Pastor’s Blog 9.4.19

So how is your prayer life? That is an intrusive question isn’t it? Nevertheless, it is one that we need to be asked from time to time. Of all disciplines of the Christian walk, it seems that the two that most have the hardest time staying consistent at, are prayer and a personal study of the scriptures. Even leaders seem to fall short in their commitments to this quality time with God.

By the messages being preached and the songs being written and sung in the majority of churches today, it’s obvious leaders in the church are not that deep in prayer of study. I was preaching this past Sunday about the Love of God, and specifically about members not suing one another and submitting to the church council to reconcile and arbitrate during conflict and disagreement. A few people asked me if something was going on in the church? (Assuming my message was being responsive to a current affair in the church.) My answer was and is “no, not that I am aware of.”

I was just studying the Love of God and trying to give a thorough teaching on the subject. The fact is, that if more preachers would teach what the Bible says, our culture would not have fallen to the moral lows that are now called normal. We wouldn’t have a sue happy culture of entitlement where it is easier to sue and get money than to go get a job! There is nothing normal about what is being celebrated today as normal. Every day when I read the word and pray it is like giving my conscience a bath. It keeps me calibrated to the standard of Christ and keeps me from being deceived. Even a healthy balance between the study of the New and Old Testaments is needed to stay in the truth. (read that last line again!) Selah!

Too much time in the old and I find myself back in the law for righteousness, not enough time in the old and I miss the valuable lessons that were written for me, so I don’t make the same mistakes in this covenant that Israel made in the last one. I have known many a believer who spent a lot of time in the major Prophets of the Old Covenant ready to call down fire on Sunday morning on the very ones God was trying to save from the fire. Balance is the key!

So let me ask you again, how is your prayer life? Is it time to rally yourself back into your prayer closet? Why is it so easy to stop praying consistently? Things don’t usually begin to unravel when you stop praying right away do they? Everything seems to go along fine for a while doesn’t it? But then comes the moment that you are convicted by the Holy Spirit through a message, perhaps like this one, and you recognize from where you have fallen.

Look at this powerful exhortation of continuance by Paul:

Ephesians 6:10-20 TPT
Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of his explosive power flowing in and through you.

Put on God’s complete set of armor provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser! Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in bondage. Because of this, you must wear all the armor that God provides so you’re protected as you confront the slanderer, for you are destined for all things and will rise victorious.

Put on truth as a belt to strengthen you to stand in triumph. Put on holiness as the protective armor that covers your heart. Stand on your feet alert, then you’ll always be ready to share the blessings of peace.

In every battle, take faith as your wrap-around shield, for it is able to extinguish the blazing arrows coming at you from the Evil One! 17–18 Embrace the power of salvation’s full deliverance, like a helmet to protect your thoughts from lies. And take the mighty razor-sharp Spirit-sword of the spoken Word of God.

Pray passionately in the Spirit, as you constantly intercede with every form of prayer at all times. Pray the blessings of God upon all his believers. And pray also that God’s revelation would be released through me every time I preach the wonderful mystery of the hope-filled gospel. Yes, pray that I may preach the wonderful news of God’s kingdom with bold freedom at every opportunity. Even though I am chained as a prisoner, I am his ambassador.

Did you know that Paul was actually quoting the Old Covenant when he taught about the believers armor?

Isaiah 59:16-17
16 He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.
17 For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, And was clad with zeal as a cloak . NKJV

Pray without ceasing! Pray daily! Pray when you feel like and when you do not. Prayer will help keep us balanced and will certainly help keep us tuned into Holy Spirit and what our Father is instructing us to in our live. Pray.