Study in Prayer

Scripture of the Day:   

Psalms 84:8

“Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob.”

 The Open Door

As you praise God in your prayer time and speak of all His marvelous works, you faith will begin to rise up on the inside of you. This opens the door to receiving the Blessings for God into your life.

If you honor God with the words of your mouth, Faith grows. Your faith grows. This means, as your faith grows on the inside of you, the POWER of FAITH starts to become more active in your life. What does that do?

You begin to walk in the power and authority that Jesus gave you. In Luke 10:19, Jesus told His disciples (and us), “Look, I’ve given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”

Now, I don’t know about you, but I believe if Jesus said something belongs to ME – then it belongs TO ME and no devil in hell is going to stop it. Amen!  That’s what that verse says, doesn’t it?

The question then becomes, “How do we walk in that authority??

Through the development of the POWER OF FAITH within us.

Let me ask you this question…

If you wanted to bench press 300 pounds, and you have never lifted weights before, how successful do you think you would be the first time you tried to lift those weights?

Not very, right?

What do you do?

You start with lower weights. A LOT lower…maybe 100 pounds (if you have to). Every day, or every other day, you continue to lift those lower weights. Maybe 10 reps the first couple of times is all you can do. Then, you notice you can do 15 reps. Then 20. Then 30.

What happens then?  You increase the weight, maybe to 120 pounds. Then, you can only lift 10 reps again. You continue at this weight until you see the number of reps go up and up.  You repeat his process, on a consistent basis. After awhile, you find you are lifting 200 pounds. Then 250 pounds and ultimately, after working at it for some time – you hit your goal of 300 pounds! Praise God!

There will be times when the Power of God and Anointing of Jesus will come up you immediately and deliver miraculous results to deal with an immediate, demonic threat - just like a 120 pound mother lifting a 2000 pound car off of her baby – adrenaline kicks in and you can do “mighty works,” amen!

But, go back to that mother a week later, a day later or even an hour later – and she will be unable to budge that car.  That’s what I’m talking about. 

Training.  You need consistent training to develop the Power of Faith that works within you. And you do that by consistent time in the Word and in prayer. And in PRAISING GOD for the mighty works He is doing within you.

All of these things, working together, will make you into a mighty warrior of God. All of these things, working together, will keep those open doors of blessings flowing in your life and you will be able to impact those around you in Godly ways. Amen!

I want to pray for you right now to begin your daily workouts in Faith. This study in prayer is just one element of, what should be, your daily routine of working out in and around and with the Word of God. Amen!

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, Podcasting for Christians. 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 of the Day:   

2 Chronicles 6:26

“When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and give praise to your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them,”

When the Heavens Are Shut Up

Yesterday was inauguration day in the United States. We now have a new president. A president and administration that 74 million people did not want. I’m not going to get into all of that because what happened did happen and it did not take God by surprise.

It may have taken a lot of people by surprise. It may generate a lot of resentment. But if you remember this – GOD is the one who sets up kings and the one who removes kings.  So none of this surprised Him.

And if He is the One truly in charge – then we need to let God work out His plan for whatever reason we now see the liberals in charge. It may just be the way God is going to usher in the soon return of Jesus. I believe that…but that discussion is for a different day…

Yesterday we read from verse 24 from 2 Chronicles chapter 6. Today, I want to look at verse 6,

“When the heavens are shut up and there is not rain because your people have sinned against you…”  Let’s stop there for a moment…

A lot of the turmoil that is happening right now is because we, the people, the Christians in particular, have turned against God. I’m not saying we have forsaken our relationship with God or anything like that…

What I am saying is the Christian base in this country FAILED to stand FOR GOD and WITH GOD in the face of adversity. Instead, we just kind of bowed out of the requirement of taking an inflexible, unwavering stand against the evil in this land. Now, because of that in – it seems as if the “Heavens are shut up and there is no spiritual rain coming forth” – simply because we have failed God and sinned against Him…

But there is good news here…

“When they pray (the Christian believers)…When they pray towards this place (we don’t have to bow to the east and pray towards Jerusalem – we look Heavenward and pray to God) – when they pray towards HEAVEN (I’ll say), and give Praise to your Name and TURN FROM OUR SIN because you have afflicted them…”

There you go…all that you see happening right now in this land is culmination of decades of Christian believers refusing to take a stand for God and the Word of God in this nation. We were afraid of the persecution. Of being labeled. Of being berated. So, we just said, “We don’t like this…but if that is what you want to do – that is up to you…”

Now, this nation is in turmoil because GOD allowed this situation to come upon us.  But there is hope – IF the Christians will just start to PRAY TO GOD and recognize our responsibility for this mess – and ASK FOR FORGIVENESS of decades of allowing sin to thrive in this nation.

IF WE, as a Christian people, will do this – THEN 2 Chronicles 7:14 starts to make a lot of sense. Right?  “If your people, called by your name, will humble themselves, pray and seek your face and repent of our sins, THEN you will hear their prayers, forgive their sins and turn again and heal their land.”

BUT – if you do not do the first step – God will not be moved at all. We are witnessing that effect right now. Amen.

So, Let’s pray that the Holy Spirit will ignite a Holy Fire in this land that, not just brings revival – but a Third Great Awakening. Because that is what is needed right now.  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, Podcasting for Christians. 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 of the Day:   

2 Chronicles 6:24

“When your people Israel have been defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you and when they turn back and give praise to your name, praying and making supplication before you in this temple.”

When God’s People Pray

King Solomon in praying at the dedication of the Temple of God. His is a long prayer – but powerful. And God honored his prayer. I mean the Glory of God descended into that place and the Spirit of God was so heavy that the ministers could not even stand to do their work. Praise God.

But what I wanted to share with you today is this part…

Many people in this nation, the United States of America, are feeling down today. Today is the day when Joe Biden becomes the President of the United States. This is something that happens every four years on the 20th day of January. OK – we understand that.

But, what gives us concern is what is being ushered in. We’ve already seen massive backlash to conservative values. We’ve seen massive, anti-godly laws being propagated and forced on this society. Anyone who speaks out from the Bible in condemn this immorality is labeled, ridiculed or worse…

I know many preachers will quote 2 Chronicles 7:14 in these situations, but I want to give context to what chapter 7 and verse 14 actually means. And to do that, we need to understand what King Solomon was actually saying here, in chapter 6.

Think about this verse today. Let’s take it one statement at a time…

“When your people (The Christians in this nation) have been defeated by an enemy (the socialist left in America is THE ENEMY of the people and of this land)…but WHY were we defeated?  Let’s keep reading…

“When you people have been defeated by an enemy BECAUSE they have sinned against YOU – well, there is the answer right there. We, as a nation, have sinned against God.

“Brother Bob, I’m not in agreement with these laws that have been passed. I’m not the one who has sinned…”

Yes, my friend, you are. So am I. We are all at fault. HOW?

Because we, the Christians in this land, could have organized and risen up and put a stop to all of this ungodly and immoral stuff that has been coming out of the Congress and out of the courts for almost 40 or 50 years. But, instead of rising up against it – we just “went along to get along.” 

Hoping that, “maybe – if we just give them this one little bit – then they will be happy and life can go back to normal.”

But that is not how the left plays the game. You give them one inch, they want three. You give them three and they want a foot. You give them a foot, they want the football field, then the city, then the state and then the country.  And the Bible is very clear – after that, the world.

Back to Solomon and his prayer…

“When your people have been defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you – and WHEN they turn back…WHEN THEY TURN BACK – who is required to take the first action?

God’s People!  CHRISTIANS.  When the Christians turn back – that means stop going along to get along. When you are moving with a crowd, everyone going in the same direction, your travels are with the flow of the crowd and the going is easy.  But when you turn back and start pushing against the flow of the crowd – the going gets tough. But if you want to get back to where you started – you must fight through and push through. Amen.

So the first action is YOUR responsibility – to turn back. But that is not all…

“When your people have been defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you – and WHEN they turn back…AND GIVE PRAISE TO YOUR NAME… We covered this previously. When you give Praise to God – you release God to act in your behalf. We covered a few days ago that PRAISE equates to STRENGTH. So when you start to praise God, as you are going against the crowd – you receive strength to keep on going. Strength from God that no demon from hell or demon possessed politician or political group can stand against. Amen!

You give PRAISE TO GOD and PRAY, making supplication to God. AMEN.

I’m all out of time today – but we are going to continue this theme tomorrow as we will read from 2 Chronicles 6:26. Amen.

I want to pray, today, for our nation. I want to pray for our new president. I do not agree with his agenda. I do not agree with the policies – but that is ok. Because I know who holds the kings heart in His hand  - GOD and the bible says “He (GOD) will turn it like a river – wheresoever He (GOD) wills it.” Amen.  

So, although on the surface it looks bad – Joe Biden’s heart is now in the hand of Almighty God. Whether he admits it or not. God can turn Nebuchenezer from a brutal ruler into a wild man and then into a believer – he can do it for a president here in the United States – or your leader wherever you are at right now.

BUT – you need to pray and give God praise. That is the key component. 

Until next time, this is Pastor Bob Thibodeau reminding you from 1 Thessalonians 5:17 in the Living Bible to “Always Keep on Praying!”  Be blessed in all that you do!

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, Podcasting for Christians. 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 of the Day:   

Psalm 54:2

“Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth.”

In His Presence

When you Praise God for things that have not happened yet, you are doing so BY FAITH.

Your needs do not move God. Your wants do not move God. Your begging does not move God. The only thing that moves God is FAITH. Amen.

So, if you are facing a terrible situation where you are crying out to God for deliverance, you cannot go into His presence begging Him. You need to go into His presence PRAISING Him!

You need to pray and act like the answer has already occurred. That is called Faith.

Do not be moved by feelings, emotions and the five physical senses.  

One thing you need to realize is that praise is not dependent on your emotional situation at the time. It is only based on GOD. You need to praise HIM whether you feel like it or not. Amen!

In Hebrews 13:15, the Word says, “Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God CONTINUALLY, that is the FRUIT OF OUR LIPS giving THANKS TO HIS NAME.” 

David is the perfect example of someone who could praise God even when his own family was trying to kill him. He would constantly start praising God when it looked like all hope was lost. And God would turn things around. Amen!

In Psalm 56:11, David says, “In God I will Praise His Word. In God I have put my trust. I will not be afraid of what man can do to me….”

AMEN!  

The Bible says that God inhabits the praises of His people. The Bible says the enemy is turned back, falls and perishes at the presence of our God.

Praise is a powerful weapon against the forces of darkness when you bring it into your prayer life. It doesn’t matter what you are facing our up against. Praise God brings you into the courts of Praise and into the presence of the Lord – and God takes notice.

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, Podcasting for Christians. 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 of the Day:   

Psalm 17:6

“I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.”

The Courts of Praise

Thanksgiving and prayer are very important parts of prayer. When you believe you have received the answer to your prayers (which is how you should be praying – not begging as if it has not happened yet), you can’t help but begin to Praise God! Amen!  Praise was ordained by God for a purpose.

Psalm 8 and Psalm 9 point out some things about praise that you need to understand. Psalm 8:1-2 say, “O Lord our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth! Who has set your Glory about the Heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, you have ordained strength because of your enemies, that you might still the enemy and the avenger.”  

Now, I want you to notice something here. Jesus, in Matthew 21:16, is quoting this scripture. You do understand that HE IS the WORD OF GOD, right? So, His interpretation MUST BE accurate… Can I get an AMEN on that one? I mean, Jesus, when quoting the Word is talking about Himself. So when He says something in the Word or from the Word – I think we can all agree it must be True, right? Because He also said “The Word is Truth.” Anyway, I could continue to farther along that line – but the point I’m trying to make is this…

In Matthew 21:16, Jesus, quoting from Psalm 8:1-2, said, “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings YOU HAVE PERFECTED PRAISE.” 

Jesus is equating STRENGTH with PRAISE.

Psalm 9:1-4 says, “I will praise you, O Lord, with my whole heart. I will show forth all of your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in YOU. I will sing praise to your name, O you, the Most High God. When my enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at your presence. For you have maintained my right and my cause. You sit on your Throne judging right.”

Now, notice – this says WHEN your enemies are turned back. Not IF they will be turned back. Folks, these may seem like small things as you read them – but IF YOU BELIEVE exactly what the Word of God says – they make a world of difference. Amen!

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, Podcasting for Christians. 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