Courage

COURAGE

 

DEFINED:

The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.

 

An action is courageous if it is an attempt to achieve an end despite penalties, risks, costs, or difficulties of sufficient gravity to deter most people. Similarly a state such as cheerfulness is courageous if it is sustained in spite of such difficulties. A courageous person is characteristically able to attempt such actions or maintain such states.  … Similarly, courage is not the absence of fear … but the ability to feel the appropriate amount of fear; courage is a mean between timidity and overconfidence.

Courage is something we all admire. When asked to describe courage, most people conjure up the image of an individual running into a burning building, or maybe a fictional hero saving the day. Images of courage are prevalent in our society; from the images of our soldiers overseas to the local hero who saved her neighbor from imminent danger. But when asked to go deeper, to really define courage, the only response that comes to mind is “I know it when I see it.” What makes courage so hard to define? We use the word courage to honor the firefighters, rescue workers, and police officers who ran into the two towers that were on the verge of collapse. We also use the word courage to honor the individuals who blew the whistle on corporate corruption.

The two cases are very different: in the first case the individual’s very life was in jeopardy by the physical actions being performed; in the second case the individuals risked their jobs by telling the truth. For the first case, we can distinguish the actions as being physically courageous. In the second case, we can say the actions were morally courageous.

Now these are some very good definitions of courage but I’ve heard it said that courage is not the absence of fear but acting rightly in the face of it. We often think of the brave person as someone without fear. Such a one is proudly over-confident or mentally ill. When the scripture tell us to fear not it is not saying that fear is non-exsistence, no hazards, no risk or smooth sailing. Instead it is using the truth of God’s Word and His character to help us realize that 1.nothing is too hard for Him and 2. Nothing happens outside of His Hand…even the “negative”.

Courage is also not positive confession or thinking. Reality is reality! But courage is trusting in His sovereignty and obeying anyway.

Courage can thusly be summed up by these three scriptures:

Job13:15
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:

Hebrews 13:6
…, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Psalm 118:8
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

….OR F A I T H !!!

So then what is it that we need courage for?

• Share the gospel
• Lead our family
• Stand against peer pressure
• Stand for Christ on the job
• Give up a habit or a sin
• Commit faithfully to a ministry
• Give
• Face sickness or death…ours or others
• Aging
• Serving your country
• Blessing the poor
• Loving your enemies
• Confessing our sins and faults
• Accountability
• Honesty
• Future

 

And what are the things we are most afraid of for us or those we love:

• Dying
• Pain
• Humiliation
• Job loss
• Poverty
• Loss
• Solitude
• Robbed
• Exploited
• Heartbroken
• Disrespect
• Disappointment
• Discouragement
• Wasting time

 

Thankfully by the Holy Spirit’s giftings , we have at our disposal all we need to accomplished all His will for His glory and our good. Life is not fair or promised to be pleasant, on the contrary it is more of the opposite, but He is all sufficient and His purposes are Good. Some of the more courageous men are the ones who have hit rock bottom and found out that they survived. Now they aren’t afraid of anything. Don’t wait for then to accept this truth. God is faithful.

Do you want miracles?

Do you want results?

Do you want souls saved?

Then buck-up, in God’s strength and be courageous.

1 Samuel 23:16
And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God.

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Joshua 1:7
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

1 Chronicles 28:20
…, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service … of the LORD is finished.

Matthew 14:27
But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

1 Corinthians 16:13
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

Philippians 1:20
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Nehemiah 8:10
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Psalm 28:7-8 (New International Version)

 ⁷ The LORD is my strength and my shield;
       my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
       My heart leaps for joy
       and I will give thanks to him in song.

 ⁸ The LORD is the strength of his people,
       a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

Psalm 46:1
  God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 73:26
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Acts 9:31
Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:25
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

1 Corinthians 14:3
But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.

Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Revelation 7:12
saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!”

Fear of the Lord

The fear of the Lord, what is it and what does it mean? How does it affect the way that we live? Is it really fear?

Duh,Yeah!!! You see God is Holy and Just. We are rebel sinners deserving of His wrath.You want an example of His wrath,just read the old testament and revelations.Ask Sodom,the Philestine,the Pharases and all those folks in hell. Yes God is love but He’s also Holy. That’s what makes the cross and grace so amazing. Both were satisfied there.Yet God never changes.His being is intact and to be respected.Come boldly now ,oh yes,but not brazenly.He’s not to be taken casually,flip nor lightly.There is much to be gained by fearing the Lord and much to be wary of when you don’t.Let’s let the Word speak for itself and “learn to fear the Lord.”

 Hebrews 10:31
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Hebrews 12:28-29

28Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29for our “God is a consuming fire.”

2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

 

Psalm 34:11
Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

 

Psalm 40:3
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.

Acts 9:31
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Proverbs 2:1-5

 1 My son, if you accept my words
       and store up my commands within you,

 2 turning your ear to wisdom
       and applying your heart to understanding,

 3 and if you call out for insight
       and cry aloud for understanding,

 4 and if you look for it as for silver
       and search for it as for hidden treasure,

 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
       and find the knowledge of God.

Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Psalm 147:11
The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

Proverbs 1:28-30 

 28Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

 29For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

 30They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Proverbs 14:26
In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

Proverbs 14:27
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Proverbs 19:23
The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

Proverbs 22:4
By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

Hebrews 12:28
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Psalm 25:14
The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.

Psalm 33:18
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

Psalm 34:7
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

Psalm 34:9
O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.

Psalm 103:13
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

Psalm 112:1
Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

Psalm 115:11
Ye that fear the LORD, trust in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

Proverbs 10:27
The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

Proverbs 31:30
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Holy Spirit person and work

• WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT? 1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. Genesis 1:2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Romans 8:9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.
• WHAT IS HIS WORK? John 15:26
  “When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. John 16:13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” John 16:7-8 7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt^[a] in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 1 Corinthians 12:13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body Hebrews 2:4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Romans 8:11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Acts 13:52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

• HOW IS THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVEN AT SALVATION? John 20:22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit

John14:1717Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

 John 3:8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13
For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body

• WHAT THEN IS THE BAPTISM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT? Matthew 3:11“I

baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. John 1:33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ Acts 1:5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 11:16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’John 7:37-39 37-39On the final and climactic day of the Feast, Jesus took his stand. He cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says.” (He said this in regard to the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were about to receive. The Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus had not yet been glorified.) Luke 11:11-13 11″Which of you fathers, if your son asks for^[a] a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

• HOW IS IT DIFFERENT? Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 8:15-17  15When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into^[a] the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Acts 19:6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them,
• HOW IS TONGUES INVOLVED? Isaiah 28:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. 1 Corinthians 14:21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 1 Corinthians 14:13-17 13-17So, when you pray in your private prayer language, don’t hoard the experience for yourself. Pray for the insight and ability to bring others into that intimacy. If I pray in tongues, my spirit prays but my mind lies fallow, and all that intelligence is wasted. So what’s the solution? The answer is simple enough. Do both. I should be spiritually free and expressive as I pray, but I should also be thoughtful and mindful as I pray. I should sing with my spirit, and sing with my mind. Ephesians 6:18
  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Acts 10:45-47 45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? Acts 19:1-6 1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,  2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.      1 Corinthians 14:18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. Acts 11:15-1715″As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning. 16Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with^[a]water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ,

 

THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS ETERNALLY GOD FROM BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN.HE WAS THERE AT CREATION AND COOPERATIVE IN THE REDEMPTION PLAN.IN THE OT HE TEMPORARILY FILLED INDIVIDUALS FOR INDIVIDUAL SUPERNATURAL TASKS.IN THE NEW TESTAMENT PRIOR TO PENETCOST HE AGAIN EMPOWERED SELECT PEOPLE FOR INDIVIDUAL TASKS .HE WAS PRESENT AT CHRIST’S BAPTISM.AFTER THE RESURRECTION HIS WORK WAS TO COMPLETE THE TASK OF REGENERATION THUS BEING BORN AGAIN OF THE SPIRIT .HE HIMSELF BAPTIZED PEOPLE INTO THE BODY OF CHRIST.HE ADOPTS US INTO THE FAMILY OF GOD.HE WORKS IN THE HUMAN HEART TO CONTINUE THE WORK OF SANCTIFICATION.HIS JOB IS NOT TO EXALT HIMSELF BUT TO POINT US TO CHRIST AND REVEAL HIS WORD TO US JUST AS JESUS POINTED US TO THE FATHER.BUT…TO THIS POINT JESUS SAID THE SPIRIT IS WITH YOU AND SHALL BE IN YOU.THE DISCIPLE WERE SAD THAT JESUS SAID HE WOULD BE GOING AWAY BUT JESUS SAID THAT IT WAS IMPERATIVE THAT HE GO AWAY SO THAT HE WOULD SEND THE SPIRIT TO BE THE PRESENCE OF JESUS TO US.HE DOES THIS TO THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY BELEIVERS BY BAPTIZING THEM WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.JESUS IS THE BAPTIZER.THE HOLY SPIRIT WHAT IS BEING USED TO BAPTIZE US ON THE INSIDE.THAT IS WHY IT’S CALLED THE INFILLING OR BEING FILLED TO OVERFLOWING.THE BOOK OF ACTS GIVES US SEVERAL ACCOUNTS OF THE OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.IN EACH CASE THE PEOPLE WERE:

1. ALREADY SAVE
2. SOME ALREADY BAPTIZED IN WATER
3. SPOKE IN TONGUES …WHERE NOT MENTIONED DIRECTLY IT WAS INFERRED
4. HAVING A JOYFUL EXPERIENCE
5. PRAISING GOD
6. USED OTHER GIFTS
7. PROFOUNDLY CHANGED

 

SOME RECEIVED THE BAPTISM BY:

• LAYING ON OF HAND
• DURING PRAYER
• SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING
• AFTER HEARING THE MESSAGE
• ANOINTING WITH OIL
• SPEAKING A WORD OF FAITH

 

SO HOW DO YOU RECEIVE:

•  
  1. YOU MUST BE SAVED
  2. YOU MUST REPENT OF KNOWN SIN WITH A WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE
  3. YOU MUST GET RID OF ANYTHING THAT CHALLENGES GOD’S SOLE RULE IN YOUR LIFE(IDOLS)
  4. YOU MUST BELIEVE
  5. YOU MUST EXPECT
  6. YOU MUST ASK
  7. YOU MAY HAVE TO HAVE SOMEONE SO GIFTED TO PRAY WITH YOU
  8. YOU MUST RID YOUR LIFE OF THINGS NOT OF GOD e.g. Ojui boards, Taro card, astrology and horoscope material,talisman,occult materials,pramids,crystals,chimes,religious statues,non Christian religious symbols…GOD IS A JEALOUS GOD AND WILL NOT SHARE HIS HOUSE WITH SATAN
  9. YOU MUST RECEIVE BY FAITH
  10. THEN BY FAITH SPEAK THE SOUNDS HE GIVES YOU NO MATTER HOW FOOLISH OR REDUNDANT THEY APPEAR
  11. DON’T GIVE UP UNTIL IT HAPPENS

Prayer with Quotes

Prayer…what is it? Simply said, prayer is just talking with God. Prayer though is a misunderstood and underappreciated privilege. In some religions prayer is done thru a mediator if at all. Others are done with chants, mantas, or prewritten archaic prose that most don’t understand and others don’t even mean. Jesus warned us of these vain repetitions. Even the Lord’s Prayer was only meant to be a model not rote form to be recited (“pray in this manner” not repeat after me). Some people pray like they’re giving a speech or preaching a sermon. Some pray at their hearers. Some kept repeating catch words or God’s name at the end of every sentence. We don’t speak to each other that way. Some even pray in King James as if they were 15^th century British saints. Others though are so casual with God that they forget His total otherness than us, His Holiness and His Majesty. Coming before the throne with “boldness” does not mean crassly or brazenly. It means “with confidence”. In the Old Testament priests had bells on their clothes and a rope tied to them. If they didn’t follow all the rules they would be struck dead, the bells would go silent and he would be pulled out dead. Christ broke down those barriers so we can approach the Lord ourselves without fear because Jesus took our sin and gave us His righteousness. We must also purify our hearts and relationships to keep our prayers unhindered. 1 Peter 3:7, Mt. 5:23-24, Mt. 6:14 

Ephesians 6 tells us to pray with all prayer. What does that mean? Well there are different types of prayer for different situations:

1. intercession- prayer for others in distress even the Holy Spirit Himself intercedes for us and thank God for it…wisdom, direction salvation of others
2. supplication-praying for God to supply practical needs food,finances,provision etc
3. in the Spirit- for spiritual needs and edification-prayer language
4. praise- the most important part of prayer-it positions our heart before Him
5. thanksgiving-more than just a holiday
6. prayer of faith- for miracles and healing
7. confession- or repentance of sin
8. mediation-contemplating God,listening,discussing your life with God
9. sinners prayer- turning your life over to Christ

And what should be our attitude be in prayer.

1. Pray fervently like the world depends upon it: Col 4:12; Acts 9:9-11; 1 Th 3:10; Jas 5:16-18

2. With bold confidence: Heb 4:16 (boldly, not brashly)

3. With reverence: Isa 66:2; Ps 111:9; 89:7

4. With sincerity and selfless intent: Mt 6:5-8

5. With humility: Lk 18:9-14; Jas 4:6,10; 1 Pe 5:6-7; 2 Chro 7:14; 34:27; Isa 57:15

6. Keeping alert (don’t let mind drift): Col 4:2; Lk 21:26

7. In Jesus’ name: Jn 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:24,26; Col 3:17 (an attitude that we pray by the authority of Jesus, not merely saying the words, “In Jesus name, Amen”)

8. Be devoted (make it a habit): Col 4:2; Rom 12:12; Acts 6:4

9. Have an attitude of thanksgiving: Col 4:2

10. With a forgiving spirit: Mt 6:12-15; Mt 18:21-35; Eph 4:32

11. With perseverance/persistence: Lk 11:5-9; Eph 6:18

12. Don’t lose heart: Lk 18:1

13. Be specific: When at restaurant we don’t say “bring food” but “med-rare, potato w/sour cream”

14. According to His will Ro.8:27

15.Believing/faith- Mt  21:22 ,Js 5:15

15. Pray expecting to receive: Mk 11:24; 2 Sam 22:7; Jas 1:5-8 Ps 5:1-3

a) Acts 12:5,12-16 tragic they rejected answer to what they had been praying for

b) Some pray for a bushel, then carry a cup

c) Don’t expect a thousand dollar answer to a 10 cent prayer

Prayer posture:

The following postures are recorded in the Bible:

a) Fell on face: Mt 26:39; Mk 14:35

b) Lifting up hands: 1 Ti 2:8

c) Kneeling down: Lk 22:41; Acts 7:60; 9:40; 20:36; 21:5; Eph 3:14; 2 Chro 6:13; Dan 6:10

d) Standing: Mk 11:25

e) Sitting: 2 Sam 7:18

My spur then is to prioritize prayer, know how to pray, and then pray. Election and God’s Sovereignty is no excuse not to pray.

“God in His Sovereignty has ordained that human destinies may be changed and molded by the will of man. This is at the heart of the truth that prayer changes things, meaning that God changes things when men pray….

…Here then is the reply to our opening question, and the scriptural solution to the seeming difficulty. Prayer is not the requesting of God to alter His purpose or for Him to form a new one. Prayer is the taking of an attitude of dependency upon God, the spreading of our need before Him, the asking for those things which are in accordance with His will, and therefore there is nothing whatever inconsistent between Divine Sovereignty and Christian prayer. A.W. PINK

Let’s face it, our Father just wants to talk commune with His children. My own dad will always ask me ,wherever I ask his advice if I prayed about it. If not he sternly reminds me “how can you expect God to bless something you haven’t consulted Him about”.

Please consider these verses and the quotes at the end as God speaks to your heart to “come, sit a while and speak with Me”.

Ezekiel 22:30
“I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.

2 Chronicles 7:14
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Luke 11:9-13 

 ⁹“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. ¹¹“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for^[a] a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹²Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Jer. 33:3

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.-

James 5:16
…. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Matthew 5:23-24 

 ²³“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

1 Timothy 2:1-3

 ¹I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— ²for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³This is good, and pleases God our Savior,

Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

1 Peter 3:12
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer

1 Peter 3:7
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

1 Timothy 2:8
I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

2 Thessalonians 3:1
Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.

Colossians 4:12
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.

Luke 18

 ¹Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

1 Peter 3:7
Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Ephesians 6:18
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Ephesians 3:14
For this reason I kneel before the Father,

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Acts 4:24
When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.

Luke 19:46
“It is written,” he said to them, ” ‘My house will be a house of prayer’

Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours

Matthew 21:22
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Mark 12:38-40 

 ³⁸As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, ³⁹and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. ⁴⁰They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.

Romans 8:26-27 

 ²⁶In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. ²⁷And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.

James 5:14-16

¹⁴Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. ¹⁶Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective

Matthew 6:5-8

   ⁵And when thou pr–ayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

 ⁶B1ut thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

 ⁷But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

 ⁸Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

1 John 5:14-15

 “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us – Aawhatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of Him.”

John 14:12-14

 ¹²Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.  ¹³And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be gA lorified in the Son.  ¹⁴If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

John 15:7
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

Daniel 9:3
So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

Matthew 5:44
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Prayer and Intercession Quotes

Action without prayer is arrogance, prayer without action is hypocrisy.”

Jose Zayas

“Prayer and praise are to the Christian as the two wings are to the bird. Don’t expect the bird to fly if one wing is broken. Even so the Christian needs both prayer and praise.” – J. Wesley Adcock, in The Holy Spirit in Life and Labors.

He who knows how to overcome with God in prayer has heaven and earth at his disposal. — C. S. Spurgeon

If the spirit of prayer departs, it is a sure indication of a backslidden heart, for while the first love of a Christian continues he is sure to be drawn by the Holy Spirit to wrestle much in prayer. -Charles G. Finney

Prayer is the vital breath of the Christian; not the thing that makes him alive, but the evidence that he is alive. – Oswald Chambers

Prayerlessness is sin. – Harold Lindsell

Avail yourself of the greatest privilege this side of heaven. Jesus Christ died to make this communion and communication with the Father possible. – Billy Graham

“Work as if everything depends on you; pray as if everything depends on God.” – John Wesley

. “Prayer must be aflame. Its ardor must consume. Prayer without fervor is as a sun without light or heat, or as a flower without beauty or fragrance. A soul devoted to God is a fervent soul, and prayer is the creature of that flame. He only can truly pray who is all aglow for holiness, for God, and for heaven.” – E. M. Bounds

Prayer is talking with God and telling Him you love Him, conversing with God about all the things that are important in life, both large and small, and being assured that He is listening. – C. Neil Strait

“Too busy; O forgive, Dear Lord, that I should ever be, too much engrossed in earthly tasks, to spend an hour with thee.” — A.B. Christiansen

Every work of God can be traced to some kneeling form. – Dwight L. Moody

The Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Might comes to our aid in our weakness as we pray. – Leonard Ravenhill

If your faith does not make you pray, have nothing to do with it: get rid of it, and God help thee to begin again. C. H. Spurgeon

Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?– Corrie Ten Boom

Pray, and let God worry. — Martin Luther

There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God. –Brother Lawrence

First Spur Praying in the Spirit

After hearing the message this Sunday I was convicted of not being as encouraging or spurring on as I should. I sincerely beg your forgiveness. I have been self focused lately and have forgotten those who have cared so well for us.

Specifically what God has presed on my heart to spur you on with has come from our study and discussions on first Corinthians regarding the provision of praying in the spirit. It’s easy to forget it and just pray in our known language. God though does not want us to hide it under a bushel.He wouldn’t have given it to us to just let it lay dormant. So my encoragement to you is to be an example to your family and exercise this gift daily. It will surely increase your strength and faith and communicate to God needs and worship only our spirit knows. Below is some scripture regarding this gift. Let’s persue this wonderful gift of grace.

2 Timothy 1:6

6For this reason I remind you^(A) to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,

Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

1 Corinthians 14:15,2
So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
2For anyone who speaks in a tongue^[a] does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.

Ephesians 6:18
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

Jude 1:20
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith  praying in the Holy Spirit.

Third Wave Heresy

My Understanding

 Recently I have sent you four emails regarding several movements of the church in the last 100 years. Each has born much fruit. Each has introduced elements of the Holy Spirits work. Each has had it’s extremes, abuses and compromises. Each also has formed a pattern. Just read the books of judges and kings to see similar patterns of faith,compromise,rejection, judgement,repentence and restoration.

Here we go again.

This is how I see things.

Many of the mighty moves of God/revivals if you will began with a man hungry for more of God and a realization of the compromise in the current church system.

Luther

Wesley

Finney

Wigglesworth

Moody

Bennett

First comes the hunger, then the passion, then the Holy Spirit, Then the restoration of worship, doctrine and a need to return to “new testament Christianity just like the church in Ephesus in Revelations 2.

Next comes the fruit and growth. But sadly along with that comes the persecution from within. Compromises are made to appease the establishment both within and out side the movement. Leaders faults are exposed. Marginalize the faithful. Water down passionate and expressive praise and worship. Finally the movement wanes until God stirs it up in another servant. How many of these men let the fire die, no wonder Paul warns Timothy to continue fan the flames.

This is my questions on the whole third wave movement. Is it a compromise to:

• Keep butts in the seats
• Keep the money flowing
• Keep the regards of so called scholars
• Avoid counting the cost
• Quiet controversies
• Avoid offenses

 

Why is it that we cannot sustain a movement? Now I cannot judge any one man’s motives nor do I know the history of any one local church or their leadership. God

alone knows. I believe that the same Spirit that begins the movement will continue it.

2 Timothy 3:5
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

The thirds wave rejects, marginalizes or ignores the power that comes through Holy Spirit baptism. Since some people never “got it” nor spoke in tongues, it had to be explained away. God forbid that it be a problem with the person, especially if they had some prominence so to “save face” with the unfilled, we let it go. Compromise, what an awful enemy of the truth.

Aw,but let’s not put all the blame on these folks. The pendulum does swing the other way. The charasmaniacs have contributed themselves. They often choose feeling and form over substance. They reject sound doctrine, theology or true religion as enemies of the moving of the Holy Spirit. So…instead they as easily swayed by every fad and exciting thing out there .They fail to recognize that certain things come with maturity and there is no shortcut to faith. Next thing you know, their excesses scare some and they throw the baby out with the bath water. Then when the excitement dies down or their presumptive faith fails them, they are easily scattered and stray.

Both extremes seem to gather around a human champion to their side instead of the Holy Word of God and His Holy Spirit.

What am I going to do?

Don’t go with the flow and don’t trust human wisdom.Go to the book.Go to the beginning. Go to God in prayer. Accept the hard work. Dance with the One Who brung us.

Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Additional thoughts.

The third wave appears to me to not be an honest move of God but rather an attempt to mainstream the charasmatic movement.

First they expose the extremes.

Next they play pick and choose.

I’ll take modern praise and music,but we’ll just slow it down a little bit.

I’ll take raising and clapping hands but we’ll shelf that dance and shouting stuff.

We’ll take certain spiritual gifts,but that tongue stuff’s got to go or at least marginalized.

We” ll take house groups as long we we can control them.

We’ll exchange the free movement of the spirit for a controlled ” decently and in order” meeting.

We will become a one trick pony that is easily managed instead of speaking the hard truths.

And wha-lah. You have sucessfully neutered the plans of God to fit in your own little box. No one is offended and everybody’s happy.

Problem is Where’s God.

Hope

Hope:defined

 1.

The feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best:

2.

A person in which expectations are centered:

3.

To look forward to with desire and confidence.

4.

To believe, desire, or trust:

5.

To feel that something desired will happen

6.

To place trust; rely

7.

Hope stems from desire – we want something to happen and if there is a possibility of it, we hope for it.

Faith is a belief that something will happen (or a belief in something) beyond wanting it, beyond requiring proof of it. It is born of inner knowledge.

Hope in the scripture is not a passive hollow desperation. It is active and powerful and the privilege of God’s children alone. But more importantly it is not a what but a Who. It is proof of the trinity. “Hope in God alone, Hope solely in Christ and only Hope in the Holy Spirit.” We do this by hoping in the Word/scripture, in His name and for His glory and the gospel. There is no hope in this world, its riches, circumstances, it influence and especially not ourselves or any other human or government.

Hope in God is the most real thing we can ever do. It takes us out of the temporary and places us into the eternal. Hope is power. Hope is bold. Hope is confident. Hope is rich. Hope is life and love and peace and blessed and the anchor for our soul.

True hope, biblical hope is our sustenance until this here and now fades into the hereafter in the eternal presence of God.

 

Suckle it and be strengthened ‘til He comes.

 

 

Job 6:8
“Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for,

Job 8:13
Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless.

Psalm 9:18
But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.

Psalm 25:3
No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame,

Psalm 31:24
be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

Psalm 33:18
But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

Psalm 33:20
We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

Psalm 42:5
Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Psalm 71:14
But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

Psalm 119:114
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.

Proverbs 11:7
When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes to nothing.

Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,

Proverbs 26:12
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Ecclesiastes 9:4
Anyone who is among the living has hope —even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 49:23
… those who hope in Me will not be disappointed.”

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Lamentations 3:25
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;

Hosea 2:15
There I will give her  … a door of hope.

Matthew 12:21
In his name the nations will put their hope.”

Romans 5:2
… And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:5
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 8:23-26 

²³Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? ²⁵But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

 ²⁶In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 13:13
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.

1 Corinthians 13:7
Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

2 Corinthians 3:12
Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

Galatians 5:5
But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.

Titus 2:13
while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Hebrews 6:19
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 11:1

 ¹Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 John 3:3
Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.

Question: “What does the Bible say about hope?”

Answer: Most people understand hope as wishful thinking, as in “I hope something will happen.” This is not what the Bible means by hope. The Biblical definition of hope is “confident expectation.” Hope is a firm assurance regarding things that are unclear and unknown (Romans 8:24-25; Hebrews 11:1,7). Hope is a fundamental component of the life of the righteous (Proverbs 23:18). Without hope, life loses its meaning (Lamentations 3:18, Job 7:6) and in death there is no hope (Isaiah 38:18, Job 17:15). The righteous who trust or put their hope in God will be helped (Psalm 28:7), and they will not be confounded, put to shame, or disappointed (Isaiah 49:23). The righteous who have this trustful hope in God have a general confidence in God’s protection and help (Jeremiah 29:11) and are free from fear and anxiety (Psalm 46:2-3).

The New Testament idea of hope is the recognition that in Christ is found the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises and hope (Matthew 12:21, 1 Peter 1:3). Christian hope is rooted in the faith in the eschatological (end time judgment) act of divine salvation in Christ (Galatians 5:5). Hope of Christians is brought into being through the presence of the promised Holy Spirit (Romans 8:24-25). It is the future hope of the resurrection of the dead (Acts 23:6), the promises given to Israel (Acts 26:6-7), the redemption of the body and of the whole creation (Romans 8:23-25), eternal glory (Colossians 1:27), eternal life and the inheritance of the saints (Titus 3:5-7), the return of Christ (Titus 2:11-14), transformation into the likeness of Christ (1 John 3:2-3), the salvation of God (1 Timothy 4:10) or simply Christ Himself (1 Timothy 1:1).

The certainty of this blessed future is guaranteed through the indwelling of the Spirit (Romans 8:23-25), Christ in us (Colossians 1:27), and the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:26). Hope is produced by endurance through suffering (Romans 5:2-5) and is the inspiration behind endurance (1 Thessalonians 1:3, Hebrews 6:11). Those who hope in Christ will see Christ exalted in life and in death (Philippians 1:20). Trustworthy promises from God give us hope (Hebrews 6:18-19), and we may boast in this hope (Hebrews 3:6) and exhibit great boldness in our faith (2 Corinthians 3:12). By contrast, those who do not place their trust in God are said to be without hope (Ephesians 2:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:13).

Along with faith and love, hope is an enduring virtue of the Christian life (1 Corinthians 13:13), and love springs from hope (Colossians 1:4-5). Hope produces joy and peace in believers through the power of the Spirit (Romans 12:12, 15:13). Paul attributes his apostolic calling to the hope of eternal glory (Titus 1:1-2). Hope in the return of Christ is the basis for believers to purify themselves in this life (Titus 2:11-14, 1 John 3:3).

My hope arises from the freeness of grace, and not from the freedom of the will.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon

is there a new song in the mouth, even praise unto God.”
—“God is wont to open a door of hope, a door through which there flashes a sweet light out of heaven upon the soul. Then comfort arises, and then is there a new song in the mouth, even praise unto God.”
—Jonathan Edwards 
 

Live and pray and hope and waite patiently and do not despair; the promise stands invincible that he will never leave thee nor forsake thee.  John Owen

With the knowledge that you are begotten by this incorruptible

Word, which liveth and abideth forever, you know that within you is this living,

definite hope, greater than yourself, more powerful than any dynamic force in the

world—for faith worketh in you by the power of the New Creation of God in Christ

Jesus. Therefore with the audacity of faith we should throw ourselves into the

omnipotence of God’s divine plan, for God has said to you, “If thou canst believe, all

things are possible to him that believeth.” (Mark 9:23). SMITH WIGGLESWORTH

Where, I would ask, is the ground of hope for the saints as they exist in this world? Not in the fact that they have been physically regenerated, so that to fall is naturally impossible. Not in the fact that they have passed through any such change of nature as to secure their perseverance for an hour, if left to themselves. Not in the fact that they can or will sustain themselves for a day or a moment by their resolutions. Where then is their hope? There is not even a ground of probability… unless the promised grace and faithfulness of God in Christ Jesus … The Hope That Banishes Hopelessness

Charles Finney

Our grief is infused with hope not merely because we have a bright future. Instead our grief is infused with hope because of our past. We look forward, in the midst of our grief, in hope, because we look backward, in the midst of our grief, with joyful gratitude. My future is bright because the wrath that I am owed has already been spent. The difference is in the cross of Christ. Whatever sorrow God calls me to go through, He calls me to go through for the express purpose of remolding me into the image of His Son.       R.C. Sproul Jr.

All which happens in the whole world happens through hope. No husbandman would sow a grain of corn if he did not hope it would spring up and bring forth the ear. How much more are we helped on by hope…   Martin Luther

Prayer is rightly “grounded in unbroken assurance of hope,” … that assurance of hope is the orbit in which believers live and struggle. Absence of hope, he adds, would mean that prayers are “vainly cast upon the air.” John Calvin

We love what we should hate, and hate what we should love; we fear what we should hope for, and hope for what we should fear; nay, to such an ungovernable height do our affections sometimes rise, that though our judgments are convinced to the contrary, yet we will gratify our passions though it be at the expense of our present and eternal welfare. We feel a war of our affections, warring against the law of our minds, and bringing us into captivity to the law of sin and death…. Behold, we put ourselves as blanks in thine hands, deal with us as seemeth good in thy sight, only let every cross, ever affliction, every temptation, be overruled to the stamping thy blessed image in more lively characters on our hearts; that so passing from glory to glory, by the powerful operations of they blessed Spirit,

George Whitefield

The word hope I take for faith; and indeed hope is nothing else but the constancy of faith.

John Calvin

When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God.

Joseph Addison

Other men see only a hopeless end, but the Christian rejoices in an endless hope.

Gilbert M. Beeken

Hope is patience with the lamp lit.

Tertullian

Reason, cannot produce ..hope;.,   It is then only, when we “behold” by faith “what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us,” in giving his only Son, that we might not perish, but have everlasting life, that “the love of God is shed abroad in our heart by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” It is only then, when we “rejoice in hope …

John Wesley

A false hope is worse than no hope at all..

Dl Moody

Hope Abides

Like a light at the end of the tunnel, hope is always there. Although often it can’t be seen in the twists and turns in life, we must hold on to that truth. Leonard Ravenhill

Hope [without God] may be deceitful, but hope grounded in the character and promise of God is sound.” AW Tozer

Fear not

God placed a giant angel to block access to the Garden of Eden and another to block Balaam’s betrayal. God also dispatched Michael to fight against Satan. No wonder when He sent His Angel to Mary or Moses or Sampson’s parents God had to tell them to “fear not”. Looks pretty scary to me! But in God’s presence, though there is much to fear, God sends peace instead of fear to His saints. “Fear not” is His exhortation.
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
In this world, there are many things to be afraid of. Enemies of the body, the mind, the soul, the family…but they are all slain toothless lions trying to scare us with its roar. Yes Satan is a
“roaring lion “but the scriptures tell us that
“God has smitten our enemy on the cheekbone and broken the teeth of the ungodly.”
Empty threats are all he has left.
Once I was taking a shortcut to town through the woods with a couple friends of mine. Once we hit town there was a Rottweiler who had jumped the fence and started chasing us just a growling and a barking. My friends were hopping on my back trying to avoid getting bit but when I looked back I noticed he didn’t have a single tooth in his mouth.
Please don’t think that because the enemy is defeated that in this world trouble is vacated, on the contrary, it seems as the end draws nearer the wickedness, pain and suffering increases.
“Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.”

But remember,
“But where evil abounded, grace did much more abound”” When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”
Now please remember that this is separate than what the scriptures refers to as “the fear of the Lord” which is wise,
“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
but to fear anything else is just forgetting His sovereignty and abdicating the power back into the hands of the enemy.
Now there are many unnerving, scary and awful painful things out there but we shouldn’t let the anticipation of the “worst case scenario” immobilize us and cause us to question His love for us.
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:”

So then my spur to you is this…Fear Not and
“and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

1 Peter 5:7-9
7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world
Psalm 3:7
Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.
Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Job 5:7
Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
Romans 5:20
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Isaiah 59:19
When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
Hebrews 13:6
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Romans 8:15
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
John 12:15
Fear not, daughter …: behold, thy King cometh
Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luke 12:7
But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value …
Luke 8:50
But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

prayer

My older brother and I had a great discussion the other day about prayer. Why should we pray more than once regarding a single issue? Do we think God didn’t hear us the first time? Do we think that we can change God’s mind if we wear Him down? Is it for a lack of faith? Hey, why even pray at all, if God is omniscient then He already knows. If He is Sovereign and His ways are perfect, are we out of His will to pray for something different than what His Divine Providence has already dictated to us?

I’ll tell you, I’ve searched the scriptures and commentarys from some of our dearest Theologians and I’ve got nothing black and white. There are many exhortations to pray, how to pray and to pray often. Even Jesus prayed. But what do He get out of it….I think…it’s Glory.

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him”

Prayer then is first to glorify God by recognizing our total dependence and reliance on Him.

“For you are God and we are not”

I think it also benefits us, other than the fulfillment of our requests it puts our focus on God and not ourselves. It gives us a bigger vision of God and a rightly humble view of ourselves.

All things considered though, prayer works! We are commanded to keep on praying, fervently, with emotion, over and over.

After Jesus’ resurrection more than 500 people saw Jesus but only 120 tarried in prayer long enough to receive the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit. God honors tarrying in prayer.

So then my spur to you is, back on your knees and keep on until the breakthrough comes. Don’t give up. He’ll meet you there.

Luke 18:1
…men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching …

James 5:16
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing

2 Timothy 1:3
I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

Luke 18:2-7

2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night

Philippians 4:6-7
6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Daniel 10:2,10-14
2In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks…

10And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands.

11And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.

12Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.

14Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.