God, Why Won't You Listen

There are times when we feel that our prayers are falling on deaf ears. We do not see any results from our pleading and we have no answer for our petitions. We feel like God abandoned us in our circumstances (Psalm 22:1). Even when Jesus’ walked in human form on the earth, He offered up prayers and supplication, actually using loud cries and tears when it came to facing Calvary’s cross (Hebrews 5:7). He pleaded with our Father God to remove the torture of Calvary from his future.

Although God called Jesus to go all the way and to endure crucifixion and death for our sakes, God still heard His prayer because of His submission to our Father’s will (Hebrews 5:7). God does not always answer our prayers by supplying our immediate needs. He saw our whole life stretched out before Him before we were ever even born (Psalm 139:16; Jeremiah 1:5). He knows what we really need; and in His mercy He often chooses to ignore those requests that He knows are not part of His plan for our life, because they would harm us in the long run.

Our selfish motives often motivate our prayers. We fail to pray according to God’s will, according to what would please Him and that which complies with His moral fiber and Biblical standards (James 4:3). Therefore, God does not hear these prayers, because they are motivated by sin in our heart (John 9:31; Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:2). If we fail to shower each day in the cleansing power of God’s Word, and if we fail to obey His directives for us, this will also hamper our prayers. When we only come to God during times of crisis, our prayers become an abomination to the Lord (Proverbs 28:9).

Unforgiveness is another block to answered prayer (Mark 11:25). When we harbor bitterness and resentment in our heart, this obstructs the answers to our prayers. If we do not forgive, God cannot forgive us (Matthew 6:15). Some husbands even blame their unanswered prayers on their wife, when all along it is the way they treat their wife that is hindering their prayers (1 Peter 3:7). If we live in habitual sin, harbor even one secret sin, or allow anything to consume our thoughts and actions more than God, it becomes an idol, which prevents God from listening to our prayers(Psalm 66:18; Ezekiel 14:2-5).

Ingratitude for God’s provision signals that we do not realize God is already working out His will and purpose for our life. Ungratefulness delays answered prayer. In America, we compare our life to those with more worldly goods than we have and we complain to the Lord for His failure in our life. Take a moment to read about the persecuted church around the world, and then try to complain (1 Thessalonians 518). At times we lack God’s supply simply because we fail to ask Him for what we need, or we ask in unbelief (James 1:6-7, 4:2).

Giving to those less fortunate than we are will open the pathway for God to hear our prayers (Proverbs 21:13). Obedience to God’s will and walking uprightly in this twisted and perverted generation brings us answers to our prayers (1 John 3:22; Psalm 84:11; Philippians 2:15). God delights in answering the prayers of His Saints (1 Corinthians 2:9; Matthew 7:7-8). We have total confidence as Born Again Believers that God hears our prayers (1 John 5:14-16; Psalm 54:2). God often answers our prayers before we even call on His name. While we are in the very process of making our requests, He is already meeting our needs (Isaiah 65:24).

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, convict, instruct and direct us on how to overcome hindrances to our prayers. Remind us to be like the persistent widow and like Jacob who would not let You go until You blessed them (Luke 18:1-8; Genesis 32:26). Help us to examine our heart rather than to hurl accusations against You, when we feel our prayers are left unanswered. Your Word is truth (John 17:17). Help us to cling to You through every adversity in life. Show us how praying with others assures us that Jesus is in our midst as we make our requests known to Him (Matthew 18:19).

Thought for the Day:

It is a fact that no one else can hinder our prayers from being answered. We are the only setback.

 

Gifts From Above

The Holy Spirit of God comes to dwell in everyone who believes in Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38).  God gives gifts to His Body through the Holy Spirit in order for us to bless and minister to one another, as well as for us to evangelize the world by telling them that God loves them and Jesus died to save them (1 Corinthians 12:7). God gives these gifts indiscriminately and one gift is not of any greater or lesser significance than any other (1 Corinthians 12:11).

We cannot take pride in or credit for our gifts, because they come from God. We can, however, desire to have a particular gift (1 Corinthians 12:31). God gives these gifts in order to edify, exhort, encourage, strengthen and teach His church. These gifts empower God’s Body to do the work, which Christ commissioned us to perform. The gifts exalt Christ rather than us. Even some of the Old Testament Saints had the benefit of the Holy Spirit.

David valued his relationship with God so much that when he sinned, he pleaded with God not to remove His presence or to take His Spirit from him. (Psalms 51:11-12). David even had occasions where he spoke by the anointing and direction of the Holy Spirit (Mark 12:36). When Israel rebelled against God, they vexed God’s Holy Spirit so much that He turned into their enemy, and He actually fought against them. But then they remembered the days of old, and how God helped them to cross the Red Sea. Therefore, they asked God to put His Holy Spirit within them again (Isaiah 63:10-11).

Paul describes the gifts of the Spirit as the Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Faith, Gifts of Healing, Working of Miracles, Prophecy, Discerning of Spirits, different kinds of Tongues, and the Interpretation of Tongues (1 Corinthians 12:8-11). Though there are different types of gifts, there in only one Spirit that distributes them all (1 Corinthians 12:4).

The gift of wisdom is a gift that all Believers can earnestly desire (1 Corinthians 12:31). Wisdom is the skill for living. It helps us to understand God’s truth and to discern and judge according to that truth. Wisdom starts with the fear of the Lord (Psalm 11:10). This fear is not horror, but respect and reverence. Solomon valued wisdom above all gifts; therefore God gave him status and wealth as well (1 Kings 3:12).  

The gift of knowledge allows us to know when to speak and what to say. Those gifted with knowledge have an appetite for reading God’s Word and they enjoy studying and understanding it’s truth and insight. God also gives them supernatural knowledge for the benefit of the Body.

The gift of faith gives Believers positive confidence in the veracity of God’s Word. By faith, they believe that things they cannot see in the natural realm are already there in the spiritual realm (Hebrews 11:1).

The gift of healing comes through the effectual prayer of the righteous person (James 5:16). All healing is done by the Spirit of God and not by the individual person, but God uses certain ones to pray for the sick and they are healed.

The gift of the working of miracles is to demostrate the power of God. Satan uses counterfeit signs and wonders to deceive people (2 Thessalonians 2:9-11), but God uses them to prove His existence to a doubting world.

The gift of prophecy is used to speak forth the Word of God. Preachers and teachers have this gift. They do not know the future, but God uses them to enlighten us about His truths.

The gift of discerning of spirits enables Believers to discern the intents and motives of a person’s heart. They can distinguish whether a person is from God or Satan (1 John 4:1).

The gift of tongues is the ability to speak in other languages (Acts 2:4, 2:11, 2:5-11). This gift is often misused and Paul gives clear guidelines for it (1 Corinthians chapters 12-14). Paul also states that it is the least of the gifts and encourages us to use tongues as a prayer language (1 Corinthians 14:5-18).

The gift of interpreting tongues goes right along with the gift of tongues. Tongues in the service are used as a testimony to unbelievers (1 Corinthians 14: 21-22). Paul urges no one to speak a message in tongues unless there is someone present with the gift to interpret the message (1 Corinthians 14:27-33).

The other gifts of the Spirit are: serving, giving, teaching, showing mercy, starting churches, evangelizing and pastoring (Romans 12:7-8; Ephesians 4:11). Isaiah also tells us about the Spirit of the Lord supplying the gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2-3). Paul made it clear that Believers should not elevate one gift over another, but to esteem each of them as necessary for the edification of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-23). There are many parts, but only one Body. God placed these parts in the body just as He chooses (1 Corinthians 12:4,12-31).

Prayer:

Father God, You planned everything out for the good and edification of Your church. You gave each of us special gifts to edify the whole Body. Some of us never take the time to pray about what gifts You gave us; and others know their gifts, but do not take the time to use them. When this happens, Your Body suffers. It is like a spleen or big toe that refuses to function. The Body is handicapped. Lord, please prompt each of us to find our gifts and to use them for Your glory.

Thought for the Day:

God gives gifts to each of us for the common good of all. – 1 Corinthians 12:7

 

 

Free Spiritual Gifts Test:

http://www.churchgrowth.org/cgi-cg/gifts.cgi?intro=1

Liberalism

Read: 1 Timothy 6:17-18



“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” - Proverbs 11:25




I am stepping out in faith in writing this message during this highly charged political atmosphere in our country. I hope you will read my entire post, because this is not a political treatise, but a Biblical revelation that many people are not aware of.

Today we think of a liberal as one that takes a hard left stand on political and social issues. Liberals tend to be atheists, agnostics, socialists, communists, against war and big spenders of our tax money; although some do not hold to any of these philosophies at all, but still embrace many democrat ideals. Some liberals dislike conservatives for various stances we uphold, especially those on the hard right. Reciprocally, most conservatives disdain a liberal’s inclination to vote for idealistic and immoral issues.

In the Bible, the word liberal has a much different meaning than it does in today’s society. It has a more positive connotation. It is a noble and generous title. The word relates to someone who freely gives of everything he/she possesses. The liberal soul lives in plenty because of their liberality (Proverbs 11:25).  Devout, God-fearing people are usually liberal in giving and in prayer (Acts 10:2).

Paul lists liberality with other ministries such as encouragement, leadership and care giving. He exhorts the Corinthians to excel in faith, to be ready to witness, and to exhibit wisdom, zeal, love and liberal giving (2 Corinthians 8:7). Paul also reminds the Hebrews to do good works, to share and to be liberal and kind, because God is pleased with such sacrifices (Hebrews 13:16).

Sometimes, it definitely is a sacrifice to give. We have to do without something that we really, really want in order to give to others. God does not intend for us to help those who will not help themselves (2 Thessalonians 3:10). However, He is also not pleased with vile or selfish people who are not liberal and do not give bountifully (Isaiah 32:5). God wants us to do good to all men, especially to those in the household of faith (Galatians 6:10).

Paul charges believers to liberally share the gospel of Christ (2 Corinthians 9:13) as well as to liberally distribute our material goods (1 Timothy 6:17-18). Of course, when a person gains the reputation as a liberal giver, many try to gain their favor and befriend them for the gifts they may liberally receive (Proverbs 19:6). We must follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as we give, however. We do not want to facilitate a person’s bad spending habits, contribute to their use of the money for addictions or to enable lazy people not to work.

Liberal thinking has several good points in their philosophy, if we compare them to scripture. The Bible speaks in favor of fair treatment for people and animals, independence for the oppressed, freedom for the captives, care for the poor and needy, a healing balm for the brokenhearted, protection for the earth’s resources, and a hearty welcome for foreigners and strangers. The Bible sees the worth of all people of every tradition, gender, and class rank. No one is belittled or subservient and everyone is raised to walk in newness of life.

(Isaiah 10:1-2, Isaiah 58; Isaiah 61, Luke 4:17-21, Revelation 11:18, Jeremiah 51:25, Proverbs 12:10, Ecclesiastes 3:18-21, Isaiah 56:3-8, Leviticus 19:33-34, Revelation 7:9, Galatians 3:26-27; Romans 6:4) 

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, whenever and wherever we see a need, teach us to give liberally. Convict us to tithe; so that You can bless us, and we can share even more with those who are having a hard time. Thank you for the Christians that go all over the world to help better the life of those less fortunate both spiritually and physically. Give them resources and help them to win many with the Gospel of Christ.

Thought for the Day:

Whether your brand of politics leans toward liberals or conservatives, God calls us all to be liberal in our care and giving toward others.