Posts tagged Prayer

40 Days of Preparation Day 30

Mar25
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Warner Smith

Today, Sunday March 25, 2012, is the thirtieth day of preparing our hearts, souls and minds for the most high of all Christian holy days, Easter Sunday. Today I need to “put off”neglect of Bible study and “put on” Bible study. We each have a flesh nature and a spiritual nature. As born again Christians our spiritual nature has been made alive by God’s Spirit. For a Christian reading and studying God’s word along with prayer is how we feed our Spirits. Each Christian is supposed to spend time reading and studying God’s word; failure to do so results in malnourished and spiritually twisted Christians.

Bible study is not a modern invention. Moses taught the concept to the children of Israel as they prepared to enter the promised land.

6 “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7 “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8 “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 9 “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6–9 (NASB)

What scriptures am I to read? The New Testament only? The Old Testament only? Both, all scripture.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

What about the Apocrypha?

In the year 367 an influential bishop named Athanasius published a list of books to be read in the churches under his care. This list included precisely the books we have in our Bibles (with one exception in the O.T. he included Baruch but omitted Esther). Similar lists had been published by others, as early as 170, although they did not all agree. How did the men who published these lists decide which books should be called Scripture? The lists of accepted books are merely ratifications of the decisions of the majority of churches from the earliest days. This is understood by examining the surviving works of Irenaeus (born 130), who lived in days before anyone felt it was necessary to list the approved books. He quotes as Scripture all of the books and only the books that appear in the list published on another continent and sixty years later by Origen. The approved books were then called the “canon” of Scripture, “canon” being a Greek word meaning “rod” or “ruler.” These books constituted the standard rule of faith for all the churches. Basically these early church fathers included books in which they could 1) establish apostolic authorship 2) hear the witness of the Holy Spirit and 3) enjoy universal acceptance in the churches.

So read the Apocrypha for history or personal profit but not as Scripture.  Trust the early church fathers whose opinion was formed by being closer in time and proximity to the historical Jesus and his followers than we and most important the Holy Spirit who moved them to write and worship.

Why make this distinction? Because it is only through hearing the voice of God contained in the words of holy scripture that the gift of faith is given to us.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

Today we can hear God’s word from various audio sources. The problem with listening to God’s word instead of reading it is that we forget most of what we hear after 72 hours.

So how often should I read God’s word? Daily!

(The Scriptures) It shall be with him and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes, Deuteronomy 17:19

Here are some practical suggestions for establishing the habit of reading God’s word daily.

  • Read it systematically.
  • Read it in a Bible without notes.
  • Read it in different translations, one you can understand.
  • Read it aloud quietly to yourself.
  • Underline or color code key verses.
  • Choose a reading plan and stick with it. Consistency is the key!

If you read approximately 20 minutes a day, everyday, you can read through the Bible once in a year. Remember this is not magic, it is obedience. By reading the bible you are placing yourself in posture where God will bless you.

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it. . . Revelation 1:3

 

Being the recipient of God’s blessing is a wonderful promise and is reason enough for you and I to “put off” neglect of Bible study and “put on” Bible study.

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40 Days of Preparation Day 27

Mar22
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Warner Smith

Today, Thursday March 22, 20112 is the twenty-seventh day of preparing our hearts, souls and minds for the most high of all Christian holy days, Easter Sunday. Today I need to “put off” prayerlessness (pride) and “put on” prayer. Recently I learned that the sin of prayerlessness has to do with pride.  The reason I can live without praying is that I mistakenly believe that “I” have everything in my life under control. The way you can test this assertion is to consider what you do when life throws you a curve ball is to cry out to God. Prayerlessness therefore, has at its root the sin of pride. Not to pray is to ignore the clear teaching of Jesus.

1 Now He [Jesus] was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, 2 saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. 3 “There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ 4 “For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; 7 now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? 8 “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1–8 (NASB)

Jesus was a man of prayer. When we consider that Jesus was fully human and fully divine His commitment to and practice of prayer seems strange. I need to “put off” prayerlessness and “put on” prayer. Below is the results of my study of Jesus’ prayer life as portrayed in Luke’s gospel.

Jesus’ ministry began with 40 days of prayer and fasting. He ended his ministry by praying all night. Among his final words are the prayer “Father forgive them” (Luke 23:34). His disciples even figured out that Jesus was a man of prayer. Before he calls his disciples in Luke 5, we read in Luke4, that “at day break Jesus went out to a solitary place” to pray (Luke. 4:42). Then in Luke 5 we read that between His healing a man with leprosy and His healing of a paralytic that “. . . the news about Him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.”  But Jesus “often withdrew to lonely place and prayed” (Luke 5:15-16).  Before He designates which twelve disciples would be Apostles He prayed all of one day and all of one night.  In Luke 6 we read that “one of those days Jesus went out to a mountain side to pray, and spent the night praying to God.  When morning came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated apostles (Luke 6:12-13).  After this day and night of Prayer Jesus gives the Beatitudes.  It is at a time when Jesus is praying that Peter makes the famous confession of Christ as Messiah. Once when Jesus was praying in private and His disciples were with Him, He asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’…Peter answered, “The Christ of God” (Luke 9:18;20b).  Eight days later He went up on the mountain to pray and it was “as he was praying, the appearance of his face changed” (Luke 9:29) and he was transfigured. In Luke 11:1 we read “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place” when He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord teach us to pray. . . .”  So the context of this question is Lord we see that every time you get through praying something happens, so teach how to pray!

You and I need to pray. We learn to pray best, not by reading books about prayer, or listening to sermon on prayer but by praying.  Not only is prayerlessness a sin, but it robs us of valuable practice in praying.

16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–19 (NASB)

I need to “put off” prayerlessness and “put on” prayer, not just occasional prayer I need to pray continually without ceasing. I suspect that if you honestly examine you heart in light of your personal pride, arrogance and presumption you will agree that you to need to “put off” prayerlessness and “put on” prayer.

Don’t just sit there, pray something! If you genuinely want to get with Jesus, then you have to get praying.

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40 Days of Preparation Day 9

Mar04
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Warner Smith

Today, Sunday March 4, 2012, is the ninth day of preparing our hearts, souls and minds for the most high of all Christian holy days, Easter Sunday. Today I need to “put off” complacency and “put on” zeal.  In Isaiah we have a prophecy against ancient Israel which reveals God’s view of complacency.

9 Rise up, you women who are at ease, hear my voice; you complacent daughters, give ear to my speech. 10 In little more than a year you will shudder, you complacent women; for the grape harvest fails, the fruit harvest will not come. 11 Tremble, you women who are at ease, shudder, you complacent ones; strip, and make yourselves bare, and tie sackcloth around your waist. Isaiah 32:9–11 (ESV)

Isaiah is pronouncing judgment on the nation of Israel (and in this text particularly the women of Israel) for turning from God and becoming complacent because they have great wealth. Complacency is condemned precisely because these women have accepted security from things instead of trusting their security to God. Each of us who are residents of the materialistic culture that is America need to heed this warning against complacency and replace it with zeal, not a zeal for things but zeal for God.

This picture of being at ease and complacent is also an accurate description of the great part of the church in America today. Rather than being zealous for God and the things of God we are guilty of having become complacent. Therefore, I individually and the church corporately need to “put off” complacency and “put on” zeal!

Zeal means to exhibit “great energy or enthusiasm for a cause or objective.”  One way to determine whether or not you have become complacent is to think about what excites you. Do you become excited and enthusiastic for sports, entertainment, making money, making love or laying on the couch while watching TV. When I am more enthusiastic about these things than I am the things of God I have become complacent. A sign that you may have become complacent in your practice of Christianity is when prayer, Bible study, worship, service, and evangelism are viewed by you as chores which must be done rather than opportunities to bring glory to your Lord.  Each one of us must be vigilant in replacing complacency with zeal.

According to the apostle Paul in the book of Romans zeal is a product of leadership. While motivating God’s people to do God’s work is primarily the work of the Holy Spirit according to this passage, one of the means which God the Holy Spirit accomplishes this work is through the spiritual gift of leadership. This means that if you hold any position in the leadership of the church you particularly must guard against, or “put off” complacency and “put on” zeal. If those who lead are not excited then how can anyone expect those who follow to be enthusiastic.

8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Romans 12:8–11 (ESV)

Paul goes on to pronounce a principle which applies to all Christians whether or not they are gifted with the gift of leadership. We are not to be slothful or lazy as regards to zeal.  In other words when it comes to serving God I should be enthusiastic and excited and never guilty of being lazy. When we consider the purpose for our service this becomes considerably easier.

10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:10 (ESV)

I serve and minister to others because of the hope of my own salvation which has been placed in me by the Savior of the world. This hope within me is there particularly because I believe in Him.  Such a task and such a Savior not only deserve my very best, but He never deserves me to become complacent or lack a proper enthusiasm.  Therefore, I need to “put off” complacency and “put on” zeal!

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40 Days of Preparation Day 8

Mar03
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Warner Smith

Today, Saturday March 3, 2012, is the eighth day of preparing our hearts, souls and minds for the most high of all Christian holy days, Easter Sunday. Today I need to “put off” unbelief and “put on” faith.  Unbelief is very dangerous because it limits what God will do in your life.  When Jesus walked this planet in the flesh whenever He came to a town where they did not believe in Him He departed and did not return.  I don’t know about you but I don’t want Jesus leaving me, therefore, I must “put off” unbelief and “put on” faith.

When Jesus went to His hometown to preach the gospel and heal the sick the townspeople who had known Him from His childhood could not accept that He could have such wisdom are performed such mighty works.  As a result of their continued questioning and lack of confidence in his ability Jesus left His hometown and they missed out on seeing many miracles and hearing the wisdom of God.

53 And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, 54 and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works? 55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” 58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:53–58 (ESV)

If we are not in encountering the power of God in our lives as we think a Christian should then we need to very carefully and prayerfully examine our own beliefs to make certain that ours is a true and abiding faith.  I think that each of us too often are like the father in the following passage of Scripture.

21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” Mark 9:21–25 (ESV)

Please don’t miss the unbelief in this father’s voice as he questions Jesus’ ability and willingness to heal his son.  Lest we give the father too bad a rap note that in the preceding verses Jesus’ disciples were unable to heal his son.

The response of Jesus to this father’s expressed unbelief and this father’s subsequent response to Jesus are both instructive for us.

Jesus’ response implies a degree of incredulousness.  It’s as though Jesus can’t believe what He has just heard this father say.  “If I can!” In our parlance we would say something like “How dare you question my ability!” That this boy’s father understood that Jesus was perturbed by his previous statement is clear in his response to Jesus.  “I do believe, help my unbelief.” This simple statement of a father desperate to see his son healed should become a prayer that each of us prays regularly especially when we sense that doubt is beginning to creep into our thinking about God and His willingness and ability to help us in our time of need.

Faith is the remedy for unbelief! Hebrews 11 is the great faith chapter of the Bible.

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the people of old received their commendation. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. . . . 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:1–3; 6 (ESV)

Jesus taught us that faith is best understood as a child.

15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Mark 10:15 (ESV)

I understand these two passages to mean that I must trust God and Christ to do what they said they would do as a naïve little child who trusts their parent completely. Without such childlike faith it is impossible for me to please or even to draw near to God.  Therefore, since living in God’s presence is my greatest desire as a Christian I must learn to “put off” unbelief and “put on” faith.

Today pray with me “I believe, help my unbelief!”

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40 Days of Preparation Day 6

Mar01
2012 Leave a Comment Written by Warner Smith

Today, Thursday March 1, 2012, is Day 6 of preparing our hearts, souls, and minds for Easter Sunday.  Today I must “put off” sin and “put on” holiness. The concepts of sin and holiness are greatly misunderstood by many Christians today, yet, each of us who wish to authentically follow Jesus Christ are called to pursue “holiness” while ridding ourselves of “sin.”

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. Romans 6:22

First, we begin by discussing the concept of sin. The very concept of sin presumes a moral absolute. In our culture which continuously promotes tolerance for all religious views the belief in moral absolutes has come to be in disrepute. It seems strange, however, that while our culture fails to denounce sin and strive to be holy; individuals within our culture seem to be continuously obsessed with assessing blame and thereby affixing guilt upon others.  People in our culture are continuously seeking redress from the government, the courts, and businesses to be made whole.  Ours is a culture of victimization, yet, if there are no moral absolutes how can anyone be victimized? Parents feel guilty that they do not spend enough time with their children, spouses feel guilty that they are not meeting the needs of one another, and many feel a general sense of guilt for reasons which they cannot adequately verbalize. What is the source of this desire to blame others and proclaim them guilty?

Sin!

There are three principal words in Hebrew used to convey the idea of “sin.” The principle Hebrew word for “sin,” “hata” means to miss the mark, and is usually translated into English by the word “sin.” The concept of sin assumes the existence of a divine standard to which people do not live up. The second term in the the Hebrew vocabulary of sin “pesa” indicates a conscious revolt against the divine standard and it is usually translated “rebellion” or “transgression.” A third Hebrew word used to describe sin “?awon” represents a deviation from or twisting of God’s standard and is usually translated into English as “iniquity” or “guilt.”

Today you and I need to “put off” sin, rebellion, and iniquity!  How do we do this?  We repent of all the “sin” in our life.  Ask God the Holy Spirit to convict you of all your sins. As he does His work repent of every sin that comes to your mind and ask God to forgive you.  As sins come into your remembrance throughout the day take time to confess and repent of them.

Being freshly confessed enables us to better understand our own individual pursuit of holiness.  The point of the process of salvation is to make us holy.

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. Ephesians 1:3–5

Individuals who wish to be saved simply so that they do not go to hell miss this whole point.  Becoming like Christ (that is becoming holy) is the goal of the Christian life.  If you are unwilling (notice I did not say unable) to become free from your sin but instead seek to discover the maximum amount of sin which God will tolerate in your life then your comprehension of the concept of salvation is terribly and greatly misunderstood.

Holiness means to be pure, set apart, sanctified. God, Himself instructed his chosen people that;

I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy. Do not make yourselves unclean by any creature that moves along the ground. Leviticus 11:44

The apostle Paul reminds us that our bodies are to be holy to the Lord.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Romans 12:1

In case we have missed it Peter explains the absolute standard by which we are all to live.

15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15–16

It is very simple.  Each one of us who claims Christ as Savior and Lord must strive to be holy because He is. He is our standard and each time I fail to be as holy as He is, I sin, and am in need of repentance.  Today I need to “put off” sin and “put on” holiness!  How about you?

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