"The Prayer Series - Prayer is Sincere"

 

Psalm 51:1-19 "Have mercy upon me, O GOD, according to THY lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of THY tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against THEE, THEE only, have I sinned, and done this evil in THY sight: that THOU mightest be justified when THOU speakest, and be clear when THOU judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, THOU desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part THOU shalt make me to know wisdom.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which THOU hast broken may rejoice. Hide THY face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O GOD; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from THY presence; and take not THY HOLY SPIRIT from me. Restore unto me the joy of THY salvation; and uphold me with THY free SPIRIT. Then will I teach transgressors THY ways; and sinners shall be converted unto THEE.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O GOD, THOU GOD of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of THY righteousness. O LORD, open THOU my lips; and my mouth shall show forth THY praise. For THOU desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: THOU delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of GOD are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O GOD, THOU wilt not despise. Do good in THY good pleasure unto Zion: build THOU the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt THOU be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon THINE altar."

     Building upon yesterday's definition of prayer we learn that, first, prayer must be sincere, that is, "without deceit or pretense; genuine." We must deal with sin in our life, or else our prayers will be nothing more than pious-sounding pretense. GOD sees our heart. All is open to HIS perfect understanding, and we are only fooling ourselves if we think we can effectually pray without first addressing those matters that we know are robbing us of uninterrupted fellowship and power with GOD (Psalm 139:23-24 pictured at top of post). Sin can be hidden from others but not from GOD. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear me" (Psalm 66:18 pictured above; cf. Proverbs 15:8-9,29; Hosea 7:14; Amos 5:21-24). We cannot come unto GOD with a pure heart unless known sin is purged -- it is as simple as that ! The preparation of the heart is the beginning of true, sincere prayer.

     It is important to note that in this study on prayer, we are dealing primarily with the personal prayer life of the believer. Some aspects of our communication with GOD are to be between us and the LORD alone, and they simply are not expedient for mentioning in the context of corporate prayer (for example, the prerequisite that sin be dealt with at the outset). Prayer that is truly genuine and heartfelt cannot be spoken from a pure heart unless confession and cleansing have first taken place (1st.John 1:9 pictured above). This time of waiting quietly before the LORD as the HOLY SPIRIT brings to mind matters that need to be resolved and sins that need to be confessed should be taken care of before we come to the prayer meeting service. Public prayer is not the place to deal with sins and personal issues that ought to be brought before the LORD in secret. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"The Prayer Series - Biblical Prayer"

 

Matthew 26:36-46 "Then cometh JESUS with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. And HE took with HIM Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith HE unto them, MY soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with ME. And HE went a little farther, and fell on HIS face, and prayed, saying, O MY FATHER, if it be possible, let this cup pass from ME: nevertheless not as I will, but as THOU wilt. And HE cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with ME one hour ?

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. HE went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O MY FATHER, if this cup may not pass away from ME, except I drink it, THY will be done. And HE came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And HE left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. Then cometh HE to HIS disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the SON of MAN is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray ME."

     Prayer is probably the most important, yet most neglected, work that GOD has given to the Christian. It is the singular area in which the believer and his LORD are the only ones who truly know the actual state of one's spiritual life. Efforts to encourage Christians to pray more often and more effectively sometimes result in genuine harm when unbiblical principles are introduced that cause presumptuousness, flippancy, arrogance, disrespect, and downright avarice -- "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts" (James 4:3 pictured at top of post). Some of the most popular ministries of our day deal almost exclusively with how to supposedly teach Christians to pray. The strange techniques and novel ideas concerning the manner in which one can pray "with power" are seemingly endless. Invariably, these methods involve extrabiblical teachings and practices that are clearly contrary to the WORD of GOD. Ecumenical and charismatic churches and ministries are particularly adept at utilizing the theme of prayer to advance their own dangerous teachings and agendas.

     We need to look into the Scriptures and understand what they say about our actual responsibilities and privileges concerning this blessed spiritual exercise. One of the best concise descriptions of prayer was written by John Bunyan over three hundred years ago: "Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to GOD, through CHRIST, in the strength and assistance of the HOLY SPIRIT, for such things as GOD has promised, or according to HIS WORD, for the good of the church, with submission in faith to the will of GOD." (Partial quote pictured above) Does such prayer characterize your life ? DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

" Are YOU a Christian ? "

 

How long have you been a Christian ?

     You may have a time you think of as a reference point for when you became a Christian. You may say, "I have been a Christian all of my life. I was born a Christian."

Really, how did you become a Christian ?

     You may say, "I try to keep the Ten Commandments and do the best I can." Some people say, "I became a Christian when I got water baptized." Others say, "I was born into a Christian family."

How does someone become a Christian ?

     If someone could become a Christian by being born into a Christian family, by keeping the Ten Commandments, or by being water baptized, we need to ask ourselves a very important question: Why then did JESUS have to come to Earth and die on the cross ? My Friend, the Bible has the answer !

     "...if righteousness come by the Law, then CHRIST is dead in vain." (Galatians 2:21). JESUS had to suffer and die on the cross, because none of these things can make us Christians. The Bible states in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD: NOT of works, lest any man should boast." A work is anything that man does to secure his salvation. Being water baptized cannot make anyone a Christian.

     Eli, the Hight Priest, had sons that GOD called the sons of Belial or the sons of the Devil. Adam and Eve admitted they were sinners and placed their faith in GOD. They had two sons born into their family, Cain and Abel. Cain was rejected by GOD. This shows us that just being born into a family that believes in GOD is not enough.

     The Bible also says in Galatians 3:11, "But that no man is justified by the Law in the sight of GOD...", so we can see that no one can become a Christian by keeping the Ten Commandments.

     We know that no one has ever been born a Christian through a physical birth, because JESUS said in John 3:3, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD." Our response should be like the Philippian jailer, "What must I do to be saved ?"

     JESUS said in Mark 1:15, "...repent ye, and believe the Gospel." Repentance is a turning to GOD from our sin and the Gospel is simply stated in 1st.Corinthians 15:1-2a,3-4 "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved,..For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that HE was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:" The Gospel can be explained like this: Because we are all children of Adam, we are all sinners. "Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned:" (Romans 5:12). Whether we like it or not, we are separated from a Holy GOD because of our sin.

     In Romans 5:8 GOD says, "But GOD commendeth HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us." JESUS paid the price for our sins. HE died and shed HIS blood in our place. GOD says if we will admit that we are sinners, believe that JESUS paid for our sins with HIS own blood, and receive HIM by faith, HE will give us eternal life. Romans 10:9-10,13 states, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD JESUS, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised HIM from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. . .For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved."

     Will you agree with GOD that you need to be saved and receive JESUS CHRIST as your personal LORD and SAVIOR right now ? If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance and faith, pray this simple prayer of salvation:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe that YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me. Come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

     JESUS said in John 5:24, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth MY WORD, and believeth on HIM that sent ME, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."  I hope that this clears up the question: Are YOU a Christian ?

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

" Eternally Secure "

 

1st.John 5:12-13 "He that hath the SON hath life; and he that hath not the SON Of GOD hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the SON of GOD; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the SON of GOD."

     Perhaps one of the least understood and appreciated doctrines of the Scriptures is that of eternal security or assurance of the believer concerning his salvation. Many today demonize this doctrine and attribute to it ideas that no godly believer would ever espouse. Yet, GOD's WORD is clear in ITs teaching that one who has truly believed in JESUS CHRIST for salvation is eternally secure in CHRIST. He has been born of GOD and is assured of eternal life: "He that hath the SON hath life" (v.12). John's Gospel records these words of JESUS: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth MY WORD and believeth on HIM that sent ME, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24 pictured above). Notice, he who hears and believes "hath" everlasting life, shall "not" come into judgment, but "is" passed from death unto life.

     JESUS also said, "MY sheep hear MY voice, and know them, and they follow ME: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of MY hand" (John 10:27-28 pictured at top of post). The Apostle John wrote in his epistle to an audience of believers: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the SON of GOD; that ye may know that ye have eternal life" (v.13 pictured above). But please understand that the assurance of our security in CHRIST does not give us the liberty to live as we please, to sin with abandon. Paul's words ring loud and clear in our ears: "What shall we say then ? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound ? GOD forbid" (Romans 6:1-2). Are we secure in CHRIST ? Are we assured of eternal life ? Yes, yes, yes ! Are we then free to live in sin and rebellion against our heavenly FATHER ? No, no, no ! JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

" Growing in Grace ! "

 

2nd.Peter 3:8-18 "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the LORD as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The LORD is not slack concerning HIS promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the Day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the Earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the Day of GOD, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat ?

Nevertheless we, according to HIS promise, look for new heavens and a new Earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of HIM in peace, without spot, and blameless. And account that the longsuffering of our LORD is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest [twist], as they do also the other Scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. To HIM be glory both now and for ever. AMEN."

     GOD commands us to "grow in grace." The verb grow is in the present tense, indicating that we are to keep on growing in grace and never stop growing. One of the ways we can grow in grace is to meditate on what GOD's WORD says about grace. May these verses sing to our heart:

"And of HIS fulness have all we received, and grace for grace [one wave of grace after another]. For the Law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by JESUS CHRIST"  (John 1:16-17 pictured above).

"For ye know the grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, that, though HE was rich, yet for your sakes HE became poor, that ye through HIS poverty might be rich" (2nd.Corinthians 8:9).

"For the grace of GOD that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:11-12).

"That being justified by HIS grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:7).

"And GOD is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work . . . being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to GOD" (2nd.Corinthians 9:8,11).

"That in the ages to come HE might show the exceeding riches of HIS grace in HIS kindness toward us through CHRIST JESUS. For by graces are ye saved" (Ephesians 2:7-8a).

"But by the grace of GOD I am what I am: and HIS grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of GOD which was with me" (1st.Corinthians 15:10).

"The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you all" (Revelation 22:21). GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.   www.featoday.org

" Life's Greatest Decision ! "

 

     The greatest decision you will ever make is to accept or reject eternal life ! To have peace with GOD and the assurance of Heaven, you must have eternal life !

     You see, when GOD created Adam and Eve and put them in the Garden of Eden, they knew nothing about sin. GOD visited them in the cool of the day, and they enjoyed sweet fellowship with their CREATOR. GOD only made one restriction. "And the LORD GOD commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." (Genesis 2:16-17)

     In spite of GOD's blessings, Adam and Eve disobeyed GOD and ate of the forbidden tree. That day they died spiritually. "For the wages of sin is death. . ." (Romans 6:23a) By their own choice, they were separated from GOD, WHO loved them. They were driven from the garden, and mankind has been separated from GOD ever since. "Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" (Romans 5:12) So you and I, like Adam, are sinners. We have not obeyed all of GOD's commandments. "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" (Romans 3:10) "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD;" (Romans 3:23)

     Some people think they can earn GOD's acceptance by doing good works. "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. . ." (Isaiah 64:6) GOD says your good works are not good -- in HIS sight. You are still a sinner separated from GOD ! My Friend, there is a terrible penalty for sin. If you die in your sins, you will spend eternity in the flames of a Devil's Hell ! "And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire." (Revelation 20:15) "And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever. . . " (Revelation 14:11)

     The good news is that the LORD JESUS CHRIST has paid the full penalty for your sin. GOD has made a way (the ONLY way) for you to be reconciled to HIM. "But GOD commendeth HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us." (Roman 5:8) "For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) The Bible states, ". . .HE was wounded for our transgressions, HE was bruised for our iniquities. . ." (Isaiah 53:5)

     Because JESUS shed HIS precious blood for all of your sins, GOD will free you from the guilt, the power and the penalty of sin, if you will only "repent. . .and believe the Gospel." (Mark 1:15) The Apostle Paul preached to all ". . .that they should repent and turn to GOD. . ." (Acts 26:20) The Bible states about the Gospel, "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, . .For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that HE was buried, and that HE rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:" (1st.Corinthians 15:1-2a,3-4) ". . .Believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and thou shalt be saved. . ." (Acts 16:31)

     Neither your family's Christian heritage, water baptism, church membership nor any good works can save you. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of GOD: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) JESUS said, ". . .I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE: no man cometh unto the FATHER, but by ME." (John 14:6) ". . .the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD." (Romans 6:23b)

     My Friend, if you reject GOD's gift of eternal life, not only will you remain separated from GOD now, but also when you die without CHRIST, you will be eternally separated from GOD in the flames of a Devil's Hell. Please don't wait until it is too late ! Have you made the right decision ? Even though you are not worthy of GOD's mercy, HE wants to save you ! If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance and faith, pray this simple prayer of salvation:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me. Come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

    Right now, will you pray this simple prayer to GOD, asking the LORD JESUS CHRIST to forgive you. "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved." (Romans 10:13) The LORD JESUS said, ". . .I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish. . ." (John 10:28)

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

" Famine in the Land "

 

Amos 8:11-12 "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the WORD's of the LORD: and they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east they shall run to and fro to seek the WORD of the LORD, and shall not find it."

     Famines are horrendous disasters that have occurred hundreds of times in a multitude of lands throughout the history of mankind. The WORD of GOD records famines that played a major role in biblical history. A famine in the land that was promised to Abraham caused him to sojourn in Egypt where he failed to trust GOD. His son Isaac repeated Abraham's sin and lack of trust in the LORD, allowing a famine to drive him to Abimelech, King of the Philistines. Yet, it was a famine that facilitated Joseph, who had been sold into slavery in Egypt, to preserve the lives of his Father, Brothers, and their families. Famine in the Promised Land led to the events that brought Ruth, a Moabitess, into the lineage of the MESSIAH, the LORD JESUS CHRIST.

     Famines are dreadful events of dearth -- a lack of food and water that brings starvation to many. However, as grievous as physical famines can be, another type of famine, a spiritual famine, is far more devastating -- "not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the WORDs of the LORD" (v.11). Those words, given to the nation of Israel, are extremely sobering. The LORD GOD HIMSELF spoke to HIS people, warning them, "I will send a famine in the land, not . . . of bread" (v.11). HIS additional message was equally terrifying: "They shall run to and fro to seek the WORD of the LORD, and shall not find it" (v.12). What was true concerning the condition of Israel in the past is becoming more and more evident in our day. A famine is in the land, not of bread, but of the WORD of GOD. HE has spoken and is speaking, and people are not listening. May we not be guilty of failing to hear and heed HIS WORD to us. JED

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org