Category: General

This is a general area that does not really relate to any of the other categories.

  • PRAISE OF MEN

    In order to believe on the Lord Jesus, one must desire God’s approval more than anyone else’s. He must seek the honor that comes from the only God. How can we be in total communication with God while seeking the praise of men? Truly, a man cannot have two masters, his soul is divided between them both. A double minded man gets nothing from the Lord.

    The Christian walk requires us to have faith in the true God and His Son Jesus Christ. Not in men who are flattering with their mouth’s and lying in their thoughts, wanting to lead us to destruction. Men may give you flattery and praise however, the cost may be to high to bear. Your loyalty will be required from them, in turn your faith in God will suffer great lose.

    I am not implying the we should not honor those in authority over us. Such as; Pastors, Teachers, law officers and government leaders, these were designed by God to keep the peace and look out for the welfare of the population. They all deserve the respect of their positions. Likewise the church has positions that are ordained of God, these also must have the respect due to the office God has placed them in.

    The problem comes as we look to other individuals for praise or acknowledment. John 5:44 makes this clear.

    How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that comes from God only?

    This verse is talking about the Jewish people not wanting to accept Christ because of the rejection of their own friends. We see also Nicodemus, he visited Jesus by night so as not to be seen by his peers. Honor is lost when one divides loyalty. To divide our loyalty between God and man will cause the loss of our close relationship with God. God will not give His glory to any man. (Isaiah 42:8)

    Joh 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

    Joh 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

    There were chief Priest’s and Pharisees that believed who Jesus was but, the pressure from their peers kept them from making a commitment to the Lordship of Christ. Is the fear of man keeping you from speaking to others the mighty wonders and works of God? This is the time to spread the Gospel throughout our own neighborhoods. Men will grow worse and worse as time goes by, but now is the time for the Saints of God to shake off the fear of their fellow humans and spread the Gospel to all that will listen.

    Fear of man will put us in bondage to that fear.

    Job 32:21 Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.

    There is only one person that has given His life for us, His name is Jesus the Christ, to Him belongs all the honor, glory and praise. Give your life to His in complete surrender, and allow the Holy Spirit full access to everything in your life.

    Be a blessing to someone today!

    Al S.

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  • PRAYER

    Prayer is probably the most talked about subject in the church, everyone says we need to do it, but how many of us actually take time to pray? The consensus usually is, I don’t have time, my schedule is far too busy. With the way this world is progressing, that may be a very accurate statement, we all have various activities that keep us occupied most every day. This was my excuse for a long time. Getting up early and heading off to schedule which took me all over the city and to many different houses. Then there was the purchasing of material for each job. This made my prayer life a shambles. Thank God, He has given me a new awareness of the importance making time to pray.

    Prayer is not a monologue with us doing all the talking, it is a dialogue that allows God, through the Holy Spirit, to speak back to our spirits. That still small voice that is so easily missed if we’re not careful to be quiet and listening. You may be saying, “I don’t know how to pray like others do.” Not to worry, the Holy Spirit will come along side, (partner) with you to make those prayers heard. Our part is to open our mouth and speak from the heart.

    For a very long time my concept of prayer was. When I pray I move the hand of God in my favor. Quite the contrary. When we pray and open our hearts, God moves us to fill His plan in our lives. The so called, Lord’s prayer, is good example of this. Remember the verse in Matthew 6: 10;

    “Thy kingdom come thy will (God’s will) be done in earth, as it is heaven.”

    I finally got the “THY WILL BE DONE part, not my will but God’s will. Prior to this revelation, my prayers were of the “Gimme, gimme my name is Jimmy” variety. This was all about my will and gratification, not God’s will and purpose for my life. Entering God’s courts with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (Psalms 100:4). Thanksgiving and worship are the two primary ingredients for going into the Throne Room of our heavenly Father.

    Another scripture may be helpful to cement the thought of surrendering to God’s will not ours is Philippians 2:12,13;

    So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;

    2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.

    This means, it is God who puts within us the desire to do His will in the first place. He also works within us the power to carry out that desire, IF WE ARE WILLING. Our prayers should have the motivation to come in line with the Father’s will. For in His will is fullness of joy an peace which in not attainable in this world. Could this be a reason why some prayers are not answered? Are we praying for the Father’s will to be done, or ours? He is so good, your circumstances will begin to change and allow you to move where your heavenly Father wants you to be, this happens without us doing anything. Praise God!

    Bringing your needs before the throne is part of prayer as well. God said He already knows our needs, if that is the case, and it is, then why ask for them, why not thank Him for His supply? We are told not to concern ourselves about what we should put on or to eat. Do we believe that these necessities have been provided to us already? Our heavenly Father has many ways He can provide those needs. He will not counterfeit money or steal to provide our need. He is capable of having a dog deliver money to you in its mouth. God fed Elijah from raven’s at the Brook Cherith, that shows His unlimited ability to supply our needs.

    Remember, prayer is the communication between two individuals. Sometimes because we can’t see God our minds don’t grasp the concept of talking with another person. But that is exactly what we are doing!

    Seek first the kingdom of heaven and all His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you. Seeking the Kingdom first is searching scriptures say and then complying with them. In other words, find the scriptures that backup what you are asking for, then line up with that Word before asking. This process will keep us from asking for what is wrong. Finding scriptures and praying them is a sure way of getting answers to prayer, and staying in faith.

    Praying the Word is praying God’s eternal Word back to Him. Thanking Him for the answer before receiving it is saying, in faith, I have already received the answer to my request. His Word is eternal and will never fail.

    Isaiah 55:11, “so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.”

    Lastly, don’t forget that forgiveness is a prerequisite for answered prayer also. Go to your neighbor and forgive him, then go to the Altar with your request.

    Brothers and Sisters please, learn to pray scriptures and see your prayer fulfilled!

    In Jesus name, BE BLESSED!

    Al S.

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