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Prayer and Abiding Go Hand in Hand

There is absolutely no possibility that one can “walk in the Spirit” and be “led by the Spirit” without a life with Christ in abiding fellowship prayer (Galatians 5:16; Romans 8:14).

“The secret place of prayer is the place to fight our battles and gain our victories.” R.A. Torrey, How to Pray, p. 88

Jesus taught the need for “importunity” or persistence in prayer (Luke 11:1-13; 18:1-8). This is for the prayers we are praying for temporal, earthly things and most importantly, praying towards being with Christ eternally. The Son of God also spoke of the love of many waxing cold in the final days and the necessity of enduring to the end, “press(ing) toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

“Our whole life should be a life of prayer. We should walk in constant communion with God. There should be a constant upward looking of the soul to God. We should walk so habitually in His presence that even when we awake in the night it would be the most natural thing in the world for us to speak to Him in thanksgiving or in petition.” R.A. Torrey, How to Pray, p. 94

Why is prayer important? Because prayer is communing with and getting to know the LORD better and better—the very divine purpose for which we were created (John 17:3).

Prayer is perpetual fellowship with our LORD who came and died that we might know Himself and the Father (John 17:3). Prayer is not merely a privilege granted to believers to call on God in the time of crisis or to obtain their heart’s desires for temporal things. Even though offering supplications (humble requests) is a divine privilege and command to us and the very promise of God, that’s but one aspect of prayer. Prayer is saving faith in action—the obedience of engaging in a personal, perpetual, and intimate relationship with the Savior. Praying is an absolute imperative to fellowship with Jesus and overcoming, which is essential to receiving final salvation. If prayer were not so important in present abiding, victory, and of eternal consequence, there would have been no reason that the Son of God would have uttered the words of warning He issued forth in Luke 21:34-36:

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:34-36

“It is one thing to be interested in our Lord’s return, and to talk about it, and quite another thing to be prepared for it. We live in an atmosphere that has a constant tendency to unfit us for Christ’s coming. The world tends to draw us down by its gratifications and by its cares. There is only one way by which we can rise triumphant above these things – by constant watching unto prayer, that is, by sleeplessness unto prayer. Watch in this passage is the same strong word used in Ephesians 6:18, and always the same strong phrase in every season. The man who spends little time in prayer, who is not steadfast and constant in prayer, will not be ready for the Lord when He comes. But we may be ready. How? Pray! Pray! Pray!” R. A. Torrey, How to Pray,  p. 23

Scripture informs us that Christ died to purchase a people unto Himself whom He is presently sanctify(ing) and cleanse(ing) it with the washing of water by the word.” Jesus will soon return to gather a people to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 

“Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27

HOW did Jesus teach us to overcome temptation to sin and be ready with unspotted garments for His soon return?

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

Prayer is a matter of life and death. The person who doesn’t find it important to pray is not living by faith and is denying Christ. Most people believe that in order to deny Christ, one must verbally denounce Him. Not so! God’s Word reveals to us that backsliding—departing from Christ as “first love”—happens in the heart (Revelation 2:1-5).

“The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways (will reap an apostate state of heart): and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.” Proverbs 14:14

A person who is not in abiding fellowship with Christ through prayer merely has a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away(2 Timothy 3:5).

Any person who has gotten saved and yet now does not acknowledge and enact what Jesus instructed, is in denial of Him. According to the LORD, His people must “watch” and “pray” to “be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

One’s relationship to Christ is directly reflected in his prayer life or lack thereof. If one has no prayer life, it is because he does not count the Son of God important enough to spend time with or to get to know. Because of this, that person fatally allows the “the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things” to displace His relationship with the Savior.

“Lord, teach us to pray.”  We also should ask the LORD to “teach us to pray.” The disciples called on Jesus to teach them to pray—to have a prayer life. Christ answered them and us by giving the whole Church a model prayer to be followed in spontaneous and joyful relationship. Here it is:

“And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” Luke 11:1-4

Jesus Is Coming.

Prayer: Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ, I ask You to teach me to pray. Here and now I lay my life into Your holy hands afresh. You must increase, and I must decrease. In the name of Jesus, please bless this life to be dead and buried and raised up by You, LORD. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

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Articles

The First Commandment with Promise [podcast]


“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20:12

Any person who mistreats their father or mother has brought a curse on themselves. Unbelievable.

“Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.” Proverbs 20:20

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2 Honour thy father and m

other; (which is the first commandment with promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. 4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4

To honor simply means to highly esteem.

Does the Bible say “Honor your parents but only if they’re perfect and only if you agree with them”? No! And thank God because none of us are perfect parents, right?

God has a plan and it’s the only perfect plan! If you follow it, your life will be blessed.

Does it seem like it’s easier for some children to honor their parents? Does their relationship with their parents seem more fluent? At least in some cases, could it be due to the graciousness that the parents fostered in their children? Genuine love governing and fostering a sincere relationship.

David Taylor writes writes this exhortation on honoring our parents:

“Hope you are enjoying mom today brother with blessings. Please do so. Mine is gone. I took her for granted during her life. Not honoring her, not loving her as I should have. What’s that old saying ‘You never know what you have till it’s gone.”

The greatest heritage we give our children is God’s Word.

“Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.” Psalms 119:111

Sharing how God is working in her life concerning her relationship with her beloved mother, Karen Cochran writes:

“I had to die to being right. Pride! How could I love her (my mother) with the love of Jesus? How would she see Jesus in me? She would not see Him in me in all my pride and arrogance! By being full of pride, all I did was stir up strife. Proverbs 10:12 ‘Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.’ Because she would retaliate and would be angry. I had to learn to keep my mouth shut. And it has completely changed our relationship. But first the Lord had to change me and cleanse me from my ‘know it all’ attitude and my pride. I went to the Lord and said ‘why is she (my mother) so mean to me?’ The Lord straightened me out quick. It was me not her! I couldn’t control her! All I could do was allow God to root out what was sin in me.”

Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” Proverbs 13:10

PRAYER: Father, bless this life to be crucified with Christ, to be truly humbled before You – that You might raise me up to glorify You. Thank You for my beloved parents that You chose to bring me into this life through. Help me walk in Your wisdom which is Your Word. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Parenting | Children

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Abiding

Jesus’ Counsel to the Lukewarm [podcast]


Laodicea: How Jesus Instructs the Backslidden to be Restored

Jesus’ Letter to the Church at Laodicea

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

15  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 

17  Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 

18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 

19  As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 

20  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. 

The cross, the crucified life is the cure to the curse of sin—sin dominating our lives.

Romans 6

Inflation is part of the judgment of God upon a wicked people, nation. We see such in Sodom and in Laodicea (Ezekiel 16:49-59; Romans 1; Revelaton 3:14-22).

“It appears that in this scarcity each might be able to obtain a bare subsistence by his daily labor; but a man could not, in such cases, provide for a family.” Adam Clarke

Your money doesn’t go far….. inflation

“Revelation 6 describes the opening of the first six seals, which represent God’s judgment, often called the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The third seal, broken by a “black horse,” is interpreted to show hyper-inflation and famine, where a day’s wage (a denarius) buys only a quart of wheat. The judgment includes a command to preserve the oil and wine, which some interpret as luxury goods, while essential food becomes scarce and expensive.”

“6:5, 6 In obedience to the third living creature, a rider holding a set of scales came forth on a black horse. This represents famine, which often follows war. A voice in the middle of the four living creatures announced that wheat and barley were being sold at prohibitive prices. The scales were used to weigh the rationed grain and were thus a symbol of famine. The expression do not harm the oil and the wine is difficult. Some say that these were the food of the poor. If they were staple items, then they must be protected in order to preserve life. It seems more likely, however, that the luxury items of the rich are contemplated here: historically, even in famine the rich can get some luxuries.Believer’s Bible Commentary

The only thing needed to go to hell is to not be on fire for Jesusto be “lukewarm” (Revelation 3:15-16).

Jesus instructed the Laodicean church… to obtain, to “buy of me….

“3:18 The people were counseled to buy from the Lord gold refined in the fire. This may mean divine righteousness, which is bought without money or price (Isa_55:1) but received as a gift through faith in the Lord Jesus. Or it may mean genuine faith, which when tested in the fire, results in praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1Pe_1:7).

Also the people were counseled to buy white garments, that is, practical righteousness in everyday life. And they should anoint their eyes with eye salve, that is, gain true spiritual vision through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. This counsel was especially appropriate, since Laodicea was known as a center for banking, textiles, and medicines—especially eye salve.” Believer’s Bible Commentary

“Revelation 3:18
I counsel thee – O fallen and deceived soul, hear Jesus! Thy case is not hopeless. Buy of me.
Gold tried in the fire – Come and receive from me, without money and without price, faith that shall stand in every trial: so gold tried in the fire is here understood. But it may mean pure and undefiled religion, or that grace or Divine influence which produces it, which is more valuable to the soul than the purest gold to the body. They had before imaginary riches; this alone can make them truly rich.
White raiment – Holiness of heart and life.
Anoint thine eyes – Pray for, that ye may receive, the enlightening influences of my Spirit, that ye may be convinced of your true state, and see where your help lies.” Adam Clarke

Warning

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15 

Coming forth as Purified Gold

“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10

To “come forth as gold” refers to the finished product, where gold has been purified of all its impurities.

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7 

“The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.” Proverbs 17:3 

Idolatry is Sin

Putting, having anything or anyone before Christ in our lives is the soul damning sin of idolatry. Such a person has rejected Christ for something, anything else.

One such idol, one such cause today is patriotism for one’s earthly country. See Hebrews 11:14-16.

SO, you are fighting to save America (impossible) and not see souls saved for and by Jesus? Yet you claim to be following Christ who said “I MUST be about my Father’s business”? See Luke 2:49. You are deceived and in need of repentance before it’s too late. You left your “first love” and are in sin, in darkness (Revelation 2:4-5).

And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.”  Daniel 11:32-35

“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Daniel 12:10

PRAYER: Father in Jesus’ name, please grant to my heart Your gift of repentance and the deep desire to have Your righteousness, to not be deceived by sin, Satan, or counterfeits and false teachers. Please forgive all my sins afresh, here and now by Your precious blood LORD Jesus. Unite my heart to fear Your name. Fill me with Your Holy Ghost and use me LORD. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Authentic (Spanish)

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Articles

Tozer: The Cross

The Old Rugged Vs. the New Nerf Cross

A.W. Tozer: “The old cross is a symbol of death. God salvages the individual by liquidating him and then raising him again in newness of life. God offers life, but not an improved old life. The life He offers is life out of death. It always stands at the far side of the cross.”

A.W. Tozer: “Why do we build our churches upon human flesh? For we teach men not to die with Christ but to live in the strength of their dying manhood… If I see aright, the cross of popular evangelicalism is not the cross of the New Testament. It is, rather, a new bright ornament upon the bosom of a self-assured and carnal Christianity. The old cross slew men; the new cross entertains them. The old cross condemned; the new cross amuses. The old cross destroyed confidence in the flesh; the new cross encourages it.”

A.W. Tozer: “There must be a work of God in destruction before we are free. We must invite the cross to do its deadly work within us. We must bring our self-sins to the cross of judgment.”

A.W. Tozer: “All unannounced, and almost undetected, there has come in modern times a new cross into popular evangelical circles… The old cross would have no truck with the world. For Adam’s proud flesh it meant the end of the journey. The new cross, if understood aright, is the source of oceans of good clean fun and innocent enjoyment. It lets Adam live without interference. His life motivation is unchanged; he still lives for his own pleasure.

“That this world is a playground rather than a battleground has now been accepted in practice by the vast majority of fundamentalist Christians. They are facing both ways, enjoying Christ and the world too.”

A.W. Tozer: “The new cross does not slay the sinner, it redirects him. It gears him into a cleaner and jollier way of living and saves his self-respect… Christ calls men to carry a cross; we call them to have fun in His name… We want to be saved but we insist Christ do all the dying. No cross for us, no dethronement, no dying. We remain king within the little kingdom of Mansoul and wear our tinsel crown with all the pride of a Caesar; but we doom ourselves to shadows and weakness and spiritual sterility.”

A.W. Tozer: “The man who is crucified is facing only one direction… He [cannot] look back. The crucified man on the cross is looking only one direction and that is the direction of God, and Christ and the Holy Ghost… The man on the cross… has no further plans of his own… Somebody else made his plans for him, and when they nailed him up there all his plans disappeared… When you go out to die on the cross you bid good-bye–you are not going back!

“If we would preach more of this and stop trying to make the Christian life so easy it’s contemptible–we would have more converts that would last. Get a man converted who knows that if he joins Jesus Christ he’s finished, and that while he’s going to come up and live anew, as far as this world is concerned he is not going back–then you have a real Christian indeed.”

A.W. Tozer: “Our uncrucified flesh will rob us of purity of heart, Christ-likeness of character, spiritual insight, fruitfulness; and more than all, it will hide from us the vision of God’s face, that vision which has been the light of the earth and will be the completeness of heaven.”

A.W. Tozer: “The man who takes his cross and follows Christ will soon find that his direction is away from the sepulcher. Death is behind him and joyous and increasing life before.”

A.W. Tozer: “The old cross is a symbol of death. God salvages the individual by liquidating him and then raising him again in newness of life. God offers life, but not an improved old life. The life He offers is life out of death. It always stands at the far side of the cross.”

The Old Rugged Cross Versus The New “Nerf Cross”

A.W. Tozer: “All unannounced, and almost undetected, there has come in modern times a new cross into popular evangelical circles… The old cross would have no truck with the world. For Adam’s proud flesh it meant the end of the journey. The new cross, if understood aright, is the source of oceans of good clean fun and innocent enjoyment. It lets Adam live without interference. His life motivation is unchanged; he still lives for his own pleasure.

“That this world is a playground rather than a battleground has now been accepted in practice by the vast majority of fundamentalist Christians. They are facing both ways, enjoying Christ and the world too.”

A.W. Tozer: “Our uncrucified flesh will rob us of purity of heart, Christ-likeness of character, spiritual insight, fruitfulness; and more than all, it will hide from us the vision of God’s face, that vision which has been the light of the earth and will be the completeness of heaven.”

The Daily Cross

If you truly desire to know more about how to really know the LORD, go here okay: Born Again: What is It?

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