Study in Prayer

We’ve been doing a deep dive on your need to study the Word of God for yourself and not relying only on the teachings of me, your pastor or other ministry leaders your entire life. YOU need to be studying the Word on a daily basis in order for you to survive and thrive in this fallen world on a daily basis. Amen!

In yesterday’s study session, our subject verse was from Mark 14:35, where we see Jesus asking the Father that, if there was any other way of doing what was about to happen (going to the Cross), he would prefer that. But then, as soon as He said it, He said, basically, “Let your WILL be done.”  In other words, if there is no other way, “let’s do it you way.”

Today, we read the same account, but from the Book of Matthew. Notice this is now the second time Jesus prayed this to the Father. There MUST have been some doubt and unbelief presenting itself to Jesus while He was praying about what is about to happen. THERE MUST HAVE BEEN!

The Bible says Jesus was tempted in all ways, just like we are.  Here, the devil is tempting Him. From the text, we can assume he is whispering in the ears of Jesus, “You don’t have to do this. God is capable of doing it in any way He chooses. IF you are the Son of God, don’t you think He could swing some other plan into operation? I mean, after all, He IS God – and do anything!  Haven’t you been preaching on that? Just ask Him to find some other way because you just do not want to do this thing…”

Why do you think Jesus prayed, “Let you will be done?”  He was hoping the Holy Spirit would tell Him there WAS another way… but when there was no immediate response, Jesus KNEW He had His answer. Go with the plan of God that had been predetermined from before the foundation of the world. Amen!

We will all have similar opportunities to question God’s Will in certain situations. There are Muslim brothers and sisters in Christ who are faced with, basically, the same question on a daily basis.  “Reject your claim the Jesus is Lord and the only way to Heaven – or you will die!”

Each and every single day, Christians are being put to death simply for their Faith. Usually, here in America, we look at it as happening “over there” and not “over here.”  But those times have already changed – for the worse – if you are a Christian!

Christians are being polarized, demonized, shunned, ridiculed and BLAMED for everything going wrong in America right now!  If we preach the Bible – we are labeled as racist, homophobic, gender phobic, transphobic, and whatever other labels are the “Words of the Day” in hell. 

The time has come where Christians, here in the United States, are beginning to see how difficult it is for our Muslim brethren to take their public stands of Faith in Jesus, despite the hardships or consequences. 

Christians here in America are basically impotent Christians. Weak, limp, unable to function as designed. Unable to bring joy or pleasure to anyone else’s life. Unable to influence another into making the True decisions for salvation in Christ alone. Unable to impact today’s society, political processes or culture in positive ways…

And when we try, we are demonized, threatened, lose our jobs, jeopardize our health and our families well-being.  And these things are just starting here!  Soon, we WILL be just about like any other Communist nation or Muslim nation – probably a combination of the two.

Then, we will long for the days where we could read our own Bibles and attend worship services. Instead, we will be on our own. Churches closed, preaching the Word outlawed or severely limited, etc.

So, as we close for today, I want to pray that YOU will take the stand of Faith every single time any form of persecution arises. It is a way to build up “herd immunity” against the wiles of the devil. Amen!

Let’s Pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

We’ve been doing a deep dive on your need to study the Word of God for yourself and not relying only on the teachings of me, your pastor or other ministry leaders your entire life. YOU need to be studying the Word on a daily basis in order for you to survive and thrive in this fallen world on a daily basis. Amen!

Sometimes, folks are in a position of pain and suffering. But YOU cannot just stop and preach them a quick sermon or sermonette. YOU need to be schooled in faith before you or anyone else can receive from God.

The only way that can happen is when you study the Word for yourself. Let the Word explain itself to you. It will…it may not be immediate, but if you are pondering scriptures over and over in your heart – God will begin to explain them to you!

It might be through a teaching I or some other minister conducts. It might be through other scriptures you read in the Bible. Scripture DOES interpret scripture. Amen!

I shared an example several days ago about someone wanting to be prayed for so she could be healed. But her concept of healing was, “When you pray for me, if I receive my healing, it must be God’s will for me to be healed – if not, it’s not.”

Folks, even though she had been sitting in church for years, listening to the Word – in fact, she was a Sunday school teacher – so she was instructing our most precious assets – our kids – in the things of God – yet, she was living in doubt and unbelief!  It’s amazing…

If we believe the Word like that, that if we pray for healing according to God’s Word – and don’t get healed – it MUST be because it is not God’s will for Him to heal ME.  It may be His will to heal YOU – but not ME. 

That is ridiculous. God is NOT a respecter of one person over another. That is not how He operates. 

But, if you or someone you know says something like that, “Well, if I get healed, it’s because it’s God’s will to heal me. If it’s not His Will, then I won’t get healed.”  If you believe that – WHY do you go to the doctor?

Think about it… 

You want to be in the PERFECT WILL OF GOD, right?

Well, the Word says we can “have the petitions we desire of Him.” Jesus taught the if we “Believe the things we say, we can have them.” 

And if your prayer for healing “If it be they will” is not answered, you conclude it is NOT God’s will to heal you. Which means it MUST be God’s will for you to be sick. Maybe to teach you something… keep you humble. “Oh, this must be my thorn in the flesh, just like the Apostle Paul. It’s just something I must endure…”

OK… if that is what you are believing God’s Will is, WHY are you going to the doctor?  Are you going to the doctor to GET OUT OF GOD’s WILL?

Or are you putting your full faith and confidence in the doctor and in medicine. Or will you put your full faith and confidence in God. 

Your choice. Choose wisely. 

If it is God’s will for you to be sick – then taking anything so much as an aspirin would be YOU trying to get OUT of the Will of God for your life.  

Think about it…

Let’s Pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

Yesterday, I shared how people today are being led into a new form of the “Dark Ages” where they are being taught NOT to read the Word of God themselves. They are taught to rely on the pastor to do the studying and TELL them what the Word says. At least, his or her interpretation of what the Word says. And people today do not know if that interpretation is correct or not!  Why? Because they never crack open their own bible and study it for themselves!

I shared about how went to someone’s home, praying for them and explaining what the Bible had to say about their situation. I then asked to see their Bible because I wanted them to see the scripture with their own two eyes – and they could not find their Bible!

That was PROOF they had not been reading the Word on their own!

I’ve also visited some folks and they have their Bible right there on the coffee table in the living room. AWESOME, right?  And when we start talking about the Word and I say, “Here, let me show you…” and reach for the Bible…

And you can see the exact outline of the Bible in the dust on the coffee table. Not only has that Bible not been cracked open in weeks or months… but they are not cleaning and dusting their home on a regular basis either!  Amen!  Yup – I’m jumping up and down on your spiritual toes today! Amen!

But, this goes to my point that church leaders are taking their congregations back into the Dark Ages where only the church leadership should study Word, interpret the Word and explain the Word. The people sitting under the teaching in church are either too stupid to understand the Word or if they read it on their own, they will discover the pastor has not been studying the Word either!

Folks, the devil knows the Word of God inside and out, upside down and sideways on Sundays. He knows the Word better than you and I will ever know it! But it does him no good at all. He is in attendance at your church meetings and in ministry conferences, too!  Not so he can get saved – that is predetermined and will never happen…

But he is in their watching YOU. He is in there to steal the Word that has been planted into your heart before those seeds can take root and start to grow. He is there to whisper in your ear “don’t listen to this…it’s not for you…”  And you would be surprised to find out how many people leave those meetings thinking those exact thoughts!

We have to admit, the devil is slick… He’s still going to hell and lake of fire forever…but he is drawing as many misguided people with him that he can. 

I do not say this lightly or in jest – YOU need to be in the Word of God in your own quite study time. AMEN! 

That is the ONLY way you will find out what the Word says already belongs to you. That is the ONLY way you will know the perfect WILL OF GOD for your situation. That is the ONLY way you can take an unchangeable stand in the promises of God that He has for you. PERIOD!

I want to pray for you right now that your Spiritual eyes have been opened now to the understanding that YOU need to study the Word for yourself. Amen!

Let’s Pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

Yesterday, I shared an example of how ministries, churches, pastors and the like are doing a disservice to their members by using those television screens to post scriptures and notes and things during the services.  The example I gave concerned a major league pitcher wanting to learn a new pitch. He went to all day seminar on how to throw this pitch – then, came to the game.

He is in the 7th game of the World Series and his manager brought him into the game in the bottom of the ninth inning, up by one run, but with the bases loaded and two outs. They only need one out to win the entire World Series. But the batter he is about to face is the best hitter in the major leagues that year.  The manager tells his pitcher, “I only want you to throw that new pitch you learned about today. It’s batters weakest pitch!”

But this pitcher has never even thrown this pitch in practice! He has never even put his fingers around the ball in the prescribed manner. He has never had a chance to practice – at all.

Most people would say that is a bad manager for expecting his player to do that! And you would be 100% correct!  But that is what pastors and ministers are doing to their congregations each and every week!  They are teaching what the Word of God says…

But they are not allowing their members to practice the Word of God under their supervision BEFORE going into the biggest game of their life – LIFE in the world!  Where the devil is trying to win each and every moment of each and every day. And HE has practiced!

We need to be IN the Word each and every day. Not just listening to it like you are listening to me now. Not just watching, like you may be watching me right now. But actually, physically, opening the Bible and turning the scripture reference with your own two little hands. Amen!

Then, taking notes in the margins of your Bible. YES – you can write in your Bible!  Some people are like, “I could NEVER deface my Bible that way… I hold it in “reverence” too much to write in it…”

Is that so?  When was the last time you took it to church?  If I visited your house, and this has actually happened to me, so I can share about this, and you said you were having issues with such and such… and I said, “The Bible says, in (and then gave a scripture reference that explained you already had the victory in this area)” and you said, “Really? The Bible says that?”

And I said, “Oh yeah! In fact, let me see your Bible, I want your own two eyes to read it…”

I’ve had folks give me a blank stare, look around and then call their wife or their husband and ask, “Where’s my bible? The pastor wants to show me something…”

That tells me they are not reading the Word on a daily basis at all. They are relying on someone else to tell them what the Word says. In fact, that is exactly what the “Dark Ages” was all about back in the days of Martin Luther and such. The leaders of the church would not allow their people to read the Word on their own!

It’s true, look it up!  The legal authority in the Church said lay people could not read the Word for themselves because it might make people go crazy or they may misinterpret what they read. The only people who were “trained to rightly interpret the Word” was the ministry folks. 

That’s why Martin Luther, when he posted his note on the church door for all to read, created an awakening like had never been seen before then!  Because the lay people read what he had written and started to question their church leaders about it!

Then, they invented the printing press and the Gutenburg Bible was printed and started to be distributed. Praise God! The PEOPLE could begin to read the Word for themselves for the very first time!  But here we are just a few hundred years later – going back into the Dark Ages at the very time we should be studying the Word because JESUS is about to return! Amen!

I want to pray with you right now that you would repent of not reading the Word of God on your own!  Pull out your Bible and begin to read what the Word says! Amen!

Let’s Pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

Yesterday, I shared how some people can sit under anointed teachings for many, many years, but yet, they do not develop Faith in the Word of God. Oh, they may be born again – don’t get me wrong. But they never see continuous victory in the life over various circumstances the devil puts on them.

He is able to put things on them, sickness in their body; financial oppression; attack their family, etc. etc. – because they truly do not know KNOW the Word of God concerning these things. They do not know His Word because they fail to read His Word and give HEED to His Word. What do I mean by that?

Many times, our sermons, our teachings, etc., just go in one ear and out the other of the people we share the Word with. Those people will say things like, “That was a great teaching today! I just love sitting under the Word and having it explained in ways I can understand it!”

But, if you run across them two hours later and ask, “How was church today,” they will respond with the same style of comment. Then, if you ask, “What did the pastor preach on? What was the topic?” You will be met with a blank stare. They can’t remember?  Then they will respond with, “I don’t remember exactly, but it was good!”

That makes about as much sense as someone saying to you, “I’ll tell you what, I had the best meal yesterday I’ve had in two years! It was awesome!” And you ask them “What did you have to eat?” And they replied with, “You know, I don’t remember… but it was awesome!  I’ve never had a better meal!”  Does that make sense? 

NO!  But yet, that is EXACTLY what many Christians do concerning the Word of God that they heard taught just a few hours ago!  And they cannot even remember one scripture reference from the Word of God either!

You have probably said the same thing a time or two!  Brother Bob is raising his hands, too!  Because I’ve said the same thing… amen!

But that is NOT the way it is supposed to be!  In fact, I believe one of the main reasons for this today is because the churches are SPOILING you!  Amen!  Let me jump up and down on some spiritual toes as we get ready to close…

Back, just a couple of decades ago, when most people went to church, they brought their Bibles with them!  And the pastor would get up front and say, “Turn with me to – and give a scripture.” He would then wait a few seconds, looking out into the audience, as people were pulling out THEIR bibles and turning to the scripture so they could study it together!

You would see people with their ink pens and paper, ready to take notes. Some would be writing in their bibles so they could remember things as they were reading them at home in their personal study time.

But, now days, they put the scripture up on the big screen and the pastor just reads it and starts teaching. There is no “hands on experience” working in your own, personal bible anymore! None!

Imagine a major league baseball pitcher. The best in the game.  He attends a training session because he wants to learn a new pitch. When he arrives at the venue, he watches videos about how to throw this pitch. Then, they send him out into the live game situation. 7th game of the World Series.

He’s never practiced the pitch. He has never thrown ONE BALL after all of the training videos. But now, he is put into the ultimate situation for a pitcher – game 7 of the world series. Maybe he’s a relief pitcher. And his team is up by one run in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs and the bases loaded and the hottest hitter in baseball that year is coming up to bat.

But the manager says, “I want you to take what you learned today and use it NOW. Do not throw any other pitch – just that new one you learned about.”

How successful do you think this pitcher will be? You would also think something is wrong with the manager for expecting the pitcher to be able win this battle, right? 

But yet, that is exactly what believers are doing each and every Sunday. It is exactly what pastors are doing to their congregation each and every Sunday, too.  No hands on practice in the Word. They just let their people come to church and watch television. 

Anyway, I’m way over today…

Let’s Pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

Yesterday, we started to look at something that I said would grow your Faith exponentially in ways that you would never experience any other way.  That is to know and understand that “God’s Word IS God’s Will.”  Amen!

We looked yesterday at 1 John 5:14-15 that says, “…and this is the confidence that WE HAVE – IN HIM!  That, if we ask ANYTHING according to what?  HIS WILL – He hears us. And if we KNOW that HE hears us, whatsoever we ask, we KNOW that we HAVE the petitions that we desire of Him…”

Another translation says, “And this the BOLDNESS we have towards Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

Almost immediately, our carnal, natural minds want to focus on the phrase, “…according to His will…”  That is why many misguided people, pastors included, often pray, “Lord, do this or that, IF it be thy will…”

Other times, we pray for things about which we already have God’s Word, so we KNOW His will concerning those things. When we insert a phrase that expressed doubt and unbelief, like “IF it be thy will…” it is incorrect and negates our entire prayer!  We already KNOW His will because we know what His Word says!

To say, “If it be thy will” when you already KNOW His Word and His will, is confessing YOU DOUBT His Word! You are telling Him, the angels and THE DEVIL that you really, really, REALLY deep down in your heart and soul, DO NOT BELIEVE HIS WORD!

That is dangerous area for any believer to be operating in!  Not believing His Word?  How can you have faith in your salvation then?  How can you have Faith that Jesus actually did what the Word said He did? How can you have Faith that Jesus is actually the Son of God manifested in the flesh? How can you have Faith that He really did rise from the dead? How can you have Faith that YOU are going to Heaven? How?  Go ahead, I’ll wait…answer me…

Folks, God’s Word IS the revealed Will of God!  Therefore, if you learn and know what the Word of God says, YOU know what the will of God IS. Amen!

Some misguided folks believe that the only way you can know the Will of God is by praying, “If it be they will.” 

I heard a famous preacher that I follow, well “followed,” back when I first began my walk of Faith. He has since gone on to be with the Lord…

He said in a meeting one time, talking about this very thing, that once he was called to his deacon’s house because his wife was extremely sick. The deacon was obeying the word and called for him to come, based upon James 5:14-15.

But this minister knew, even though this woman was a Sunday school teacher, her husband a deacon and they had been with him for close to 20 years, sitting under his teachings, etc., that she may not have developed a deep, abiding Faith in the Word. And the only way to find out, according to the Word, is “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”

So, as he prepared to anoint her and pray for her, he asked, “Sister, will you be healed as I anoint you with oil, lay hands on you and pray over in Jesus Name?”

Her response, “I will be if it’s God’s Will.”

He said, “How are you going to know if it’s God’s Will?”  Now, the ONLY right answer there is “It’s in His Word. It says I’m healed, therefore I AM HEALED!”

But she did not say that, she replied, “When you pray, IF I’m healed, THEN I will know it is God’s Will for me to be healed.”  

It’s amazing, how someone can sit under anointed teaching for most of their life and still MISS what the Word of God is truly about. AMEN!

If it is IN the Word – It IS God’s Will. Period. End of discussion!  Amen!

Let’s Pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

I want to go into a discussion today, of something that will move your prayer life along the path of success faster than anything else I know.  That is the very fact – that when you come to understand “God’s Word IS God’s Will,” you will be able to stand on His Word in Faith in whatever situation you find yourself.

In the Lord’s Prayer, it says, “Thy will be done, in earth as it is in Heaven…”  Other scriptures, too numerous to list, always reference the same fact. Just like “Your Word is Truth.” 

When you start to put these thing into perspective, you can’t help but build up your mountain moving Faith! Amen!

In First John 5:14-15, we read:

“…and this is the confidence that WE HAVE – IN HIM!  That, if we ask ANYTHING according to what?  HIS WILL – He hears us. And if we KNOW that HE hears us, whatsoever we ask, we KNOW that we HAVE the petitions that we desire of Him…”

Let’s break that verse down for a closer look…

Confidence in Him (God the Father).  What does it mean you can have confidence in someone?  It means when they give you their “word,” you know they always keep it. If someone says they will do something, you understand they will do it. No matter what. Your past experience gives you a confidence that they WILL do what they said they will DO. Amen!

Moving on… “If we ask anything, according to His Will, we know He (God) hears us…”

If someone tells you they will do something, and your past experience with says they enjoy doing whatever IT is, and they have never failed to do this sort of thing in the past… you can have that CONFIDENCE (that we just talked about), that this person will do what they promised for you. Amen!  

The rest of the verse goes on to explain how we can rest in our confidence, that whatever this person has promised he or she will do – they will do it. We don’t have to give it a second thought. It is as good a done. Amen!

If I tell my grandchildren that papa is going to do, “x, y, or z” for them, because of the relationship we have; because of their past experience of papa coming through on promises just like this in the past; because they KNOW in their heart (not just in their minds) that papa ALWAYS enjoys blessing them – they can rest assured BELIEVE that papa is going to deliver. In their mind – it’s “already been done.” Amen!

That’s the type of confidence WE can have with God when we find a promise we need in the Bible. HE wrote down His promises TO US! Amen!

Another translation of 1 John 5:14-15 says, “This the BOLDNESS we can have in Him…”

BE BOLD in your Faith! Amen!

I want to pray for you right now that you will just venture outside of your comfort zone a little bit – and BOLDNESS to simply believe what God has already promised in His Word WILL COME TO PASS in your life. This type of BOLDNESS – that His Word IS His Will – will bless you every single time you stand on His Word in YOUR prayer life. Amen!

Let’s Pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

We’ve been studying for the past week on how to “Tune into God.” Yesterday, we gave a perfect example of believing you receive your IMMEDIATE needs being met, verses having a want met. We shared a very vivid example and if you missed yesterday’s episode, go back and catch up. I believe it will open your eyes. Amen!

God can answer immediately in all things. I’m not saying He will not answer. I have personally seem Him deliver me in a financial need. I don’t have time to go into here, but – well…ok, let me share this because it will serve as an example. There was a time when we literally were living paycheck to paycheck. And the Veterans Administration was sending me a monthly check while I was taking college classes…and that was about our only income.  And this was a NEED and not a want. I had called the government agency, it was the Veterans Administration, and they said the check was being printed that day and would be put in the outgoing mail later that afternoon. It normally would take another two days for it to arrive. Sometimes three. But I needed it the next day. And it was a NEED. I prayed…

My wife and I went to the store and when we came back, out of habit, I looked in the mailbox and there was the check. It had not even been two hours after I called and was told it was being printed “that afternoon.” But here was the check. And the amazing part - There was not even a postage cancellation stamp in the corner!  Then, about 30 minutes later, the mail truck went by putting our daily mail in the mailbox…

I believe God sent an angel who grabbed that check as soon as it was printed and that angel, under orders from God, flew out and put it my mail box. You can’t talk me into accepting any other explanation. But that was the only income we had at the time and I needed that check to pay the rent without incurring a late fee (that would have eaten up even more of our finances). SO YES – God will answer financial NEEDS immediately as well.

But, let’s talk about some other needs. Have you ever faced an extreme circumstance where you were facing death in the face? I have. My time in the military and a few instances as a police officer, I have faced the prospect of “this could be it.” 

How do you react in those situations? 

By FAITH.  You see, faith WORKS every single time it is put to the test. Every single time.

If you believe you will fail, guess what – you will.

If you believe you will persevere – you will.

That does not mean you can say over and over, “I believe I win; I believe I win; I believe I win” and then, miraculously, the enemy just dies of a heart attack right before you very eyes. It could happen, but that does not mean that. 

What I’m talking about is this…

In those situations I was describing, I had to rely on my training. I had been trained for those exact situations. I had received the best training available. And the exact situation I was facing at that time, in my mind, though it was real, the training I had received kicked in.

That is why the military trains so much!  We used to say in the Cavalry, “We train today just as we will fight tomorrow.” We had another saying that “we train to be wet, cold, tired and miserable. And we are experts at it.” Amen!

But, when you are facing death in the face, you need to rely on your training. Then, something called, “muscle memory” kicks in.

I was trained in martial arts in my military days. That training served me as a police officer a few times. 

I remember one instance, this person loved to fight cops. I did not know it at the time of the traffic stop. But our dispatch did as they were running the tags. I heard them call another unit to come to my location and they gave a code word that meant I had a dangerous subject stopped. 

I did not react to the radio call to the other unit. They called me on the radio with the code word, I just reached up and said, “10-4” and continued talking in a normal tone to the driver. He had no clue that I knew what was about to happen.

As the other officer arrived, I asked the driver to step out of the car. He did so, and I informed him he was being placed under arrest (I’m not going into details as to why, that’s not important here). But, when I grabbed his arm to turn him around, because of my martial arts training, I felt him tense up and begin a move to break my grip…

Because of my training, and muscle memory, I immediately countered his move and he ended up in an arm bar on the ground. The other officer was only about four feet away and did not even have a chance to move in and assist! That is how fast my reactions were.

Now, I credit that to my training. I had trained hundreds of times, at least, for that exact situation. So, when it happened, I did not have to wonder what I was going to do. I did not have to ask for assistance. I did not panic. Muscle memory took over and I did what I had been trained to do.  The dangerous situation was over in a matter of a second or two, successfully. 

What does that have to do with this scripture or you facing a life or death situation?

Because if PRAY like your life depended on it; if you BELIEVED your prayers were answered the moment you prayed – and not focus on what you see, hear or feel in the natural – YOU will be the victor over the devil each and every single time. 

Amen!  Your mantra should be THERE IS NO FEAR HERE. Amen!

Never give up. Never give in. Never turn tail and run. PRAY, BELIEVE and RECEIVE. Amen!

Let’s Pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

Boy if that isn’t a scripture that’s applicable to society today. Amen!

We have been talking these past few days about being “tuned into” God. Yesterday, I shared the example of you and your family being surrounded by a gang of thugs and your pray for immediate deliverance and help.  Earlier that day, you prayed for your light bill to be paid. God has not answered either prayer – yet.

You truly believe you need a couple of thousand dollars of income – Immediately – or the lights are being turned off and you will not have any food to feed the family. That is not a NEED – it is an immediate WANT. You may think you NEED it (and you do). But in reality, it is your fault you are in that position, right?  We covered before that you were probably living outside your income, relying on credit cards to be paid with your income – but now that is lost. Right?

Now, let’s say you are out on a walk with your family and group of thugs surrounds you and is threatening to kill all of you.  They pull out their knives and they are getting ready to go to town on your family. You cry out to God…

How would you like it if God answered, while you are about to be attacked, with, “Ok – I’m going to give you what you want. Once you get home, there is a $1000 check waiting for you in the mail box… It took me several weeks to get the right people to finally wake up and send it…but it’s there.”

That’s what you WANTED right? That’s what you begged God for during the past several days. The $1000?  That’s what you’ve been praying for… it was a WANT, right?

OR – would you be praying for God for an IMMEDIATE answer to a very REAL NEED that you have concerning the safety of your family?  Which one would you rather have God answer?

THE NEED for immediate deliverance, right?

You’re crying out to God, “PLEASE GOD, HELP US!”

And about 5 seconds later, a police car just happens to turn the corner.  The thugs see it and start running. Now, the police are in pursuit…and you and your family are safe.

Would that be God answering an IMMEDIATE NEED that was totally out of your control - or your WANT which was based upon past mistakes you’ve made?

Which one would you prefer God to answer?

I think everyone would agree the immediate need would be priority. You still WANT the $1000 and it is needful…but as far as BELIEVING YOU RECEIVE WHEN YOU PRAY – are you seeing the difference as far as how quickly God can answer a NEED and how the WANTS will come… it will come… in due time.

Again, God can answer immediately in all things. I’m not saying He will not answer. I have personally seem Him deliver me in a financial need. I don’t have time to go into here, but – well…ok, let me share this because it will serve as an example. There was a time when we literally were living paycheck to paycheck. And the Veterans Administration was sending me a monthly check while I was taking college classes…and that was about our only income.  And this was a NEED and not a want. I had called the government agency, it was the Veterans Administration, and they said the check was being printed that day and would be put in the outgoing mail later that afternoon. It normally would take another two days for it to arrive. Sometimes three. But I needed it the next day. And it was a NEED. I prayed…

My wife and I went to the store and when we came back, out of habit, I looked in the mailbox and there was the check. It had not even been two hours after I called and was told it was being printed “that afternoon.” But here was the check. And the amazing part - There was not even a postage cancellation stamp in the corner!  Then, about 30 minutes later, the mail truck went by putting our daily mail in the mailbox…

I believe God sent an angel who grabbed that check as soon as it was printed and that angel, under orders from God, flew out and put it my mail box. You can’t talk me into accepting any other explanation. But that was the only income we had at the time and I needed that check to pay the rent without incurring a late fee (that would have eaten up even more of our finances). SO YES – God will answer financial NEEDS immediately as well.

But, let’s talk about some other needs. Have you ever faced an extreme circumstance where you were facing death in the face? I have. My time in the military and a few instances as a police officer, I have faced the prospect of “this could be it.” 

How do you react in those situations? 

By FAITH.  You see, faith WORKS every single time it is put to the test. Every single time.

If you believe you will fail, guess what – you will.

If you believe you will persevere – you will.  If you believe you receive – you will. Amen!

Let’s Pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2

We have been talking these past few days about being “tuned into” God. Yesterday, we began to look at our “needs verses wants.” And, truth be told, most of pray about our wants and not our needs.  We are going to continue that line of teaching today…

But I want to warn you – if you are one of those “sensitive” Christians who are easily offended when the Truth hurts, you may as well get out your Sport Cream or whatever, your Tylenol or whatever – because I’m going to jumping up on down on Spiritual toes today! Glory to God!

You could have been praying for God to deliver you from financial oppression. And, truth be told, if you are honest, if your debts are out of control as compared to your income, it is usually because you lived beyond your means. You were spending today based on tomorrow’s income…and something happened to tomorrow’s income.

The pandemic shutdown your business… or you lost your job. But the debts are still there and the debtors want their money.

Whose fault is it? Don’t blame the economy - or China - or the government. They did not tell you to incur the debt. If you did not have the debt, yes, you might not have that 84” flat panel TV to watch the Super Bowl on… but you would not have the debt for it either.

I’m not saying this to condemn anyone. I’m using it as an example of NEED verses WANT.

You WANTED the TV.  Now, you have a NEED for income to pay for it. If you would have saved $100 per month for several months, and then, if you still wanted it, you could have paid cash for it. But, you took immediate possession based upon several months of income in the future, which is now none existent.  Again, I’m not perfect. I’ve done the same thing. That’s why I can talk about it…because I’ve experienced it. 

Have you noticed the best person to help another alcoholic to recover is a recovered alcoholic? Or the best person to help a drug addict is a former addict? That’s because they can speak from experience. That’s what I’m able to do concerning finances. We’ve made our mistakes in the past…and learned from them. That’s why I can share this with you. Not in condemnation – but from experience. Amen..

OK, enough on that…on with my example. You need a couple of thousand dollars of income – Immediately – or the lights are being turned off and you will not have any food to feed the family. That is an immediate WANT. You may think you NEED it (and you do). But in reality, it is your fault you are in that position, right?

Now, let’s say you are out on a walk with your family and group of thugs surrounds you and is threatening to kill all of you.  They pull out their knives and they are getting ready to go to town on your family. You cry out to God…

How would you like it if God answered, while you are about to be attacked, with, “Ok – I’m going to give you what you want. Once you get home, there is a $1000 check waiting for you in the mail box… It took me several weeks to get the right people to finally wake up and send it…but it’s there.”

That’s what you WANTED right? The $1000?  That’s what you’ve been praying for during the last several weeks… it was a WANT, right?

OR – would you be praying for God for an IMMEDIATE answer to a very REAL NEED that you have concerning the safety of your family?  Which one would you rather have God answer?

THE NEED for immediate deliverance, right?

You’re crying out to God, “PLEASE GOD, HELP US!”

And about 5 seconds later, a police car just happens to turn the corner.  The thugs see it and start running. Now, the police are in pursuit…and you and your family are safe.

Would that be God answering an IMMEDIATE NEED that was totally out of your control - or your WANT which was based upon past mistakes you’ve made?

Which one would you prefer God to answer?

I think everyone would agree the immediate need would be priority. You still WANT the $1000 and it is needful…but as far as BELIEVING YOU RECEIVE WHEN YOU PRAY – are you seeing the difference as far as how quickly God can answer a NEED and how the WANTS will come… it will come… in due time.

Amen!

Let’s Pray!

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave us a quick 5 star review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow and be sure to visit our website for more information on our ministry: https://podcastersforchrist.com. And while you are at the website, download the free resource I have for you… it is free and is called, “How to Start a Christian Podcast.” It will bless you – go and download it today.

You can also WATCH these session on our Facebook Playlist at this link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtKWeKtmv-BwgkquBTsSh-GznbmuUp_R2