The Promises of Prayer?
In God’s word is life., freedom, healing and power.
Only by abiding in Christ will we gain confidence in who we are, what we say and what we do. This is not “self-confidence” or “self-esteem” (as the world calls it), but rather “God-confidence” and “Christ-esteem”.
* “…that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own…but that which is through faith in Christ…”
Philippians 3:8-9
The New Testament is filled with promises proving God loves to over-answer the prayers of His people!
One of the most familiar promises of all is Ephesians 3:20. We all know it well
yet few of us live as if we believe it.
“ Now to Him who is able to do
exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power
that works in us.” Ephesians 3:20
*This is how every Christian can live with the moment-by-moment Assurance that God will never assign a task without giving the grace to accomplish it.
God animates and strengthens me with his presence, so that I can say “no” to sin and “yes” to the call of his kingdom.
*God is able to answer our prayers but He wants to do for us exceedingly above all we can even imagine!
God wants to answer us not according to our puny requests, but according to His riches and might.
The Bible tells us He is inclined to answer us with abundance: “Give, and it
will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over” (Luke 6:38).
*His words are so pure and freeing. Hard to live out in our culture, but so much better than our own ways. The promise of life coming out of doing what He has said is so powerful. In His word is life., freedom, healing, power.
“But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered
into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love
Him.’ But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit” (1 Corinthians
2:9-10).
* The Spirit from God for us “IS” the Holy Spirit. Only the Holy Spirit inside of us can help us completely understand God’s purpose, plans & message and communicate with God.
*Being spiritual does not involve moving beyond the Word of the Cross.
* Revelation of Spirit: We need initially the Revelation of God to know about God. When God reveals his nature he reveals you.
*The Focus of the Spirit’s Revelation: this relates to the event of the Cross and its meaning.
*There is Motive of the Spirit’s Revelation: God’s generosity!
*The Means of the Spirit’s Revelation: the written Word. 2:12 talks about his illuminating work. This illumination reveals to our hearts the reality of God’s Word in our lives. Experiences of illumination range from disturbing exposure to overwhelming encouragement!!!!!
As you study, meditate and act on the Word of God, the Spirit of God convinces you of its Truthfulness and Significance and personally applies it to your life.
**Hosea 6: 6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me.” **Have a mind that is open to receive the word…
*To acknowledge God is to have a relationship with him. He doesn’t want religious “offerings” or “sacrifices”, he wants our heart.
“By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4).
*BE INTENTIONAL and seek after Jesus as he seeks you.
Don’t forget why we have been saved in the first place. We are called to be changed, transformed, and to become like Him.
* Tell yourself the truth about God.
* Personalize a promise about God.
* Engage your friends with a life of growth.
“[Trust] . . . in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy”
(1 Timothy 6:17).
*God is virtually begging us to ask for great things!
*We must recognize that with great blessing comes great responsibility.
*”where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” – Jesus Christ.
We like to call the Lord “our King” but do we pray large prayers worthy of
our King’s greatness? A king is obligated to care for his subjects, and his
people honor him by asking largely, believing he has all they need and will
provide it abundantly.
Dearly beloved, you cannot call God “king” and then accuse Him of letting one of His subjects continue in need!
Quiet your soul and settle into the responsibilities given to you for this time. It will be through integrity and excellence that you will achieve what the Lord has set before you. Keep in mind that the realm of the Spirit will be reflected in your natural environment. Keep the faith and refuse to allow the enemy to get you off course. Do not neglect your times of intimacy with the Lord, for the Lord is your glory and strength.
Acts 6:4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.
*Intensify your focus on the Word and prayer. These are divine weapons to destroy the enemy and to lead the heart and mind victoriously.
* It is not just our personal time in the Word but our service of the Word that matters. Preaching and teaching of the Word is crucial.
Lord, teach me to more closely listen for your word so I can walk in it. I long to live a life reflecting yours. Undeniable glory to the Father, unmistakable death to myself. My being is temporal satisfaction. Your way brings eternity. Amen