Study in Prayer

Yesterday, we started to look at some things the Apostle Paul taught us about praying with the help of the Holy Spirit. We noticed that Paul taught us some things that Jesus did not address or teach on during His earthly ministry. We also seen the reason why Jesus did not take time to teach on this subject is because the disciples would not have understood it since nobody BUT JESUS had been filled with the Holy Spirit – and that happened at HIS baptism. Amen!

Jesus did promise the disciples that the Holy Spirit would come and dwell in them and in every person who would accept Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah and as their Savior. 

He also promised them that THEY would be baptized IN the Holy Spirit AFTER HE ASCENDED to the Father. That is in Luke 24:29 and Acts 1:5 and 8.  But everything He was sharing with them was FUTURE TENSE. It was not happening right then. It would happen at some point in their future.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues is ONLY promised to born again people under the NEW Covenant. In other words, it is ONLY for those who would live under the age of the dispensation of the Church. The current time that WE are living in. That is from the time of the Crucifixion and Resurrection until the Return of Jesus to this earth.

Which, in case you have noticed, is almost here. Everything that the Bible says has to take place before the Rapture of the Church has been fulfilled. All that’s left is the Trumpet of God to sound and then we are out of here! Praise God!

That’s Good News for us and bad news for everyone else. Praise God!

Anyway, Jesus told His disciples this information before He left, before the Crucifixion. He told them the Baptism of the Holy Spirit would belong to THEM – and, of course – to US who would believe on Him through their teachings. Amen!

Look in Luke 24:49:  “And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you. But tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with Power from on High…”

 Then, in Acts 1:5-8, we read, “ For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The promises that Jesus gave to His disciples was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost. 

120 believers were gathered in the upper room and were praying when, Acts 2:4 says, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a]as the Spirit enabled them.”

We need to remember, being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues, for New Testament believers, was the norm – not the exception. Amen! And when Paul was writing these things for believers in his day, he was also writing them for us today!

It is the illegitimate, immoral churches today that frown on speaking in tongues and the Power of the Holy Spirit to operate in people’s lives that have contributed to the problems we are now witnessing in society and the culture around us today.

Let’s Pray!

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I want to look at some of the things the Apostle Paul has taught us about the Holy Spirit and prayer. He said many, many things about prayer. We’ve covered some of things he taught in some of our prayer lessons. But I want to focus the next couple of sessions on what Paul taught us about “The Holy Spirit’s Help in Prayer.” Amen!

Let’s begin by looking at Romans 8:26-27

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”

Paul is saying something here that Jesus NEVER talked about in the Gospels. Really – Go check it out… amen!  He is teaching us about the Holy Spirit HELPING US to pray. Amen!

Jesus taught on many principles of prayer. He talked about two or more agreeing together and how that amplifies the power of prayer. He talked about the prayer of faith, that we discussed around Mark 11:23-24. 

But Jesus never taught His disciples, while He was here in His earthly ministry, about the Holy Spirit would help them in prayer – as Paul is sharing with us in Romans 8:26.

Jesus never taught about praying in the Spirit or praying in other tongues. Why?  Well, the main reason is because the people He was talking to did not yet have the Pentecostal experience of being filled with the Holy Spirit themselves. They did not have any idea of what “speaking in other tongues” could even mean.

Do you want to see an example of what I mean?  In John 11:33, we know the story of Lazarus and how Jesus was late to the funeral, right? But the reason, He wanted to demonstrate He had the power over death. But their unbelief was getting to Him. Verse 33 says, “When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.”

I believe He was speaking in tongues! They had no idea what it was. He was probably praying in tongues, more or less what we would refer to as “under His breath.”  Think about…

How do I come to that conclusion? Because the disciples had no idea what He said. They called it a GROANING.  But what happened next?  He asked, “Where have you put him?”

The decision had been made – He was going to do something that ONLY God could do! Amen! 

THAT is what praying in the Holy Ghost can do for YOU!  You can bring the Power of God on the scene in an instant. The Holy Spirit can sweep in and knock any demon out that is bothering you. But YOU have to believe. YOU have to understand. YOU have to take action and PRAY in the Holy Spirit to bring HIM on the scene. Praise God!

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 left off yesterday about walking in the Light of God’s Word takes Faith and it takes Action on our part. It is not something you can just wish for. You need to be reading, studying and listening to God’s Word on a daily basis. 

 In Psalm 110:25, we read, “…quicken me according to your Word.” Jesus said, in John 15:7, “If you abide in me and my words abide in you…”

You see, God cannot quicken us according to His Word, although He wants to, unless His Word abides IN US. That means we need to be walking according to His Word, which means walking in the light. The Light of His Word. Amen!

The Word is true whether we, you or anyone who doubts the Word – it is still TRUE, through and through. Amen. Whether you choose to put it to work or not is a decision you make.

It’s kind of like, let’s say someone gives you a brand new car. Title and all. Just park it your driveway and toss you the keys.

You can say all you want, “I don’t believe that…”

But every day you leave the house to catch the bus, there is the that car, waiting to take you.

Finally, you say, “Well, I’ll get in it and see what happens.”

But you don’t use the KEYS. 

You’ll just sit there. And sit there and sit there.

So you get out and tell everyone, “I told it wouldn’t work…”

You fool, take the key, put it in the ignition and turn the key! You’ll be amazed at what will happen! Amen!

Well, the Word of God is the same way. Some people have a Bible, but never read it. It is not doing them any good at all.

You have to READ THE BIBLE for it to become active in your life. And that is only done when YOU make the decision to READ IT. 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

Jesus said in John 15:7, “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it should be done unto you.”

We have been studying about “God’s Word Needs to Abide in Us” for several days, but today I want to pivot a little bit and talk with you about “Walking in the Light of God’s Word.” 

We covered yesterday that the Word of God is a light unto our path – and it is. Psalm 119:130 says, “The entrance of your Word gives light.” 

As I shared yesterday, if you have God’s Word in your heart, it will shine a light onto your path. You are then able to walk in the light and you can make progress on what you are trying to do and achieve the results you are seeking. His Light shines into the darkness and reveals the plots of the devil as he is trying to trip you up.

But that can only happen when you have His Word in your heart. Not in your mind – in your heart. Amen!

If there is no action on your part to put God’s Word into your heart, then your path will be dark and it will be easier for the devil to trip you up or send you down a wrong turn. Light on your path only comes through God’s Word and the Word only comes through your eyes, your ears and into your heart. There is no other way. 

You cannot tattoo the Word of God on your body, proclaiming your faith and think that is impressing Jesus or will get you into Heaven. It does not work that way. 

Also, notice there is nothing in this verse talking about STANDING in the light. Nothing. First John 1:7 says, “If we WALK in the Light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another.” It does not say, “If we stand in the Light.” It does not say, “If we look at the light.” It does not say, “If we think about the Light.” It does not say, “If we memorize the light.” 

It says “IF WE WALK in the Light…” 

God’s Word IS a light unto our path. A path is something we walk on. To walk implies action on our part – not God’s part. To walk down that path, only with the Word of God shining a light on the next step – takes Faith. Faith in the Light. Faith in the Word of God. Faith in God Himself. Amen!

So, if we put together the last several different sessions we have been studying, you come to this realization. To get ANYTHING from God, we must do several things…

First, we must pray TO THE FATHER 

When we pray, we do so IN THE NAME OF JESUS

We then must ASK for what we desire

Then we must BELIEVE WE RECEIVE our prayers as answered.

Then we must ACT as if we have received the answer.  Not looking for the answer in the natural – just believing we have already received it and that it will respond in the natural based upon the Spiritual answer we already have

When we do that – we WILL see the results! We have Jesus’s promises on it – as we have already discussed. Several scriptures – I’m not going to go back over them, but let just leave you with Mark 11:24, praise God!

“Therefore, I say unto you, whatever you ask for, in prayer, believe that you have received it and it shall be yours…”

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 about having the Words of Jesus abide in you. We left off yesterday with a scripture from Romans chapter 10, verse 38 which reads, “But what does it say? The word is near thee, even in your mouth and in your heart: that is, The WORD OF FAITH, which we preach.”

The Bible, the God inspired word is called here, “The Word of Faith.” Praise God!

If this Word abides in YOU and in YOUR heart, it will cause Faith to rise up and defeat whatever devil is trying to stop you, distract you or harm you or you family. But notice, it is not the Word you know, mentally. It is not the Word you have memorized. It is the Word that is where? IN YOUR HEART. Amen!

You see, when you KNOW the Word…when you KNOW IT, deep down on the inside of you, you will not be praying in the dark, because when you KNOW the Word – it brings light into whatever situation you are facing. The Psalmist said, in Psalm 119:105 – “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”

When you know the Word, you are not stumbling about in the darkness. Your pathway is illuminated with the Word of God in your heart. You will know which path to take and you will see any obstacles that are there and go around them or go over them or go through them – because greater is He that is IN YOU than he that is in the world. Amen!

Some people, some PASTORS, some DENOMINATIONS, want to argue against Divine healing and the walk of Faith. I can’t understand why. I just don’t get it.  I believe, probably, that at some point in time, they had prayed for something or someone and their prayers were not answered. Oh, they were answered, but not the way they wanted them to be answered.

For example, they prayed that someone they loved would be healed and ended up dying. So they wrote off praying in Faith forever at that point. “I’m a person of faith. I prayed and it didn’t work. So that tells me praying for healing is bogus. God will do what God wants to do and we can’t influence it one way or another.”  Or they prayed about their income or about a job or – well about anything.

And just because God did not answer their prayer the way THEY WANTED it answered, they figure it is not God’s Will that ANYONE ever get a prayer like that answered.

Folks…I’m almost out of time…but let me share this with you before we close for today.

Back in 1989, I lost the best career I had been working in at that time. I lost it with only 12 days notice my services were no longer required. I had no back up plan. I had not other skills. I had no savings for emergencies.  And I was lost as lost could be at that time.

Even I PRAYED… but it did not work out the way I wanted it to.

Fast forward 8 years. I was in another career. Top of my field. Respected by my peers. All was good. And then, the contract we were operating under was cancelled by our home office and, in a matter of 3 months time, I went from operating the #2 producing office in the nation, to shuttering the doors forever…

I WAS BORN AGAIN during that time. Do you believe I was praying? You’re absolutely right! But, again, God did not answer my prayers. But I did not write off the Word of Faith. Not at all.

Fast forward again, about 12 years later. I was at the top of my law enforcement career. Loving life. I was the Chaplain for our departments FOP, had been for several years. I was being promoted ahead of my peers…I was living life again and enjoying life. Then an accident happened that injured me…

With in just a few more years, several surgeries, dozens of procedures, I was told I would not be able to continue working in that career field. 

I had been praying fervently for healing…

But, if God would have answered any of those prayers – from ANY of those career fields – and answered them the way I WANTED THEM ANSWERED…

I would not be doing what I’m doing today. I would not be talking to you today. I would not be in the ministry the Lord has given me today. I would not be impacting people in over 160 nations today.

So, just because God does not answer your prayers the way YOU want them answered, does not mean He is not answering your prayers. He is simply moving you to where HE wants you to end up. It may be painful. It may be sorrowful. It may be hard. But HE knows what is best FOR YOU – long term. 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