God's Word on That

Tag: god

  • Prayer Is Communication

    Simply put, prayer is communication with God. It is expressing our devotion to our Father, inviting Him to talk to us as we talk to Him. (Bill Bright)

    Prayer is communicating with our Father God.

    In Kay Arthur’s book, Lord, Teach Me To Pray, she states, “This is where each child of God should be the strongest: in the Word of God and in prayer.” Our motto should follow the disciples’.

    We will devote ourselves to praying and to serving in ways that are related to the word (Acts 6:4).

    Jesus answered, “Scripture says, ‘A person cannot live on bread alone but on every word that God speaks’.” (Matthew 4:4)

    And that’s what the Word of God is: our daily bread.

    Christianity is not a religion; it is a relationship. And a relationship requires communication. Therefore prayer is essential. There are countless decisions to be made, wisdom to be sought, resources that are needed, transgressions to be mended, love and appreciation to be communicated Thus we are told to pray without ceasing.

    The disciples had to be careful, lest they become so occupied with serving God that they neglect the Word – which is Knowing God – and prayer – which is communicating with God. When Jesus was with them, they saw the place of prayer in His life and they heard His teachings on the importance of persistence in prayer. Thus, realizing they had to know how to pray they asked, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). If the apostles needed to know, don’t we?

  • Let Us Come To Be Taught

    Prayer is the holiest work to which man can rise. It is fellowship with the Unseen and Most Holy Creator who formed you, and with His Son, the Savior of all the world. Powers of the eternal realm have been placed at its disposal! Prayer is the essence of all religion, the channel of all blessings, the secret of spiritual power and spiritual life.

    Let us come to a quiet place, with a heart ready to be taught.

    It is on prayer that the promises wait for their fulfillment, the Kingdom for its coming, the glory of God for its full revelation. We know not how to pray as we ought. It is true we have God’s Word with its clear and sure promises, but sin has so darkened our minds that we know not always how to apply the Word.

    And even when we do know what to ask, how much there is still needed to make prayer acceptable: It must be to the glory of God, in full surrender to His will, in full assurance of faith, in the name of Jesus, and with a perseverance that – if need be – refuses to be denied. All this must be learned.

    Come children, listen to Me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord (Psalm 34:11).

    Let the deep undertone of all our prayer be the ‘teach’-able-ness that comes from a sense of ignorance and from faith in Him as a perfect teacher, and we may be assured we shall be taught. (Andrew Murray)

    Lord, may each of us grow in Your grace and in the knowledge of Your Son. May we be worshipful and attentive in hearing Your Word preached, eager to learn and change our ways, and ready to use our spiritual gifts and serve as You lead.

  • What Is Prayer?

    Prayer is the recognition that if God had not engaged Himself in our problems, we would still be lost in the blackness. Prayer is that whole process that reminds us of who God is and who we are.

    Prayer depends on faith.

    The key element in prayer is not the amount of faith, but whether faith is present at all. Think on this: it is not how much we understand about Jesus that saves us, but the mere fact that we trust in Him to do so. Thus salvation is a product of faith and the seed of faith appears to reside in the individual upon salvation. Also, the amount of faith does not cause a miracle (a gift from God) to occur, but the presence of faith is that quality which leads to prayer being answered.

    Remember: faith itself is a gift of God – even faith is not a work out of ourselves. Our only action is to respond appropriately to the faith in our hearts. Therefore we should not get worried about whether we have ‘enough’ faith or not. What Christians are called to do is to look into the face of the Father and pray what they do have faith for. If they lack faith, they should honestly pray, “Help my unbelief.”

    “If faith is present at all, even if it is no larger than a mustard seed, it can accomplish wonders.” This is how Jesus describes the incalculable effects of prevailing faith.

    Prayer isn’t about expecting something specific from the Lord, but of releasing something to Him that was already out of your control anyway.

  • Let Us Pray

    “It is under a deep impression that the place and power of prayer in the Christian life is too little understood that this ledger has been written. When we learn to regard it as the highest part of the work entrusted to us, the root and strength of all our work, we shall see that there is nothing that we so need to study and practice as the art of praying aright.”

    In Andrew Murray’s book, School of Prayer, I have learned that praying is our highest calling. It is when we most look and act like Jesus. It is one of the chief channels of influence by which blessings are to be defused on the world. It is our badge of duty and honor to pray to the Father to enter and preside over the people and events that confront us every minute of every day.

    “The Father waits to hear every prayer of faith, to give us whatever we will, and whatsoever we ask in Jesus’ name. God means prayer to have an answer, and that it has not entered into the heart of man to conceive what God will do for His child who gives himself to believe that his prayer will be heard. If what I have written stirs my reader to go to the Master’s words, and take His wondrous promises simply and literally as they stand, my objective has been attained.”

    Christ Jesus is our life. Christ Jesus teaches us to pray by example, by instruction, by command, by promise, and by showing us how to pray Himself – our ever-living Intercessor. It is when we believe this, and go and abide in Him for our prayer-life that our fears of not being able to pray aright will vanish. May Jesus Himself give us a large and strong heart to believe what a mighty influence our prayers can exert!

  • Prayer Is The Asking

    Prayer = Son-bathing. It makes you look different. The more Son you get, the less likely you will burn.

    Let us learn to pray about everything. Let us pray without ceasing.

    Devote yourselves to prayer, being [always] watchful and [always] thankful (Colossians 4:2).

    Pray as you can, not as you can’t.

    Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden.

    And the Lord said to Moses: Has the Lord’s arm been shortened? (Numbers 11:23)

    Is anything too hard for the Lord? (Genesis 18:14)

    The Everlasting God – the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the [universe] – does not become weary or tired! (Isaiah 40:28)

    As, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and Your outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You! (Jeremiah 32:17)

    All things are possible with God (Mark 10:27).

    For with God nothing will be impossible (Luke 1:37).

    But with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

    What is impossible with men is possible with God (Luke 18:27).

    … All things are possible to him who believes (Mark 9:23).

    I tell you the truth: Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on hearth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 18:18).

    Wait on the Lord! Be of good courage and He will strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord. (Psalm 27:14).

    In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength (Isaiah 30:15).

    When ambition and pride cause us to forget that it was God who has brought us this far, we must pay the price of our sin. Pride causes us to set ourselves up as gods.

    Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth (Proverbs 27:1).

    [Instead] Pray continually (2 Thessalonians 5:17).

    Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6).

    Pride about our good deeds is pointless. God has His own ideas regarding what is good, and He does not always agree with us. If there is anything good about you, believe better things about others. This will keep you humble. [Being humble means being ready for use.]

    And one parting thought for guiding us in the way we should walk:

    Anyone then who knows the good he ought to do and does not do it sins (James 4:17).

  • God’s Power For The Asking

    Now Lord, … grant to Your servants that with all boldness we may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your Holy Servant Jesus (Acts 4:29-30).

    What are we waiting for? All we have to do is ask.

    Ride forth on behalf of truth, humility and righteousness. Let Your right hand display awesome deeds (Psalm 45:4).

    Mary said, “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5).

    Again I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in My name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:19-20).

    Whatever you ask the Father in My name [using My nature and authority] He will give you (John 16:23).

    Ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be full (John 16:24).

    Now this is the confidence we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know we have [those] petitions that we have asked of Him (1 John 5:14-15).

    And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And by this we know that He abides in us; by the Spirit whom He has given us (1 John 3:22, 24).

    Whoever shall say unto this mountain: be removed and cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that these things he says shall come to pass, he shall have whatever he says (Mark 11:23).

    If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer (Matthew 21:22).

    But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt. Because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does (James 1:6-8).

    Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them (Mark 11:24).

    You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it [My gifts] in your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world [and its things] is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be friends of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scriptures say in vain: The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously? (James 4:3-5)

    Because of your unbelief! For assuredly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there” and it will move! Nothing will be impossible for you! (Matthew 17:20).

    A good man will be satisfied from above (Proverbs 14:14).

  • God’s Power In Us

    I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know (1) the hope to which He has called you, (2) the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and (3) His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come (Ephesians 1:18-21).

    By ourselves we can do absolutely nothing. But with God in us — we can shine!

    Even When I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, until I declare Your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come (Psalm 71:18).

    The reality of the presence of God is what children need to know for God to be real to them.

    We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age. Against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).

    When Jesus had called the twelve together, He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons, and to cure diseases (Luke 9:1).

    Jesus came to them and said: “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” (Matthew 28:18).

    He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. Likewise we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve… (2 Corinthians 13:4)

    But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you (Acts 1:8).

    The Kingdom of God is not in word but in power (1 Corinthians 4:20).

    I tell you the truth. Anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask Me for anything in My name and I will do it! (John 14:12-14)

    I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven [and you get to avoid the judgment coming to the world] (Luke 10:17-18).

    And these signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will drive out demons, they will speak in new tongues, they will pick up snakes with their hands, and when they drink deadly poison it will not hurt them at all. They will place their hands on sick people and they will get well (Mark 16:17-18).

    If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you will, and it will be done for you. This is to My Father’s glory: that you bear much fruit (John 15:7-8).

    Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind (Romans 14:5)

    Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or [can even] imagine – according to His power that is at work within us – to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations (Ephesians 3:20-21).

  • Come, Let Us Worship Together

    But the hour is coming and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him (John 4:23).

    May my heart show compassion and my words thanksgiving; and like the rest of the universe and all creation, may my very being sing praises to our God. 

    Arise! Shine! For your light has come! The glory of the Lord rises upon you! (Isaiah 60:1)

    God gave you the world – enjoy it.  (Max Lucado)

    Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live. I will lift up my hands in Your holy name (Psalm 63:3-4).

    Come, let us bow down in worship. Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker (Psalm 95:6).

    Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; Let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation (Psalm 95:1).

    You make me glad by Your deeds, O Lord. I sing for joy at the works of Your hands (Psalm 92:4)

    Satisfy us in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our day (Psalm 90:14).

    Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob (Psalms 81:1).

    Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him (Psalm 33:1).

    They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness (Psalm 145:7).

    It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High. To declare Your loving-kindness in the morning and Your faithfulness every night (Psalm 92:1-2).

    I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being! (Psalm 104:33)

    My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior… His mercy is on those who fear Him (Luke 1:46-47, 50).

    Worship is the thank you that refuses to be silenced.

    Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the peoples say “Amen!” (Psalm 106:48)

    We will not hide them from our children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His power, and the wonders He has done! (Psalm 78:4)

    Let those who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them that those who love Your name may rejoice in You (Psalm 5:11).

    Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I say: rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)

    May my meditations be pleasing to Him as I rejoice in the Lord (Psalm 104:34).

    Rejoice before the Lord your God in everything you put your hand to (Deuteronomy 12:18).

    Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! (Revelation 19:7)

    Rejoice always! Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

    May the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you! (Numbers 6:25 TLB).

  • Let Us Return to Praising Him

    Our task is not to try and understand the world and His plan, or even all creation; our task is but to reflect the spirit of the Creator and sing His praises.

    You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation [a people set apart]. His own special people that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).

    Praise and give thanks to God continually, in all ways on all days, regardless of your circumstances. (Bill Bright).

    Sing to God, sing praises to His name; cast up a highway for Him who rides through [our] deserts – His name is the Lord (Psalm 68:4).

    Praising God for troubles ends them. Praising God for blessings extends them. 

    Let God be magnified! (Psalm 70:4)

    Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to His glorious name forever. May the whole earth be filled with His glory (Psalm 72:18-19).

    Praise God for His solution to the problem.  Instead of focusing on yourself and your problem, focus on God’s care for you.

    You have turned my mourning into dancing. You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness to the end that my glory may sing praises to You, and not be silent! O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You… (Psalm 30:11-12)

    O Lord God, You have [only] begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand! For what God is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds? (Deuteronomy 3:24).

    Stop and consider God’s wonders!  (Job 37:14)

    Delight yourself in the Lord and He shall give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).

    How great are Your works, O Lord.  How profound Your thoughts!  (Psalm 92:5)

    I will sing to the Lord for He has been good to me (Psalm 13:6).

    How can I repay the Lord for all His goodness to me? (Psalm 116:12)

    Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you (Psalm 116:7)

    Are you looking for a miracle? Then open your eyes cause there’s one that happens every morning just around sunrise.

    It is God alone that one takes seriously. But to take God seriously is to find joy and spontaneity in everything, for everything is a gift and a grace.

    The conviction of God’s grace results in expressions of joy!

    He has put a new song in my mouth: Praise to our God. Many will see it and fear and will trust in the Lord [through my praises]. (Psalm 40:3)

    A merry heart does good, like medicine (Proverbs 17:22).

    He who is of a merry heart has a continual feast (Proverbs 15:15).

    A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance (Proverbs 15:13).

    I have learned in whatever state I am to be content (Philippians 4:11).

  • Let Us Examine Our Ways

    If we will get alone with God, He will reveal the reason for our present pain. And as we learn the Word and do the Word, we will experience His healing and the blessings of freedom as He restores our soul. The battle you are in will soon become a meal for you – an experience that will nourish and build you up spiritually.

    Being alone with God through our desert wanderings can be a beautiful experience.

    Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

    Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through [and for] Him (Colossians 3:17).

    As a saint of God, my attitude toward sorrow and difficulty should not be to ask that they be prevented, but to ask God to protect me so that I may remain what He created me to be in spite of all my fires of sorrow… We say that there ought to be no sorrow, but there is sorrow, and we have to accept and receive ourselves in its fires. If we try to evade sorrow, refusing to deal with it, we are foolish. Sorrow is one of the biggest facts in life, and there is no use in saying it should not be. Sin, sorrow, and suffering are. And it is not for us to say that God has made a mistake in allowing them. Sorrow removes a great deal of a person’s shallowness, but it does not always make that person better. Suffering either gives me to myself or it destroys me. You cannot find or receive yourself through success, because you lose your head over pride. And you cannot receive yourself through the monotony of your daily life, because you give in to complaining. The only way to find yourself is in the fires of sorrow. Why it should be this way is immaterial. The fact is that it is true in the Scriptures and in human experience. You can always recognize who has been through the fires of sorrow and received himself, and you know that you can go to him in your moment of trouble and find he has plenty of time for you.. But if a person has not been through the fires of sorrow, he is apt to be contemptuous… If you will receive yourself in the fires of sorrow, God will make you nourishment for others! (Oswald Chambers)

    [Do] not trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17).

    Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops. Then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim with new wine (Proverbs 3:9-10).

    So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain, it takes away the life of it’s possessor (Proverbs 1:19).

    Why do you call Me “Lord, Lord” and not do as I say? (Luke 6:40)

    No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and man/money (Matthew 6:24).

    Therefore strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed (Hebrews 12:12-13).

    Let all the godly confess their rebellion to You while there is time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment! (Psalm 32:6)