Power of Prayer

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much James 5:16(B)

   I am taking an excerpt of a sermon that I will be preaching in a couple of weeks, dealing with the Power of Prayer. Prayer is the heart beat of a christian.  The more you pray the more your spiritual relationship with God flows.  Prayer is a fundamental pillar in Christianity.  It is the form that God has chosen to be the highway of communication between us and Him.

  

Prayer has the ability to heal the sick, cast out demons and to give victory over your enemies.
God through prayer can open eyes, heal wounds of sorrow and grant wisdom.
Prayer is meant to be the steering wheel in our life to guide us every where we go. However most of us use prayer as the spare tire.  Meaning we only use prayer when we get a flat.

  The above scripture (James 5:16) reminds me of Hannah in 1 Samuel Ch.1 In these times it was terrible for a woman to be barren or have no kids. This was viewed as a type of curse.  She was married to man whom had another wife.  This woman had no issues with having offspring.  However Hannah grieved over this situation waited for her husband to go to Shiloh for the yearly sacrifice, and after dinner went to pray at the alter.

  The Bible says she was so deep in prayer that she wept heavily and though her lips was moving no words was coming out. She was in a deep fervent prayer. Asking God to give her a son, whom she would dedicate back to the Lord.

  Because of her prayer God allowed her to bring the prophet Samuel into the world.  This child would anoint the first king of Israel Saul, and also King David.  Her prayer not only effected her life but many others.  Let us not use prayer as a spare tire but allow God to guide us with it in our every day Life.

Do to Others as You would have Them do unto You

Matthew 25:34-39
³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

 Twice a month  I try to go and minister at the local rescue mission where I live.  Its very interesting the people you come across.  Majority are homeless, others just need a place to relax while their mind and emotions settle down. I however get intrigued by the stories they share. Some stories are very inspiring, while some are sad and terrible. There is a phrase I have came across  that states  "walk in my shoes first before you judge me".

 I know Most people view those at the missions as rejects, lost cause, failures or just another statistic.
However these people have a heart beat just like everyone else, and if you prick them they bleed!! They have emotions, feeling hurt and suffering cause they have lost much of what they have had.

 I wanted to share a story of the man that I met last night. His name is Daniel. This man had suffered great loss in his life, both parents and his wife passed away, he also had lost one of his legs(though I do not know the cause). The man though having endured so much in his life, which usually leads to bitterness was very passionate and kind.

I only spent a hour with this man and his devotion to God captivated my attention.  Here is a man struggling in everyday life, still trying to get past yesterday, reliving his pain, yet still pursuing after God.  As we discussed the bible, he told me he had trouble reading, but he was a great listener, and indeed he is because he displayed his knowledge of the bible quite well.  When we talked about Jesus and the sacrifice that was made on the cross for him, he started to tear up.  He said i couldn't have done that, but he was so grateful that Jesus did it for him.


Though I was a encouragement to him, he at the same time was a encouragement to me.  He said i would love for many to hear my story but they wont listen, they don't care.  Well brother I do! and I'm glad I got to meet you in this life, and hope to see you in the Next.

I know life doesn't always deal us a fair deck of cards, but its how we utilize what is given to us to continue to press forward.  These people do need help! Some just need some one to be a shoulder to cry on, one just wants someone to just be a ear and listen, and some just want to feel accepted and loved.

He, just like many others in missions everywhere and  people going through similar situations feel broken and worthless. Sometimes God puts these people in our paths to remind them that they still have Value.

Matthew 25:40
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

comments are welcomed

The Substance Of Things Hoped For.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. - KJV

  People live everyday by a measure of faith even if they truly do not realize it. Since Faith is the things we hope for I'm sure everyone of us have hopes and dreams. Even if we don't agree on theology or even if you don't believe there is a God, we all have hopes for our children and our personal lives.


  I'm sure we can reach common ground in that we all have hopes that are kids will be healthy and one day will make something of themselves.  I'm sure we all have hopes that one day we will get all these bills paid off and that we can get to a simplicity of life and not worry about financial strain.

  That is (Faith). Its what We hope for!  Some one saying don't get your hopes up is basically saying don't put your faith into it.  Regardless if your religious or not, we all have hopes. These hopes are faith driven, because it is what one day we want to see happen.

  I know I have seen much criticism for my faith, and much of that comes about  from other  people who claim to be a christian but are in fact hypocrites that like to throw judgment at people they see. It seems to me that some of these so- called Christians sorta relish the thought of people burning in a everlasting fire...   In discussion boards and forums i have seen the line, " O you just wait buddy your gonna get it in the end, and burn in hell"

  Man that is so heart breaking, these people who are so-called Christians don't realize that everyone is a sinner. The only thing that separates me from them is that i place my hopes in Christ. I dont want no one to go to such a place. The Bible states that God wants all people to come to repentance. It is my hope that all people some day do.  Yes i know we are not perfect but it seems like people are more interested in casting judgment than showing the Love of God through them.

  If I may, I would like to share some of my Hopes with you. Yes they are religious, but I think you would agree with where I am wanting to go. I hope for a world one day, where they will be no war, there will be no hatred, no greed, no sickness, no murder, a world united in unity out of love. A place where if some one is struggling all those close by wont think a second to lend a hand. A place were i wont have to worry if i left my door unlocked when i leave my home, cause no one will covet what i have.

 I am wanting a world where the Bible describes as a Utopia.  Where the Kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of Our Lord and His Christ, and there is truly peace. A place of tranquility and prosperous lives to which is no end.

 You may disagree with me about  beliefs and such, and yes you may think I'm a dreamer, but as John Lennon said in that  song (Imagine)  "I'm not the only One".   Who wouldn't want such a world?  Now I don't agree with what John Lennon believed or everything in that specific song, but I do want a world that is One, and this is One under God. This is the true Hope of many of those in Christianity.

Since I shared some of my hopes with you, would you be willing to share some of your hopes with me. Though I ask please no swearing or cursing I do want to keep this civilized.   God Bless

TOUCH DOWN!!

 I am a football fan. I love the sport, but there is a day better than Superbowl Sunday and that is Resurrection Sunday!! Why is the Resurrection so important?

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:17 -NIV

¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

If Jesus is not raised from the dead are faith is useless and we are bad witnesses of God.

In fact it is through the Resurrection that we know Jesus is the Messiah.

Romans 1:4 -NIV
and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.


 The Resurrection was God's faithful witness to us that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He did in fact wash away sins through  Jesus atoning sacrifice.

Acts 1:8-9 -NIV
⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
⁹ After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - NIV
³ For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance^[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas,^[b] and then to the Twelve. ⁶ After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. ⁷ Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, ⁸ and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

 Many people saw the resurrected Christ, and because of this many believed.  Both Peter and Paul made note in preaching that the Messiah would not see decay like King David.  That God would raise Him.

Truth of the matter is we celebrate Resurrection Sunday once a year, but really for anyone who declares themselves to be a true Christian, we can celebrate the Resurrection everyday.

  Just as Christ was raised from the dead in like manner one day those who have believed on Him shall likewise be raised from the dead. The Resurrection is what Guaranteed our salvation, it Guaranteed Jesus Spoke the truth, it Guaranteed that the prophecies of the coming Messiah would be fulfilled.
Happy Resurrection Sunday  Go JESUS!!  The true Superbowl MVP

Pictures courtesy of turnbacktogod.com

He was Pierced For ME!!!

“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are
healed.” (Isaiah 53: 5)

Tonight, the Biblical Festival of Passover (Pesach) begins, coinciding
this year with Good Friday.

On Sunday, as Passover continues, Believers will celebrate the resurrection of
Jesus on Easter.

Around the world, as the Jewish People commemorate their exodus from slavery in
Egypt, and celebrate the saving power of the God of Israel, Believers in Yeshua
(Jesus)—both Jewish and Gentile—will celebrate freedom from slavery to sin.

This freedom, the salvation of Israel and all mankind, was accomplished through
the death, burial and resurrection of the Messiah Yeshua (Jesus), as the
sacrificial Passover Lamb.

“Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will
appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are
waiting for Him.” (Hebrews 9:28)

In fullfillment of scripture, Jesus became our guilt offering, paying the price for sin once and for all.

".. though the Lord makes His life a guilt offering, He will see His offspring and prolong His days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in His hand isaiah 53:10"

 

 

While the guilt offerings on the alter of the temple could only roll back sins for another year.

Jesus's death and ressurection actually removed sin for all time.

 

 

As John said when he saw Jesus comming to him at the Jordan River

"Behold the lamb of God that takes away the Sin of the World" -John 1:29

Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you
really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5:7)

“But you know that He appeared so that He might take away our sins. And in Him
is no sin.” (1 John 3:5)

Why did Jesus do this? Cause He loved you. By taking your punishment for sin, the judgment of God shall passover you.  My sins have been washed away because of the Finished work that Jesus did on the Cross.  He was Pierced for me, He can be Pierced for you as well.



Pictures and some wording taken from Messianic bible society

I Have a Anchor for My Soul!

Hebrews 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,  - NIV

 The anchor is a heavy object attached to a vessel by a cable or rope and cast overboard to keep the vessel in place either by its weight or by its flukes, which grip the bottom.

 The bible says the anchor enters the inner  sanctuary behind the curtain. This is where the Ark of the Covenant is. In the old testament the high priest would enter in once a year to make atonement  for the nation of Israel placing the blood of the sacrifice on top of the mercy seat of God.

  In the New Testament the author of hebrews, points out that Jesus entered into the Holy of Holies, made the one and only sacrifice and then sat down at the right hand of the Father. It was Christ Blood that is the atoning sacrifice on top of the Mercy seat of God.

 Mark 15:38  The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. -NIV

At the crucifiction of Christ when Jesus took his last breathe and He gave His Spirit back to God, the temple veil was torn.  This signified that the old covenant was over, and a new one has started.  No longer will just one man enter in once a year, but all who seek after God can enter into the Holy of Holies at any time. For because of Jesus we have all access.

  The anchor we have is our faith, that is securely anchored to the Mercy Seat of God. For through Jesus we have obtained God's Mercy. We have a anchor for our Soul!