GOD'S WORD AND PRAYER
John Earley
God's Word and prayer: what an awesome combination we are blessed with; these are two powerful force which, with one, we have the opportunity to receive the most valuable knowledge on earth; and, with the other, we have the opportunity to move mountains and raise the dead. The key to both of these powerful forces is faith - faith is the act of believing in the truth or trust worthiness of ssomething, in this case, the truth of our God and Father in Heaven for we are told in His Word "-----FOR ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, IF YOU HAVE FAITH AS A MUSTARD SEED, YOU WILL SAY TO THIS MOUNTAIN, 'MOVE FROM HERE TO THERE,' AND IT WILL MOVE; AND NOTHING WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU." Matt.17:20 NKJV.What a powerful lesson in His word, for we know that His Word is Truth and does not lie!
However, we must read the next verse to understand just what is expected and required of us to accomplish this monumental feat. "HOWEVER, THIS KIND (faith) DOES NOT GO OUT EXCEPT BY PRAYER AND FASTING." Matt 17:21 NKJV. As we see in the Scripture, God instructs us that, only through much sacrifice, will these mighty acts be accomplished. In these latter days of man choosing to act upon his own wisdom and might in seeking to accomplish his greatest wishes and desires, we see sin against God in unimagined proportions, resulting in the Temple of Christ (our body) becoming the fortress of satan. When this takes place, Jesus moves out, the Holy Spirit moves out, and with Their departure, goes our conscience, our love for our neighbor, and our desire to please not God, but ourselves instead.WE see in Philippians that Paul teaches, FOR ALL SEEK THEIR OWN, NOT THE THINGS WHICH ARE OF CHRIST JESUS. Philippians 2:21 NKJV. Instead of self-seeking, we must seek God's word and how do we do this? First we must humble ourselves to our Lord in prayer, pray that God will give to us the understanding of the Scripture and the message that He would have us to receive from the text at that time, then move spiritually, with the understanding that He has given to you, into the reading of His Word.
Do not read as you would read a fiction novel, but allow yourself to become a part of the Scripture, for this is the only absolute Truth that we will ever experience; it is of God, not man. From the Word our hearts will be quickened at realizing that He is speaking directly to us; the promises that he has made are for all times and all generations if we will but have faith and believe. As we look to the book of Matthew where Jesus walks on water to meet his disciples, Peter sees Him and asks Jesus to call him to also walk on water, Jesus tells Peter "COME", and out of the boat came Peter and did walk on the water. The wind became strong, Peter became afraid, lost his faith, and began to sink. Peter then cried out to Jesus "Lord save me" and as the Scripture tells us, Jesus immediately reached out His hand and caught Peter. Jesus' next words are words, which we need to pay close attention to "O YOU OF LITTLE FAITH, WHY DID YOU DOUBT?" Why did you doubt?
First, do we believe the only absolute truth we'll ever know, then, if we do, when God already has us "walking on water", so to speak, why, when "the winds" of trials and tribulations begin to blow, do we begin to sink? We ask God in prayer for guidance and protection, but if He doesn't give it to us immediately, we begin to doubt and sink.
The mighty God of all creation, who knows every hair on our heads, has told us in absolute Truth what faith will do; do you believe Him, then why do we doubt? As I see it, for He has given to me the gift of discernment, Praise God, we need more and more of two things and they are: talking to our God, I mean really talking to Him in a lingo that you and He both can understand and relate to; talk about your fears, your hopes, your desires; ask Him if He has a certain message in the Scripture for you, to give you the understanding to receive it as He intended; then go to His Holy Word and study as though your life depends on it. Your life does depend on it, not only your life here on earth, but your eternal life as well.
In closing, I will be in prayer that each of you will set your priorities straight; First in your life should be God, second, your family, and third your career or job. Anytime that we switch places with any of these priorities, it becomes displeasing to God and will ultimately lead to problems in our lives which can only be solved by repentance and moving the priorities back into their proper order.
I have an abiding love for you, brothers and sisters and my deepest desire is to see each one of you allow Jesus to dwell within you.
In His Service,
Bro. John
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