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Thayer’s definition for confidence:
3954 parrhesia- 1) freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech a) openly, frankly, that is, without concealment 2) free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance Confidence, boldness, assurance; where do these come from and how can I maintain this in my walk, knowing who I serve and how to be an example of the believers? Is this something that just happens once in a while or is this something I have access to all the time? Is having confidence in the Lord and the good work He has begun in me something I can continue in or was it just something I experience periodically, is it just for certain special people? Be assured Church, that God would like nothing better than to see His people operate in a boldness and assurance, as well a confidence in their walk and in their prayers so that they can know that not only are they being heard, but answered also. 1 John 3:21-23 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. (22) And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (23) And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. (KJV) You know all those prayer requests you make to God, well He requests things in return, like being a doer of the word of God and not a hearer only. Verse 22 is clear to point out our responsibility in order to receive our requests. Are you as quick to respond to God and His word as you want Him to be when you request His help? Remember, this relationship you have with your heavenly Father is a two way street. He answers you and desires for you to answer Him also. You wonder at times why your prayers don’t seem to be getting answered or maybe you don’t have much confidence in what you are doing. Maybe you are not in place you need to be or maybe you are pursuing a matter that is drawing you away from God instead of closer. The more you are a doer of the word of God, a go to guy that responds to the call of our Father, the more confidence you will have when you make your requests to Him also. Simply put, with what measure you give out is given back your way; so if nothing seems to be coming your way you may need to find out if you are going the right way. Nothing in the realm of God just happens by chance or luck, which by the way none of these two words should be a part of any Christians vocabulary, but rather all the promises of God are a definite done deal to those that are willing and obedient to His word. You will find that the more you respond to God and draw near to Him the more He draws near to you as well; and the closer you get to Him the more confident you become in His word and promises. The farther away from Him you are the harder it is to hear His voice and to know what He is asking of you. So the farther away from Him you are, the more you are removed from the confidence and boldness you may have once had in His word, like the term dull of hearing. Williams New Testament translation for 1John 3:20-23 20. because if our consciences do condemn us, God is greater than our consciences, and He knows everything. 21. Dearly beloved, if our consciences do not condemn us, we come with perfect confidence to God, 22. and we obtain from Him whatever we ask for, because we practice obedience to His commands and do what pleases Him. Before you get all worked up or think God doesn’t answer your prayers because He loves you less, the truth be known He is desiring for you to get to know Him better and accomplish His perfect will in you. However, He does expect you to practice what you preach, to follow through with your commitment with Him. The same diligence you have shown in the past to achieve your earthly desires should now be aimed at His desire and what is pleasing in His sight. You wish to have confidence in your walk with the Lord, then answer His call and walk by faith, and you will find the Lord answering your requests as well. 1 John 5:13-15 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (14) And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (15) And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (KJV) When one believes on the name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, then they believe that truly He that is within them is greater than anyone or anything in this fallen world. You trust in the name which is above all names, the only name in which you can have salvation as well as access to the throne of God. Your confidence is built on the completed work Jesus Christ has done on your behalf, and now your only desire is to do those things that are pleasing to God, which is why you know He hears you. You are also confident in this fact that God said that there is one mediator between Him and mankind, that being Jesus Christ. So if I come to my Father through that name, then I now can come boldly to His throne, holding Him to be true to His word. The more you hold God to be true and man the liar, the more confidence and trust you will build with our Father. While most of the world and worldly people are more apt to hold man’s word and interpretations above God, we can clearly see why they are not confident in their walk with Him and why their prayer life is not effective at all. Ephesians 3:10-12 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (11) According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (12) In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. (KJV) Talk about hitting the tri-fecta, there is definitely three things every Christian should have in their walk, boldness and access with confidence. Again we see this is all a result of the Lord’s purpose for our life, which is being purposed to us through Christ Jesus our Lord. Now be forewarned, you will experience opposition when trying to access the Father, especially from the principalities and powers that would like to keep you in darkness. But it is up to the Church, those that know who they are in Christ and their rights and authority they have by that name, to continue to operate in the manifold spiritual wisdom of God and walk according to His purpose. In all things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us; so rather than giving ear to the voice of the enemy and withdrawing, tell him to step aside and get behind you, as you are going to proceed forward and not draw back. The devil is a liar and the father of them; you know the truth that has set you free, so don’t be afraid to remind the enemy who you are in Christ and confidently remind your opponents the victory you have by that name. Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (KJV) The closer you get to God, the more opposition you will find getting there. Similar to a football team driving down the field to the end zone, they may move the ball fairly well on one side of the field, but once they get close to the goal line they will find the defense stiffens and will put up a goal line stand. Those that have a heavenly game plan, following the purpose of our Lord, will know the name that will get them past the goal line and into the realm of the Spirit, while others will find themselves sacked and thrown for a loss. Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (KJV) The armor of God is spiritual, by putting on Jesus Christ you are putting on God’s uniform and protective gear, while anything less will leave you exposed and open to injury. Jesus Christ has already punched a trail past the goal line by following God’s plan; now the question is ‘will you follow the same path of a winner, or will you end up a whiner?’ God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Corinthians 14:1-4 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. (2) For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. (3) But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. (4) He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. (KJV)
Paul ended chapter 13 by talking about childish things, and then begins chapter 14 here teaching about love and how to operate in the love of God. Again verse 1 uses the term gifts, which is an added word not in the original text. Everything we have been talking about this week points back to the gift of Christ, and how we as believers can allow His Spirit to manifest through us for our profit. One of the childish things Paul saw happening in the Church was the speaking in tongues and the improper use of it. While many were just rattling off in tongues to the congregation, as I still see going on today, few knew the importance of prophesying; which simply means to speak under the inspiration of the Spirit. Basically what was being asked is, what is going to be the most edifying to the body, speaking words of life that will build up or speaking something that is not understood and of no avail. 1 Corinthians 14:5-6 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. (6) Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? (KJV) It’s not that Paul was forbidding the manifestation of tongues in the Church, it was that he was trying to instruct them on how it was to be done decently and in order; something that would be from the motive of love to build up the Church and not to confuse it. So unless there is an understanding to what is being spoken then there should be nothing said. Romans 8:26-27 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. (27) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (KJV) The Spirit will pray through you with groanings or utterances, which without an understanding should not be uttered. Though these may be in the form of a tongue or an unknown language to the believer, it is the Spirit within you praying to the Father on behalf of all His people. So unless you’re sure what is being spoken, Paul is saying, it is best to keep it to yourself. Ephesians 6:18-20 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (19) And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (20) For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (KJV) Again, Paul wasn’t forbidding the use of tongues, but rather was teaching them how to effectively operate with a new tongue which is a result of the new heart. Paul knew how to pray and communicate with God, as well as allowing God to communicate His message of salvation back through Him to reveal the mystery of the gospel. His desire was one of love, one to speak boldly, so that it would point the people to God and build them up, giving them an understanding into the mystery of Christ. 1 Corinthians 14:7-12 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped? (8) For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle? (9) So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. (10) There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification. (11) Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me. (12) Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church. (KJV) Thayer’s definition for barbarian: 915 barbaros- 1) one whose speech is rude, rough and harsh 2) one who speaks a foreign or strange language which is not understood by another. Again, what is your motive when you come together? If you are trying to impress others then you will be like a barbarian to others, or like someone from a foreign country who is trying to communicate a message that is not discernable. Like verse 12 alludes to, desire Spiritual; something that will build up the Church and not self. 1 Corinthians 14:13-20 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. (14) For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. (15) 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. (16) Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? (17) For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. (18) I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: (19) Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. (20) Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. (KJV) If you are unable to interpret a tongue, whether it is in the form of a doctrine or what someone considers knowledge or any other utterance, unless it is done with understanding then they should keep silent. In other words quit acting like a bunch of children with a new toy; if you don’t know how it works you will end up causing more harm than good. Like Paul said, he would rather speak five words that would build up and edify, than sounding off like some auctioneer that makes a lot of noise without any substance. Colossians 4:3-4 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: (4) That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. (KJV) The most important gift that we can covet and hold to is the gift of Christ, and all that we have access to through His name. For those that are going to mature in Christ and effectively allow the Spirit to manifest through them will be those who have learned how to speak and teach the mystery of Christ from the motive of love. Let’s put away childish things, and come to a loving and mature understanding of God and how He desires His people to operate and speak on His behalf. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Hebrews 4:9-11 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. (10) For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. (11) Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (KJV)
You have been issued a cease and desist order from the Lord, which is what the word ‘rest’ means. In order to walk with the Lord you now need to cease from your own works, and walk in the completed work our Lord Jesus Christ has done on our behalf. Another way of putting it, is that your labor now is to enter into His rest, or as Paul wrote keeping our bodies in subjection to the Spirit. Now does this mean that we as Christians should all check into a rest home and not do anything anymore? Not quite. However, we all need to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling so that we can find our place in the body of Christ, and carry out the calling that He is asking of us no matter what it is or how trivial we may think it is. A labor of love is another way of putting it; once you have entered into His rest, or abode, it is vital that we remain seated in a heavenly place with our Lord and not fall from grace because of unbelief. Genesis 1:31-2:3 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. CHAPTER 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. (2) And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. (3) And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. (KJV) Was God tired, did He have to take a breather? Not at all, actually God saw everything that He made, everything that He planned before the foundation of the world, which by the way includes you and me the believers, had turned out very good. Everything that was needed for mankind was put in place, including His plan for salvation. In fact God knew already, before the foundation of the world, that man would fall and what it would take to bring reconciliation. God rested; which again means to cease and desist; everything that needed to be done was accomplished and put in place. Now the question is, will you find your place in His calling, and cease and desist from your own works? Psalms 46:10-11 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (11) The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. (KJV) When praying about certain situations or decisions that you encounter, do you stop everything you are doing, cease and desist from any outside distractions, and take the time to enter into God’s rest to hear the answer? Maybe the reason you are so worn out is because you have been chasing the answer instead of letting the blessings come upon you and overtake you, which will not happen if you are always on the run. The peace of God you have experienced before is still available, but only if you are willing to cease from your own works and enter into the rest of God so that you can hear the rest of His answer. After all, how many hairs did you count on your head today? You think God isn’t concerned with your life and yet He has even the hairs on your head numbered; and we still doubt at times or question Him? Many times people blame God, and say He hasn’t answered their prayers; the truth be known it was that they didn’t take the time to hear His answer on how the prayers would be answered, and what they needed to do to let it be accomplished. Sometimes people get ahead of God, and rather than being still and knowing God, and that God has heard and answered the prayer, they take off running before they get directions. Ready, shoot, aim, and guess who gets blamed when things don’t turn out they way they thought it should, either God or His messengers or both. Isaiah 46:10-13 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: (11) Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. (12) Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: (13) I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory. (KJV) Are you able to accurately declare an outcome before it happens? All the time? God does, because He has seen it before the foundation of the world, then created everything the way He wanted it to be and saw that it was very good. If your life is not very good and your walk is not where it should be, then somewhere along the way you got sidetracked and you need to stop and take a breather, cease from your own dead works and enter into the work of the Lord that He accomplished for you and your benefit (not the one where you end up throwing a fit). God saw you personally from the beginning, He then drew up a plan of salvation, and a path of life for you to walk on that would lead to His everlasting kingdom. God even saw the detours you would make at times, and provided a way of escape so that you could get back on course and enter into His rest. And yet we still doubt and question our Father’s ability at times, or wonder if He is even concerned with us? Parents, how easy is it to carry on a conversation with one of your children if they are always on the go and never stop long enough to talk with you? How sad is that for you to watch when you see them doing things that are not healthy or in their best interest, yet they never take the time to ask for your help or advice, from a loving parent who has experienced the things they are going through? All you wish for them to do is stop, cease from what they are doing, take the time to rest and hear your counsel and advice which would make it much easier for them and a lot healthier. And you as parents, have you stopped and taken the time to hear from your heavenly Father as well, before you end up frustrated and entangled with the affairs of this life by neglecting the things of your spiritual life? John 6:27-29 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. (28) Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? (29) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. (KJV) Here is your labor, a labor of love, all that effort you have put into the things of this life is now being redirected to things that pertain to everlasting life. This is the work; the labor of keeping our bodies in subjection to the Spirit, keeping our minds renewed on a daily basis so that we not only enter into the rest or the realm of God, but more and more stay seated in heavenly places in Christ and not be moved away from the hope of the gospel. You are now under house a rest, you are the temple of the living God and are now living a life of faith; a belief in the completed work that Jesus Christ has done on our behalf, and is much better than any work we think we can do on His behalf. God bless, and take a time out on a daily basis and see the very good work God has begun in you and continues to do for your benefit. Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus dear brethren. 2 Timothy 2:23-26 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. (24) And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (25) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (26) And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (KJV)
As Christians, those who should be imitators of Christ, we should be avoiding foolish and unlearned questions about our faith, especially from those that are not truly seeking a closer relationship with the Lord, but rather are trying to discredit the sacrifice the Son gave of Himself for the salvation of the world. Secondly, no one wins an argument; the fact that you engaged in the situation puts you in a no win outcome because you have lowered your standards to those of the world, and have entered a realm that God doesn’t operate in. Does God need you to defend Him? When I look through the Bible I see where He has handled things just fine; and when He decides to get His point across He is more than capable of doing it without mans’ help or approval. The only way someone is going to recover themselves out of the snare of the devil is when they make a choice to serve the God of love and not some self righteous loud mouth who thinks they will be heard for their much speaking. You want to fight and argue, go on one of the shows similar to what was the Jerry Springer show. You want to serve the Lord, then quit engaging in silly dead end debates which only breed more strife and contention. Matthew 6:5-7 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (6) But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (7) But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (KJV) Why all these silly debates about prayer in schools or any other public venues? If that is not enough, then they pull out the soapbox and stand in front of other public institutions and whine and debate over the Ten Commandments or the lack of them. Pick your battles folks and use some wisdom. The Bible says we are to pray without ceasing, so until this body gives up the ghost I am free to do that no matter what anyone else thinks or says. So why do you need an audience or a public venue to pray in, when the Bible tells us just the opposite? Are your prayers going to be more effective if you can say them in a schoolyard or in front of a government building? I don’t think so. Many run around and demand their constitutional rights, and ignore the wisdom of God and His instruction on how to live in this world and to keep oneself unspotted from it. You want to pray in public? Then you have your reward. If you wish to receive the reward of inheritance then do what the word of God says and avoid this foolishness and nonsense. 2 Timothy 2:3-5 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (4) No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (5) And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. (KJV) Again, if you wish to receive the eternal crown of life which the Lord will give to His people then it can only be achieved by doing it according to what the word of God says in agreement with the law of faith. There are differences in battles and different strategies that will allow you to be victorious, knowing the difference and rightly discerning what is of God and what isn’t can save you from an old fashioned behind the woodshed beating. 2 Chronicles 20:13-15 And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. (14) Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation; (15) And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. (KJV) The difference in battles is simple, when you go into a situation on your own or should I say engaging in debates because of your self righteous attitude, you then become subject to defeat, a realm that is not a part of our Lord. However, if you enter a situation that the Lord is leading then you already know you are victorious; and a perfect love will cast out all fear and doubt. Given the fact that the Lord is undefeated and no one has knocked Him off His throne or even come close, why would someone think He needs us to defend Him? Why would God need us to defend Him when not only is He forever settled in heaven, so is His word? Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (KJV) Why do you put a physical face on a spiritual situation and end up like Paul wrote, shadow boxing, one that beats against the air? If you spent your time in the word of God and prayer you wouldn’t be wasting so much time in endless foolish debates, and striving over things that are not only of this world, but you have now lowered yourself to the standard of this realm and are fighting a losing battle on your own. Matthew 12:18-20 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. (19) He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. (20) A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. (KJV) Matthew 12 verse 19: [He shall not strive ...] He shall not shout as a warrior. He shall be meek, retiring, and peaceful. Streets were places of concourse. The meaning is, that he should not seek publicity and popularity. (from Barnes' Notes) The Lord Himself is this servant that is being referred to, and He set a perfect example for all to follow. Even though the people tried to make Him a king at one time, He knew His kingdom was not of this world but that He was sent here to deliver a message of salvation. The more you realize that our calling is to deliver a message of salvation in meekness and love, the less likely you will find yourself getting caught up in a bunch of senseless not so great debates. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 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. (KJV)
You know that thing about reaping what you sow, with what measure you are willing to hear, is what is measured back at you, it’s true. If you don’t like our Lord’s message of salvation, and turn away and do your own thing, then the Lord doesn’t want to hear your excuses for allowing sin in your life. God has done all that is needed to bring you His plan of salvation and how to maintain a walk in the Spirit on a daily basis. And until you are willing and obedient to His plan, He will not listen to those that choose another path. However, if one is a doer of His word as well as a hearer, the line of communication is wide open to those that worship Him in spirit and in truth. John 11:41-44 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. (42) And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. (43) And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. (44) And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. (KJV) How would you like to have this confidence and boldness to know that God does always hear your prayer, and then be able to expect His results as well? The words that we speak should always be life, and bring new life to those around us as well; resurrecting those areas in our walk that have bound us up and left us for dead also. The word of God is living and powerful and able to remove the stony heart from the dead, and give them a new life with a heart that is able to receive the things of God. Sometimes however the heart becomes hardened again and calloused to the voice of God, and we end up dead in our sins and trespasses because we don’t always like and agree with what God is asking of us. 2 Peter 3:3-6 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, (4) And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (5) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: (6) Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: (KJV) When you are willingly ignorant and choose to ignore God, did you realize that He does the same in return? God warned the people back in the time of Noah, and was longsuffering enough to give them one hundred and twenty years time before he brought the flood upon them. Today we have many scoffers who stand in the pulpits and claim to be of God, who tickle the ears and preach doctrines based on blessings without any concern for consequences or personal responsibility of the believer. As long as people attend certain organizations and follow guidelines and standards which are beneficial only to the leaders and not the congregation, they will find that these self-serving doctrines of man which look good and sound good to the outward man, are nothing more than an abomination to God, and they will be ignored by Him until they choose to follow His path. Proverbs 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. (KJV) Have things seemed stale in your life at times? Does it seem like you are in a holding pattern, ready to move forward but stuck in the mud? Are you like Lazarus, all bound up and things that were once alive in your walk now seem dead? Basically your life stinks. Do you have confidence in your prayers, knowing and not just hoping or guessing the Lord hears you? Some think that God is holding back on them, or that He plays favorites, when the reality is that He is ready, willing, and more than able to respond to those that are willing to respond to Him; doing the walk as well as the talk. Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. (KJV) Think of it this way, as long as you cover your ears and are not willing to listen, neither will God listen to you. God has a path of life for you to walk on, which He ordained for you before the foundation of the world, and will only fellowship with those that are willing to walk with Him on this path. He will not alter and change His plan for anyone; especially the creation that thinks it knows better than the Creator. Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (KJV) What if you were out at sea in a boat and fell overboard, and someone threw you a life preserver, but you chose to ignore it because it wasn’t a color you liked. People get that way with God; the way of escape is always available, the opportunity for salvation is always there, but they don’t like the answer they received, or are not willing to do what is necessary to keep them from drowning in destruction and perdition. If you don’t like God’s plan of salvation, I can assure you there is not another ship coming along to bring you anything better. The fact is that most of the ships that set sail these days in the name of the Lord, have large gaping holes in their doctrines, and are headed for shipwreck. Isaiah 1:15-16 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. (16) Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; (KJV) Have you ever seen a child that doesn’t want to hear a parent’s instructions? They plug their ears, close their eyes, or make noises to drown out the voice of the parent. From the parent’s point of view, how do you handle the situation when the child demands something from you, having been just ignored? Be not deceived, God is not mocked, what you sow is what you reap, and you will not get a response from Father until you are willing to respond to Him, only this time try it with some humility. 1 John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (15) And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (KJV) Wouldn’t you rather know that He hears your prayer, and not just guess or hope maybe you caught the Lord in a good mood this time? God is not moody like man, nor does He play favorites with anyone, but is longsuffering toward all of us, not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance so that He can work effectively in each and every one of us. So remember Church, if you turn a deaf ear to Him, don’t expect to be treated any differently in return. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. (KJV)
Have you ever been in prayer over a certain situation, and it seems like nothing is happening? Or maybe your life seems like it is same O, same O, like walking a treadmill, you exhort the effort but you are not moving forward. The Word says that all things have become new to those in Christ, yet it seems “I am still stuck in the old”. So then we plead with God, “if you would only let go and let me have this request, I could move forward in my walk and I would be home free”. But is it so much that we are waiting for God to let loose, or could it be He is just waiting on us to let go? Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: (2) But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (KJV) Maybe it’s time to rethink our request. Maybe the snag in our walk is not on God’s end, but rather on ours; and our Father’s response is a reflection of our own stubbornness of hanging on to unhealthy things He has asked us to let go of. Your walk, your life is a mirror reflection of the spiritual, so if you don’t like what has manifested on the outward, take a look inward to find the solution. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. (KJV) When there is an outbreak of an unhealthy, possibly fatal disease, the person infected is put into quarantine. They are isolated and set apart so not to infect others. When you associate with those people or groups that are unhealthy spiritually, you also become quarantined from the Father. So it is not until you are ready to take Father’s dose of what is needed that you will be let out of the quarantine of the flesh you put yourself into, and continue on the path of life and receive the answer to your prayers. You need to be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only to be justified in His sight. Psalms 62:7-8 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. (8) Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. (KJV) I have found for my own self, that if I come clean before God, pouring my heart out to Him, which by the way He already sees the thoughts and intents of the heart, that God opens up to me as well, and the relationship is strengthened. Rather than try to hide things from Him, and pretend they don’t exist, which is an area the devil would like to keep us in, I ask for help to overcome these issues in my walk that can hinder my relationship with God. Psalms 32:3-5 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. (4) For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. (5) I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. (KJV) Ever wonder what that roaring is inside you? The Bible says the devil is like a roaring lion, seeking those he can devour. That roaring sound is the voice of the enemy, telling you that there is nothing wrong on your end, but rather someone else’s fault, and the more you try to justify yourself, the louder that roar gets and tries to drown out the voice of truth that will restore peace and shut the lions mouth. John 10:14-15 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. (15) As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. (KJV) The Lord Himself makes an interesting statement concerning His own relationship with the Father, one we too can pattern our life after. How well known I am to the Father is based on how well known I make myself to Him as well. Do I take the time each and every day in prayer and in His word, making my walk in the Spirit a priority, or am I just doing lip service? Am I truly being honest with the Father, coming clean and admitting when I fall short so that He can show me how to make the correction to keep us close? What kind of marriage would one have if they never communicated with each other, or when they did, they would hold back and not be honest? All one needs to do is look around to see that answer, which eventually is divorce. And for those of us that have experienced the D word, it is not pleasant. Psalms 84:11-12 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. (12) O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. (KJV) Have you ever had someone you could tell anything to? Someone you could tell your deepest secrets to, things you would never tell anyone else? Would not that person be someone you trusted, someone you established a tight bond with? What about our Father, did you know His ear is never too heavy to hear, in fact He is available 24-7, 365 days a year? Do you trust Him enough to open up too as well? If you do He will open up to you in return. If you sense your life is being put on hold, and you’re waiting for something to happen, being open and honest with God is what will set you free and get you off the bench and back on His field. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Mark 4:23-24 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. (24) And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. (KJV)
How vital is our hearing; not only getting the message, but knowing who it is coming from as well? Like with a cell phone, a dropped call can change the message; not getting the message through in its entirety, changing and distorting the message being delivered. I compare our spiritual hearing with a radio, it takes a while to dial into the right frequency, getting rid of the static and noise of other channels in order to get the station with the information you are listening for. Along the way you will catch bits and pieces of other conversations, loud music, loud talk radio, before you find the easy listening channel with the information you are seeking. James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (KJV) Knowing the voice of the Lord, and dialing into His frequency will help you understand who the message is coming from, and what the spiritual meaning of it is. So if you get some loud, boisterous, finger pointing, condescending, voice coming at you trying to remind you of the past, or anything else that is not peaceable, change the channel. 1Kings 19:11-12 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: (12) And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (KJV) There are many winds of doctrine out there; lots of earth shattering fire and brimstone preachers out there that rant and rave thinking they will be heard for their much speaking. But after all the noise and distractions, all the static and distortions of the world, it’s that still small, loving gentle voice of God that we should be listening for, and tuning out the rest of the noise. How many parents would talk to their children like that, yelling and hollering all the time, and telling them how worthless they are? How many children would want to listen to a parent ranting and raving all the time as well? Granted, God does discipline and correct us, but it is done in love, for our benefit. So who are you listening to? Is it building you up spiritually giving you the confidence and peace you are seeking, or is it pulling you down with doubt and confusion? If so, you need to check the number and dial again. It’s important to take the time to pray and talk to God; but be ready to hear His answer as well, so that when He calls back he doesn’t get a busy signal from our end. Isaiah 30:9-10 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: (10) Who say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: (KJV) Some people have selective hearing. Rather than hear the message delivered by Christ, they would rather hear things that fit their lifestyle. Ever wonder why there are so many different denominations in this country alone. What’s wrong with just being a Christian? Christ like, was the intention I believe. Oh, but all these man-made titles and doctrines are like going to a clothing store, if it doesn’t fit we can alter it and make it look good. Whatever happened to one Lord, one faith? Kind of like a telemarketer, the devil uses the lines of communication to distort the message and steal your identity in Christ. Revelation 3:20-22 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (21) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (22) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (KJV) The Lord is standing at the door of your heart, ringing the bell. Like a pizza delivery man, He has a hot spiritual meal ready to serve to those that will open up and let Him have access to their house. So get the door, this time it is not Dominos. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. 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. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (KJV)
Many have a weight problem in this country, which is actually a result of a Spiritual wait symptom. Instead of waiting on the Lord and letting His answer manifest, you know that request you made unto our Lord, many jump the gun and are off and running after an imagination that the enemy planted. The word ‘careful’ also means anxious, and as we see the number of things that we should be taking thought for and concerned about is zero. Now if I was to ask a show of hands, which yes mine would go up as well, how many could say that they were really anxious or concerned for nothing? Deuteronomy 28:1-2 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: (2) And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. (KJV) As one looks around and observes the world around us, we see how fast paced things have become, many people chasing after imaginations; you know those things that the enemy tried to entice our Lord with, the kingdoms of this world and short lived glory of them? Now that you have become accustomed to the Lord and His way of doing things, are you being still long enough so that the blessings can catch up to you and overtake you, or are you two steps ahead thinking that they are in reach? Ever see a child try to run away from a parent when all the parent was trying to do was reach out and assist him or her? Sounds like a lot of Christians who didn’t realize it, but little by little the enemy got them on the run, thinking that they could help the Lord out with their thoughts and ways. Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, (2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (KJV) Actually, the truth be known is that when you see people that have packed on some weight in the outward realm it is actually a reflection of their spiritual walk, having allowed the enemy to pack on some things that they thought they could manage. People that enter the Lord’s race course have entered a realm that is totally opposite to the one that we have been accustomed to in the past, and one that you will need to relearn a whole new meaning of the term patience. Isaiah 40:28-31 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. (29) He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. (30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: (31) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (KJV) You know, when you turned your cares and concerns over to the Lord, yeah, you gave it to someone who was much more qualified than you to handle them. So if that is the case, then why did you take those cares and concerns back and re-examine them thinking that you could speed the process up? Many have a weight problem in this country, or should I say a wait one? Many are under wait spiritually, which results in an overweight situation outwardly. So let’s eliminate the over, under, and find that just weight and balance that the Lord would have His people operate in. Remember, the just shall live by faith. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Today I would like to share the following with you on intimate prayer verses the public display of prayer.
I clipped it out of a magazine a long time ago and do not recall who wrote it but it touched my heart and I have kept it all these years. Intimate prayer is a matter of the heart. Payer is no doubt the oldest form of meditation that has sustained and encouraged millions for centuries. It is a dialogue between oneself and God: talking to God about extremely personal matters, sharing with Him all that is in one’s heart, crying out to Him in anguish and thanking Him for all His blessings. And then it is simply being quiet, listening to what He wishes to say to us. Solitude. A stirring of one’s spirit, waiting upon the Lord. “I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in His Word do I hope” (Psalm 130:5) -- (author unknown). Public display of prayer is a matter of the fleshly man puffed up in their own mind seeking more to be seen and heard by man than God. An open show of their religion and not the hidden man of the heart. Matthew 6:1-8 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. (2) Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (3) But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: (4) That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. (5) And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. (6) But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (7) But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (8) Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (KJV) Now, do you see anywhere in these verses where it says that we should do our alms before man? Remember, anything that we do to be openly seen of man is alms before man. And yet we see many who do these very things; these public displays of prayer, washings, debates with reprobates, bashings (throwing stones, so to speak), etc. None of which do we see our Lord having done. He didn’t argue, fuss, humiliate, or glory in another’s flesh; He did what He saw the Father do, and spoke what He heard the Father speak; He knew the heart of man, and He held God to be true and every man a liar. Isn’t the fact that God sees all things and knows the thoughts and intents of the heart enough? He knows when we are doing or saying something from the heart with pure motives; those motives being only to please Him, for we seek not our reward here on earth but in Heaven. We don’t have to convince man that we are a Christian through outward showings. It is the hidden man of the heart that speaks volumes in word and in deed; in Spirit and in truth; speaking more to God than to man. Dearly loved brethren, let your honest and godly manner of life before God speak on your behalf. Don’t be as ‘the many’ who corrupt the Word of God through vain repetitions and public displays; instead be as the few who through intimate prayer in sincerity and in truth seek to please our Father in Heaven and Him only, regardless of what ‘the many’ say, do and consider Christianity to be. God bless, and be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God, who sees in secret and rewards thee openly. Have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. We all have a shopping list of some sort, whether we write it down or not it is still on our minds, although there are times that we forget because we have not written it down. Our mind can only hold so much information, but the heart is the storage place. When the mind is looking to recall something it seeks the heart to see if it is there and can be retrieved.
Now our Father said that He would supply all of our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. And we have been given the mind of Christ, a mind that is in union with the heart of God where all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are located. God has a shopping list already written down in the heart, those things that He would have His people go seeking after in His realm which is Spiritual, where all our answers to the issues of this life and answers to those things which are to come are located. Although we have a shopping list with many things that are on it, it can’t be fulfilled unless we do something. To have our shopping list fulfilled we need to ask, but it needs to be according to our Father’s will. We need to line up our list with His Word since there may be things on it that can be crossed off for they are not needed, or may be found to be harmful to us, or are found that we already have it. Now, how often do we sit down with our shopping list (supplication) and seek Father (prayer) for that which we have need of (to bring forth life) and then give thanks for the provisions that we know will come whether they are physical or Spiritual? 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. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (KJV) Remember, you have not because you ask not. Make sure that what you are seeking lines up with our Father’s will, because if it is not His will you will be asking amiss and you know that He will not fulfill that which is harmful to you. So what is it that you are shopping for today? God’s will, or your will; His ways, or your ways; His thoughts, or your thoughts? Are you seeking those things above where Christ sitteth on the right hand side of the Father? When it is His will that you are seeking to have supplied, His peace will keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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