A Prayer Request; God's Actions

Psalm 10:17-18

Lord, thou hast heard the desires of the humble, thou will prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may no more oppress.

Today's message is the last of our five part series on prayer. Our focus is God's actions as a result of our prayer requests.  

The psalmist expresses the confidence that believers have when petitioning God in prayer whether the prayer is asking God for something for self or making intercession for others, or simply praising Him for His love, grace and mercy. God love hearing from His children and is quick to act on the behalf of His children.

The phrase, "will cause thine ear to hear" bring into focus 2 Chronicles 7:14 which speaks of believers petitioning God with a humble spirit and then turning from their wicked ways, God promises to hear, and heal our land. God is faithful to His promises. That said, as believers continue making intercessory prayer for others that are being persecuted and a healing of our land (world) from all manner of wickedness we have confidence that in God's own time He will bring all evilness and persecution to naught. God is going to bring a spiritual revival before this world is destroyed to show the world that yes I have heard your cry and I am moved to act.

God's actions; prayers answered and the wicked destroyed. Have faith and persevere help is on the way.

A Midnight Talk With God

Psalm 4: 1-8

Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness; thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

Over the last four days we have been discussing prayer from different perspectives; today our focus is a midnight prayer meeting. Today's scripture texts reveal the faith of the righteous when sincere prayers are made to God. This comes from a fervent prayer life and righteous living. This takes into account the faith of the believer in God's faithfulness to him/her in answering prayers. Also, the faithful believer realizes that they have been set apart to serve at the pleasure of God and sometimes suffering is part for being in God's family (v.3).

Who can forget the midnight prayer meeting Paul and Silas had and the result was God sent an earthquake to free them. Paul's jailer and his household were saved as they witnessed the marvelous work of God. Remember the plight of the Hebrews boys in the fiery furnace and Daniel in the lion's den; God delivered them for their faithfulness.

That said, there is nothing more precious than a midnight talk with God, just the two of you; then you can say like the psalmist in verse 7 which states, thou hast put gladness in my heart, and then the prayer can say, I will lay me down to sleep in peace, for You Lord make me dwell in safety (v.8 partial paraphrase).

A talk with God makes everything all right.

Praise God For His Deliverance

Psalm 9:1-20

I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. I will be glad and rejoice in thee, I will sing praise to thy name, thou most High. When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence. For, thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.

Today's discussion is the third in my five-part series on prayer; today's focus is on God's deliverance of His people. It is known that at praises go up to God then blessings come down from Him.

Believers are encouraged to have a fervent prayer life as prayer is part of our spiritual conflict. The more we commune with God, then an intimate relationship develops, which is what God wants.

That said, when we petition God through prayer for something, that then begin to praise Him for His deliverance and His answer to our prayers, because He is a prayer answering God. We are to believe in our prayers because God looks at the heart and knows the sincerity of one's prayer request. We must believe in our prayer. Christ encouraged all believers to pray in faith, and in His name and it shall be granted unto us.  We are to align our prayer requests with the will of God.

Let me close by saying, praising God is a form of worship; therefore, praise Him while petitioning God. He is waiting to deliver.

Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise God for His deliverance.

Prayer Of The Persecuted

Psalm 7:1-17

O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust, save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me; Lease he tear my soul like a lion, rending it to pieces, while there is none to deliver.

This is the second in my five part series on prayer. Our prayer focus in this part is prayers of the persecuted as our scripture texts serves as a model for those of who have and been are currently being persecuted. Verses 1 and 2 get to the heart of the matter as it related to the persecuted. This is because the persecuted realizes that only God can deliver from all persecutions and unless He delivers, then the persecuted is ripped to shreds until there is nothing left.

Many of our sisters and brothers in today's society in different parts of the world are suffering persecutions for their belief in God. The Bible speaks of being persecuted for being associated with Christ, but in due time God will bring all persecution to an end. What do we say to those being persecuted is continue trusting in God because in the midst of suffering persecuting God's hand of mercy is present. Verses 10 and 11 verify that God is near and save the persecuted from their persecutors.

What must we as fellow believers do? Fellow believers are to pray for our persecuted sisters and brothers and provide physical help when and where needed as many of us are currently doing.

Persecuted believers, and non-persecuted in the end we "will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high" (v.17).

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A Morning Prayer

Psalm 5:1-12

Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God; for unto thee I will pray.

Today's message is the beginning of a five-part series on prayer; God's deliverance, God's actions as a result of prayer, God's protection of man through prayers and a Midnight talk with God.

I was led by the Holy Spirit to bring these messages in light of the trouble that is plaguing our world today from Christians being persecuted for their faith in God and the many faces of evil that is being played out in this country. In this country our faith is under attack as many feel that prayer is inappropriate in a business setting. Let me assure all that prayer is timely regardless of the meeting location or the occasion. This country was founded upon Christian principles and faith. What happen? What has happened is that many have turned away from God; therefore, when we move God out of the way we open the door for Satan; now he is having a field day. Have no fear because his days are numbered.

In the midst of the evilness in this world, have no fear God is in control and in due time sin will be no more. More importantly, prayers of the righteous availeth much (James 5:16). I know there are prayer warriors making intercessory prayers. What does 2 Chronicles 7:14 say about prayer? In a word, when God's people call on the name of the Lord and repent, then God will hear, answer and heal this land. A change is on the way. God is going to heal this land, because as stated in verses 10-12 which talks about God destroying the wicked and blessing the righteous.

There is no better way to begin and end one's day than a conversation with God.

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Equip For Battle

Ephesians 6:11-18

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

God in His infinite wisdom knew that His people would be attacked by Satan on every side; therefore, God equipped us for the battle against sin. This is a spiritual warfare that began in heaven when Satan was thrown out for wanting to be more powerful than God his creator.

Satan being the masterful strategist he is has designed his attacks from every angle. That said, reflecting on our body armor we are equipped with all defensive weapons except one; God's Word the Bible. What this mean is that our defensive weapons are designed to deflect all of Satan's darts of wickedness. We are to gird up our loins with God's truth. We have on the breastplate of righteousness as we emulate the righteousness of God (v. 14).  As shoes we are wearing the gospel of peace (v.15), and faith is our shield that gives us the courage to stand firm in the Lord (v.16). Our heads are covered with the helmet of salvation as believers we are covered with the blood of Jesus Christ our Savior who died for us. Lastly, we as warriors take the fight to Satan with the sword of the Spirit-God's Word (v.17).  We as believers are constantly praying as it is part of the conflict, and when Satan sees believers in prayer he becomes nervous because he knows that believers are in constant communication with God (v.18).

Let me close by saying, individual believers, the family and the entire faith community is under attack, but take heart Satan is a defeated foe, and we as God's children is victorious.

God dressed us for success.

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A Family Of Believers

1 Peter 1:18-19

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish, and without spot.

Peter is reminding believers then and now that our redemption came through the shed blood of Jesus Christ who knew no sin, but became sin for the sake of redeeming man so the all who believe will spend eternity in the presence of God the Father.

Peter's statements give many a reality check in that many feel that their good works will earn them a spot in heaven. It is one's faith in Jesus Christ while accepting Him as our personal Savior that all believers have salvation.

It is noteworthy to say; upon accepting Christ's atoning work on Calvary's cross we become members of God's family who are a nation of royal priests. That said, believers are to live in holiness emulating the holiness of God the Father and Christ our Savior.

Believers living holy lives tell the world; yes I am of royalty, rich in God's love, living under the protective arm of His mighty wings and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Believers have the indwelling Holy Spirit as our inner strength when we are weak.

As a family of believers, we are powerful warriors in God's army fighting against sin and evil. We are victorious in Christ.

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A Lack Of Fatherly Guidance Destroys The Child

Proverbs 4:1-4; Deuteronomy 6:7; Ephesians 6:4

Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake you not my law.

Today's discussion is the last in the five-part series discussions on the family. Today's focus is what the lack of fatherly guidance does to the child. This five-part series is designed to express the extreme importance of teaching our children so they too can and will live holy lives before God.

Our scripture texts support the arguments made for parents teaching their children in all godliness. This is so they too will be blessed with long lives by God and become members of His holy nation of people. It is worth noting again that children are gifts from God and are to be nurtured in His righteousness. God Himself gave the mandate of teaching our children. As stated earlier, the pastor and church are encouraged to do their part in teaching the children.

A failure by either institution destroys the child as he or she has not been taught the ways of God and is left open to Satan's demonic attacks that are designed to destroy the child. Unless the child has been taught God's Word and ways, how can he or she know what is expected and how to live godly? The world and Satan's powers are too great for the untrained child to combat without a solid foundation. The world's moral and value system contradicts those of God, and they have no saving power.

Parents, pastors and the church let us take back our children from Satan and the streets, because God gave them to us, and it is our duty to dedicate them back to Him with knowledge and understanding of Him and a heart to love Him.

A lack of godly instructions is not an option when it comes to our children.

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The Church And Pastors' Role In Parenting

Jeremiah 3:16; Luke 1:17

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

In day four of our family discussion series, our focus is on the church and pastors in parenting his flock. See, pastors are the under shepherd of God's house, and they are assigned by Him to provide, protect and care for his congregation. This includes imparting the truth of God's Word, His moral laws and commandments while encouraging holy living and loving God for who He is and what He has done and continues to do in the lives of humanity.

Pastors are to teach the children of his church sound doctrine and to remain faithful to God's Word and be willing to be chastised by God out of love for His people. Being that God is love; therefore, pastors are to love his congregation equally as this emulates God.

The church is the spiritual wife of the pastor and the children of the church are his children; therefore, the pastor has the moral obligation to teach, love and set an example for the children of the church so what is being taught in the home will coincide with fatherly home teachings.  

The church as a whole is responsible for godly teaching of the children in its midst. The church as a ministry is to teach its young as this can be accomplished through organized church classes, the adults' lifestyles, and the mothers of the church providing godly wisdom to the children of the church.

A church and its pastors that teach is one that is growing in Christ and have youth as it bedrock.

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Follow Jesus' Prayer For Believers

John 17:1

These words spake Jesus, and lift up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee.

This is our third series of discussions on the family; today's focus is on Jesus' prayer to God the Father where Jesus expresses His love for His followers. Jesus asked His Father to glorify Him so that He would glorify the Father.

Jesus' prayer is a perfect example of the Son's obedience to the Father, and it applies to pastors in loving their congregations as well as parent to their children and how they are to love  and care for their children.

Some of the prayer components are that the congregation and children know Jesus as Lord and Savior as well as establish a personal relationship with Him. The prayer should also include God to keep His protective hand to keep them from falling away from the church and ask God to keep them from falling prey to Satan's masterful tactics that destroys.  Pastors and parents are to make intercessory prayers for their congregations and children to maintain the faith and yield control of their lives to the Holy Spirit for their perseverance unto the end.

Godly pastors and fathers realize their role as the head of each, and that they are the keepers of the family. Each will be held accountable by God the Father.

Let me encourage pastors and fathers to honor God the Father by loving and honoring your church and family.

Love is at the core of Jesus' actions as it must be in pastors and fathers.

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Fifteen Steps Of Parental Duties To Their Children

Colossians 3:21

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

This is day two of our discussion series that is taken from the King James Bible commentary. These steps are designed to lead children into holy and godly living that will carry them a lifetime and they are (partial paraphrasing):

1.     Parents are to dedicate their children back to God at the beginning of the child's life (1 Samuel  1:28; Luke 2:22).

2.     Parents are to teach their children to fear God in reverence and turn away from sin and to love righteousness. Parents are also encouraged to instill in their children God's attitude against sin and His judgment on sin (Hebrews 1:9).

3.     It important to teach your child obedience as you obey God using scripture as your foundation for teaching them (Deuteronomy 8:5; Proverbs 3:11-13; 13:24; 23:13-14; 29:15, 17; Hebrews 12:7).

4.     Parents are to protect their children from all ungodly influences by teaching them that Satan uses many different tactics to destroy them spiritually by getting them to succumb to the world's moral values (Proverbs 13:20; 28:7; 1 John 2:15-17).

5.     Parents are to teach their children that God sees all, knows all and is evaluating all their actions (words and deeds) (Psalm 139:1-12).

6.     Encourage early acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior through repentance and water baptism in Christ (Matthew 19:14).

7.     It is important for parent to establish their children in a Bible based church that is teaching the truth of God's Word, His righteous standards, and where the Holy Spirit manifests Himself through praise and worship and in the child's life (Psalm 119:63; Acts 12:5). It is also, to teach them a motto/creed that is Biblically sound to live by.

8.     It is important for parents to teach their children the importance of being spiritually separated from this world and it value system (2 Cortinthians6:14-7:1;James4:4). Teach the children that their true home is in heaven with Christ (Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:1-3).

9.     Parents are to teach their children the importance of being baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5, 8; 2:4,39).

10.  Parents are to teach their children that God loves them and has a special purpose for their lives (Luke 1:13-17; Romans 8:30; 1 Peter 1:3-9).

11.   Parents are encouraged to instruct their children daily in God's Word, and this can be accomplished through conversation and family devotion time  (Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:5-7; 1 Timothy 4:6; 2 Timothy 3:15).

12.  Parents are encouraged to be an example of godly living and having a daily prayer life (Acts 6:4 Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; James 5:16).

13.  Teach your children that they will suffer and may face persecution for their affiliation with Christ their Savior (Matthew 5:13; 2 Timothy 3:12).

14.  Parents are encouraged to constantly lift up their children in prayer to God (Ephesians 6:16; James 5:16-18).

15.  Parents are encouraged to have and show love to their children to the point of making extreme sacrifices (Philippians 2:17).

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Fathers And Children

Fathers And Children

Luke 1:17

And he shall go before him the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

This is the beginning of a five part series on parenting, which includes fathers, the church and pastors, believers following Jesus' model prayer, and the lack of fatherly guidance.

That said fathers are the head of the household, and the wife and children are to be submissive unto him as he submits to the Lord. He is to emulate the moral righteousness of God in teaching his children. The father is to teach the children God's moral laws what is means to obey them as well as the consequences of disobeying them. Fathers who are teaching their sons and daughters godly principles is preparing for God a new generation of believers. This is so that each generation of people will live in holy obedience unto God. Fathers who fail to teach his sons and daughters were a great sin against God's OT people and can be attributed to today's conditions where the children are running amuck. It can also be said the when fathers fail to show and teach love to their sons and daughter, then the children lacks this knowledge and seek love in improper places.

Fathers, you are an important figure in the lives of your children as they are a gift to you from God. Therefore, love them, pray for them, instruct them in godliness, and lovingly discipline them when needed as God does to you.

Fathers and children are to have a strong bond of love and fellowship with one another as God the Father have with His children/believers. God the Father is the head of our lives, and Jesus Christ makes it complete. Fathers you are the head of the household and the wife makes it complete, and children are the gifts. Children are to obey their parents as believers obey God.

Husbands, wives and children constitute the family.

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Encouragement In The Midst Of Discouragement

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

This is the second in a series of discussions of looking at worldly conditions that have our Christian faith under attack. Today's message is to offer encouragement as we focus Jesus' message to His disciples and believers today and all generations. We can take comfort in knowing that our Savior Jesus Christ have overcome the world, and it is His peace believers have in the midst of trials and tribulations.

In 1 Peter 5:7 ask us to cast all our cares, concerns and troubles upon Him. We know that He is able and willing to handle every situation. That said, when we are surrounded by trouble, just ask God to get in the storm with you; He will. Remember Daniel and the Hebrew boys? He locked the lion's mouth and got in the fire with the Hebrew boys. He will do the same for you and me.

Let me close with these words of encouragement, give your problem to Jesus and let go and let God. If you a healing needed, He is the master healer. If you need deliverance, He is the deliver, and He delivers. If you need more of His favor, just ask.

You and I serve a God, who is supreme and will not be defeated because His Son Jesus defeated sin and Satan at the cross of Calvary.

Be of good cheer, God is near.

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Singing Our song

Psalm 137:4

How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?

The writer of this psalm asks this question because the Israelites being held captive in Babylon, and many of their customs was forbidden. They desired to worship the Lord God openly.

This brings me to today's society where in many foreign countries Christianity is under attack where our Christian brothers and sisters are being persecuted for worshiping Christ. In this country, our Christian values are under attack. This question comes to mind, How long before Christians in this country be forbade from open worship of the Lord unless we tell sinners/unbelievers "if you do not worship or believe in God, then don't hinder me. If you want live your lifestyle, live it, but don't wash my face with it."

That said, we as believers will continue to sing the Lord's songs glorifying His holy name. We are going to keep praying because we stand tallest from our knees, and we are going to continue worship God openly.

His help is on the way; therefore, sing God's song loud and proud.


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