The Prayer of Faith
1 Kings 18:41-46
A committed and consistent prayer life is essential for every believer who wants to grow in his relationship with Christ. Yet so many Christians struggle in this area. What is hindering us?
No Burden: Being diligent is easy when we feel passionate about our request. We will storm the gates of heaven when a loved one is sick, but once the urgency is past, so is the prayer. We drift back into apathy.
No Time: We're busy and can see no way to squeeze in regular prayer time without a drastic rearrangement of our schedule.
No Apparent Answer: We've tried praying, but God just doesn't seem to answer. Thinking, It's a waste of time, we give up.
James 5:16-18 tells us that Elijah was a righteous man whose effective prayer accomplished much. He was passionate and persistent because he knew God intimately and believed that He would answer. Past answers to prayer and time spent in His presence had strengthened the prophet's absolute trust in the Lord.
When Elijah first began to pray on the mountain, there was no apparent answer, and yet he continued to seek the Lord. God is always working around us whether we perceive it or not. Eyes of faith can see His presence and involvement even when there's no tangible evidence.
God did not design prayer as simply an avenue for requests; spending time in conversation with our heavenly Father is meant to help us know and love Him. Then, as we grow in passion for the Lord, spending time with Him will be a delight, and life turns into an adventure of faith.
For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.
Watch Online Videos of Dr. Charles Stanley and In Touch Ministries at LightSource.com and Listen to Dr. Charles Stanley Online Broadcasts at OnePlace.com.
It is because of His loving kindness that Jesus came. It is because of His mercy that our soul was reclaim. It is because of His grace that He lifted us from the depths of sin and shame. With His tender hand, He lifted us from sinking sand and from shades of night to plains of light.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
God Says You Are Accepted
God Says You Are Accepted
by Rick Warren
Therefore, accept each other in the same way that Christ accepted you. He did this to bring glory to God. Romans 15:7 (GW)
"The truth is – Jesus accepts you and that acceptance is not based on your performance."
Most of us spend our entire lives trying to earn acceptance. We want to earn it from our parents, peers, partners in life, from people we respect, maybe even from people we envy. The drive to be accepted is a deep drive that can influence the kind of clothes you wear, the kind of car you drive, the kind of house you buy, even the career you choose.
Remember as a kid you wanted so badly to be in the in-crowd that someone would say to you - "I dare you to do this" - and they’d suggest something that was either stupid, or that put your personal safety at risk. But, you did it anyway because your desire to be accepted overruled the desire for safety.
We do it because we love the feeling of -- "I'm OK, I'm accepted; somebody accepts me." When you’re accepted, it does tremendous things for your self esteem. The truth is – Jesus accepts you and that acceptance is not based on your performance. In fact, you may have received Christ and accepted Jesus into your life, but do you realize that you’re able to do that because Jesus accepted you? You don't have to earn his acceptance; you don't have to prove yourself to him.
We need to stop thinking, “I've got an unpleaseable God up there and I've got to be a good boy, or good girl, to be accepted." God, through Jesus Christ, has already accepted you. That’s the Good News!
by Rick Warren
Therefore, accept each other in the same way that Christ accepted you. He did this to bring glory to God. Romans 15:7 (GW)
"The truth is – Jesus accepts you and that acceptance is not based on your performance."
Most of us spend our entire lives trying to earn acceptance. We want to earn it from our parents, peers, partners in life, from people we respect, maybe even from people we envy. The drive to be accepted is a deep drive that can influence the kind of clothes you wear, the kind of car you drive, the kind of house you buy, even the career you choose.
Remember as a kid you wanted so badly to be in the in-crowd that someone would say to you - "I dare you to do this" - and they’d suggest something that was either stupid, or that put your personal safety at risk. But, you did it anyway because your desire to be accepted overruled the desire for safety.
We do it because we love the feeling of -- "I'm OK, I'm accepted; somebody accepts me." When you’re accepted, it does tremendous things for your self esteem. The truth is – Jesus accepts you and that acceptance is not based on your performance. In fact, you may have received Christ and accepted Jesus into your life, but do you realize that you’re able to do that because Jesus accepted you? You don't have to earn his acceptance; you don't have to prove yourself to him.
We need to stop thinking, “I've got an unpleaseable God up there and I've got to be a good boy, or good girl, to be accepted." God, through Jesus Christ, has already accepted you. That’s the Good News!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
A Great Conversation
An Atheist Professor of Philosophy was speaking to his Class on the Problem Science has with GOD, the ALMIGHTY. He asked one of his new Christian students to stand and . . .
Professor : You are a Christian, aren't you, son ?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, you believe in GOD ?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Professor : Is GOD good ?
Student : Sure.
Professor : Is GOD all-powerful?
Student : Yes.
Professor : My Brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn't. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?
(The student was silent)
Professor : You can't answer, can you ? Let's start again, Young Fella. Is GOD good?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Is Satan good ?
Student : No.
Professor : Where does Satan come from ?
Student : From . . . GOD . . .
Professor : That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Evil is everywhere, isn't it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
Student : Yes.
Professor : So who created evil ?
(The student did not answer)
Professor : Is there Sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, who created them ?
(Student had no answer)
Professor : Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen GOD?
Student : No, sir.
Professor : Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?
Student : No , sir.
Professor : Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?
Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Professor : Yet you still believe in HIM?
Student : Yes.
Professor : According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my FAITH.
Professor : Yes, Faith. And that is the problem science has.
Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Professor : Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as cold?
Professor : Yes.
Student : No, sir. There isn't.
(The Lecture Theatre became very quiet with this turn of events)
Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called Cold.
We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold.
Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot Measure Cold.
Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There was pin-drop silence in the Lecture Theatre )
Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Professor : Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?
Student : You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. . . But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it’s called darkness, isn't it?
In reality, Darkness isn't. If it is, were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?
Professor : So what is the point you are making, young man ?
Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Professor : Flawed ? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is Life and then there is Death, a Good GOD and a Bad GOD. You are viewing the Concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure.
Sir, Science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view Death as the Opposite of Life is to be ignorant of the fact that Death cannot exist as a Substantive Thing. Death is Not the Opposite of Life: just the Absence of it.
Student : Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?
Professor : If you are referring to the Natural Evolutionary Process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed Evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going )
Student : Since no one has ever observed the Process of Evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an On-Going Endeavour, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a Scientist but a Preacher?
(The Class was in Uproar )
Student : Is there anyone in the Class who has ever seen the Professor's Brain?
(The Class broke out into laughter)
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's Brain, Felt it, touched or Smelt it?
No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have No Brain, sir.
With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The Room was Silent. The Professor stared at the Student, his face unfathomable)
Professor : I guess you'll have to take them on Faith, son.
Student : That is it, sir . . . Exactly!
The Link between Man and GOD is FAITH.
That is all that Keeps Things Alive and Moving.
***
WORD: Matthew 14:22-34
22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,24but the boat was already a considerable distance[a] from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
34When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Professor : You are a Christian, aren't you, son ?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, you believe in GOD ?
Student : Absolutely, sir.
Professor : Is GOD good ?
Student : Sure.
Professor : Is GOD all-powerful?
Student : Yes.
Professor : My Brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn't. How is this GOD good then? Hmm?
(The student was silent)
Professor : You can't answer, can you ? Let's start again, Young Fella. Is GOD good?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Is Satan good ?
Student : No.
Professor : Where does Satan come from ?
Student : From . . . GOD . . .
Professor : That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student : Yes.
Professor : Evil is everywhere, isn't it ? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
Student : Yes.
Professor : So who created evil ?
(The student did not answer)
Professor : Is there Sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student : Yes, sir.
Professor : So, who created them ?
(Student had no answer)
Professor : Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son, have you ever seen GOD?
Student : No, sir.
Professor : Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?
Student : No , sir.
Professor : Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?
Student : No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Professor : Yet you still believe in HIM?
Student : Yes.
Professor : According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student : Nothing. I only have my FAITH.
Professor : Yes, Faith. And that is the problem science has.
Student : Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Professor : Yes.
Student : And is there such a thing as cold?
Professor : Yes.
Student : No, sir. There isn't.
(The Lecture Theatre became very quiet with this turn of events)
Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called Cold.
We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold.
Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot Measure Cold.
Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There was pin-drop silence in the Lecture Theatre )
Student : What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Professor : Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?
Student : You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light. . . But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it’s called darkness, isn't it?
In reality, Darkness isn't. If it is, were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?
Professor : So what is the point you are making, young man ?
Student : Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Professor : Flawed ? Can you explain how?
Student : Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is Life and then there is Death, a Good GOD and a Bad GOD. You are viewing the Concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure.
Sir, Science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view Death as the Opposite of Life is to be ignorant of the fact that Death cannot exist as a Substantive Thing. Death is Not the Opposite of Life: just the Absence of it.
Student : Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?
Professor : If you are referring to the Natural Evolutionary Process, yes, of course, I do.
Student : Have you ever observed Evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going )
Student : Since no one has ever observed the Process of Evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an On-Going Endeavour, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a Scientist but a Preacher?
(The Class was in Uproar )
Student : Is there anyone in the Class who has ever seen the Professor's Brain?
(The Class broke out into laughter)
Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's Brain, Felt it, touched or Smelt it?
No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have No Brain, sir.
With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The Room was Silent. The Professor stared at the Student, his face unfathomable)
Professor : I guess you'll have to take them on Faith, son.
Student : That is it, sir . . . Exactly!
The Link between Man and GOD is FAITH.
That is all that Keeps Things Alive and Moving.
***
WORD: Matthew 14:22-34
22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,24but the boat was already a considerable distance[a] from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." 28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
34When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)