So you've accepted the Lord as your personal savior, but what must you do for him to accept you?

Jude tells us to "earnestly contend for the faith that was once given to the saints." (Jude 1:3) But, what does he mean?

We love to sing the old hymns that talk about, "give me that old-time religion." Most of us like to think of that as back when our parents or grandparents were in church, or what they taught 50-100 years ago. But, Jude wasn't talking about that. The book of Jude was written close to 2 thousand years ago! He knew nothing of our modern religious practices. But, there was one thing he did know.

Jude and James were Jesus' half brothers. You can find them listed in Matthew 13:55 as being part of his human family (Jude is listed as Judas here). They didn't believe in Jesus's ministry at first. In fact, they taunted him because they thought he was just another self-serving and self-proclaiming Messiah trying to deceive the masses (John 7:3-6). But, somewhere along the way, both he and James became disciples and later Apostles of Jesus. If I had a seemingly (from a human standpoint) perfect brother who suddenly started doing miracles, I'd be skeptical at first, too. But, after a bit, I'd probably start believing. 

But, I digress a bit. 

Since Jude was there at the beginnings of the church, saw Jesus first hand (miracles, signs, wonders, and teachings, and the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord), and he was there at the birth of the church (in the upper room on the day of Pentecost, heard and participated in the teachings and preachings of the early church), to what was he referring to when he said: "the faith once delivered unto the saints?"

Many today are taught that all we have to do is "accept the Lord as (our) personal savior."

Spoiler alert!!! That phrase is not in the scriptures!

Many point to Romans 10:9 and John 3:16 as "the plan of salvation" that was taught by the early church, as well as by Jesus. 

Well, lets research that teaching a bit by looking into what scripture actually says:

John 3: "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."

They swoop into the middle of John 3, hit verses 15-17, and swoop out again. They might hit verses 1-3, but they rarely hit verse 5. 

Yes, Jesus says we must believe in order to be saved, but there are folks in chapter 2:23-25 that believed in him in the same way (it's the same Greek word for "believe" there as we find in John 3:16), yet Jesus didn't commit himself to them. 

They accepted him, we assume, but he didn't accept them! 

Verse 5 explains how to be born again by saying, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

So, evidently, it's not just a matter of belief. It's a matter of also being born of water and born of the spirit. So, how do we do that? 

Well, let's look at how the early church obeyed what Jesus said to do.

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Ghost was poured out in an upper room filled with 120 people. They began to speak in tongues and worship God. This prayer meeting poured out into the street and caused people to marvel at what was happening. Some were in awe and some mocked. But, their mockery caused the first sermon in church history. (Acts 1:12-15, Acts 2)

The Apostle Peter stood up and began to preach the gospel (death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus) to the gathering crowd. He tells them that God had indeed sent their long-awaited Savior and they had crucified him! The listening crowd was very convicted by this revelation and asked, "what shall we do?" In other words, "how do we remove this sin and guilt from our lives?" 

Peter responded, "38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."

Now, think about this for a second. There were the other Apostles, along with many who had followed Jesus and had heard the teaching and preaching of their Master for close to 3 1/2 years there that day. 

NOT ONE OF THEM STOOD UP AND CORRECTED PETER!!

Not one of them said, "Hey bro, you're out of line here. All they have to do is believe." 

Not one of them said, "All they have to do is accept Jesus as their personal savior."

None of them said, "If they believe in their heart and confess with their mouth, they shall be saved."

Why? Because Peter had spoken the absolute truth!

Jesus said we must Repent (Mark 1:15 & Luke 24:47).

Jesus said we must be born of water and of spirit (John 3:5).

Jesus said we must be baptized (Mark 16:16).

Jesus said we must receive the spirit (John 16:13, John 3:8, John 7:38-39).

But, is that the only place we're told the same thing that Peter said for what we must do to be born again and accepted of God? 

Nope. 

Acts 8:5-8 (believe and baptize in Jesus name), 14-17 (baptism of the Holy Ghost).

Acts 10: 1-6 (a devout Centurian that needed to do more to be accepted of God), 40-46 (Baptism of the Holy Ghost), 47-48 (Water baptism in Jesus name).

Acts 19: 1-7. 

Let's dig into this one a little deeper: 

"19 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost."

Now, some people teach that you receive the Holy Ghost as soon as you believe. There's no outward sign of your deep experience. You just receive it by faith. 

If that belief is true, then Paul's question to these "believers" makes absolutely no sense. He should have just said, "So good to meet you, brethren. I'm Paul." But, by his questioning, apparently, you actually receive the Holy Ghost at some point AFTER you believe. 

3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

When they said no they hadn't even heard of, much less experienced, the Holy Ghost, Paul checks their baptism. If, as some folks teach, water baptism is not a necessity ("it's an outward sign of an inward act," they say), then Paul's question here makes no sense again! Why ask about it, if it's not necessary? 

When he heard their reply he explained Jesus to them. What was the result? 

"5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

7 And all the men were about twelve."

So, Paul taught water and spirit baptism, as well. He didn't tell them that they just have to accept the Lord as their personal savior. He didn't tell them to repeat a sinner's prayer (another thing that's not in the scriptures). He taught the exact same things taught by the rest of the Apostles and his hearers obeyed it! (This, my friends, was the birth of the Ephesian church!)

"Repent, and be baptized every one of in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)

So, when Jude speaks of contending for the faith once delivered to the saints, as far as the new birth is concerned, this is what he is referring to! 

Paul puts it this way:

"8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:8-9)

Those who would pervert the Biblical Gospel message should take heed to this scriptural warning. 

I'm glad you accepted the Lord, my friend, but please do what is necessary for the Lord to accept you: 

"Repent, and be baptized every one of in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)

 

Lord we praise your name!

I'm a 54-year-old Apostolic Pentecostal preacher, teacher, singer, and writer. I, like nearly 40 million Americans have been laid off. Consequently, I have lots of free time right now. Since states and churches are opening up, if you are interested in having me come and do a special service then please email me at dellmichaels@gmail.com. May God bless you all! 

The truth about God's love in our lives

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

I both love and hate this scripture. 

Let me explain.

I love it because, first of all, it shows that God loves us. The word for love here in the original Greek means "love, affection or benevolence, especially a love-feast." It means that the God of the whole universe, the creator and sustainer of all things, has a heart filled with affection for you and me.

Let that sink in a minute. God is perfect, we are imperfect. God is righteous, we, without him, are unrighteous. God is Holy. We are unholy without him. God knows all things about everything- including us. He knows the thoughts we entertain when we are angry and upset. He knows the things we allow to fester in our minds when we are all alone.  Yet he has affection for us.

The word affection means a feeling of liking and caring for someone or something: tender attachment: fondness. 

So, God almighty, the mighty God who's never lost a battle and presides over all things with his power and Glory, feels affection for you and me. Isn't that incredible! 

Even more than that, and probably because of his affection towards us, he feels benevolent towards us! The word benevolent means: a disposition to do good, an act of kindness, a generous gift. His affection towards us causes him to want to do good for, in, and through us. 

True affection causes benevolence. True benevolence causes action! God looked down on his creation and the mess we had made. He was moved by his affection for us to feel compassion. This compassion caused him to be benevolent and act to change the situation. Left to our own devices, we would have gone to eternal punishment in the pits of Hell.

But, because of his benevolence, he robed himself in a human body to allow us to experience him in a way we never could before! That's why Jesus is called, Emmanuel. It literally means "God with us." God came here to leave us both an example of (1Peter 2:21) and the power to live (John 1:5) the way he desires us to live. But, he also paid the price for our sins through Calvary (Galatians 1:3-5). For without his death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 is the gospel), we would have no hope of either having the power to following his example.

Finally, there's the love-feast. God wants to get so caught up in a relationship with us that we're overwhelmed with a heart to heart connection to our God. We can get lost and carried away in our relationship with him! Imagine being totally open to God. Totally abandoning ourselves to his love, wisdom, and care. That's what he desires and it's what we should desire, too!

The purpose of the gospel wasn't just so our sins could be forgiven. The purpose of the gospel is so that we can take advantage of that obstacle being cleared away and absolutely fall deeply in love with the God who is deeply in love with us!

God's love is unconditional. There is no one on earth- past, present, or future that he does not love. That's the whole point of this passage of scripture. Nothing can change God's love for us! Nothing can divide us from the love that he has for us. It's offered by him. Openly, freely, and without restrictions. 

However, and now I'll show you why I say I hate this scripture, many people have misused this passage to say that once we are saved, we are always saved. That because it says we can't be separated from God's amazing love, that we can never become unsaved. 

That's not what this passage says at all. 

Please notice Jude 1:20-21:

 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

Please focus your attention on verse 21. It says that by following the prescription of verse 20 (praying in the Holy Ghost) we will KEEP ourselves IN THE LOVE OF GOD. 

Now, go back to Romans and read the list again: Death, life, angels, principalities, powers, things present, things to come, height, depth, nor any other creature. 

It doesn't say anything about ourselves on that list. This is all about external forces that we have no control over. These things may come along and affect us, but they cannot separate us from God's love. 

We, however, can walk away from that love. It doesn't mean that he doesn't love us anymore. In fact, John 3:16 says that God so LOVED (same word for love here in the Greek as in Romans 8) the world (that's everybody) that he gave...

But, we know from many passages that not everybody is going to make heaven. Just reading the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:18-23) reveals a shocking statistic. There are 4 types of people listed here that hear the word of God. Of those 4, only 1 ends up being right with God and producing fruit. The rest of them die. That tells me that, at most, only 25% of the people who have or will ever hear the word of God will ever make heaven. Why? Because only those people who truly fall in love with Jesus and make him their absolute priority will build the relationship with Jesus that is required to make heaven. 

The rest will end up in the fire. The rest are tares and not wheat (Matthew 13:24-30). Goats and not Sheep (Matthew 25: 31-46). In fact, please notice Matthew 7:22-23:

 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Compare this passage to Mark 16: 15-18:

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

The Matthew passage says the people would try and defend themselves by saying, "I've prophesied, cast out devils, and done many wonderful works in your name!"

The Mark passage says that those exact things will follow "them that believe." 

So, evidently, the folks who try and plead their cause on judgment day will be folks that made a good start but did not finish where they needed to be in God. They did not KEEP themselves in the love of God. 

I love my wonderful wife, Della Mae. She's my everything and the love of my life. AS long as I perform my husband roles (provider, spiritual leader, loving her, being faithful to her, etc) then I have the God-given privilege of staying in her love. 

Now, if I choose to pursue other women and walk away from her love, she will still love me. But, I've given up those rights and privileges because I did not KEEP myself in her love. 

God is a jealous God. He will not tolerate our going after other gods (fame, fortune, jobs, literally other gods, etc). 

God is a holy God. He cannot tolerate sin. Sin cannot enter into heaven. 

Yes, when we are born again (Acts 2:38) all our sins from that point backward are forgiven and under the blood that Jesus shed on Calvary. 

If we sin after that, 1 John 1:9 says "if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness." But, we've got to keep that attitude of repentance towards God.

That's why we must "Grow in grace (relationship with God) and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18)

The closer we get to him, the more we will learn to live like him. The more we live like him, the closer we get to him. Our love grows deeper and deeper for him and we live deeper and deeper IN him. 

This is the only path to heaven and why scripture says that we are to "make (our) calling an election sure." (2 Peter 1:10)

If we will fall deeper and deeper in love with him, if we will strive diligently to walk in the calling he has for us, then we will make that calling an election sure. We will make heaven.

It takes prayer (and lots of it). It takes fasting (when needed). It takes studying his word and obediently aligning ourselves with it. But, if we do, we will make it because HE will help us. 

We're not in this alone! When he gives us his spirit he empowers us to live the way he wants us to. The more we walk in his spirit, the less we will give in to the sins of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16) In other words, we must learn to submit to him and let him live through us. 

In closing, does God love everyone? ABSOLUTELY.

Unfortunately, HELL is going to be chock full of people he loves, but who chose to never love him in return with their whole lives. 

God gave his all, we must give our all in return. Anything less, and hell will be very hot. As the old song said, "99 1/2 won't do." He gives 100%. He expects us to give 100% also. 

 

When you follow Jesus, sometimes it's your "close friends/associates/family" that fight you the hardest.

I usually begin with scripture and spend the rest of the posting in an explanation of that scripture. As you have seen, the last couple were not in that pattern and neither will this one be. 

Making the commitment to follow Jesus is a wonderful thing. It's choosing to give up your sins, your selfishness, and your old life in order to begin learning to live life by God's rules. It's learning to have faith in and completely trust the God of the universe with everything in your life: Finances, Relationships, Jobs, entertainment, time, health, and so on. 

But, notice I didn't say following Jesus was easy. I didn't say "making a decision for Jesus." In fact, there's no scripture that says we are to "make a decision for Jesus." Following Jesus is not like deciding what outfit to wear. In your closet, there are multiple choices and all may have equal merit. In Jesus, it's an all or nothing thing. It's a total commitment or it's no relationship with Jesus at all. 

There is no other choice if going to heaven is our goal. It's Jesus or Hell. It's his way or the end of the highway. 

But, there's another thing we must be aware of: some people that we respected will not be in favor of our new belief nor the life changes that accompany it. 

First, let's look at family. The people that we have looked to for the better part of our lives for comfort, counsel, and even help, may not give positive feedback to your commitment. Some may only give a cursory "That's nice," or, "I'm happy for you." Other's may be outright hostile towards you. People have lost family relationships with parents, siblings, children, close kin, and spouses due to their becoming a Biblical Christian. 

When Jesus began his public mission his brothers openly mocked him. They believed he was about lifting himself up. They thought he was another false Messiah: 

2 Now the Jew's feast of tabernacles was at hand.

3 His brethren, therefore, said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest.

4 For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world.

(John 7:2-4)

Jesus didn't defend himself. He didn't attack them. He just calmly went about his business. But, due to the witness of the spirit of God in his life, his mother and at least 2 brothers (James and Jude) became his followers. 

So, pray for them and live the life of Jesus before them. There's always hope that they will see Jesus in you and be converted one day. 

There's evidence (inconclusive) in the scripture that Paul was married at one time. I believe he was. Part of being a good Pharisee was to be married and carry on his Jewish heritage through his family line. 

I also believe that Paul was divorced. 

12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. (1 Corinthians 7:12-15)

He says this with the sensitivity of a man who had lived and prayed through the process of losing his spouse himself. 

I believe the great Apostle Paul lost his spouse due to his conversion to Jesus. 

As a Pharisee, Paul had grown to be a powerful and popular man. He worked hand in hand with the Sanhedrin (Pharisees and Sadducees) in trying to stamp our Christianity. (Acts chapters 8&9). He was trained and educated by the famous teacher Gamaliel (Acts 22:3-5). 

Yet, after he was converted, the same men that had once been his allies became his greatest enemies. They persecuted him and had him beaten 5 times in the same way Jesus was beaten, he was beaten with a rod 3 times and stoned once - at the behest of his once-close colleagues! (2 Corinthians 11:24-31)

Yes, when we decide to commit to and obey Jesus, it changes our lives for the better spiritually, but it can also bring on a whole host of other problems we've never faced. Some of them extremely painful. Paul lost friends, family, and respected colleagues. He lost position in society, money, and position in the Temple he'd grown up in and loved.

But, he gained the high calling of Jesus! 

Living for Jesus is not a cakewalk. It takes real commitment. There are many things that the world will throw at you in its efforts to pull you away from Jesus. It is not easy. That's why it takes more than a decision for Jesus. It takes a commitment. And with that commitment comes obedience to Jesus. 

Without obedience, he cannot be our Lord. If he is not our Lord, he cannot be our Savior. 

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

God's power is not a lottery ticket. It's a necessity for our lives.

Mark 16:16-18

King James Version

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Acts 2: 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

I'm not the only one to notice this, but there's something missing in the church today. Jesus and the Apostles prayed for multitudes and they were healed, delivered, set free, changed immediately. In fact, the normal standard for the time was complete and immediate healing. 

Now there is a school of thought that says that the gifts of the spirit were for only the Apostles and those that they personally laid hands-on, but no further. The scriptures above disprove that theory. In Mark, it says, "these signs SHALL FOLLOW THEM THAT BELIEVE." That's everybody that believes. It doesn't say the signs will follow "you and all you lay hands on and nobody else after that who believe." 

And to further destroy the argument, in Acts 2 the Apostles teach that the promise (what promise? The promise of the Holy Ghost! Acts 1: 4-8) is unto you (that generation), and to your children (next generation), and to all that are afar off (all following generations) even as many as the Lord our God shall call (until the Lord returns at the end)." So the infilling of the Holy Ghost and the gifts of the spirit that come along with it are supposed to be a part of the church until Jesus returns! 

That having been said, what's wrong with the church? We get together and we sing, clap, dance, praise, worship, hear fireball preaching, etc. But, it's very rare (in the western world) that we see the Lord "confirming the word with signs following." (Mark 16:20). 

Yes, there are examples of the Lord blessing people with healing, deliverance, finances, etc, in our services, but it's different. In scripture, nearly all healings and deliverance happened immediately- yes that means instantaneously. Rarely was it not immediate. 

Now, when it happens, it's usually a process of repeated prayer and time. Immediate healing is rare.  We go to church. Go through at least part of the service. Feel the spirit's moving. Go up for the preacher (and sometimes a few fellow saints) to pray for us. Feel the touch of the spirit. And go home believing for, but not seeing the healing we're needing. Our faith grows some because we felt the touch of God. We see some improvement over what it was. But, the problem persists. It can sometimes take weeks or months to be completely healed of the problem. BY then, if we testify of the healing to an unbeliever, they- in their minds- can say "it happened naturally over time. The prayers had little or nothing to do with it."

Yet, the same preacher that prayed for us, can go to a third world country that's full of abject poverty and see blinded eyes opened, limbs replaced, cancerous tumors disappear, demons cast out (they don't refer them to a psychiatrist to be given medicine for their mental issues), etc. 

Why? Why is there such a big difference in results between the affluent countries and the poor? 

THEY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO BELIEVE. We have doctors and medicines and psychiatrists. So, we treat God as a lottery ticket. We go up and buy our ticket: "I'll take a chance on prayer. If God heals me, great! If not, I can always go to the doctor." That's why we don't ask for prayer for a cold. We know we can buy Nyquil. Why ask for prayer when it's a simple medicinal fix? 

I'm not against doctors in principle. Luke in scripture was a doctor. But, you don't hear of Luke taking his bag to sick folks homes and only calling in Paul to pray if his medicines didn't work. I believe it had to be the other way around! Luke started following Paul and his God precisely because when Paul preached, 

"3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.

4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

(1 Corinthians 2:3-5)

Luke, the man of science, was converted to Jesus because he saw diseases and afflictions he had battled for years being healed with a prayer! 

There were many that confused people with their eloquent, educated and enticing words, but Paul challenged them with this: 

18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.

20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. (1 Corinthians 4:18-20)

Basically, Paul was saying, you might speak well, but have you got the power? We shall see! 

But, not only have we stopped relying on God, we've truly stopped following him like they did. I believe there's another reason for our lack of power. 

12 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2)

The people of the early church spent nearly every day in a state of prayer. Yes, they had chores and jobs to do, but, they truly relied on God for everything, They believed that it is in God that:

"28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. " (Acts 17:28)

God is who allows us to work. God allows us to breath. God allows us to walk. God allows us to think. God truly is in control. 

So, why do we spend so little time with him? Hebrews 12 tells us to lay aside every weight AND the sin that so easily besets us. We know sin separates us from God, but do we understand that there are habits and practices in our lives that are not sinful- but they are thieves of time? We are only given so much time. 

Twenty Four hours a day is all we get. If we spend that time playing games, scrolling Facebook, watching youtube, etc, how much time have we used up that could have been spent with God? How much praying could we have done? How much reading and studying the scriptures could we have done? 

How much time did the Apostles spend with God after they got the Holy Ghost? 

Acts 6: And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

Yes, ministers are to be servants to the people, but the congregation had grown to the point that it was interfering with the more important job of studying the Word and praying. The apostles were going from house to house daily teaching and preaching and praying. God was adding new born again believers every day. God was healing people every day. They had to study and pray for hours every day in order to recharge their spiritual batteries for the next home service.

Contrary to many folks teaching, being filled with the Holy Ghost is not a one-time thing. Three times in the first four chapters of Acts, the word records the Apostles (and those with them) being filled with the Holy Ghost. We, like a car, can only go so far before we need a refill. The early church had to pray and study every day to grow their faith.  

I love my wife dearly, but we didn't meet and get married. We met and liked each other. As our relationship grew we spent more and more time together talking- getting to know each other. The more we knew, the more we trusted each other. Finally, we ended up married- and we've grown from there. I trust my wife implicitly. I can trust her with my feelings, my thoughts, my past, my present, and my future. I have no need for any other women because she has my complete trust. I know she won't do anything to harm me and only wants my good. 

The more time we spend with God in his word and in prayer, the closer our relationship will become. The closer our relationship becomes, the more faith we develop in God. The deeper our relationship grows, the stronger our faith becomes. 

Now, the stronger our relationship becomes, and the deeper our faith becomes, the more we understand that he means what he says and says what he means. He has only our good in mind. When he says, "by (his) stripes we are healed," (1 Peter 2:24) he means it. 

So, why do we not see God moving in the "educated and enlightened" world we live in like he did back then and does now in "backwoods places (as many call them)?" 

We've made God unnecessary in our daily lives. Our faith is small because we do not allow him room in our lives to prove himself. If we would lay aside the weights that tie us down and spend time with him in prayer and his word, we'd be amazed at what he'd do. If we would understand that his love is everlasting and that he truly is ALMIGHTY, then we would be awed by the works that he would begin to do among us once again.

There are some among us that he uses in this manner even now. But, we treat them as if they are just odd prophets that swoop in and do things for us and leave. But, scripture doesn't say it's only for a select few. Scripture says, "these signs shall follow them that believe." 

People like to sing about the "old-time religion," but the real old-time religion had God confirming his word with signs and wonders. 

We have a faith problem and we have a relationship problem. 

We need to turn off the TV and the Computer and go into prayer. We need to put down our hobbies and books and start spending time in prayer with him.

God has not changed. What he did then, he will do now. What he does overseas, he will do here. God's power is not a lottery ticket that might bless our lives. He is a necessity to carry us through this life and into eternity. 

I'm troubled about many things in these troubled times. Please join me in prayer.

I have my own personal issues that I could probably fill several pages up with. But, I'll make it short and sweet. Please pray for my family.

Looking around at the broader picture is even more troubling.

There are people running scared to death worried about a virus that has a much lower kill rate than the Flu. I'm not advocating foolishness, but who do you put your trust in? God? Or the Government?

If your faith is in man's government, get ready to be very disappointed! As Reagan said, "The scariest words in the English language are "I'm from the government and I'm here to help." If the Government is our help, you can bet it will put them even further in our pockets and lives- and it will come at a very steep cost!

If God is who you trust, then keep praying and let him have control. He's busy working everything for our good and his glory. So, just hold on, help is on the way! Count your blessings. How many times has he made a way where there seems to be no way?

One time we were in desperate need and God sent a little old lady over with a sack full of groceries to feed our young family! One time we were so in need, my wife and daughters were out in an abandoned yard picking Raspberries and Blackberries, when a church van full of food showed up in our driveway! One time my wife and I weren't working for 6 months (not by choice) and God kept us fed, clothed, sheltered, gas in the car, etc for 6 months! Whatever you're going through, rest in him! He will make a way!

There are powerful people within our government that are trying to use this virus crisis to crash the economy in order to 1) steal the upcoming elections and 2) even go so far as to completely convert our nation to a Socialist nation! And many people do not know how bad this would be!

Look at Venezuela. They had a democratic government and a thriving economy. The people were promised lots of government freebies if they voted in a socialistic government. They did. Now, a dozen eggs cost them a month's wages! It's horrible!

There's no such thing as a free lunch. Someone has to pay for it. If we go full socialism, say goodbye to free speech. Say goodbye to freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom to own things yourself- even freedom of your own bank account. There will be no more freedom to work hard and make your own way and care for your family!

We now have a government that is willing to let hundreds of people go to a business but will only allow 10 inside of a church. They close churches and allow abortion clinics and liquor stores to stay open? Does any of this make sense to anybody?

As Reagan said, if we lose freedom here, there is nowhere else to run to. America is the last bastion of freedom left on earth.

On the flip side, there are those who are ready to go to arms to fight the government because of the acts of tyranny the Government has already done. I understand this. I even to some degree support it, if necessary. But, we better be very sure there's not a better way to do this before we start pulling triggers.

There's no such thing as a clean war. Evils are perpetrated on all sides. Many thousands would die- and not just of bullets, but of starvation and pestilence. And even if we went to war and won, who's to say the government we end up with won't be worse than the one we fought? When one set of humans defeats another, there's a tendency to try and keep punishing the losers and buckle down on the winners to be sure they won't turn into being like the losers were.

Yes, there are many changes that should and need to be made, but those changes must start in the hearts of men. And only God can make those changes.

Trusting the courts to make changes is like rolling dice to win a dollar. Many times you don't get the results you hoped for.

Trusting elected officials to make the necessary changes is a bit like asking the mob to stop pushing gambling. Politicians have a vested personal interest in the Government complex growing and getting bigger.

Trusting company's to do the right thing is just as much a fools errand as trusting politicians. Corporations are after one thing and one thing only, the almighty dollar. And they will do whatever they believe they need to do to people in order to secure ever larger pieces of the monetary pie. Companies are even now having farmers throw away perfectly good food products in order to keep the prices higher during this crisis.

No, you cannot force change. You cannot legislate change. The only true and lasting change must come from the heart. And the only being capable of truly changing the hearts of man is Jesus (God almighty).

So, join me in praying for our families, our communities, and our nations! In truth, Jesus is the only hope we have! And only Jesus can be trusted to make the necessary changes in the hearts of mankind that will help everyone.

Pray, people pray. If we pray, we have hope. If we do not pray, we have no hope. Pray like you've never prayed before!

Prayer and ministry go hand in hand, but prayer is the higher calling.

Jesus prayed daily- usually many times a day.

Note to the ministry: Ministry happens anytime, anyplace. It is not just a “church meeting thing.”

The man Christ Jesus understood this. He understood that the flesh can do nothing apart from God's empowerment. 

So, he prayed. Daily and, in fact, several times a day.

We are to pray, first and foremost, for a closer walk (a stronger relationship) with God. 

Ministry flows from our walk with God. Our walk with God does not flow from our ministry. As we pray and walk and talk with God, he can guide us to minister to others in unexpected ways. He can open the door for ministry in places we never dreamed of. If we stay prayed up, he will begin to lift us up (in him, I mean. I'm not advocating a prosperity doctrine.). Why? To lift his name to a lost and dying world!

How often should we pray?

Short answer: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

The word “ceasing” here means “without intermission, incessantly, assiduously.”

Incessantly means “without stopping.” Without intermission means “without a break.” Assiduously means “showing great care, attention, and effort.”

By this definition, if we take it literally, we would all die soon after becoming a Christian. If we could never take a break, or stop praying, then we would never be able to eat, drink, sleep, potty, study the word, work for our living, etc. So, is he truly saying we must physically pray all day, every day?

I think not.

However, I do believe he is telling us not to neglect our prayer time with God. Always have an attitude of prayer. Always make prayer a priority. Do not let it get lost in the business of life or ministry. Make it a priority. Do it with “great care, attention, and effort.” Don't let it become a ritual of words. Don't reduce it to a short phrase or two. Do it with all we have!

David says in Psalms 63:1:

“O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; “

So, we should start our day, even if we must get up a little earlier, with concentrated and consistent prayer. Is that all?

Isaiah 26:9 seems to hint at nighttime prayer, in addition to morning prayer:

“With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. “

Daniel prayed three times a day:

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”- Daniel 6:10

And this he did, despite the king’s order that no man should pray to any other god, besides the statue that he had just erected. Daniel knew he was risking his life by praying to God. But he also knew that his time with God was the most important thing in his life. He might die from his choice, but at least he'd be right with God.

As far as I know, there is no limit on how many times a day we should pray- just as there is no prescribed time period we should pray for. Follow the leading of the spirit of God. Allow him to lead you. But, do not neglect prayer. Make it your top priority every day.

Without it, we become dry and hard. With it, we are watered with his spirit and pliable in his hands. 

Without it, we become a Pharisee. With it, we have his love to reach out to others.

Some of the saddest words in scripture are these:

Ezekiel 22:29-31King James Version (KJV)

29 The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully.

30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God.

Part of our prayers are praise. Part of our prayers is for our needs. But what God really wants are intercessors. He wants people who will pray for his intervention into the lives of people (and nations) that are not right with him.

How many people have we seen and thought, "They need God!" That should be a prayer prompt. 

How many people ask for prayer? Don't just say you'll pray, pray with them right there.

How many politicians and leaders are heading in unbiblical directions and advocating ungodly policies? Pray for them.

How many are sick with cancer, diabetes, blood problems, Covid-19, etc? Pray for them. 

If we think about it, there are millions of things and people to pray about and for. 

The more we pray, the closer we will get to God's heart. The closer we get to God's heart, the more we will pray, and the more we will be moved with the same compassion that he feels for lost souls, for hurting people. 

There is no higher calling than that of being a prayer warrior. Remember, somebody, prayed for us. Can we not return the favor?  

It's not glamorous. It's not glorious. People do not lift it up. But, to God, it is the highest calling we can ever have. Plus, you will grow closer to God than you ever dreamed possible.