WHEN YE PRAY- PART III

1John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

We know God’s word is truth. So if by God’s word we ask for what we desire he hears us and we have what we asked for. In acting out our faith we don’t believe because we see it but because God’s word says so.

Let’s say I ask God for a pen. As soon as I finish praying I must believe that I have the pen then I shall have it physically. So when I ask God for a laptop, I must believe first that I have the laptop then I will have it physically in my hands through a means God will provide. That is demonstration of faith in praying for our needs. This is of the heart or spirit. It is a deep assurance that indeed it is done. This will prevent you from praying about it again. Of course how can you pray for something you already are convinced has been done for you? You only give thanks to God that it is done for you. This will prevent you from worrying about it again. There will be peace in your heart because you have the assurance that it is done and are only waiting for its manifestation.

WHEN YE PRAY- PART II

Mark 11:13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. 14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.

Jesus in his example spoke to the fig tree as if it were animate. He says we can do the same thing. He says, “ whosoever.”

The next thing is for us not to doubt in our hearts. See he did not say doubt in our minds. It means it is possible when you are acting out your faith your mind will be trying to discourage you that it will not work. It does not mean you doubt in your heart. Actually it is when you obey what your mind is trying to tell you that it becomes of the heart. There are a lot of times that even in praying for the sick the devil tries to stop me by reasoning with me in my mind that it will not work. I however go on to pray for the sick and they get healed. If I refrain as a result of what is going on in my mind then I doubt in my heart. There are times also that after acting out one’s faith one may show doubt in one’s actions and speech. This also is doubting in the heart. But Jesus said when we talk to the mountain we should not doubt in our hearts. We should hold on to our faith that indeed the mountain will move… but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

WHEN YE PRAY

Another area in which faith is required is prayer. When you mention prayer, every Christian seems to have an idea about it. We know about laying our petitions before God. We know we can ask God concerning the things we need. But the truth of the matter is that many Christians do not really believe God will answer their prayers. The worst group of people are those who are not really sure whether God hears them or not. And because of that many prayers go unanswered. As a result many Christians have lost faith in prayer. They pray just for praying sake but do not believe they will receive answers. How did I come to this conclusion?

 Many Christians forget they have asked God concerning their need. Though surprising, this is actually true. Think about it. How many times do believers keep asking God for a particular need because they forget they have already asked?  Why would you ask again for a need when you believe God heard you and answered you the first time you prayed? Those who believe God answered their prayer do not go to him over and over again for the same need. Honestly, if you really believe God heard and answered your prayer, you would have it in mind that it is done and not forget. These are signs of unbelief and will not get anything from God. Many people also, even when they finish praying continue to talk as if there is no hope. They continue to talk their fears even when they have prayed about them. They continue to look to themselves for solutions even when they have asked God for the solutions. But it must not be so.

KNOW IT AND YOU ARE FREE! - Part II

You may have missed: KNOW IT AND YOU ARE FREE! - Part I

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Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:31,32[KJV]

I want you to see that in spite of the many doubters and scoffers in Jesus’ congregation when he made this profound statement, He was really addressing it to those who believed Him. He said to them, “Continue in my word... and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”. We see from this passage that it is not enough just to believe in Jesus; but we also need to seek, study to know, and to continually abide in His words. A believer may still be in bondage if he does not know the relevant truths that have set Him free.