| Whatsoever
Things Are True
by Dan Coburn Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church pastordan@mtida.net So many people who profess Christ ask me: "Why don't we see miracles like we see in the Bible? Why do I feel my personal prayer life is a spiritual role of the dice? How come others seem to be running their Christian race like an eighteen year old hurdler, while I feel like a mountain climber with an eighty pound pack?" Let's turn the Spiritual Switch. Following the dismissal of Judas at the Last Supper, Jesus began to teach some true Nuggets to those closest to Him, and by extension, us. What was on our Lord's mind? First He told them of "A new commandment" - John 13:34. Then Peter's denial and pre-emptive restoration - vs 36-14:6. (contained in these verses is Jesus explaining that He alone is "the way" to The Father. Next was a biggie; the Promise of the Holy Spirit -14:15 and following, Himself as the one true Vine, the coming hatred of the world - 15:18 and following, promised persecution - 16:1-3, His leaving so the Comforter can come - vs 4 and following, sorrow turned to joy vs 16 and following, and then the Biblical Mandate for those of us anxiously awaiting His return? Prayer. I don't mean - "Lord this is Jimmie, let me tell you what to give me". I mean yielded, sold out, committed, priority - can't go any length of time without it, ---- Prayer. “But preacher, you sound like a zealot. That's radical." I ask: "how is your life going now?". Are you following Him as you should? Let's look at some God Ordained consequences of a powerful prayer life, then you can decide if it is important. If you purpose to pray as prescribed in the Bible: Your relationship with God will become much more real, even palpable. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" John 17:3. You will experience a deepening holiness and life transforming discipleship - "Jesus said unto him, THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD WITH ALL THY HEART, AND WITH ALL THY SOUL, AND WITH ALL THY MIND." Matt. 22:37. Your ability to clearly hear God's voice will increase dramatically - "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." - James 1:5. (and one of my favorites) : "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." - Jer. 29:13. Your Spiritual power will increase - see John 14:12-14. You will be virtually bullet proof with regard to trials, temptations and Spiritual Attacks - see 2nd Cor. 10:3-5, and Psalm 119:165. Finally, you will have a profound positive effect with respect to Spiritual awakening in your Church, community and even your country - "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." Ezekiel 22:30. You see, there is a profound common denominator in the lives of everyone in history that participated in a great miracle of God, every Great Revival, every great example. It was Prayer. I guess you can decide how important it is to you ----- to God. I'm praying for you. |
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