Harbor Rock Tabernacle

When we pray, it requires a strong focus and a strong faith. We have to set aside time to enter in God's presence, and then trust that He will be gracious and generous in answering. In his final words to Israel, Moses talked about why this is so important: Because the Lord is so near to His people that He meets us whenever we call on Him. This simple, amazing truth is easy to take for granted. But this short Prayer Meeting study calls us to see this with a new perspective, and to be humbled and eager to utilize this awesome privilege.

In 1 Timothy 4, Paul warned Timothy and all believers that in the latter times when Christ will return, some will fall away from the faith. The enemy is pushing this through deception and false doctrine, and increasingly, people are falling for it. As Christians, we are called to be nourished by God's Word and to discipline ourselves for Godliness. This study details the vital importance of both, and gives a call to fresh discipline in four significant areas of our lives. Our response to that call gives great insight into the state of our heart.

Every person has pain in their past, often associated with someone who has hurt us, been mean to us, or broken our heart. We may not want to forgive them, especially when they don't apologize, but doing so will free us from the chains of anger and resentment. In this study from Colossians 3, we look at the example of Jesus Christ, and see how extending grace and being willing to forgive not only reveals a transformed heart, but changes our perspective and heals relationships.

There are times when we wish we could have a "do over" with something in our past. Our frustration over what has happened in the past can make us sad, or we may idealize something or someone, creating unhappiness with our life now. In Ecclesiastes 7, the Spirit teaches us about the harmful effects of living in the past, both personally and spiritually. Then, reminding us of His wisdom and work, He calls us to see His purpose in allowing difficulty and "bending" our plans when they are misguided.

Discouragement can be a common struggle, and there are multiple spiritual factors which can contribute to it. In John 21, Peter was wrestling with his own sense of failing Jesus, especially after he had boldly declared that he would never turn aside or deny Jesus. So the Lord meets him and the others in a familiar setting in Galilee. Peter's response to Jesus being there, and the Lord's words to him, give us great insight into how to move beyond discouragement.

There is nothing the Lord values more than our faith. It is at the center of everything we know and are as believers. In John 5, Jesus meets a sick man at the Pool of Bethesda, whose perseverance and hope showed that he was trusted the Lord would move in his life and help him. So when Jesus asks the pivotal question for mankind--"Do you want to be healed?--it not only applies to the man in that moment, but causes us to evaluate the question spiritually. When He calls us to faith, there are three responses that show we believe He is the Saviour and that we have been transformed.

Many of the warnings Jesus gave were to those who were arrogantly confident about what they perceived as their religious security. John the Baptist, who announced Jesus, confronted the spiritual hypocrisy of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Their proud reliance on their position and practices overshadowed the fact that their hearts were spiritually dry and unwilling to change. It is important for us to assess whether any of the same attitudes and misconceptions are influencing us. Jesus then calls us to live by conviction and bear good fruit, not intimidated by the fact that we will face opposition, but stirred that we can share the hope that is in Him.

The message the Lord gave to a small group from Judah who were not taken into captivity offers fascinating parallels for us today. There are similarities in the spiritual culture, which is cause for concern as we look at what is happening within the American Church. But this "remnant" had characteristics that the Lord highlighted, and in the middle of discouragement and crisis, He offered them words of great hope. We can experience the same promises He made to them if we will be "set apart" for the Lord. This study is a call to deeper conviction and faithful action!

As believers, we have to establish a correct and consistent way of thinking, so temptations don't persuade us, and trials don't discourage us, and spiritual warfare doesn't defeat us. In this study from Prayer Meeting, Psalm 105 teaches us the importance of focusing on the Lord in order to maintain the right perspective. This helps fight discouragement from forming in our heart and mind, and makes us strong and glad.

The Bible tells us that God is always faithful, and His mercies are new every morning. So how do we reciprocate such a kind, gracious gift, and sacrifice in return? In Ezekiel 46, the Lord called Israel to offer 3 distinct sacrifices "morning by morning". The deep spiritual meanings behind the burnt, grain and oil offerings have tremendous application for our lives now, and should change the way we start every day.