Tag Archives: prayer

From Patience to Praise

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Psalm 40:1-3 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.  2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.  3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

Like David, we often find ourselves in a “horrible pit”.  Sometimes it is a pit that we have dug ourselves.  Other times, the pit is dug for us and we’re pushed in!  Regardless, it is a terrible feeling to be stuck and unable to get out of the “holes” we find ourselves in.  Continue reading →

Doing What’s Right in the Eyes of God

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Often it seems as though few in our culture know right from wrong anymore.  I’m not speaking of knowing what is legal, but rather abiding by an absolute moral code, specifically the Bible.

When the United States was founded, the Bible was revered, church-going was normative, and nearly all of the people (including the vast majority of the founders) were Christian.  It is no wonder that many of our founding documents contain principles from the Scriptures.  Even those who would debate these facts would have to admit that the founding generation would be shocked at some of the behavior that is tolerated today.  To them, most of us would be rude, crude, and socially unacceptable.  We’re not totally devoid of our morals, but we are far from where we should be.  Without a moral code, a people will drift aimlessly as the Jews did in the book of Judges.

Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. Continue reading →

What Do You Expect When You Pray?

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Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.  6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.  7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

In Acts 12, we find an incredible testament to the power of prayer.  Peter was in jail and the church prayed for him unceasingly.  God sends an angel to release Peter.  But that’s not the end of the story.  What is really interesting is the reaction of the Christians who were praying for Peter’s release. Continue reading →

The Need for Spirit-Led Bible Study

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I want to cover a topic that is sometimes overlooked or at least under-emphasized when discussing Bible study.  That is the fact that proper interpretation is a matter of spiritual guidance, not just grammar, syntax, and context.  Even a thorough knowledge of the original languages of the BIble (Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek) is no substitute for the active work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.  Continue reading →

Our Spiritual Battle

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Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.   12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

It is tempting for the Christian to focus on the physical things of life.  Being physical beings, this is natural.  So, we concern ourselves with how we look, maintaining our homes and cars, performing the chores we need to do, etc.  There is nothing wrong with this.  However, human beings also have a spiritual side.  This is where we will find the most difficult areas of our life. Continue reading →