Are You Completely Willing to be Guided by the Will of God? Then “Wait on the Lord.” And Pray!

“Wait on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14

It may seem an easy thing to wait, but it is one of the positions that every Christian soldier must learn that takes years of teaching. Marching and quick-marching are much easier for God’s warriors than the standing still. There are many hours of puzzlement when the most willing of spirits, earnestly eager to serve the Lord, does not know what part or way to go. Then what are we to do? Upset ourselves with despair? Fly back in cowardice, turn to the right hand in fear, or rush forward in a best guess deduction?

No, just simply wait. Wait in prayer, however. Call upon God, and spread your case before him; tell him your difficulty, and plead His promise of help. In a catch-22, not knowing what to do between one duty and another, or which way or the other, it is sweet to be humble as a child, and wait with ease of soul on the Lord. It is sure to be well with us when we feel and know our own foolishness, and are completely willing to be guided by the will of God.

But wait in faith. Express your incredible confidence in Him; because unfaithful, untrusting waiting is nothing but an insult to the Lord. Believe that if He continues to keep you waiting even until you think it is too late, yet He will come at the right time; the idea will come and He will not be late.

Wait in quiet patience, not rebelling because you are under this hardship, but praising your God for it. Never mumble or complain against this second cause, as the children of Israel did against Moses. Never wish you could go back to the world again, but accept the situation as it is, and place it as it stands, simply and with your whole heart, without any self-will, into the hand of your covenant God.

Say to your Father, “Now, Lord, not my will, but Yours be done. I don’t know what to do; I am at the end of my rope, but I will wait until You will stop the floods, or drive back my enemies. I will wait, if You keep me this way for many days, because my heart is fixed on You alone, O God, and my spirit waits for You in the full conviction that You will yet be my joy and my salvation, my refuge and my strong tower.”

Keep an eye out for my new book on prayer!

The Attitude of Mind and Heart Involved in Devotion Makes Prayer Reach the Throne of Grace Part I

DEVOTION has a religious signification. The root of devotion is to devote to a sacred use. So that devotion in its true sense has to do with religious worship. It stands intimately connected with true prayer. Devotion is the particular frame of mind found in one entirely devoted to God. It is the spirit of reverence, of awe, of godly fear. It is a state of heart which appears before God in prayer and worship. It is foreign to everything like lightness of spirit, and is opposed to lightheartedness, noise and grumbling. Devotion dwells in the realm of quietness and is still before God. It is serious, thoughtful, and meditative.

Devotion belongs to the inner life and lives in the prayer closet (prayer room of your heart), but also appears in the public services of the church. It is a part of the very spirit of true worship, and is of the nature of the spirit of prayer.

Prayer promotes the spirit of devotion, while devotion is encouraging to the best praying. Devotion furthers prayer and helps to drive prayer home to the object that it asks for. Prayer thrives in the atmosphere of true devotion. It is easy to pray when in the spirit of devotion. The attitude of mind and the state of heart completely involved in devotion makes prayer effectual in reaching the throne of grace. God dwells where the spirit of devotion resides. All the graces of the Holy Spirit are nourished and grow well in the environment created by devotion. Indeed, these graces grow nowhere else but here. The absence of a devotional spirit means death to the graces born in a renewed heart. True worship finds friendliness in the atmosphere made by a spirit of devotion. While prayer is helpful to devotion, at the same time devotion reacts on prayer, and helps us to pray.

Devotion engages the heart in prayer. It is not an easy task for the lips to try to pray while the heart is absent from it. The charge which God at one time made against His ancient Israel was that they honored Him with their lips while their hearts were far from Him.

The very essence of prayer is the spirit of devotion. Without devotion prayer is an empty form, a vain round of words. Sad to say, much of this kind of prayer prevails, today, in the Church. This is a busy age, bustling and active, and this bustling spirit has invaded the Church of God. Its religious performances are many. The Church works at religion with the order, precision and force of a real machine. But too often it works with the heartlessness of the machine. There is way to much of the treadmill movement in our ceaseless round and routine of religious doings. We pray without praying. We sing without singing with the Holy Spirit and the understanding. We have music without the praise of God being in it, or near it. We go to Church by habit, and come home all too gladly when the benediction is said. We read our accustomed chapter in the Bible, and feel quite relieved when the task is done. We say our prayers in mechanical repetition, as a schoolchild recites their lessons, and are not sorry when the Amen is spoken.

The Attitude of Mind and Heart Involved in Devotion Makes Prayer Reach the Throne of Grace Part II

Devotion engages the heart in prayer. It is not an easy task for the lips to try to pray while the heart is absent from it. The charge which God at one time made against His ancient Israel was that they honored Him with their lips while their hearts were far from Him.

Religion has to do with everything but our hearts in today’s Church. It engages our hands and feet, it takes hold of our voices, it lays its hands on our money, it affects even the postures of our bodies, but it does not take hold of our affections, our desires, our zeal, and make us serious, desperately in earnest, and cause us to be quiet and worshipful in the presence of God. Social affinities attract us to the house of God, not the spirit of the occasion. Church membership keeps us after a fashion decent in outward conduct and with some shadow of loyalty to our baptismal vows, but the heart is not in the thing. It remains cold, formal, and unimpressed amid all this outward performance, while we give ourselves over to self-congratulation that we are doing wonderfully well religiously.

Why all these sad defects in our faithfulness? Why this modern perversion of the true nature of the religion of Jesus Christ? Why is the modern type of religion so much like a jewel-case, with the precious jewels gone? Why so much of this handling religion with the hands, that are often not too clean or unsoiled, and so little of it felt in our heart and witnessed in our life?

This great lack of modern religion is the spirit of devotion. We hear sermons in the same spirit with which we listen to a lecture or hear a speech. We visit the house of God just as if it were a common place, on a level with the theatre, the lecture-room or the forum. We look upon the preacher of God not as the divinely-called man of God, but merely as a sort of public speaker, on a plane with the politician, the lawyer, or the average speech maker, or the lecturer. Oh, how the spirit of true and genuine devotion would radically change all this for the better! We handle sacred things just as if they were the things of the world. Even the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper becomes a mere religious performance, no preparation for it before-hand, and no meditation and prayer afterward. Even the sacrament of Baptism has lost much of its solemnity, and degenerated into a mere form, with nothing especially in it.

We need the spirit of devotion, not only to salt our unconcern with religion, but to make praying real prayers. We need to put the spirit of devotion into our Monday’s business as well as in Sunday’s worship. We need the spirit of devotion, to recollect always the presence of God, to be always doing the will of God, to direct all things always to the glory of God.

The spirit of devotion puts God in all things. It puts God not merely in our praying and Church going, but in all the concerns of life. “Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” The spirit of devotion makes the common things of earth sacred and the little things great. With this spirit of devotion, we go to business on Monday directed by the very same influence, and inspired by the same influences by which we went to Church on Sunday. The spirit of devotion makes a Sabbath out of Saturday, and transforms the shop and the office into a temple of God.

An "Unpopular" Promise Regarding Persecution

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

(2 Timothy 3:12)

We are in the category of "unpopular" promises. This promise guarantees persecution for the people who are serious believers in Jesus Christ. In a church world where many of the treasure comfort and the status of ones self are more important, this promise is not at all well-received.

This promise is given to those who want to live a life of godliness: "who desire to live godly." Godliness is the will of the Lord for His people. Read that again; Godliness is the will of the Lord!

"But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs. But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness" (1Timothy 6:9-11).

Our Lord Himself stated that there is great blessing in having a passion for righteous living. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6). The blessing is God's pledge to satisfy the heart that desires for righteousness. "For they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6).


Yet, we have seen that fullness of righteousness is not all that is promised to those people who want to walk in godliness. Persecution is also promised. "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." Notice the complete, unavoidable feature of this promise. "All who desire to live godly . . . will suffer persecution." There are no exceptions - again I say - there are no exemptions.


All who sincerely desire to follow the Lord Jesus Christ will experience the consequences that He met, as He walked in righteousness. "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you" (John 15:20). Jesus was not very will like by everyone for the way He lived on the righteous path. He was opposed, mocked, conspired against, and betrayed. We don’t need be troubled when events of similar harassment happen to us.

Of course, this promise of persecution is not given to discourage us from pressing on down this path of godliness. Rather, it is presented to prepare us for the difficulties that are guaranteed as we seek to grow in Christ likeness. In fact the Lord even adds gracious encouragements to be righteous, so we will be strengthened to practice His holy will in this matter. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10). Persecutions can remind us that we are not from this world; we are headed home to heaven. Persecutions can bring us heavenly actions of supporting grace along the way.

Prayer:

O righteous Lord, I long to walk in Your paths of righteousness. Strengthen my heart with Your grace that I might press on in godliness. Help me to never shrink back, even though persecutions are guaranteed. Help me to stand true, even though persecutions may become severe. Lord, I count on Your promises to see me through the battles, in Jesus name, Amen.

The Most Precious Promise of a Shared Life –“Abide in Me, and I in you”

By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature . . . Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

(2Peter 1:4 and John 15:4-5)

This promise of shared life is so "exceedingly great and precious" that we need to consider it to its fullest. Being "partakers of the divine nature" (without becoming divine ourselves) is a difficult concept to grasp. The scriptures clearly invite us to live day by day through Christ sharing His life in us. "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Gal_2:20). Yet, how we are to walk in this truth can seem quite hard to pin down. In His teaching on the vine and the branches, Jesus provided a wonderful physical illustration of this tremendous spiritual reality.

Jesus' visible example involves actual grapevines, grape branches, and the grapes that can potentially result. For grapes to grow, the proper life style must be obtainable for the growth to maturity. The grape branches do not have this life in themselves. "The branch cannot bear fruit of itself." In order to bear grapes, the grape branch must share in the life of the vine. "The branch cannot bear fruit . . . unless it abides in the vine." This can be certainly demonstrated by separating a grape branch from its vine. No grapes can ever be produced on the branches it’s self, if the life of the vine is not flowing through the branches. The life of the vine is essential if the branch is to bare fruit.

The spiritual application concerns Jesus as the vine and us as the branches. "I am the vine, you are the branches." For the Christ like fruit to be developed in us, the appropriate life must be available to us and be allowed to mature in us. We branches do not have this life in us: "neither can you [bear fruit], unless you abide in Me." This truth is unfortunately demonstrated daily by Christians who live self-sufficiently, not depending upon the life that is in Jesus, the vine. "Without Me you can do nothing." Day by day Christian living is only possible by the shared life of Jesus at work through us.

Once again, we are reminded that humility and faith are the practical application for living as God intends. We must humbly depend upon Jesus for true fruitful living, just as grape branches must depend upon their vine for grapes.

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, I thank You that I do not have to produce true life in and of myself. Teach me to live by Your shared life. I want to humbly and dependently abide in You, that You might live in and through me, for Your glory, Amen.

A Precious Promise of God's Perfecting Work

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me. (Psalm 138:8)

We are looking at one of God's "precious promises." (2Peter 1:4). This one pertains to His perfecting work in the lives of those who know Him and humbly depend on Him. This priceless promise is the Old Testament precursor of the one from (Phi. 1:6). "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it."

Think of the astounding implications of our present promise. "The LORD will perfect that which concerns me." Our God has pledged to fully accomplish His will and His plan in every matter that pertains to our lives. Whether it is growth in biblical insight, development in godliness, progress in marriage, or whatever, "the LORD will perfect that which concerns [us]."

If we have only given minimal attention to God's word, we know that He wants us to grow in sound biblical understanding. "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food" (Hebrews 5:12). If we will humbly feed on God's word, seeking Him for spiritual insight, He "will perfect that which concerns [us]” in this area of life.

If we care about the will of God for our overall spiritual development, we know His word calls us to godliness. "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age" (Tit. 2:11-12). If we seek the Lord and trust in Him for ongoing growth in godliness, He "will perfect that which concerns [us]” in this area as well.

With respect to family life, the scriptures reveal God's will to be a household of mutually submissive servants, each serving the other out of reverence for the Lord: "submitting to one another in the fear of God" (Eph. 5:21). The servant wife would follow the spiritual leadership of the husband. "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord" (Eph. 5:22). The servant husband would love His wife with sacrificial Christ-like love. "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it" (Eph. 5:25). As each seeks the Lord for His transforming grace, He "will perfect that which concerns [us]” in this area of life also.

Prayer:

Dear Father, forgive me for attempting to perfect myself, when You have promised to attend to it. My vain efforts only quench the work of Your Spirit of grace. Lord, please carry out Your transforming work in my study of the word, my need to grow in godliness, my relationships at home, my testimony on the job, my service of You — my entire life, in Jesus name, Amen.

Prayer Is Far-Reaching In Its Influence and In Its Gracious Effects

THE APOSTLE Paul spreads the nature of prayer over the whole person. It must be so. It takes the whole person to clinch in its god-like kindness the entire race of mankind - the sorrows, the sins and the death of Adam’s fallen race. It takes the whole person to run parallel with God’s high and inspiring will in saving mankind. It takes the whole person to stand with our Lord Jesus Christ as the one Mediator between God and sinful people. This is the doctrine Paul teaches in his prayer-directory in the second chapter of his first Epistle to Timothy.

Nowhere does it appear so clearly that it requires the entire person in all departments of their being, to pray than in this teaching of Paul. It takes the whole person to pray until all the storms that trouble their soul are calmed to a great calm, until the stormy winds and waves cease as by a Godlike spell. It takes the whole person to pray till cruel tyrants and unjust rulers are changed in their natures and lives, as well as in their governing qualities, or until they cease to rule. It requires the entire person in praying until the high and the proud and the unspiritual members of the clergy become gentle, lowly and religious, until godliness and seriousness stand as the rule in the Church and in State, in home and in business, in public as well as in the private life.

It is the people’s business to pray; and it takes manly men to do it. It is godly business to pray and it takes godly men to do it. And it is godly men who give over themselves entirely to prayer. Prayer is far-reaching in its influence and in its gracious effects. It is an intense and profound business that deals with God and His plans and purposes, and it takes a whole-hearted person to do it. No half-hearted, half-brained, half-spirited effort will do for this serious, all-important, heavenly business. The whole heart, the whole brain, the whole spirit, must be in the matter of praying, which is so mightily to affect the characters and future of people.

The answer of Jesus to the scribe as to what was the first and greatest commandment was as follows:

“The Lord our God is one Lord; And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.”

In one word, the entire person without reservation must love God. So it takes the same entire person to do the praying which God requires of them. All the powers of people must be engaged in it. God cannot tolerate a divided heart in the love He requires of people, neither can He bear with a divided person in praying.
In the one hundred and nineteenth Psalm the Psalmist teaches this very truth in these words:

“Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”

It takes whole-hearted person to keep God’s commandments and it demands that same sort of person to seek God. These are the people who are counted “blessed.” Upon these whole-hearted ones God’s approval rests.

The Entire Person Must Pray. The Whole Person, Life, Heart, Temper, Mind, are All in It.

A person is a trinity in one, and yet this person is neither a trinity nor a dual being when they pray, but a unit. A person is one in all the essentials, works and attitudes of goodness. Soul, spirit and body are to unite in all things pertaining to life and godliness.

The body, first of all, is engaged in prayer, since it takes on the praying position for prayer. The position of prostrate or face down of the body becomes us in praying as well as prostration of the soul. The position of the body counts for a lot when it comes to prayer, although it is true that the heart (spirit) may be proud and lifted up, and the mind lazy and wandering, and the praying a mere outward show, even while the knees are bent in prayer.

Daniel kneeled on his knees three times a day in prayer. Solomon kneeled in prayer at the dedication of the temple. Our Lord in Gethsemane prostrated Himself in that memorable season of praying just before His betrayal. Where there is earnest and faithful praying the body always takes on the form most suited to the state of the soul at the time. It is at this point that the body joins the soul in praying.

The entire person must pray. The whole person, life, heart, temper, mind, are all in it. Each and all join in the prayer exercise. Doubt, double-mindedness, division of the affections, are all unknown to the closet (place of prayer) nature and conduct, undefiled, made whiter than snow, are mighty influences, and are the most seemly beauties for the closet hour, and for the struggles of prayer.

The loyal intelligence of a person must plan and add the energy and fire of its undoubting and undivided faith to that kind of all hour, the hour of prayer. Inevitably the mind enters into the praying. First of all, it takes thought to pray. The intellect teaches us we ought to pray. By serious thinking beforehand the mind prepares itself for approaching a throne of grace. Thought goes before entrance into the closet and prepares the way for true praying. It considers what will be asked for in the closet hour. True praying does not leave to the inspiration of the hour what will be the requests of that hour. As praying is asking for something definite of God, so, beforehand, the thought arises-“What shall I ask for at this hour?” All vain and evil and lighthearted thoughts are eliminated, and the mind is given over entirely to God, thinking of Him, of what is needed, and what has been received in the past. By every token, prayer, in taking hold of the entire man, does not leave out the mind. The very first step in prayer is a mental one. The disciples took that first step when they asked Jesus at one time, “Lord, teach us to pray.” We must be taught through our intellect, and just in so far as our intellect is given completely up to God in prayer, will we be able to learn well and eagerly the lesson of prayer.

PRAYER TAKES IN THE WHOLE PERSON

“Henry Clay Trumbull spoke forth the Infinite in the terms of our world and the Eternal in the forms of our human life. Some years ago, on a ferry-boat, I met a gentleman who knew him, and I told him that when I had last seen Dr. Trumbull, a fortnight before, he had spoken of him. ‘Oh, yes,’ said my friend, ‘he was a great Christian, so real, so intense. He was at my home years ago and we were talking about prayer.’ ‘Why, Trumbull,’ I said, ‘you don’t mean to say if you lost a pencil you would pray about it, and ask God to help you find it’ ‘Of course I would; of course I would,’ was his instant and excited reply. Of course he would. Was not his faith a real thing? Like the Saviour, he put his doctrine strongly by taking an extreme illustration to embody his principle, but the principle was fundamental. He did trust God in everything. And the Father honored the trust of His child.”-ROBERT E. SPEER

PRAYER has to do with the entire person. Prayers take in the person’s complete being, mind, soul and body. It takes the whole person to pray, and prayer affects the entire person in its gracious outcome. As the whole nature of the person enters into prayer, so as well all that belongs to this person is the recipient of prayer. The entire praying person receives benefits in prayer. The whole person must be given to God in praying. The greatest results of praying come to the ones who give of themselves completely all that belongs to them, to God. This is the secret of full dedication, and this is a condition of successful praying, and the sort of praying which brings the largest fruits.

The men and women of past times who produced well in prayer, who brought the major things to pass, who moved God to do great things, were those who were entirely given over to God in their praying. God wants, and must have, all that there is in a person in order to answering their prayers. He must have whole-hearted one through whom to work out His purposes and plans concerning people. God must have the person in their entirety. No double-minded person need apply. No hesitant person can be used. No person with a divided allegiance to God, and the world and self, can do the praying that is needed.

Holiness is wholeness, and so God wants holy men and women, who are whole-hearted and true, for His service and for the work of praying. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” These are the sort of people God wants for leaders of the people of this world, and these are the kind out of which the praying class is formed. Are you in the praying class? It isn’t an option!

We are required to pray for one another at all times. Jesus is praying for you right now at the right hand of God the Father. If you are a Christian, that is were you are also. Think about it, pray about it, and God will open your eyes and show you His glory if you ask Him to.

The Divine Intervention of the Seemingly Unimportant

"O Lord, the God of my Master Abraham, send me, I pray Thee, good speed this day.., thereby shall I know that Thou hast showed kindness to my master."--- Gen_24:12-14.

FROM THIS beautiful incident we can learn much of God's guidance of our soul. Evidently Eliezer, the faithful servant of Abraham, had seen and absorbed something of his master's faith and method; in so mach that, as we read this simple story, we can realize some of the principles on which the entire camp was performing. Four times he speaks of "the God of my master Abraham." When he had been taken into Abraham's confidence to perform this seemingly unimportant task, he entered into the plan with as much passion and attention as if it were his very own private concern. Oh that we were equally intent on our Heavenly Master's business, so that the people who are our families and friends would be similarly overcome by the reverence and prayerfulness of our lives!

Each step was taken in full fellowship with God; but that did not prevent him from exercising his own careful management of each successive step to make certain that the character of this young girl who was so suddenly called from the darkness of Haran to become a link in the Messianic chain. Eliezer's faith in the Providence of a little is most interesting and instructive. He held his silence as the girl drew the water; then, in the assurance of faith that his prayer for guidance had been answered, without further hesitation he placed the bracelets on her arms. Be on the outlook to see God's hand in everything!

Count up the number of times in which this worthy man engineers to bring in the two words, "My master!" We may learn from him how to speak of our Saviour, whenever we get the opportunity--"Rabboni, which being interpreted, is, My Master!"

When asking for good speed to be sent to himself, he also added in his request that this would be showing kindness to his master Abraham. So when we ask great things from God, we can plead the request in the Name of Jesus and be sure that He will show kindness to us for His sake (John 15:16). This old-world story is such a beautiful lesson for all those who call Jesus Master and Lord.

PRAYER:

Send me, O Lord, I humbly ask, good speed this day. May I know when to speak and when to be silent; when to act or refrain from action. In all details of daily life may I faithfully serve You, my Master and Friend. AMEN.

Give To the Lord ALL the Glory That Is Due His Name

“Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name.”
- Psa_29:2

God’s glory is the result of His nature and acts. He is glorious in His character, for there is such a large stockpile of everything that is holy, and good, and lovely in God, that He must be glorified. The actions which flow from His character are also glorious; but while He intends that they should manifest to His creatures, His goodness, and mercy, and justice, He is equally concerned that the glory associated with them should be given only to Himself.

There is no reason in ourselves in that we may take the glory; for who is it that makes us to be different from one another? And what is it that we have that we did not receive from the God of all grace? Then we must be very careful that we walk humbly before the Lord! The moment we glorify ourselves, since there is room for only one to have the glory in the universe, we set ourselves up as rivals to the Most High God.

Well the insect for an hour glorify itself next to the sun that warmed it into life? Shall the vase exalt itself above the potter who fashioned it on the wheel? Shall the dust of the desert struggle with the whirlwind? Or the drops of the ocean resist the hurricane? Give unto the Lord, all you who are good, give unto the Lord the glory and strength; give unto Him the honor that is due to His name.

Yet this prideful nature in us is, perhaps, one of the hardest struggles of the Christian life is to learn this sentence-”Not unto us, not unto us, but unto Thy name be the glory.” It is a lesson which God is always teaching us, and teaching us sometimes by the most painful discipline. Let a Christian begin to boast, “I can do all things,” without adding “through Christ which strengthens me,” and before long they will have to cry out, “I can do nothing,” and regret they ever thought such a thought of pride.

When we do anything for the Lord, like sing a song, help some one in trouble or give of ourselves in one way or another; He is pleased to accept our deeds, let us lay our crown at his feet, and exclaim, “Not I, but the grace of God which was with me!”

I should add one more thought today to help us with this giving God ALL the glory. If you receive help from someone, are blessed from your pastor’s message, or enjoyed some service from some one’s kindness; always thank God for that person. They are a gift from God. The gift they have is from God. Everything about them is from God. After thanking God for this person, tell the person “I thank God for you and your help”. This gives God all the glory and allows this person who helped you to join with you to give God all the glory. I guaranty it will put a smile on their face as well.

THE KEYS OF THE KINGDOM

"I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shall bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven; and whatsoever thou shall loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven." -- Mat_16:19.

ALTHOUGH THESE words were spoken to the Apostle Peter, there is a intense sense in which every true disciple of Christ can exercise the power of locking and unlocking the door of Faith, Hope, or Love for some one else’s soul. You may be aware of some one who is in deep trouble, is broken with some overwhelming fear, or is fighting some habitual sin such as drugs, alcohol, immorality, or the like. You try to obtain that person's confidence, endeavor to find some way of escape, promise some much-needed assistance, speak words of cheerfulness and encouragement, and in this way you have unlock the door of the dark cell in which they have been incarcerated. The demonstration of your complete sympathy and help has released them from that awful direction and shown them the right way. Is this not a true use of the power of the keys of the Kingdom?

Or could it be that some one you know is suspected of doing some evil things which is not true about them and completely wrong. You listen carefully to the story from both sides, and you make an effort to put this matter right; you take steps to bring out the truth and honesty of the motives to those who have got the wrong impression and misjudged the person who has done nothing wrong.

Perhaps it is a boy or girl whose life is clouded by some embarrassing situation from which it seems impossible to get free from. By your friendly counsel and experience you are made possible to unlock the prison door and liberate this young soul.

Look out for these opportunities of Christian service, for the life which is hidden with Christ in constant fellowship has the extraordinary power in setting free lives which are bound in chains of iron. Above all, we can point this chained soul to Christ our Lord.

PRAYER:
He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His Blood can make the foulest clean,
His Blood avails for you and me. AMEN.

The Remedy for Not Praying is Praying The Cure for Little Praying is to Pray More.

LADY MAXWELL was one of John Wesley’s (founder) members of the Methodist Church in its earlier stage. She was a woman of elegance, of culture and of deep holiness. Separating herself entirely from the world, she sought and found the deepest spiritual experience, and was a woman fully set apart to God. Her life was one of prayer, of complete dedication to God, living to praise others. She was noted for her systematic habits of life, which entered into and controlled her faith. Her time was saved and planned for God. She arose at four o’clock in the morning, and attended preaching at five o’clock. After breakfast she held a family devotion. Then, from eleven to twelve o’clock she observed a season of intercessory prayer. The rest of the day was given to reading, visiting and acts of kindness. Her evenings were spent in reading. At night, before retiring, devotional services were held for the family and sometimes in praising God for His mercies.

Rarely has God been served with more intellect, or out of a richer experience, a nobler passion, a richer graciousness of the soul. Strongly, spiritually and passionately fond of Wesley’s doctrine of complete loyalty to God, she wanted it with persistency, and a never fading enthusiasm. She obtained it by faith and prayer, and showed it in a life as holy and as perfect as is possible for a human to achieve. If this great facet of Wesley’s teaching were available today, preachers and teachers would posses the profound spiritual understanding and experience as did Fletcher of Madeley and Lady Maxwell of Edinburgh; it would not have been so misunderstood, but would have commended itself to the good and pure everywhere by the living of holy lives, if not by its verbal communication.

Lady Maxwell’s diary shows some rich guidance for secret prayer, holy experience, and holy living. One of the entries runs as follows:

“Of late I feel painfully convinced that I do not pray enough. Lord, give me the spirit of prayer and of supplication. Oh, what a cause of thankfulness is it that we have a gracious God to whom to go on all occasions! Use and enjoy this privilege and you can never be miserable. Who gives thanks for this royal privilege? It puts God in everything, His wisdom, power, control and safety. Oh, what an unspeakable privilege is prayer! Let us give thanks for it, I do not prove all the power of prayer that I wish.”

So we see that the remedy for non-praying is praying. The cure for little praying is to pray more. Praying can obtain all things necessary for our good.

With this excellent woman praying held all things and included everything. To one of her most intimate friends she writes:

“I wish I could provide you with a proper maid, but it is a difficult matter. You have my prayers for it, and if I hear of one I will let you know.”

This was so small a matter as the need for a housemaid for a friend. But with her this event was not too small to take to God in prayer.

In the same letter, she tells her friend that she wants “more faith. Cry mightily for it, and stir up the gift of God that is in you.”

Whether the need was a small material thing as a maid, or a great spiritual grace, prayer was the means to attain that end and supply that want. “There is nothing,” she writes to a dear correspondent, “so hurtful to the nervous system as anxiety. It preys upon the vitals and weakens the whole frame, and what is more than all, it grieves the Holy Spirit.” Her remedy, again, for a common evil, was prayer.

How prayer stops us form worrying by bringing God in to relieve and possess and hold?

“Be careful for nothing,” says the Apostle, “but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests he made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Christ Jesus is the only cure for undue worry and over anxiety of soul, and we secure God, His presence and His peace by prayer. Care is so natural and so strong, that none but God can eject it. It takes God, the presence and personality of God Himself, to get rid of the worry and to install quietness and peace. When Christ comes in with His peace, all tormenting fears are gone, fear and worrying anxieties give up to the reign of peace, and all disturbing elements leave. Anxious thought and worry assault the soul, and weakness, faintness and cowardice are inside the mind. Prayer reinforces with God’s peace, and the heart is kept by Him. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.” All now is safety, quietness and assurance. “The work of righteousness is peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.”

Persevering Prayer Always Wins; God Yields to Persistent and Faithfulness, He Has no Heart to Say No to Such Praying.

Persevering prayer always wins; God yields to persistent and faithfulness. He hasn’t the heart to say No to a praying person like this. In the case with Moses; in reality God’s purpose to destroy Israel was changed by the praying of this man of God. This is only one illustration of how much just one person praying is worth in this world, and how much depends on this one person. Could this one person be you? Think about it!

When Daniel, in Babylon, refused to obey the decree of the king not to pray to any god or man for thirty days; Daniel shut his eyes to the decree which would shut him off from his praying room. He refused to be put off from calling upon God from the fear of the consequences if he obeyed the king. So he “knelt down on his knees three times a day”, and prayed as he had so many times before, leaving it all with God; the consequences of disobeying the king.

There was nothing unfriendly about Daniel’s praying. It always had an objective, and was an appeal to his great God, who could and would do all things according to His will. There was no pampering for him self, nor was he looking for one-sidedness, nor did he respond adversely to authority. In the face of the dreadful decree which was to quickly remove him from his position and power, into the lion’s den, “he kneeled on his knees three times a day, and gave thanks to God as (before).” The gracious result was that his prayer laid its hands upon an Almighty arm, which came in that den of vicious, cruel lions and closed their mouths and preserved His servant Daniel, who had been true to Him and who had called upon Him for protection. Daniel’s praying was an essential factor in defeating the king’s decree and in embarrassing the wicked, envious rulers, who had set the trap for Daniel in order to destroy him and remove him from position and power in the kingdom.

Let me ask you some questions. Are you living true to God? Are you calling out to your Father? Is God the Father the same today as He was in Moses’ and Daniel’s day? Are you faithful in prayer or at least faithfully praying over your food? Do you expect God to help you in your time of need?

When we say that prayer puts God to work, it is simply to say that people have it in their power by prayer to move God to work in His own way among them, in a way He would not work if the prayer was never made. Consequently, while prayer moves God to work, at the same time God puts prayer to work. As God has ordained prayer, and as prayer has no subsistence except from truly born again people, so God involves His people. Then understandably prayer is the one force which puts God to work in earth’s affairs through people and their prayers.

The Priority and Place of Prayer in Your Life Holds the Same Priority and Place for God

Prayer can’t be put on the back burner or considered as a secondary force in this world. To do so is to place God in that position and association, it is to make God secondary. The prayer department is an all-engaging force, and it must be this way, to be a force at all. Prayer is the sense of God’s need and the call for God’s help to supply that need. The priority and place of prayer is the priority and place of God. If you give prayer the secondary place in your life; it is the same as to make God secondary in our life’s affairs. To substitute other forces for prayer, retires God and it will show in everything you do.

Prayer is an absolute necessity for the proper carrying out of God’s work. God has made it so. This must have been the primary reason why in the early Church, when the complaint that the widows of certain believers had been ignored in the daily administration of the Church’s aid, that the twelve Apostles called the disciples together, and told them to look for seven men, “full of the Holy Spirit, and wisdom,” who they would appoint over that caring work, adding this important statement, “But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the Word.” They had to have realized that the success of the Word and the progress of the Church were dependent, in a primary sense, on their “giving themselves to prayer.” God could effectively work through them in proportion as they gave of themselves fully to prayer.

The Apostles were as dependent upon prayer as we are today. Children, work, church activities and life it’s self may so keep and absorb us as to get in the way of our praying; and when this is always the case, evil results follow. It is better to let the work go by default than to let the praying go by neglect. Whatever affects the intensity of our praying affects the value of our work. “Too busy to pray” is not only the keynote to backsliding, but it mars even the work already done. Nothing is done properly without prayer for the simple reason that it leaves God out of the picture. It is so easy to be seduced by the good to the neglect of the best, until both the good and the best die. How easily may people, even leaders of the Church, are led by the dangerous tricks of Satan to cut short our praying in the interests of the work! How easy to neglect prayer or shorten our praying simply by the request that we have Church work to do. Satan has effectively disarmed us when he can keep us so busy doing things, we don’t stop to pray.

“Give ourselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word.” The Revised Version has it, “We will continue steadfastly in prayer.” The implication of the word used here means to be strong, steadfast, to be devoted to, to keep at it with constant care, to make a business out of it. We find the same word in Col_4:12, and in Rom_12:12, which are translated, “Continuing instant in prayer.”

By Grace through Faith

“BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED, THROUGH FAITH” (EPH_2:8 ).

I think it would be a good idea to turn a little to one side that I may ask my reader to observe affectionately the fountain-head of our salvation, which is the grace of God. “By grace are ye saved.” Because God is gracious, therefore sinful men are forgiven, converted, purified, and saved. It is not because of anything in them, or that ever can be in them, that they are saved; but because of the boundless love, goodness, pity, compassion, mercy, and grace of God. Think for a moment, then, at the well-head. Take a look at the pure river of water of life, as it proceeds out of the throne of God and of the Lamb!

What an abyss is the grace of God! Who can measure its width? Who can understand its depth? Like all the rest of the divine attributes, it is infinite. God is full of love, for “God is love.” God is full of goodness; the very name “God” is short for “good.” Unbounded goodness and love enter into the very core of the Godhead. It is because “his mercy endures for ever” that men are not destroyed; because “his compassions fail not” that sinners are brought to Him and forgiven.

Remember this; or you may fall into error by fixing your minds so much on the faith which is the channel of salvation and forget the grace which is the fountain and source even of faith itself. Faith is the work of God’s grace in us. No person can say that Jesus is the Christ but by the Holy Spirit. “No man cometh unto me,” says Jesus, “except the Father which hath sent me draw him.” So that faith, which is coming to Christ, is the result of divine drawing. Grace is the first and last moving cause of salvation; and faith, essential as it is, is only an important part of the machinery which grace employs. We are saved “through faith,” but salvation is “by grace.” Sound forth those words as with the archangel’s trumpet: “By grace are ye saved.” What great news for us, the undeserving!

Faith occupies the position of a channel or conduit pipe. Grace is the fountain and the stream; faith is the aqueduct along which the flood of mercy flows down to refresh the thirsty souls of people. It is a very sad when the aqueduct is broken. It is a sad sight to see around Rome the many once great aqueducts which no longer convey water into the city, because the arches are broken and the marvelous structures are in ruins. The aqueduct must be kept intact to convey the current; and, even so, faith must be true and sound, leading right up to God and coming right down to ourselves, that it may become a serviceable channel of mercy to our souls.

Still, I again remind you that faith is only the channel or aqueduct, and not the fountainhead, and we must not look so much to it as to exalt it above the divine source of all blessing which lies in the grace of God. Never make a Christ out of your faith, nor think of as if it were the independent source of your salvation. Our life is found in “looking unto Jesus,” not in looking to our own faith. By faith all things become possible to us; yet the power is not in the faith, but in the God upon whom faith relies. Grace is the powerful engine, and faith is the drive shaft by which the wheels of the soul are attached to the great motive power. The righteousness of faith is not the moral excellence of faith, but the righteousness of Jesus Christ which faith grasps and appropriates. The peace within the soul is not derived from the contemplation of our own faith; but it comes to us from Him who is our peace, the hem of whose garment faith touches, and virtue comes out of Him into the soul.

See then, dear friend, that the weakness of your faith will not destroy you. A trembling hand may receive a golden gift. The Lord’s salvation can come to us though we have only faith as a grain of mustard seed. The power lies in the grace of God, and not in our faith. Great messages can be sent along slender wires, and the peace-giving witness of the Holy Spirit can reach the heart by means of a thread-like faith which seems almost unable to sustain its own weight. Think more of Him to whom you look than of the look itself. You must look away even from your own looking, and see nothing but Jesus, and the grace of God revealed in Him.

Responding Properly to God's Promises

By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. (Heb_11:11)

Before we proceed in our consideration of God's promises, let's look at some examples of those who responded properly to His promises. This will assist us in the path of living daily by the grace of God. Remember, living by God's grace and depending upon His promises are two perspectives on the same reality. Both speak of God working in and through the lives of His people.

Sarah responded properly to God's promises. It is true that she tried to fulfill God's promise of a son by her own ingenuity. "So Sarai said to Abram, 'See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her' " (Gen_16:2). It is true that she later laughed with incredulity, when the promise was repeated. "And He said, 'I will certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son.' And Sarah was listening in the tent door which was behind him . . . Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, 'After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also'? " (Gen_18:10, Gen_18:12). Nevertheless, she eventually related appropriately to what God had promised to do. "By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed." The proper response to God's promises is to believe them. All who trust in the Lord to do what He has promised experience God at work in their lives. Sarah trusted God's promise of a son, and she was enabled by God to conceive and birth that son. "By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age."

Isaac was born in spite of the fact that Sarah did not have the natural capacity to accomplish such any longer. Isaac was born by means of Sarah exercising faith in the promises of God. Note, however, that Sarah's faith was not merely some act of the human will (like "mind over matter" or "power of positive thinking"). Her faith was based upon the faithfulness of God. "She judged Him faithful who had promised." She considered what God had revealed to her about Himself and concluded that He was reliable, so she relied upon Him.

Prayer:
Dear faithful Father, I confess the many times I have responded to Your promises like Sarah did at first - - scheming to fulfill them myself, or overtaken with unbelief. Yet, when I look in the scriptures, I see Your faithfulness declared regularly and documented repeatedly. Also, every time I trust in You to do what You have promised, You demonstrate again Your great faithfulness. Lord, would You especially fulfill Your promises in those areas where I am as convinced of my helplessness as Sarah was of hers, for Your glory and honor, Amen.

The Bible as a Tape Recorder

"When Thou says, Seek ye My face; my heart said unto Thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek."-- Psa_27:8.

THE BIBLE reminds us of a tape recorder. God has spoken into it, and as we read its pages, they transfer His living words to us. There are many things in the Bible, which, at first, we may not be able to understand, because, as the heaven is higher than the earth, so are God's thoughts higher than ours. Mr. Spurgeon used to say that when he ate fish, he did not attempt to swallow the bones, but put them aside on his plate! So when there is something beyond your understanding, put it aside, and goes on to enjoy that which is easy for spiritual digestion.

The Bible contains ten thousand promises. It is God's book of signed checks. When you have found a promise which meets your need, do not ask God to keep His promise, as though He were unwilling to do so, and needed to be pushed or talked into doing them for you. Present it humbly in the name of the Lord Jesus! Be sure that, so far as you know, you are fulfilling any conditions that may be attached; then look up into the face of your Heavenly Father, and tell Him that you are trusting on Him to do as He has said. It is for Him to choose the time and manner of His answer; but wait quietly, be patient, and you will find that not a moment too soon, and not a moment too late, God's response will be given to you. "My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from Him" (Psa_62:5); "Blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things that were told her from the Lord" (Luk_1:45).

Whether for the body, the soul, or spirit, there is no guide like Holy Scripture, but never read it without first looking up to its Author and Inspirer, asking that He will illuminate the page and make you wise unto salvation. "Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth."

PRAYER
Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. I, You’re servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies. AMEN.

God's Promises and God's Rest

There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. (Heb_4:9-10)

Included in God's promises is rest for His people. This rest not only begins with rest from the guilt and condemnation of sin, but it also can grow into rest from carnal striving and vain self-sufficiency. Our verses speak of this latter rest. "There remains therefore a rest for the people of God." Those who are God's people became such by entering into God's rest from sin and guilt. Yet, having tasted of this, there still " remains...a rest for the people of God."

The entrance into this additional spiritual rest necessitates a cessation from one's own works. "For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works." To rest in the Lord for a growing life of godliness, service, and fruitfulness, one must be willing to renounce himself as the source or cause of the working. Previously, we saw that the Apostle Paul walked with and lived unto God in this manner. "I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (1Co_15:10). Paul worked harder than any other leader in the early church. Yet, he acknowledged that the enabling reality was the grace of God, not himself. This fits perfectly with another confession from Paul that we have also considered in previous devotions. "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God" (2Co_3:5). Ultimately, such a life is explained as Christ Himself expressing His life in and through our lives. "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" (Gal_2:20).

This cessation from our works is to be as complete as God's ceasing from His work at creation. "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works...For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His (Heb_4:4, Heb_4:10). God rested on the seventh day, because his "creation-work" was finished. We are to rest from our works, because we cannot add to the finished work of Christ for us. He completed our redemption upon the cross. "He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit" (Joh_19:30). He has also fully prepared the works that He wants us to now enter into by faith. "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Eph_2:10)

Prayer:
Lord, I see that I must rest in You for daily growth and service as fully as I rested in You for initial salvation. Help me to cease from my own vain striving, that I might trust in You to work in and through me, Amen.

The Wonders of Prayer Have Not Stopped

Mighty is the power of prayer. Wonderful are its fruits. Remarkable things are brought to pass by men of prayer. Many are the wonders of prayer wrought by an Almighty hand. The evidences of prayer’s accomplishments almost stagger us. They challenge our faith. They encourage our expectations when we pray.

From stories in the Holy Bible, we get a bird’s-eye view of the large possibilities of prayer and the urgent necessity of prayer. We see how God commits Himself into the hands of those who truly pray. Great are the wonders of prayer because great is the God who hears and answers prayer. Great are these wonders because great are the rich promises made by a great God to those who pray.

We have seen prayer’s far-reaching possibilities and its absolute, unquestioned necessity, and we have also seen that the earlier postings on these facts and explanation were essential in order to bring the subject more clearly, truly and strongly before our minds. The Church more than ever needs a deep conviction of the huge importance of prayer in prosecuting the work committed to it. More praying must be done, and better praying if the Church is to be able to perform the difficult, delicate and responsible task, given to it by her Lord and Master. Defeat awaits a non-praying Church. Success is sure to follow a Church that is given too much prayer. The supernatural element in the Church, without which it must fail, comes only through praying. More time, in this busy bustling age, must be given to prayer by a God-called Church. More thought must be given to prayer in this thoughtless, silly age of superficial religion. More heart and soul must be in the praying that is done if the Church would go forth in the strength of her Lord and perform the wonders which are her heritage by Divine promise.

“O Spirit of the Living God,
In all thy plenitude of grace,
Where’er the foot of man hath trod,
Descend on our apostate race.

“Give tongues of fire and hearts of love,
To preach the reconciling word,
Give power and unction from above,
Where’er the joyful sound is heard.”

It might be in order to give an instance or two in the life of Rev. John Wesley, showing some remarkable displays of spiritual power. Many times it is stated that this noted man gathered his company together, and prayed all night, or till the mighty power of God came upon them. It was at a Watch Night service, at Fetter Lane, December 31, 1738, when Charles and John Wesley, with Whitfield, sat up till after midnight singing and praying. This is the account:

“About three o’clock in the morning, as we were continuing instant in prayer, the power of God came mightily upon us, so that many cried out for exceeding joy, and many fell to the ground. As soon as we had recovered a little from that awe and amazement at the presence of His Majesty, we broke out with one voice, ‘We praise thee, O God! We acknowledge thee to be the Lord!’”

On another occasion, Mr. Wesley gives us this account:

“After midnight, about a hundred of us walked home together, singing, rejoicing and praising God.”

Often does this godly man make the record to this effect,

“We continued in ministering the Word and in prayer and praise till morning.”

One of his all-night wrestling in prayer alone with God is said to have greatly affected a Catholic priest, who was really awakened by the occurrence to a realization of his spiritual condition.

As often as God manifested His power in Scriptural times in working wonders through prayer, He has not left Himself without witness in modern times. Prayer brings the Holy Spirit upon men to-day in answer to persistent, continued prayer just as it did before Pentecost. The wonders of prayer have not STOPPED.

Prayers Are a Mighty Energy in Overcoming the World, the Flesh and the Devil

IN the fearful contest in this world between God and the devil, between good and evil, and between heaven and hell, prayer is the mighty force for overcoming Satan, giving dominion over sin, and defeating hell. Only praying leaders are to be counted on in this dreadful conflict. Praying men alone are to be put to the front. These are the only ones who are able to successfully contend with all the evil forces.

The “prayers of all the saints” are a perpetual force against all the powers of darkness. These prayers are a mighty energy in overcoming the world, the flesh and the devil and in shaping the destiny of God’s movements, to overcome evil and get the victory over the devil and all his works. The character and energy of God’s movements lie in prayer. Victory is to come at the end of praying.

The wonders of God’s power are to be kept alive, made real and present, and repeated only by prayer. God is not now so evident in the world, so almighty in manifestation as of old, not because miracles have passed away, nor because God has ceased to work, but because prayer has been shorn of its simplicity, its majesty, and its power. God still lives, and miracles still live while God lives and acts, for miracles are God’s ways of acting. Prayer is dwarfed, withered and petrified when faith in God is staggered by doubts of His ability, or through the shrinking caused by fear. When faith has a telescopic, far-off vision of God, prayer works no miracles, and brings no marvels of deliverance. But when God is seen by faith’s closest, fullest eye, prayer makes a history of wonders.

Think about God. Make much of Him, till He broadens and fills the horizon of faith. Then prayer will come into its marvellous inheritance of wonders. The marvels of prayer are seen when we remember that God’s purposes are changed by prayer, God’s vengeance is stayed by prayer, and God’s penalty is remitted by prayer. The whole range of God’s dealing with man is affected by prayer. Here is a force which must be increasingly used, that of prayer, a force to which all the events of life ought to be subjected.

To “pray without ceasing,” to pray in everything, and to pray everywhere-these commands of continuity are expressive of the sleepless energy of prayer, of the exhaustless possibilities of prayer, and of its exacting necessity. Prayer can do all things. Prayer must do all things.

“Prayer is the simplest form of speech
That infant lips can try;
Prayer the sublimest strains that reach
The majesty on high.”

Prayer is asking God for something, and for something which He has promised. Prayer is using the divinely appointed means for obtaining what we need and for accomplishing what God proposes to do on earth.

“Prayer is appointed to convey
The blessings God designs to give;
Long as they live should Christians pray,
They learn to pray when first they live.”

And prayer brings to us blessings which we need, and which only God can give, and which prayer can alone convey to us.

The Wise Use Of Influence

"Ye are the light of the world.... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."-- Mat_5:14-16.

INFLUENCE MAY be defined as the flowing in of our soul to stimulate and help, or to humiliate others. The law of action and leisure, of attraction and disgust is always at work, in virtue of which it may be truly said that no one lives or dies to himself. The position of each atom of sand upon the seashore affects the position of all others, and the quality of our personal character is more persistent than a good or bad feeling. What we are affects others much more deeply than what we say. Probably waves of spiritual influence are continually going out from our inmost nature, and it is the impact of these upon those around us which makes it easier or harder for them to realize their highest ideals.

The first circle which we can touch and influence is that of our friends. Our encouragement to them may be in sweetness or in unpleasantness, but whatever we do or say, we must see that we are absolutely true and faithful (Pro_27:6-9 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. The full soul loathes a honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. As a bird that wandered from her nest, so is a man that wondered from his place. Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.) Sincerity means to be without the wax which the cabinet-maker may put into the cracks of the wood to make it appear sound. It is the true and pure soul that most readily and forcibly helps another. Do not be selfish in your friendship, but always give out as much and more than you expect to receive. Love is a tender plant, and needs culturing. We must not presume that it is able to thrive without light and truth.

The second circle of influence is that of our associates. The great world of men and women may not appreciate our copy of the Beatitudes of the Kingdom, but still we will be criticize, hunt, and all kinds of evil well be said against you incorrectly; nevertheless, we must continue to bless the world by the silent and gracious influence of holy living. Hated, we must bless; wronged, we must tolerate; defamed, we must pray. We must be as salt to our persecutors and as light to our defamers. It is wonderful how love and consistent, patient, prayerful influence will finally overcome; to the glory of God the Father.

We are to be as salt; i.e. our consistent holy living will act as antiseptic to catch evil. We are to be the light of the world. Inconsistency and cowardice are like bushels which are put over the lamp. Let us put all these hindrances away, so that the light which is within us may shine out on the dark world.

PRAYER
Grant, we plead of You, O God, that our behavior may be as real as the Gospel of Christ. May the savoir of Christ be in our influence, His light in our face, and His love in our hearts. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Lack of Faith Ties the Hands of Almighty God in His Working Among the Children of Men: Part 4

Paul was on that noted journey to Rome under guard, and had been shipwrecked on an island. The chief man of the island was Publius, and his old father was critically ill of a bloody flux. Paul laid his hands on the old man, and prayed for him, and God came to the rescue and healed the sick man. Prayer brought the thing desired to pass. God interfered with the laws of nature, either suspending or setting them aside for a season, and answered the prayer of this praying servant of His. And the answer to prayer among those heathen people convinced them that a supernatural power was at work among them. In fact so true was this that they seemed to think a supernatural being had come among them.

Peter was put in prison by Herod after he had killed James with the sword. The young Church was greatly concerned, but they neither lost heart nor gave themselves over to needless fretting and worrying. They had learned before this from where their help came. They had been schooled in the lesson of prayer. God had intervened before in the behalf of His servants and interfered when His cause was at stake. “Prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him.” An angel on swift wings comes to the rescue, and in a marvelous and supernatural way releases Peter and leaves the prison doors locked. Locks and prison doors and an unfriendly king cannot stand in the way of Almighty God when His people cry in prayer unto Him. Miracles if need be will be produced in their behalf to fulfill His promises and to carry forward His plans. After this order does the Word of God illustrate and enlarge and confirm the possibilities of prayer by what may be termed “Prayer miracles.”

How quickly to our straits follow our enlargements! God wrought a wonderful work through Samson in enabling him with a crude instrument, the jaw bone of an ass, to slay a thousand men, giving him a great deliverance. Shortly afterward he was abnormally thirsty, and he was unable to obtain any water. It seemed as if he would die with thirst. God had saved him from the hands of the Philistines. Could he not as well save him from thirst? So Samson cried unto the Lord, and “God clave a hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water there out, and when he had drunk, his spirit came again and he revived.” God could bring water out of the jaw bone just as well as He could give victory by it to Samson. God could change that which had been death-dealing to His enemies and make it life-giving to His servant. God can and will work a miracle in answer to prayer in order to deliver His friends, sooner than He will work one to destroy His enemies. He does both, however, in answer to prayer.

THE possibilities of prayer are gauged by faith in God’s ability to do. Faith is the one prime condition by which God works. Faith is the one prime condition by which man prays. Faith draws on God to its full extent. Faith gives character to prayer. A feeble faith has always brought forth feeble praying. Vigorous faith creates vigorous praying. At the close of a parable, “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men always ought to pray, and not to faint,” in which He stressed the necessity of vigorous praying, Christ asks this pointed question, “When the Son of Man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” If more information is required on prayer and faith please leave a comment. For prayer or any questions you may have, I will answer back as soon as I can. Keep praying to the Great I AM.