Hindrances to Prayer

These first 7 came from RA Torry's book Power in Prayer

1. Self Indulgence
The first hindrance to prayer we will find in James 4:3,
"Ye ask and receive not BECAUSE YE ASK AMISS, THAT YE MAY SPEND IT IN YOUR PLEASURES."

2. Sin
The second hindrance to prayer we find in Is. 59:1,2:
"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy,
that it cannot hear.  But YOUR INIQUITIES HAVE SEPARATED BETWEEN YOU AND
YOUR GOD, and YOUR SINS HAVE HID HIS FACE FROM YOU, THAT HE WILL
NOT HEAR."...

3. 0ther Gods
The third hindrance to prayer is found in Ez. 14:3, "Son
of man, these men have taken their idols into their heart, and put
the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face: should I be
inquired of at all by them?"(R.V.)  IDOLS IN THE HEART CAUSE GOD TO REFUSE
TO LISTEN TO OUR PRAYERS.

4. Not helping the poor.
The fourth hindrance to prayer is found in Prov. 21:13,
"WHOSO STOPPETH HIS EARS AT THE CRY OF THE POOR, HE ALSO SHALL CRY
HIMSELF, BUT SHALL NOT BE HEARD."

5. Not forgiving
The fifth hindrance to prayer is found in Mark 11:25, "And
when ye stand praying, FORGIVE, if ye have ought against any; that
your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."

6. Not treating wife right
The sixth hindrance to prayer is found in 1_Peter 3:7, "Ye
husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives according to
knowledge, giving honor unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel as
being also joint-heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your
prayers be not hindered." (R.V.)  Here we are plainly told that A
WRONG RELATION BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE IS A HINDRANCE TO PRAYER.

7. Doubting
The seventh hindrance to prayer is found in James 1:5-7,
"But if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and
upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask IN FAITH, NOTHING
DOUBTING: for he that doubteth is like the
surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.  For let not that man think that he
shall receive anything of the Lord." (R.V.)

8. Not according to God's will. David Wilkerson.

9.  Our Prayers Can Be
Denied When We Show No Diligence
to Assist God In The Answer.
It is the fervent prayer, a prayer needs works of faith. and a death to self to gain
the answer.
Prov 1:28 no diligence or indifference.

10. There is no persistence in prayer. Luke 18:1f

11. Lack of fellowship with God and His word. John 15:7

12. Sometimes there needs to be fasting. Matthew 17:21 Mark 9:29

13. God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble. James 4:6

14. Disobedience to God's direction  and not letting our ministry and fruit remain. John
15:16

15. Stubbornness Zech 7:13 Just as God called and I did not listen so when one calls
God will not listen.

16. Friendship with the world is hostility toward God.  James 4:4; 1 John 2:15,16,17

The following 6 reasons came from Proverbs 1:24f
17. God called and they refused to listen.
18. Did not pay attention to God's stretched out hand.
19. Neglected God's counsel.
20. Did not want God's reproof.
21. Hated knowledge.
22. Did not fear God.

ONE THING

There are 2 passages of Scripture that speak directly of this. Psalm 27:4 and Philippians 3:13. I was reading Psalm 27 in my normal Bible reading and the first 3 verses really stood out to me.

Psalm 27:1-3

“The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?
2 When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh,
My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though a host encamp against me,
My heart will not fear;
Though war arise against me,
In spite of this I shall be confident. “

It was the power of these Scriptures that made me take notice and look for what was the reason for the confidence and lack of fear or worry in the midst of great opposition.

Psalm 27:4 is the answer. One thing David asks for. To be with God always. When we are with God who can be against us. This is the key to life in my estimation. Our life is better and fulfilled when we are serving instead of just taking. It is much better to give than to receive. Thought all of us need to receive at times.

Why do I say this?

Philippians 3:13,14

“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Being with God will entail serving or seeking Him. So the “One Thing” of the Bible is being with God and pressing into the things God has for us to serve Him.

God has laid hold of us to walk in grace by living sensibly, righteously, and Godly Titus 2:12. He has laid hold of us to go, Matt 28:19. He has laid hold of us to be ambassadors to the world 2 Cor. 5:20. We are to be a light in the world. Matt. 5:16

But all this activity will come to naught if we neglect the one thing God has for us and that is to dwell with Him, and get our nourishment from Him and all we have comes from Him. James 1:17.

Use this nourishment to give to others as you are called in Him. Then the nourishment will continue to flow.

Satisfaction does not come from pleasing yourself, it comes from serving others from the leading of the Spirit in our life as we rest in Him.

With this resting in Him and pressing into what He has for us will give us the confidence and peace to live. Psalm 112:7

Don't Miss What Jesus Said

Luke 18:34 "But the disciples understood none of these things, and the meaning of this statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said. "

Do we have such a pre-conceived idea of Jesus that we miss what He says?

- understood none of these things.
-The meaning of this statement was hidden from them.
-they did not comprehend what was said.

Let us not be arrogant and think we can know everything. Some things God will not reveal to us. Rev 10:14

But at the same time, let us look to God for His light. And keep our heart Prov. 4:23 soft and not hard. Hardness of heart will blind us from the truth. Eph 4:18

Watering the Word

A seed planted in the soil needs watering. And a seed planted in the soil of our heart needs watering also. The word of God gives us faith if we accept it and believe what God has said to us. Psalm 119  gives us ways of watering the word in our heart.

A seed without water will die. So the spiritual seed of God's word in our heart will die if it is not watered. These are some ways I have gleaned from Psalm 119 that we can water the seeds of faith in our heart.

Seeds and small plants in the ground will die if weeds or competing plants use up the soil, nutrients and water that are available to it. So also, the seeds of faith and the small amount of faith that is starting to grow in our heart will die if the weeds of worry are not rooted out by our focusing on the promises in the word of God to counter the unbelief of worry.

Psalm 119:1 Walk in the law.
Psalm 119:2 Observe His testimonies
Psalm 119:2 Seek Him with all your heart
Psalm 119:4 Keep word diligently
Psalm 119:6 Look upon your commands
Psalm 119:7 Learn righteous judgments.
Psalm 119:11 Treasure word in heart.
Psalm 119:13 Told of your ordinances.
Psalm 119:14 Rejoiced in the way of your testimonies
Psalm 119:15 Meditate on your precepts
Psalm 119:15 Regard Your ways
Psalm 119:16 Delight in your statutes
Psalm 119:16 Not forget your word.
Psalm 119:18 Behold wonderful things from Your Law
Psalm 119:20 Longing after ordinances
Psalm 119:30 Chosen the faithful way
Psalm 119:30 Placed ordinances before me.
Psalm 119:31 Cling to God's testimonies.
Psalm 119:32 Run the way of your commands.
Psalm 119:42 Trust in your Word.
Psalm 119:43 Wait for your ordinances
Psalm 119:45 Seek Your precepts.
Psalm 119:48 Lift up my hands to Your commands.
Psalm 119:51 I don't turn aside from your law
Psalm 119:54 Statutes are my songs.
Psalm 119:59 Turned my feet to Your testimonies
Psalm 119:87 I did not forsake your precepts
Psalm 119:95 Consider Your testimonies
Psalm 119:97 Love Your law.
Psalm 119:103 Your words are sweet to my taste.
Psalm 119:111. Your words are a joy to my heart
Psalm 119:112 Inclined my heart to preform your statutes.
Psalm 119:120 I am afraid of your judgments.
Psalm 119:128 I esteem right all your precepts.
Psalm 119:148 My eyes anticipate the night watches that I my meditate on your word.
Psalm 119:161 My heart stands in awe of your words.
Psalm 119:162 I rejoiced at your word.

Of all these methods, Psalm 119:148 is the most outstanding. I enjoy sleeping after a hard day of work and exercise. If my eyes are anticipating the night so that I can meditate instead of sleep, then I will be consumed with God's word. A life of faith needs the word and water to maintain trust in the Lord. This will counter the many obstacles the enemy will throw our way as we walk in the faith. Without our desire to counter the obstacles that come our way faith will die. Faith is maintained as we fight, but if left to grow naturally, faith dies. So in the middle of the fight I desperately need to be encouraged. These verses of Psalm 119  show ways to encourage ourselves like David did of old. 1 Samuel 30:6

Life Comes From Death

The idea that life comes from death.

Before life there must be death.

Soil is composed of decayed plant material. This material is full of the nutrients plants need for growth.

We are new people in Christ. 2 Cor 5:17  This new life comes after we die to our old life. Christian baptism shows this concept. Baptism represents the burial of the old man and coming up out of the water represents the new man resurrected with power in Christ.

We are not able to serve God effectively if we have one foot in the world and another foot in God's kingdom. We need to make a break from the world and go for God 100%.

Jesus goes so far and says if we are a friend of the world we are hostile towards God. James 4:4; 1 John 2:15

A seed dies before it gives life.
We die before we give life.

Choosing death to our old life gives fertilizer and vitality to our new life. If we hold back from giving up our old life then there is no power in serving God in our new life.

Repentance is turning from the old way of life and deciding to follow Jesus in living a new life in Him.

Let us not shrink back from turning from our sin and living a victorious life. Heb. 10:39

2 Cor 1:9 Death to ourselves gives us the ability to trust God.

The kingdom of God has this idea presented in parables of The Field with a hidden treasure Matt 13:44 and The Pearl of Great Price. Matt. 13:45 We sell all to get these.

Complaining

How does one express dissatisfaction? It will bring disrespect. My purpose is not to bring disrespect but to show that I am not fitting in with what is going on.

What brings life? What brings the answer? What brings direction?

What do I do with complaining? There is always problems, otherwise there would be no need for work. For when you see something to complain about you have 2 options:

You can complain.

or

You can roll up your sleeves and go to work.

Complaining comes from lazy people.

What if yo are already working? Then you are not working from a position of faith. Complaining shows a lack of faith.

Rejoice, I am the Great I am.

Bring all to Me Point yourself to the Blood of Christ. Don't worry come to Me.

This is the day you will behold My light. I will carry you to the mountain top, so rejoice in Me says the Lord God almighty.

Family Alter

“Then the LORD said, ‘shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do? Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen Him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what He has promised him’” [Genesis 18:17-19].

I get tracts in the mail every once in a while from different places. One track taught the ‫importance of having a family alter.  So I got on the internet and found some web sites that talk of this discipline.

There is an old statement that says that a family that prays together stays together. But going one further a family that worships together will stay together. Family alters are a time of worship, reading and studying the Bible and prayer.

Many will say there is no time for a faimily alter. We are so hurried. This reminds me of my son who did not want to sleep becuase he would miss out on something. Yes we will miss out on something if we take time to have a family alter. If we don't take time, we become sick the same happens when we don't take time to sleep.

Life is full of stuff. We need to choose what to partake of and what to cut.

Of course a family can't have a family alter if they are not Christian. The family alter is an expression of Christian life.

Hebrews 2:3 "how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, " Salvation is not just a start. It is a beginning of life. and a family alter will nurture that life.

The family alter: builds family bonds, teaches and exaults the Word of God, gives a place for prayer together, sets an example for others, children can be taught life skills, and all can grow in the grace of God.

Sources for this article:
http://www.brfwitness.org/?p=208

http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=49668

How to Have A Family Altar by Norman V. Williams


http://www.latterrainassembly.org/articles/Family_Altar.pdf

Areas for Discipleship / Christian growth

Salvation
Assurance of Salvation
Sanctification
Communion
Water baptism
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Confidence in the Bible / Scriptural Authority
Bible reading
Recognize the voice of the Lord
Hearing God
Faith to live by
Bible Study
Sound doctrine
Refute those who teach wrong doctrine
Bible meditation, memory
Tithing / giving
Fellowship
Worship
Being yoked with Jesus
Lordship of Jesus
The Cross of Christ
Being yoked with others
Loving others
Unity of the Faith
Submitting to others
Willingness to roll up your sleeves and go to work
Operating in the fruits 1 Peter 1, Gal 5
Operating in the gifts of the Spirit 1 Cor Eph Rom 12
Understanding personal calling
Relationship with the Lord God Son and Holy Spirit.
Quiet time
Time of Prayer
seeking God
fasting
Living in expectation of God doing something in the next moment of your life.
Waiting and Expectant for God's movement
Divine encounters with other people
Prayer list and pray for those throughout your life.
Have a journal of life experiences, hopes victories concerns failures.
Repentance
Forgiveness
Steps of discipleship: from new convert to a leader and functioning in gifts God has called them.
Money - 5 Aspects - poverty, stewardship, abundance, contentment, job/carrier
Meet the needs of the poor
Spiritual warfare / intercession


Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster
Meditation
Prayer
Fasting
Study
Simplicity
solitude
Submission
Service
Confession
Worship
Guidance
Celebration

Anyone have any additions or comments?

Faith Laws

Laws of Godly Faith Romans 3:27

Romans 12:3 Each of us is given faith.

________________________________
1. Without forgiveness we can't have faith. Matt 18:21-35
2. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. Prov 18:20,21
3. Command the problem to go.
              Believe you will receive and not doubt.
              It will be granted Mark 11:22,23
              Pray for an answer.
              Believe it's already done.
              And it will be granted. Mark 11:24
4. Search for God with all your heart. Jer 29:13
5. Praying day and night builds faith. Luke 18:1f
6. Pray in the spirit builds faith. Jude 20
7. Faith comes by hearing the word of God Rom 10:17
8. Faith works through love. Gal 5:6
9. Faith is sown in peace. James 3:18  Faith has God's peace. John 16:33
10. Faith can't coexist with a double mind James 1:6f
11. Each of us are given faith. Romans 12:3
12. Faith needs works James 2:17
13. When your prayer of worry turns to praise. Phil 4:6f You have prayed through.
14. Faith prepares for the future. Noah
15. Faith endures. James 1
16. Faith understands authority. Centurion Luke 7:1-9
17. Faith does not take no answer, or lame reasons as an answer of no. Syrophonicion women. Matt 15:21f Mark 4:24f
18. Poor are rich in faith. James 2:5
19. Fix our eyes on Jesus. Heb 12:2
20. Jesus is the author of our faith Heb 12:2
21. Jesus is the finisher of our faith. Heb 12:2
22. Pride and faith can't coexist. Hab. 2:4
23. We can't believe and seek glory for ourselves. Jn 5:44
24. God opens the door of faith. Acts 14:27
25. Serve with no thought of self, increases faith. Lk 17:5-10
26. Faith is assured of the promise. Heb 11:1
27. Faith does not consider a report against God's promise. Eph 6:16
28. Praising God defeats unbelief. Rom 4:20,21
29. Faith can rest. Heb 4:1;
30. You got to fight for faith. 1 Tim 6:12
31. Faith works in Jesus not the concept. 2 Cor 1:20
32. Faith is kept 2 Tim 4:7
33. Hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering. Heb 10:23
34. The fear of man brings a snare. Prov 29:25
35. An evil report does not shake faith Ps 112:7
36. Faith is not disappointed Rom 10:11
37. Whatever is not of faith is sin. Faith is required. Rom 14:23
38. Faith is made strong in weakness. Heb 11:34 2 Cor 12:9
39. Imitate peoples faith because of the good outcome. Heb 13:7,8
40. You can't try faith you have to believe. Because the tests of faith will cause those who try faith to quit.
41. Faith is perfected by works James 2:22
42. Making Jesus Lord builds faith. Romans 10:9
43. If faith is lacking that means love is also lacking.
44. Oral Robert's 3 steps- God is your source Phil 4:19 Sow into your need 2 Cor 9 Expect a miracle Mark 11:22-24
45. Faith is a decision on our part or why would we be commanded to have it. Have faith in God. Mark 11:22, Deut 30:19,20
46. We speak about what we believe in. I believe therefore I spoke. 2 Cor 4:13
47. God answers Prayer. John 14:14
48. Faith is content in the present and believes for the future. Phil. 4:11
49. Became mighty in war Heb 11:34 not before war!
50. I must die to myself if I am to live by faith. Gal 2:20
51. Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for we must believe He exists and rewards us. Heb 11:6
52. If you have faith you will live by your faith. Hab 2:4 Matt 4:4
53. Faith is ours and we can grow it 1 Jn 5:4
54. Prayer and fasting build faith. Matt 17:20,21
55. Crying day and night for an answer expresses faith. Luke 18:1-8
56. Faith lives by the word, has a dream, is adventurous, not affected by the world. Cho
57. Faith works for what, in the natural, would be a waste. Noah.
58. Faith needs courage 2 Cor 5:6-8
59. Faith stands, before God and against Satan.
60. Faith is strengthened by encouragement from others.
61. Faith is bold Eph 3:12
62. Faith is not led astray by the enemies success or power Deut 13:1-3 or faith withstands a test from God. Judges 20:18f Faith continues after defeat Judges 20:18f63. Faith trusts God.
64.Your Faith will be Tested 
65. Pray for your faith to be increased. Luke 17:5
66. The alternative to faith is rational thinking.
67. Start in the flesh and look for HS to help you, when God has already told you to do something in the word. Wigglesworth
68. Faith is based on the hope of the Scriptual promise. Hebrews 11:1
69. Faith will continue to the end, it will hold fast. Heb. 3:6; 3:14  James 1:2-4
70. Faith thrives as you are in communion with God.
71. Faith is Now Hebrews 11:1
72. Mustard Seed - Faith starts small; Faith grows with the right start
73. Faith starts with God not with works. Works won't build faith if faith is not there to start with.
74. Faith is perisable Heb 2:1 Use it or lose it by Roy Hicks
75. Faith is not presumption.
76. Faith is confident.
77. The word will not profit if it is not united with faith. Heb. 4:2
78. Faith and fear can't co-exist. Faith believes and fear doubts. Luke 8:50
79. Doubt will kill faith if left unchecked. 2 Cor 10:3-5 So counter doubt with the promise of God.
80. Meditation fertilizes the word of God. Faith is maintained by keeping your mind on the word and rejecting the problem. 2 Cor 10:3-5; Phil 4:6-9
81. Faith does not fear death. Dan. 3:16-18; Matt 10:28
82. Christ dwells in your heart through faith. Eph. 3:17

Arise

Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine; for your light has come,
And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.”



Arise can refer to awaking from the dead. Such as not being aware of what is going on around you. It can refer to not staying seated anymore. Being seated as opposed to doing your duty of following the commands of Jesus. Arise can refer to being in a position to go.



In this verse arise, shine shows we can't shine if we haven't arisen. So to arise is to let the light of Jesus shine through us to others. So to arise is to be a light to those around us and in the world. To stop vegetating, (attending and listening and learning and never coming to the knowledge of the truth.)



Isaiah 52:1,2 “Awake, awake,
Clothe yourself in your strength, O Zion;
Clothe yourself in your beautiful garments,
O Jerusalem, the holy city;
For the uncircumcised and the unclean
Will no longer come into you.
2 Shake yourself from the dust, rise up,
O captive Jerusalem;
Loose yourself from the chains around your neck,
O captive daughter of Zion.”



This verse presents the same idea of arising and amplifies this idea.



Awake and clothe yourself in your strength. This is the armor of God explained in Ephesians 6. And the beautiful garments represent the righteousness we have in salvation. We don't gain our righteousness by good works, but by God's free gift of salvation which we get by His grace.



With this preparation and shaking off the dust of being asleep. Being asleep could be our life for self indulgence self focus. The dust is what lingers on from that former life. Now we are to live a life energized by God



Luke 1:37,38 “For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. “



God was going to bring the Christ into he world through Mary having a virgin birth. Nothing is impossible with God. This was a blast of light from God to Mary. She responded by saying, Behold the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word. She accepted the light and was willing to live it out.



We should do well to live that way. There are 4 ways to deal with a revelation from God.



Different ways people respond to the Bible:
1 Be too busy to pay attention to the Bible and what it teaches. Note God usually speaks to us through the Bible.
2 Receive the teaching from the Bible but reject it when the going gets tough.
3 Receive the teachings of the Bible but the worries of the world and the deceitfulness of riches cause people to turn away from following the Bible.
4 Receive the word with joy and do what it says.



Now we should be like those who receive the word with joy and unite it with faith. Heb 4:2 Then the word which we hear will grow within us to produce fruit at maturity.



In John 11 Lazarus was oblivious to the world because he had died. There was nothing he could do. Jesus called to him in the grave commanding him to come forth. When Lazarus heard Jesus he responded with life.



Let us respond with life when we hear Jesus and shine for Him in what we do in life.

Live a Life of Giving

Acts 20:35 It is more blessed to give than receive.

Proverbs 24:11,12 Help those in need and don't blow it off. God judges our hearts.

Proverbs 21:13 He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will cry himself and not be heard.

Ezekiel 34:4 – What the shepherds did wrong.

Did not strengthen the sickly.

Did not heal the diseased.

Did not bind up the broken

Did not bring back the scattered.

Did not seek for the lost.

Matthew 25:41

Did not invite the stranger.

Did not clothe the naked.

Did not visit the sick and those in prison.

Luke 16:20,21 The accounting of the rich man and Lazarus

Note: In all the parables of Jesus none of them had a name of a person. Therefore I consider this a true account of 2 people in history. We should help those without strength and not just please ourselves. Romans 15:1

Live a life of giving, not a life of taking. We are rewarded when we give. A life lived to please ourselves turns bitter.

Drifting, Hardness, Sluggisness

At Kendallwood this past Sunday I taught on 3 things that keep us from growing in the Lord.

1. Was drifting away from the faith. Hebrews 2:1-4. Drifting could be just not paying attention to what we are doing. It could be not being sharpened in our faith and staying close to God in prayer and Bible reading.

Some ways to get out of drifting is to meditate on the Bible and know there are large benefits in following God.

2. The Second area that befalls people is hardness of heart. Hebrews 3:5-4:3 Hardness of heart is no believing the teaching of the Bible. It is deciding against believing the Bible. The end result of hardness of heart is a lack of rest within.

3. Sluggishness Hebrews 5:11-14 is the third thing that keeps a Christian from reaching his potential in the Lord.

And this verse came to mind today that goes along with what I am saying above.

Romans 1:21 “ For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. “

This verse refers to areas that people fall into that keep them from following the Lord fully.

1. Did not honor God. To give God the credit for our success. To Look to God in all we do. And to seek God daily for the answers and direction from Him.
2. Did not give thanks. It is important to have an attitude of thanks for all we have and do. This is not just for the things we have. We are to give thanks in all things in life both good and bad. Why? God is the one we serve and living by faith in Him means we are looking to Him to help us out of our problems. We give thanks in our problems because we trust God to help us in our problems.
3. Became futile in their speculations. We should keep our mind on Christ and not speculate on what will happen in life apart from what the Bible says. Trust in the Lord and His Word. God will answer prayer and deliver us as we look to Him. Don't put your mind on the things that could go wrong. Put your mind on the promises of God in the Bible.
4. Their foolish heart was darkened. As we turn away from God our heart becomes dark and does not receive from God anymore. This can change with repentance. All of us need repentance. And all of us should do it from time to time when there is something on our heart that is troubling us from what we have done.

So let us press on to know the Lord, for His light will come to illuminate us as we continue to seek Him.

Hearing From God

We can hear and have direction from God.

John 16:13 Jesus will disclose to us what is to come.

Psalm 119:99,100 We can learn much about God's direction by observing the testimonies in the Bible.

Amos 3:7 God will share his plans with His prophets.

Jeremiah 23:22 It is important to stand in the counsel of God, to announce God's words to His people.

Genesis 18:17 God did not hide from Abraham what He was going to do.

1 Corinthians 2:10 God reveals His plans to us through His Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:12 We can have the mind of Christ.

John 15:15 Jesus tea

ches us what He has heard from the Father.

Ephesians 1:9 God has made known to us the mystery of His will.

Life Summary from Bible

Here is a summary of what we should be doing.

Micah 6:8

“He has told you, O man, what is good;
And what does the LORD require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness,
And to walk humbly with your God? “

Deuteronomy 10:12

 “Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require from you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and love Him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, “

Zech 7:9,10

“Thus has the LORD of hosts said, ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; 10 and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’

Zech 8:16

“These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another; judge with truth and judgment for peace in your gates. “

1 Timothy 1:5

“But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. “

• Do justice. Treat people with justice. Help people gain justice.
• Love kindness. Not only are we kind but we seek it out and work towards being kind.
• Walk humbly with God. Humility cares more of others, and is not self absorbed.
• Fear the Lord your God. A sinner will fear the consequences of sin. A righteous believer will respect a holy God.
• Walk in all His ways. Read the Bible and study to live as God desires us to.
• Love God. Live in hope and expectation of what He has promised.
• Serve with all your heart and soul. Serve God with all you have.
• Love from a pure heart. Have a heart totally for God and don't hold back. Don't make provision for the flesh.
• Good conscience. Deal with sin and problems right away. Walk in confidence in the finished work of the blood of Jesus.
• Sincere faith. The motive for faith is to serve God and not self advancement.

Faith lives Crucified

Galatians 2:20 ~~I have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live. yet not I but Christ lives in me. And the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.~~

1. Crucified with Christ
2. Live as Christ lives through me.
3. Live by faith in Jesus in the flesh
4. Jesus loved and gave Himself for us.

What does it mean to be crucified with Christ?
Gal 5:24 Defines those who belong to Christ.
~~They have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.~~
That is we do away, make no provision, ignore, reject.
Now we need water, clothes, food, shelter.
- What we do for the flesh is maintenance.
In practicality if we put what pleases Christ 1st we won't have much time for other things.

But if we put Christ first and haven't crucified our flesh we will burn out because we are not able to do the things we desire. Instead put aside the desires of the flesh and go full bore for Christ. Don't look back to please the flesh. Push on to be pleasing to Christ.

Then how are we refreshed and not burn out in the work?
Ps 119 revived in the word
I revive myself in quietness in nature.

What is the difference between reviving myself with natural means and reviving myself spiritually.

Jesus said His food was to do God's will and accomplish His work John 4:34
Jesus anointing came from the wilderness as the Holy Spirit led Him. Let God refresh you. We all need times of rest. Mark 6:31

Faith is Content

Faith is content in the present in what one has and believes God for the future.

Contentment vs Desire

Are we content where we find ourselves?
There are lessons to be learned from our present situation.

But how can we cry day and night, if we are content where we are? Also In Isaiah 62:6,7 we are instructed to cry out to God day and night.

In Philippians 4:11 the context is our living situation.

Faith is content knowing God will provide.
1 Tim 6:6 we are to be content with the simple things and not seek to be rich.

In fact the responsibility of riches hinders our ability to walk in faith. We are to flee riches and pursue God. 1 Timothy 6:11

You can't try faith you have to believe.

You can't try faith you have to believe. Because the tests of faith will cause those who try faith to quit.

By its very nature, faith is in something that is hard. If it was not hard you wouldn't be worrying about it or spending much time on it. There would be no need for faith.

James 1 talks about the perseverance of faith. Faith must last through many problems. When you try something there is the mindset that you may receive and and you may not. Faith does not operate by that. Faith in God is hearing Him and being assured that what He has promised He is able also to preform. Then when all hell breaks loose against you, you still have the rock of God to stand on. And faith stands on that rock in the storm.

Many are the afflictions of their righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all.

Count the cost before the fight. If you count the cost in the midst of the fight you are more likely to give up when the going gets tough.

Isaiah 7:9 is a good verse on this. If you will not believe you surly will not last.

Faith is required

Romans 14:23

The Christian life requires faith to function. Without faith life degenerates to religious observance. And life reverts back to sinful living.
Faith pleases God, but no faith turns from God. Faith allows us to rest and trust God, without it there is unease and turmoil. From faith flows obedience, without faith there is disobedience. Use the wonderful works God has done for you in the past to continue to trust Him. Without belief you can't last. There is love and life with faith but without it there is judgment and fire.

Romans 13:2 don't resist authority or you will receive judgment.
1 Cor 11:29 judge what you do or you will be judged.
1 Cor 13:2 Faith must have love to be effective.
Titus 1:15 Without faith you spiral down, nothing is pure.
Hebrews 11:6 Without faith you can't please God.
Hebrews 3:12 evil unbelieving heart causes us to fall away form the living God.
Hebrews 3:18,19 disobedient and unbelief keep us from rest
Hebrews 4:2,6 The word without faith is unprofitable. Disobedience to good news causes failure.
Numbers 14:11,12 Don't spurn and disbelieve God.
Numbers 20:12 Did not believe in God to treat Him as holy.
Psalm 78:22,32 God's anger because they did not believe God or trust in His salvation, in spite of His many works.
Psalm 106:21,22,24 Forgot God who did great things, despised the pleasant land, did not believe in His word.
Isaiah 7:9 If you will not believe you surly will not last.
Mark 16:17 These signs will accompany those who believe . . .
John 3:18,19 he who does not believe has been judged already
Gal. 5:6 Faith works through love.
Rev. 21:8 Unbelieving will be in the lake of fire.

Faith is Made Strong in Weakness

Hebrews 11:34 out of weakness were made strong
Judges 7:10-25 God works with Gideon's weak army of 300
Judges 8:4-10 Gideon routed 2 other towns after the 1st battle.
Judges 15:14-20 Samson broke the ropes around him and killed 1000 with a jawbone, because the spirit of the Lord came upon him.
Judges 16:19-30 Samson went too far with Delilah but God still worked with his weakness to tear the temple down.
2 Corinthians 12:9,10 grace is sufficient, power in weakness, boast in weakness and content in all.
Isaiah 40:29-41:1 God brings strength as we wait.

Our weakness brings strength. God will work with us if we walk in faith in weakness. It does not matter of our strength but the Spirit of God. God will work with us even in our sin if we will return to the Lord. Use your weakness as a tool to trust God for greater things than before. When God doesn't answer, we are weak, therefore God will answer even greater!

Faith is not Disappointed

Romans 10:11 For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."

Isaiah 28:16
Romans 9:33
Isaiah 49:23
1 Peter 2:6

Believe in God brings the answer. To be disappointed is to give up on God. Don't give up, keep trusting Him. The one who made the worlds will come to our aid as well.

Don't Fear an Evil Report - Trust God

He will not Fear Evil Tidings his heart
is steadfast trusting the Lord.
Psalm 112:7

Psalm 27:1-3 The Lord is my light,
salvation,, defense, whom shall I fear or
dread. those who come to devour , stumble
and fell, my heart will not fear a host
or war. I will be confident.

Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord and He
answered me and delivered me from all my
fears.

Psalm 56:3,4 When I am afraid I will put
my trust in you. In god I put my trust
what can mere man do to me?

Proverbs 1:33 But he who listens to me
shall live securely and will be at ease
from the dread of evil.

Proverbs 3:25,26 Do not be afraid of
sudden fear, nor of the onslaught of the
wicked, for the Lord will be your
confidence and keep your foot from being
caught.

Luke 21:9,19 When you hear of wars and
disturbance do not be terrified. By your
endurance you gain your lives.

Psalm 57:7 My heart is steadfast O God my
heart is steadfast. I will sing, yes I
will sing praises.

Psalm 118:6 The Lord is for me I will not
fear, what can man to do me.

Isaiah 26:3,4 The steadfast of mind you
will keep in perfect peace, because he
trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever,
for in God we have an everlasting rock.

Daniel 3:16
Acts 20:24 But I don not consider my life
of any account as dear to myself.So that
I may finish my course and the ministry
which I received from the Lord Jesus so
to testify solemnly of the gospel of the
grace of God.

Acts 21:3 What are you doing weeping and
breaking my heart, for I am ready not
only to be bound but even to die at

Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

Psalm 62:8 Trust in Him at all times O
people, Pour out your heart before Him
God is a refuge for us.

Psalm 64:10 The righteous man will be
glad in the Lord and will take refuge in
Him. And all the upright in heart will
glory.

Psalm 118:8,9 It is better to take refuge
in the Lord than to trust in man. It is
better to take refuge in the Lord thane
to trust in princes.

John 14:1 Do not let your heart be
troubled, believe in God believe also in
Me.

Acts 27:25 Therefore keep up your courage
men, for I believe God that it will turn
out exactly as I have been told.

These many Scriptures attest to the proven
fact, we can rely on God through thick
and thin. Don't turn away from trusting
God, turn to Him by reading and
meditating on His word. Reject thoughts
of doubt and accept what His Word says.

Take His Word over others.
Don't fear evil tidings, have a steadfast heart trusting the Lord
Don't fear, be confident
Don't fear seek the Lord
Don't be afraid trust the Lord.
Listen to the Lord and trust Him. You will be at ease from the dread of evil.
Don't fear the wicked, but be confident in the Lord.
Don't fear disturbances and wars, but live with endurance.
Have a steadfast heart as you sing praises to the Lord.
The Lord is for me, what could man do?
The steadfast in mind will have perfect peace.
Do not consider your life as dear to your self.
Keep up your courage and believe God.

We should not view our work as needed to
please God. We should rest from work and
trust God's finished work on the cross
for us.

Faith Rests From Work.

Hebrews 4:1 "Therefore, let us fear lest,
while a promise remains of entering His
rest, any one of you should seem to have
come short of it."

Ps 95:11 Therefore I swore in my anger,
Truly they shall not enter into my rest.

Deut 12:9 "For you have not as yet come
to the resting place and the inheritance
which the Lord your God is giving you."

Ex 20:8 "Remember the sabbath day, to
keep it holy."

Gen 2:3 "Then God blessed the seventh day
and sanctified it, because in it He
rested from all His work which God had
created and made."

In a way God is saying you can do more in
6 days and resting the 7th then you can
in 7 days of work.

Matt 11:28 Ps 100:2 God gives us rest as
we come to Him with praise.

Matt 11:29 Jer 6:16 Take God's yoke and
learn and walk in the old path, then you
will find rest.

Jer 31:25 God refreshes everyone who
languishes.

In a busy life with many things banging
for our attention, it takes faith to rest
from work. Trusting God to help, when
things are left undone. To rest in faith
is to realize that God is also involved
in the work we are doing.

Isaiah 58:13,14 explain that keeping the
sabbath/resting will allow us to delight
in the Lord and the blessings from
delighting in the Lord will be ours. Ps 37:4,5

Note: We are not to keep the law to honor
God. It is a time set aside that we are
able to spend time with the Lord. Also we should not view our work as needed to please God. We should rest from work and trust God's finished work on the cross for us.

Oral Roberts 3 Steps of Faith

Phil 4:19 God is our source
2 Cor 9: Sow into your need
Mark 11:22-24 Expect a miracle

Some throw out Oral Roberts as being prosperity teaching. Don't throw out the baby with the bath water. Yes some have taken faith teaching to gain riches. But the Bible is clear on this. If you ask to consume it on your lusts you won't get the answer. James 4:3 Faith is not for riches 1 Timothy 5:9

Faith is needed to serve God. If we take God at His word, (and that is what He wants us to do) we can count on Him to back it up. And as we sow we can count on God to support us. When we believe God we can look for His miracle.

Phil 4:19 The Philippians sent gifts to Paul. These gifts were called a fragrant aroma, acceptable sacrifice and were well pleasing to God.
Ex. 29:18; 2 Cor 2:14; Eph 5:2; Ex 29:10-21
These are offerings of consecration of Priests. An offering of taking up our cross. Have as an offering/purpose of making Christ known. With this kind of giving we can know God will supply all our needs.

2 Cor 9:6 we reap according to what we sow.
2 Cor 9:7 We should do as we purposed cheerfully in our heart.
2 Cor 9:8 And because of God's grace we have abundance for every good deed.
2 Cor 9:9 As Psalm 112:9 He has given freely to the poor, his righteousness endures forever.
2 Cor 9:10 The God who has everlasting supply of seed and bread will multiply what we have for swowing and cause increase.

Mark 11:22-24 Faith energizes and then with assurance we receive.

God Will Answer Prayer.

John 14:13 Whatever you ask in the name of Jesus that will Jesus do.
Because Jesus goes to the Father.
Jesus sends the Holy Spirit from heaven when we do something in Jesus name, we are abiding and obey Jesus.

Matthew 7:7 Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened. God wants to answer. God will treat us better than we would treat our own kids. We can rely on God.

John 14:14 If you ask Me anything in My name I will do it. Jesus is almost begging us to ask.

John 15:7 If you abide in Me (as a branch on the vine gets sustenance from the vine.) Ask what ever you WISH and it will be given you. Abiding, and asking and receiving. They all go together.

John 15:16 When our fruit remains God will answer our prayers.

John 16:24 A promise for a new Christian. If we haven't asked anything ask and you will receive that your joy may be full.

1 John 3:22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and to the things that are pleasing in His sight. Ask, receive, obey and please.

1 John 5:14,15 "this is the confidence which we have before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him." We can know God's will by studying the Bible and asking as James 1:5,6 explains. Then with the knowledge of His will we can ask with assurance.

Mark 11:24 "Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you."

These 9 Scriptures can't be denied. But will God find faith on the earth?? Luke 18:8

The prayer of faith accomplishes the work of faith. Hebrews 11:1 Faith is assured. We live in the Word of God and as the Spirit brings the Word alive in our heart the assurance of faith will come. Then we can pray with faith.