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
    • Revelation 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
    • Isaiah 6:3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
    • Psalm 104:24, 30 O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.
    • Psalm 148:1-6 Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights. 2 Praise ye him, all his angels: praise ye him, all his hosts. 3 Praise ye him, sun and moon: praise him, all ye stars of light. 4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavens. 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord: for he commanded, and they were created. 6 He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.
    • Psalm 136:1-9 
      • O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
      • O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.
      • O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.
      • To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.
      • To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.
      • To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.
      • To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:
      • The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:
      • The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Category:

Scriptural Articles, The Eternity of God

Tagged with:

Overcoming Hindrances to Prayer: Key Insights

Hinder (meaning)

  • To Impede the progress of 
  • To Hold back
  • To Obstruct or Block

9 Hindrances to Prayer

  1. We ask amiss
    1. James 4:1-3 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
    2. Amiss (meaning)
      1. Wrongly
      2. astray (off the right path or route)
      3. Imperfectly
      4. out of place
    3. Amiss (in Greek)
      1. Amiss (G2560) kakōs- Adverb form from G2556, badly (physically or morally):—amiss, diseased, evil, grievously, miserably, sick, sore.
    4. Key Truth #1 “Pray the Word”
      1. Nehemiah 1:8 Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:
  2. Unforgiveness
    1. Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
    2. The Parable of the unforgiving servant
      1. Matthew 18:21-35
    3. Key Truth #2 “Walk in Forgiveness”
      1. Mark 11:25-26 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
  3. Pride
    1. Psalm 138:6 Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
    2. Proud: H1364gāḇōha
      1. (fully) from H1361; elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant:—haughty, height, high(-er), lofty, proud, × exceeding proudly.
    3. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
      1. Boldly does not mean demanding with an attitude of pride and arrogance. 
    4. Key Truth #3 “Pray with Humility”
      1. 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
  4. Sin and Iniquity
    1. Isaiah 59:1-4 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness. None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.
    2. Key Truth #4 “Confession”
      1. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
      2. James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
  5. Bitterness
    1. Hebrews 12:12-15 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
    2. Bitterness:
      1. Poison
      2. Corrosive
      3. Sharp and bitter in taste and odor
    3. Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
    4. Key Truth #5 “Guard Your Heart”
      1. Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
  6. Unbelief
    1. James 1:5-8 if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
    2. Key Truth #6 “Let Jesus Hear and See your faith”
      1. Mark 2:2-5  And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.
      2. Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
  7. Improper Relationships
    1. 1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
      1. Honour (G5092) a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself:—honour, precious, price, some.
      2. Hindered (G1581) from G1537 and G2875; to exscind; figuratively, to frustrate:—cut down (off, out), hew down, hinder.
    2. Key Truth #7 “Maintain Proper Relationships”
  8. Uncontrolled and Undisciplined Thoughts
    1. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
    2. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
    3. Key Truth #8 “Think on these Things…”
      1. Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 
      2. Psalms 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
  9. We give up too Easy
    1. The Woman with the flow of blood
      1. Mark 5:24-34
    2. The Parable of the Persistent Widow
      1. Luke 18:1-8
    3. Key Truth #9 “Trust in God’s Timing”
      1. Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Category:

Bible Study, Principles of Prayer, Scriptural Articles

Tagged with:

Baptism by the Holy Spirit Explained

Believers To Be Baptized With The Holy Spirit
Acts 1:4-5 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, which, He said, you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.


Believers To Receive Power By The Holy Spirit To Witness
Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.


Believers Filled With The Holy Spirit And Spoke With Other Tongues
Acts 2:1-4 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.


Old Testament Prophecy; New Testament Fulfillment
Joel 2:28-29: Acts 2:14-18 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: and it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh: your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.


Who Is the Holy Spirit?
The Spirit of God – The Three in One- The Eternal Godhead – The Power of the Highest
Seen in the Fruit of the Spirit – Spiritual Gifts- Dove, Wind, Fire, Rain, Oil, Water, River

Functions of the Holy Spirit
Salvation (Titus 3:4-7)
by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit
Seals (Ephesians 1:13-14)
Holy Spirit of Promise – the guarantee of our inheritance
Temple (1 Corinthians 6:19)
the body is now the temple of the Holy Spirit – where He dwells
Bears Witness (Romans 8:14-17)
the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God
Empowers (Acts 1:8)
believers get power to witness
Teaches, Guides, Reveals, Comforts, Convicts, Glorifies Jesus (John 14-16)


Functions of Believers
is to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18b)
is not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30)
is not to quench the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5: 19)
is to pray in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20)
is to abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13)
is to have communion/fellowship with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Category:

Scriptural Articles, The Eternity of God

Tagged with:

Christ’s Life After Resurrection: Key Events

The Resurrection

  • Jesus taught His disciples that He must suffer many things, be rejected, be killed but on the third day He would rise again! (the gospels)

The Empty Tomb

  • Jesus is alive!
  • He is risen!

Appearances Of Jesus After His Resurrection

  • Jesus appears to the women first! (Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James, Salome, Joanna and other women not named)
  • Jesus appeared to Peter
  • Jesus appears to His disciples several times
  • Jesus walks with two believers on the Road to Emmaus (Cleopas; the other believer’s name not mentioned)
  • Jesus appears to a group of five hundred at one time
  • Jesus appears to James
  • Jesus appears to all the apostles including Paul

The Forty Days Before His Ascension (Acts 1:2-8)

  • Jesus gave commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen
  • Jesus presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs
  • Jesus spoke to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God
  • Jesus commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the Promise of the Father – to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, to receive power to be His witnesses in the earth.

The Ascension

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven. (Acts 1:9-l1)

The Throne of Grace (Hebrews 4, 7, 8, 12)

  • Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God
  • Jesus as our High Priest ever lives to make intercession for us
  • Jesus as our High Priest sympathizes with our weakness
  • we can come boldly to the throne of Grace to obtain mercy
  • we can come boldly to find grace to help in time of need

The Love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:34-35, 37-39)

Nothing can separate us from the love of God- we are more than conquerors!

  • not tribulation
  • not sword
  • nor things present
  • not distress
  • neither death
  • nor things to come
  • not persecution
  • nor life
  • nor height
  • not famine
  • nor angels
  • nor depth
  • not nakedness
  • nor principalities
  • not peril
  • nor any other created thing
  • nor powers

Behold, He is coming with clouds and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord, Who is and Who was and Who is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:7-8)

Category:

Scriptural Articles, Seasonal, Spring, The Eternity of God

Tagged with:

The Link Between Righteousness and Effective Prayer

What Does Righteousness Have to Do with Prayer?

 Proverbs 15:29

 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

James 5:16 

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

  •  Righteousness is the key to effective prayer.
    • Psalm 66:18-20: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.
      • Iniquity (meaning)
        • gross injustice : wickedness
        • a wicked act or thing : sin
  • The Great Transfer
    • Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
      • No one is righteous.
    • 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
      • Righteousness:
        • Equity of character
        • Justification
        • “Right standing with God”
          • God made Jesus to know sin so that we could be reconciled to Him. He will hear us only if we come to him and repent of all our sins.
  • Clean Heart and Confession
    • Psalm 51:5-17 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.  Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
    • 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
      • Humble yourself
      • Turn from sin
    • James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
    • 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
    • Confess your sins. Then come to him with your cares, wants, needs, desires, heartaches, etc.

The Essential Guide to Effective Prayer Practices

Category:

Bible Study, Principles of Prayer, Scriptural Articles

Tagged with:

Understanding 4 Types of Prayer

4 Types of Prayer

Prayers: General communication between God and man

  • To pray to God
  • Worship
  • Includes waiting before God in silence, seeking His face, calling upon His Name

1 Timothy 2:1-4: I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

3 Reasons to Pray

  1. For a peaceful life
  2. It is good and acceptable to God
  3. It helps to bring others to salvation

4 Types of Prayer:

  • Supplications
    • Supplication
      • to beseech
      • to beg
      • to plead
      • to make a petition or request
      • to appeal to God
    • Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
  • Intercession
    • intercession:
      • To speak or argue in favor of a person or cause before God
      • To stand in the gap
    • Exodus 32:10-12 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?  Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath and repent of this evil against thy people.
      • Moses stood between God and the Israelites. He could have allowed them to perish in their sins, but he chose to intervene. Moses, driven by compassion, chose to intercede.
    • Psalms 106:23 Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them.
    • Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
  • Thanksgiving
    • Thanksgiving:
      • Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
      • Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
  • In the Spirit
    • Praying in the Holy Spirit
      • Corinthians 14:14-15 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
      • Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
      • Ephesians 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
      • Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
The Essential Guide to Effective Prayer Practices

Category:

Bible Study, Principles of Prayer, Scriptural Articles

Tagged with:

The Power of Prayer in 2 Chronicles 7:14

The Call to Prayer

2 Chronicles 7:14: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

The Godly Shall Pray

  • Psalm 32:6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
  • Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
    • There is a time when the Lord will not answer. The Godly are told to pray while he may be found.

Pray without ceasing

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
    • Uninterruptedly, without omission (something neglected or left undone), without ceasing
    • This means praying throughout the day every day.
  • Luke 18:1-8 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
    • The Woman in the parable did not give up. She come every day.
    • Jesus is asking will he find such faith. Will the people still be coming to him every day throughout the day?
  • Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
    • Again, we are commanded to always be in prayer.

Prayer for all Things

  • Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
    • We are told not to worry. Instead take our needs to God in Prayer.
    • Pray about everything. God is not too busy to hear about all our worries, concerns, and needs.

Praying for Needs

  • James 5:13-18 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
    • Physicals needs are to be Prayed about.

Continue in Prayer

  • Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
The Essential Guide to Effective Prayer Practices

Category:

Bible Study, Principles of Prayer, Scriptural Articles

Tagged with:

How to Communicate with God through Prayer

What is Prayer

2 Chronicles 7:14

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

    James 4:7-10

Prayer: (Webster’s Dictionary):

  • an address (such as a petition) to God or a god in word or thought
  • a set order of words used in praying
  • an earnest request or wish
  • the act or practice of praying to God or a god
  • a religious service consisting chiefly of prayers —often used in plural
  • something prayed for
  • a slight chance


In Hebrew:

  • palal: To pray, to intercede, to judge
  • Original Word: פָּלַל
  • Part of Speech: Verb
  • Transliteration: palal
  • Pronunciation: pah-LAHL
  • Phonetic Spelling: (paw-lal’)
  • Definition: To pray, to intercede, to judge
  • Meaning: to judge, to intercede, pray

Prayer is communicating with God.

Communication: (Webster’s Dictionary):

  • a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior
  • exchange of information
  • information communicated : information transmitted or conveyed
  • a verbal or written message


Prayer Involves:

  1. Speaking
    • Psalm 54:2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
    • You must speak for God to be able to hear.
  2. Listening
    • 1 Samuel 3:9-10 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
    • John 10:4-5 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
    • You must listen to hear God
    • John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
    • You must listen in order to learn. 
  3. Seeing
    • Habakkuk 2:1-3 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
    • Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
    • Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
    • Sometimes God speaks by showing you dreams or visions. 
    • Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 
    • God says to watch and pray. Watching normally involves sight. 
The Essential Guide to Effective Prayer Practices

Category:

Bible Study, Principles of Prayer, Scriptural Articles

Tagged with:

Understanding the Cross: Salvation and Redemption Explained

 
 
 
Look to Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith, Who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God!!!
(Hebrews 12:2)
 
The Cross
  • the will of the Father -God
  • God’s own arm brought forth salvation
  • God set forth Jesus as a propitiation (sinless substitute) by His blood
  • the willing sacrifice – the offering of the body of the Son- Jesus Christ
  • Jesus humbled Himself and was obedient to the point of death – the cross
  • Jesus was delivered up (crucified) for our offenses (sins) and raised (resurrected) for our justification
  • the righteousness of God revealed; demonstrated
  • the demonstration of God’s love for us while we were still sinners
  • Jesus now sits at the right hand of the throne of God -it is finished!!!
  • Jesus has triumphed over all principalities and powers
All have sinned and come short of the glory of God
  • sinners (that’s you and me!) are now justified (declared righteous) freely by God’s grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
  • we are now justified by faith (belief, trust in Jesus)
  • we are now reconciled unto God (at peace with God through the blood of the cross)
  • we are now saved by Jesus’ life
  • we are now made alive with Jesus
  • we are forgiven of all our trespasses (sins)
  • we now have access by faith into God’s grace
  • we now stand in God’s grace
  • we now rejoice in the hope of the glory of God
Work of the Cross and Work started at the Cross
  • propitiation – substitute
  • redemption – price paid
  • reconciliation – peace restored
  • justification – imputed/declared righteous
  • sanctification – walk it out
  • glorification -perfected, completed
The Picture of Baptism
Crucified with Christ
  • old man (flesh – sin nature) crucified
Buried with Christ through baptism of death 
  • dead to sin
Raised with Christ 
  • alive to God
  • death no longer has dominion
 
Walk in newness of life 
  • present myself as an instrument of righteousness for holiness
 
I have been buried, raised and made alive with Christ. my life is now hidden
with Christ in God. Christ is now my life. (Rom 6; Colossians 2: 12-13, 3:3)
 
…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin, which so easily ensnares us, and
let us run with endurance the race that is set before us!!! Hebrews 12:1) 
Please read Romans 6

Category:

Scriptural Articles, The Eternity of God

Tagged with:

Understanding the Natural, Carnal, and Spiritual Man

 
The Natural, Carnal, and Spiritual Man
 
The Natural Man 
    • The natural man is one who lives without God – who lives his/her life “in the flesh”. The “flesh” in this sense means the sinful (lower) nature- the nature which became a part of man after the fall (sin) of Adam and Eve. Now, this sinful nature is passed down to all men. 
  • The illustration shows that the door of the spirit (that part of man that relates to God) is closed. the door of the flesh is open. The natural man must be born again – his spirit made alive.
  • 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 
  • Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
  • Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
  • Judges 21:25 In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.
  • Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
  • Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
The Carnal Christian 
The carnal Christian is one who lives his/her life “according to the flesh” Though the carnal Christian has received Christ and is a partaker of the divine nature of God they have failed to continue to grow spiritually. The carnal Christian follows the dictates of his/her fleshly nature more often than those of his/her spiritual nature.
The illustration shows that the carnal Christian has opened the door of the spirit by receiving Christ, but has not closed the door of the flesh.
  • 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
  • Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
  • Galatians 5:16-17 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
  • Romans 7:15-25   For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
The Spiritual Christian 
 The Spiritual Christian is one who lives his/her life “in the Spirit” – sold out to Jesus! Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior, and their life is totally dependent upon Him.
The illustration shows that the spiritual Christian has closed the door to the flesh. The spiritual Christian lives in the Spirit and walks in the Spirit.
  • Galatians 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
  • Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
  • Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
  • Romans 6:12-14 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
  • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
  • I Corinthians 3:16-17 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
  • Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 
  • Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Category:

Scriptural Articles, The Eternity of God

Tagged with: