Do You Believe Prayer Works?

James 5:
¹³ Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. ¹⁷ Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. ¹⁸ And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. NKJV

My question to you is very simple. Do you believe that prayer works? Do you believe that fervent prayer works better? Do you believe that God is listening to the prayers of his people?

These are very serious questions to ponder. Many of us speak about prayer but we never seem to pray. This is a fact. We talk a good story...but as you know...talk is cheap. DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT PRAYER WORKS?
If you REALLY believe that prayer works, WHY do you not pray? I understand that prayer is not easy. I understand that it is hard to focus your attention to the needs of others. I understand that it is hard to find time to make this commitment. I understand that you have many cares and problems that require your attention. I understand that live sometimes breaks you down.

God has the answer! God is the answer! Are you looking for miracles, signs, and wonders? Do you think about the Apostles and the power they had? If you have the Holy Spirit you have the POWER to do anything the Apostles were able to do. You just have to stir up the gift that is within you and go for it! This is your moment. I challenge you to become a PRAYER WARRIOR! Go For It!

You choose the live you live. No one makes these choices for you. You choose the life you live. Stop allowing your life to run you and react to life as it happens to you. YOU make the choice to change your world. Do it through prayer!

Dust On The Altar



Stand On The Word

PRAYER WARRIOR CHALLENGE

Last week I began thinking about being a prayer warrior. So I ask myself...what is a prayer warrior? Who is a prayer warrior? What does a prayer warrior do?

A prayer warrior is ANYONE who believes that interceding with God on behalf of others will achieve measurable results! The youngest child can be a prayer warrior if there is faith. The business world is outcome oriented with fancy metrics to discover these outcomes. You do not need a metric to discover if God has answered your prayers. God is looking for people who are willing to get beyond themselves and (1) make a choice to pray (2) make a commitment to stay with it.

A PRAYER WARRIOR prays! A PRAYER WARRIOR commits to daily prayer for others. A PRAYER WARRIOR is not defeated when things look their worst. A PRAYER WARRIOR knows that God may answer in many ways and that yes and no are not the only possible answers to a situation. A PRAYER WARRIOR does not whine about their own problems to the Lord. A PRAYER WARRIOR tells God all about it and moves beyond self to intercede for others. A PRAYER WARRIOR takes up the shield of faith and KNOWS without doubt that God is listening!

Be a PRAYER WARRIOR! Nothing you choose to do will compare with the battles you will win in the heavenlies!

Ephesians 6:16
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

I challenge you today! Take up the shield of faith and go forth to do battle on behalf of the church of God! Claim your lost children, your friends, and give spiritual covering to your church family in the Name of Jesus Christ!

Image Credits
Retrieved from Creative Commons Google and Yahoo Images May 19, 2009

Faith

Faith is at the core of the belief system for every follower of Jesus Christ. So what is faith? Hebrews 11: 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ²For by it the elders obtained a good report.
The New International Version makes this even more plain: ¹Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ²This is what the ancients were commended for.

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Romans 1:17
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Hebrews chapter 11 is a wonderful recounting of the patriarchs and early believers who followed God without reservation. These ancients demonstrated the value of living and walking by faith. Their lives were blessed and they received miracles of astounding greatness.

Hebrews 12: 1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

²Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our world is at a crossroad that may lead to the end of the age. But...we are not there yet! At this moment in time it is important to stand firm on your faith. Keep up your prayer life! Review your attitudes daily. Ask yourself what God is looking for in you? What can I do that will be pleasing to God?

To you older believers who have stood firm for your whole life...thank you. However, you must remember that the race is not run...the battle is not over...and the end has not come. While you may wonder what God can do with you at your time of life, you must make yourself available to the Lord. God is looking for prayer warriors. Prayer is the greatest thing you can do for yourself, your family, your church family, and your community! God will take your prayers and turn your church into a powerhouse and a soul winning station! It is up to you to take up the challenge and stand on the faith that you have carried with you through the long years of your life.

Be a PRAYER WARRIOR! Nothing you choose to do will compare with the battles you will win in the heavenlies!

Ephesians 6:16
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

I challenge you today! Take up the shield of faith and go forth to do battle on behalf of the church of God! Claim your lost children, your friends, and give spiritual covering to your church family in the Name of Jesus Christ!

Image Credits
Retrieved from Creative Commons Google and Yahoo Images May 19, 2009

How to Handle Tragedy

There are times in our life when something, sickness or death, or both stops us in our tracks and grabs our attention in the worst way. Sometimes fear comes upon us unexpectedly. At times like these it is important to stop the panic and distress. Step back and take a moment to review our situation in the light of the word of God. God's promises are true and faithful. We do not know why we must go through terrible trials. We may never know the answer. One thing I do know is that God has a plan for every one of us! You had a plan from the moment you were born. Sometimes plans get changed because of choices we make but there is always a plan.

The following exerpt from Psalms 55 has now become a prayer for help in time of tragedy and need. Pray this prayer when you are in doubt and distress. Dig deep in your faith and purpose in your heart to stand fast on the word of God. He loves you. His love never fails.

1. Psalm 55:22
   Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
   Psalm 55:21-23 (in Context) Psalm 55 (Whole Chapter)

¹ Give ear to my prayer, O God,
And do not hide Yourself from my supplication.
² Attend to me, and hear me;
I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily,...

⁴ My heart is severely pained within me,
And the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
⁵ Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me,
And horror has overwhelmed me.
⁶ So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and be at rest.
⁷ Indeed, I would wander far off,
And remain in the wilderness. Selah
⁸ I would hasten my escape
From the windy storm and tempest.”

¹² For it is not an enemy who reproaches me;
Then I could bear it.
Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me;
Then I could hide from him.

¹⁶ As for me, I will call upon God,
And the LORD shall save me.
¹⁷ Evening and morning and at noon
I will pray, and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice.
¹⁸ He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me,
For there were many against me.

²² Cast your burden on the LORD,
And He shall sustain you;
He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

1. 1 Peter 5:7
   Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
   1 Peter 5:6-8 (in Context) 1 Peter 5 (Whole Chapter)

Does God Hear Our Prayers?

Do you feel sometimes that your prayers get no higher than the ceiling and that God is a million miles away? Do you wonder if God is listening or if he has turned his attention away from you?

These feelings are natural and part of the human condition. God is always listening. He does not always answer when WE feel that he should. Of course we need to remember that we are serving God and not the other way around. God does not serve at our pleasure. We serve Him!

^{Hebreews 4}

¹⁴Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Sometimes it is hard to understand that just because God does not send an answer immediately, it does not mean that he is not listening. Walking by Faith is a hard task at times. When you decided to take up your cross and follow Jesus you made a hard choice. Included in that choice is the obligation to keep the faith even when your feelings get the best of you. Feelings will deceive you. They will make you think many things that are totally false.

Sometime God says, "My grace is sufficient." Not what you wanted to hear!

God is listening, take heart, soon you will have your answer!

Blessings!

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Creative commons Google Images

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What is Sin? What Does God Hate?

Can Sin Be Disregarded?

We live in a world where sin is no longer part of our reality. Some people believe that there is no real right and wrong, it is all relative. Fads and fashions in the world come and go. As children of God it is important that we know what God hates and detests. Here is something for you to consider.

Proverbs 6

¹⁶ There are six things the LORD hates,
seven that are detestable to him:

¹⁷ haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,

¹⁸ a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,

¹⁹ a false witness who pours out lies
and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

Opinion is just that...opinion! When seeking the Lord it is best to make sure you deal in reality!

Blessings!

Lay Hold on Eternal Life

1. 1 Timothy 6:12
   Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
2. 1 Timothy 6:19
   Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

I have been thinking a lot about laying hold on eternal life. I have lived for the Lord by choice almost as long as I have been alive. It seems to me many of us become accustomed to living for God and the lifestyle that it becomes a way of life. Now, this can be a good thing or a bad thing.

If we become so used to living for God that we lose sight of the intensity, the passion, and the need to pray more effectively, we may find ourselves in trouble during the perilous times in which we now live. It is time for the believers to forget about superficial values and get to the core of the issue. The hard questions must be asked. Do you or do you not believe we are living in the End Times? If you do believe we are in the end times, it is beyond foolish to live in a manner that does not acknowledge that fact.

Jesus gave us specific instructions about living in the last days.

Luke 21

The Coming of the Son of Man
25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

The Parable of the Fig Tree
29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

The Importance of Watching
34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. ³⁵ For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Friends, I feel in my soul that something has changed. I can't quite put my finger on it. I have been looking for the Rapture of the Church every day of my life as long as I can remember. One thing I know is that He is coming for a people who are looking for Him. Today there are more people who are haters of Christianity. In fact many people hate anyone who represents God...any god! Purpose in your heart today that you will make your calling and election sure!

Blessings!