Study in Prayer

We have been talking about having the Words of Jesus abide in you. I’ve been sharing a personal story where, in the midst of one of the largest ministry events I had been a part of up to that date, a demon of sickness was trying to take me out. He knew I was the key element on our team. If he could just slow me down or take me out of that event for that one day, then the concert would not be as successful as it had been in other cities. And the devil, for whatever reason, fought hard that day to keep the soul winning concert out of Toledo, Ohio.

I shared how I fought for almost 18 hours to accomplish all of my assigned duties, including being the MC for the evening and deliver a 15 minute sermon. It really was an awesome concert and ministry event. But the reason it stands out in my mind is because of the spiritual battle that took place in my physical body throughout the day and evening. 

But, once it was over – Jesus won. Praise God. That is the point I’m trying to get you to understand. War is hell. War is not fun. But, if a soldier does what he or she is trained to do, even in the midst of a terrible battle, the outcome is usually a good one. In this particular case, I had to revert back to the only thing I could do, with so much activity taking place all around me and that I was the coordination center for it all. 

I prayed. And I prayed. And I prayed – all day and evening long. I basically stayed in a constant from of prayer throughout the entire event. It was physically and emotionally and spiritually draining. It really was.

But that is how you take a stand ON the Word of God. That is how you take a stand IN THE NAME of Jesus. That is how you take a stand that builds your Faith to new levels. 

You see, the devil lost three times that day. Yes, I said three times…

First, he did not take me out of the event like he had planned…which would caused a lot of confusion throughout the day and evening. They would have gotten through it, no doubt. But all of the details would have been jumbled and they would not have been as organized as they were used to.  So, first, he did not take me out of the event…

Two, we had over 3,000 people in attendance and hundreds of souls were saved and many healings and miracles occurred that night. A lot of that was the anointing of Dr. Johnson, but the point is, the meeting was being prayed for – hard – all day long. I stayed in a constant state of prayer all day and even while the event was being conducted.

Third, the devil lost a third time because, I gained valuable insight into how important prayer truly is in serious situation. I learned how to rely on God through prayer alone, in the Name of Jesus, and seen it work. This is something I have used in spiritual battles, in the natural as well, for years and years. 

My faith went to new levels that night. Levels I had never dreamed I would be operating in or at. My faith grew where, as new attacks would come, I would stand and not cower. I immediately begin to pray. I know prayer works miracles.  I liken myself to the Cavalry Troop commander in the movie “Apocalypse Now.”  Where he is standing, walking on the beach, directing his troops in battle. The enemy is firing all around him. Mortar shells are exploding on the beach. It seems like total confusion is happening all around him.

But he steady as a rock. He is standing there, not even flinching as the enemy is firing all around him. The battle is raging hard. Yet, he stands there, cool as can be, inspiring his men to continue the fight. His famous lines, “Do you smell that? That’s napalm. I love the smell of napalm. It smells like – Victory.”  Do you remember that? If you are old enough your probably do.

Anyway, I am kind of like that commander in that movie now in certain situations. He had faced that scenario over and over and had become confident that the jet fighters coming in would eliminate the enemy as they dropped their napalm bombs. So he stood there, inspiring his men that the victory would be theirs. And it ended up, it was. Amen.

That is what happened to me that evening. My faith in the Word of God grew exponentially by that one event. There have been others since then. Don’t get me wrong. I do not hang my hat on the outcome of one day of prayer. But I learned. And I’ve continued to learn and continue to grow.

That is why Romans 10:8 means so much. That is why it is calling the Word of God, the Bible, “The Word of Faith.”  Let’s read it as we close today, I know we are way over time again. So let’s ready Romans 10:8 and then close for today.

Romans 10:8, “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.”

That is where you need to get to in your own Bible reading and prayer time. That the Words of Jesus that are abiding in you, you can ask what you will and it shall be done onto you – that is the WORD OF FAITH. Amen.

Let’s Pray!

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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. Yesterday, I gave an example of what happened to me when I was responsible for setting up, directing and even preaching, at a major soul winning concert held in Toledo, Ohio. There was about 3,000+ people in attendance.

And I had the flu come upon me the morning of the concert. I mean fever, chills, sweats, sore throat, larengitis, the whole nine yards. But I was the one responsible for coordinating every single aspect of the concert. I was the concert director, floor director, personnel director, load in and load out manager. Dr. Johnson had a major ministry with the Church of God in Christ and this was one of his biggest events. I could not allow a demon of the flu to keep me down and cause that night to fail.

I shared with you how I spent almost the entire day praying. And as the concert started, that demon kicked his attack up a notch. I would introduce the next preliminary group to perform and then go back stage and pray. By the time I got back stage, my nose was running, I was sweating from the fever, I could barely talk!  I would start to pray and 15 minutes later, I would have to back out on stage in front of 3000+  people and do my job of introducing the next group. I even preached for 15 minutes that night.  Then go back stage and the symptoms would come right back on my and I’d pray some more.

But, in the end, the devil lost and Jesus won. Jesus ALWAYS WINS. 

There is an old Gospel song that goes, “God may not always show up when you want Him, but He is ALWAYS right on time!” 

Folks, you MUST abide in Jesus. John 15:7-8 says, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit. So shall you be my disciples.”

I shared how we had hundreds of people accept Christ through that concert. And the next day, I was completely healed. Amen! The devil lost and Jesus won. God was Glorified. Amen!

Only when the Word of God abides IN YOU - in your heart – not in your memory. You can memorize a thousand scriptures but not have them in your heart. His Words must be IN YOUR HEART to have Faith. Only when His Words abide in you will you generate the type of overcoming Faith that can chase demons away. Only then, can you live a victorious life. Amen!

When you were young, momma’s faith could work miracles. But it is time for you to grow up spiritually and stop be a child in the faith. 

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. Yesterday, we found out that the key to getting our prayers answered is simple. Abide in Jesus and let His Words abide in you. Amen.

There is only one problem of not having enough faith to receive the answers to your prayers when the Word does not abide in you. If the Word is not abiding in you, in your heart, then faith is not abiding there either. You cannot have Faith in the Word if the Word is not in your heart.

But, if the Word IS abiding in you, then the Faith to believe the Word is there, too! Amen!

If the Word is not abiding in you, you could agree with the Word. You could mentally say, “I believe.” But there is no power there. Why? Because there is no Faith there.

You could get up on top of your roof and yell all day, “I believe I receive.” But if there is no faith there, if the Word is not abiding in you, then you will only end up with a sore throat by the end of the day – and not have enough faith to get that healed either.

On the other hand, if you have been studying the Word of God; if you have been consistently feeding your spirit man the Word of God on a regular basis, you have FAITH dwelling in your heart  TO believe. Amen!

So if just a sore throat popped up, you could simply say, “No, I’m not having that. By His Stripes I was healed. If I was healed then I am healed. I declare my healing of this sore throat. Jesus said whatsoever I ask of Him, He would do. Ask is a DEMAND…I DEMAND the demon of sickness behind this sore throat leave now. IN THE NAME OF JESUS, I DEMAND it.  Now, Lord Jesus, I do thank you right here and now that your Word is True. I believe my throat is healed and that’s the way it is. I praise you Lord that I abide in you and your Word abides in me. In Jesus Name. Amen!

“Well, brother Bob, what if it doesn’t work?”

Well, you want to know the truth? You’re right! If that is what you believe; if that is what you confess – then the devil wins every single time. It’s that kind of attitude that STOPS you, that STOPS others, from receiving their prayers as answered.

I was the National Concert Coordinator for Dr. Vernard Johnson Ministries. We had a concert in Toledo, Ohio.  That is only about 90 minutes or so from my home in Michigan. So I want a couple of days early to spend some time with my dad.

The morning of the concert, I was to go to the event center and start the set up of everything. I woke up that morning with flu symptoms. Fever, cough, an extremely runny nose. No energy.

I prayed, and drove the 90 minutes there. Worked all day coordinating the load in and set up.  My day started at about 6am and I arrived at the convention center at 10am.  Sound checks with the musicians was at 3pm. Briefing the volunteers was at 5pm and the doors opened at 6pm.  The concert started at 7pm with Dr. Johnson taking the stage at 8:15pm and going until 9:30pm. Then the load out started. I finished at 11pm.

I was so sick, I could barely talk. But I was also the MC for the evening. I was also delivering the short sermon theme for the evening. I was NOT going to let this devil stop me from doing my job, which was to be part of ministering the Word to that city. It was a SOUL WINNING CONCERT. And no devil in hell was going to stop me.

I was in a constant state of prayer ALL DAY LONG.  I got through it. Once we had loaded out, I went upstairs to Dr. Johnson’s room to tell him we had cleared the arena and I was going to drive the 90 minutes back to my father’s house.  I guess I looked like a sight!

He insisted I stay at the hotel, called downstairs and got me a room. I sure did appreciate it too!

I took a hot shower and hit the bed. It was about 1am. I had been on the go for 20 hours, with a demon of flu trying to stop me. BUT HE FAILED. Glory to God!

We had the concert. We had hundreds of people accept the Lord that night.

I woke up in the morning in time to take Dr. Johnson to the airport – and felt absolutely fine. AMEN!  That devil had lost. WHY?

Because I had the Word abiding in me. I knew my authority and I was not going to be moved by how I felt. I was moved by the WORD that abided in me.

SO, in answer to the questions, “What if it doesn’t work?”  Do not me moved by how you feel. Do not be moved by what you see. Only be moved by the WORD. I did – and God WON. Amen!

I went way over today – but I felt this was something that needed to be shared just to show you what belongs to you – by Faith – Faith in the Word. But it cannot be head knowledge. It has to be heart knowledge. It has to ABIDE IN YOU.

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

Scripture For Today:

In John Chapter 15, Jesus talks about something else that concerns prayer. He gives us some very important conditions that we need to fulfill in order to receive the answers to our prayers. Let’s look at John 15 verses 7 and 8.

“If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask me what you will and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be my disciples.”

In verse 7, Jesus gives us two conditions to receiving answered prayer.  Number one, He says, “If YOU abide in ME…”  There is only one way for someone to abide IN Jesus. They – YOU – need to be born again. Amen!  I think we can all agree on that. 

But notice Jesus did not only say, “If you abide in me…” He also said “…and my words abide in you…”  If He had just said, “If you abide in me…” then Christians would all, all of us, automatically have our prayers answered.

“Well, brother Bob, that sounds pretty good.”  Yes – but it would require NOTHING on our part. Once we were born again, we could kick back and life would be excellent. But that is not what Jesus said – is it?

No. He said, “…and my words abide in you.”

Now, I want you to think about something here. Notice Jesus did not say one word, not one, about faith. He did not say one word about believing. He did not say one word about getting your prayers answered in any other way except by ABIDING. Abiding in Him and His words Abiding in you.

But let’s finish the verse and you will see what the additional promise is.

“If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you shall ask me what you will and it shall be done unto you.”

So there is no problem at all to receive the answers to your prayers. None at all. IF you are born again and you HAVE the Words of Jesus abiding IN YOU. 

But, at the same time that indicates there is not a problem, IT IS A PROBLEM if you are not studying the Word of God.  OUCH! I can hear someone say. 

Yes, I just jumped up and down on your spiritual toes, didn’t I?

Think about what Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”

So the major obstacle in NOT receiving your prayers as answered, according to Jesus, is not having His Word abide in you. That will be a problem if you are not studying your Bible. That will be a problem if you neglect your time with the Lord. Your own personal study time. 

Because if you are not studying the Word on a daily basis… If you are not allowing the Lord to minister to you through His Word… if you are not looking up scriptures that deal specifically with your problems you are praying about (or, as we have discussed before, if not dealing directly with your problem, scripture that could be inferred to deal with your problem) – well, your prayers are not going to going any higher than the ceiling.

Do you want your prayers answered? YES?  Then get into the Word on a regular basis. Just 10 minutes a day or so…and soon, you will begin to see your prayers answered in ways you could not even imagine.

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 discussing about “What Are the Greater Works” than Jesus did. Yesterday, we left off with the explanation that the only body of Christ in the earth during Jesus ministry was Jesus Himself, until the point in time in John 20:22 where He breathed on the disciples and said “Receive the Holy Ghost.” 

At that moment, the Body of Christ became the Church and was capable of going “into all the earth, preaching the Gospel.” 

The “Body of Christ” was no longer in one place at one time. The “Body of Christ” could grow, physically and Spiritually. The “Body of Christ” could speak different languages. The “Body of Christ” could traverse the globe and spread the Gospel from one of this earth to the other and all the way around! Praise God! 

Today, WE are the spiritual Body of Christ. The only Body of Christ which is in the world today IS the Church. The Church is made up of CHRISTIANS. Not Buddhists. Not Muslims. Not Mormons. Not Jehovah Witnesses. CHRISTIANS. 

If that offends you – GOOD! I’m preaching the right thing if you are part of any of these other false religions or cults. That was my intent. To offend you to the point where you will research this out yourself. 

Jesus is the ONLY way to Heaven. Jesus is the ONLY Savior. JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH and THE LIFE and there is NO OTHER WAY BUT HIM. Amen. 

In Acts 2:47, we read, “And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

We are talking about the greatest works that Jesus spoke about, which is the Body of Christ and what we are to be doing in His Name. 

Remember our base scripture in John 14:12-14?

 "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

Besides the new birth, another GREATER WORK is getting people filled with the Holy Spirit.

Just as nobody was born under the ministry of Jesus, neither was anyone baptized or filled with the Holy Spirit under the ministry of Jesus while He was on this earth.

That is why, what we are called to do today, is a GREATER WORK than what Jesus did. We are going to do these greater works of getting people born again and filled with the Holy Spirit because Jesus went to the Father.

This was something HE could not do while He was on this earth!

Isn’t this amazing? I know some of you right now are just beginning to see and understand what I’m talking about. Praise God!

We are doing things that Jesus could not do. That just astounded me when I finally understood this.

He could do this ONE PERSON AT A TIME. Where ever Jesus was, that is where His ministry was.

Now, where ever WE ARE – His ministry is there. All around the earth and yes, even on the Internet. Praise God! We are definitely living in the times prophesied of old. Amen!

I want to pray with you right now that your spiritual eyes have been opened to the Truth that you have been reading, perhaps for years, in John 14:12-14. I want to pray that you understand your role in DOING GREATER WORKS for Jesus. 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