PRAY IN AGREEMENT

Monday, November 1, 2010
The Acts 1: 14; 2: 1,2; 4: 24, 30,31.
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary, the mother of JESUS, and with His brethren.
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. and Suddenly there came a sound from heaven like a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to GOD with one accord, and said, "LORD, thou art GOD, who hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is;"... By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy Holy Child JESUS. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken there they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of GOD with boldness.

THE CHURCH PRAYS IN ONE ACCORD

This week, we are going to look at the need to pray in agreement with one another. The Church is the ground and pillar of the Truth. GOD has given His doctrine of Truth to the Church, and the Church is responsible for upholding that truth without wavering. The Church is always to pray in JESUS Name; pray the Scripture; pray in the Spirit and pray in one accord. The Church upholds JESUS, the Person of Truth; the Scripture, the word of Truth; the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of Truth and in one accord, the pillar and ground of truth.

What happens when there is agreement in the Spirit? Notice the word "suddenly", yes, suddenly things happen when there is agreement on earth as touching any thing, in the Holy Spirit and in the Name of JESUS in agreement with the Word of GOD. Look at the key verses for today, they all tell us that "one accord" was the normal practice of the Apostles. They gathered together to pray in one place and for one purpose. Each time, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, there was a huge manifestation of the power of GOD.

When two or three are gathered together in the Name of JESUS, He is in the midst. When the prayers are in agreement with Him and His Word, power is unleashed to manifest a tangible release of power; walls shake, there are earthquakes, the wind of the Spirit fills the room, the anointing is released and all are filled with the Holy Spirit.

Is Pentecost just for that time of the Apostles or can we experience the release of power today for our own circumstances? I believe that the Scripture bears witness, that when we pray in agreement, we can expect the release of the power of GOD.

DO YOU AGREE?

PRAY IN THE SPIRIT

Saturday, October 30, 2010
1 John 5: 14, 15; 20, 21
And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask any thing according to His will, He heareth us; and if we know that He hear us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him...And we know that the Son of GOD is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true; and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son JESUS Christ. This is the true GOD, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourself from idols. Amen.

These are the last word is the first letter of John, written about 90-95AD. This epistle is filled with "confidence" and assurance that GOD is GOD and He hears our prayers. He answers our prayers in truth, because He is Truth, "and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son JESUS Christ". We don't just know about JESUS, as though He was some historical figure, we KNOW HIM and are IN HIM.

Prayer, in the Spirit, is simply this: WE KNOW JESUS; WE ARE IN JESUS; WE TALK WITH JESUS, BY HIS SPIRIT; HE ANSWERS US, BY HIS HOLY SPIRIT. What type of prayer is best for our relationship with GOD? ALL PRAYER; ALL FORMS OF PRAYER; ALL PRAYED IN THE HOLY SPIRIT ALL THE TIME AND FOR ALL THINGS. ALL OF OUR LIFE IS PRAYER. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING, WITH EVERY BREATH YOU BREATHE LET IT BE A PRAYER, AMEN.

PRAY IN THE SPIRIT

Friday, October 29, 2010
Philippians 3:3
For we are the circumcision, who worship GOD in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ JESUS, and have no confidence in the flesh.

WORSHIP IN THE SPIRIT; LED BY THE SPIRIT

Deuteronomy 10 16,17 says: " Circumcise, therefore, the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked. For the LORD your GOD is GOD of gods, and LORD of lords, a great GOD, a mighty, and an awesome, who regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward."

The circumcision of the heart is the opening of the door to pure worship. That foreskin of the heart is flesh that blocks the way for Spiritual Worship. GOD will not be fully honored and highly exalted until all fleshly blocks are removed. Our confidence must be in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Deuteronomy 10:20,21 says this: " Thou shalt fear the LORD thy GOD; Him shalt thou serve, and to Him shalt thou cleave, and swear by His Name. He is thy praise, and He is thy GOD, who hath done for thee these great and awe-inspiring things which thine eyes have seen." HE IS THE HOLY ONE.

When the heart worships, heaven hears and joins in the high praise of GOD. The Holy Spirit leads in worship and the Father and the Son are glorified. All prayer, all worship; all forms of prayer and all manner of worship must be in Spirit and in Truth. John 4:23,24 says: " But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. GOD is a Spirit; and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."

PRAY IN THE SPIRIT

Thursday, October 28, 2010
Galatians 5: 24,25
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

LIFE IN THE SPIRIT

Verse 24 of Galatians 5, gives us a direction for life in the Spirit and how to walk in the Spirit. "They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts". Crucifixion of the flesh, means that we are to "deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow Me (JESUS)" (Matthew 16:24) "whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it." (Matthew 16: 25). Affections are not love; lust is not love; whatever is not love is not of GOD, because GOD is love. "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of GOD, and everyone that loveth is born of GOD, and knoweth GOD." (1 John 4: 7). So, to deny oneself and crucify the flesh means to live a life of LOVE only. How can we do this, since we are human? We can only live in Love and walk in Love, by the Holy Spirit who was given to us by JESUS.

Galatians 5:16 says: "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." There is a link between life in the Spirit and walking in the Spirit; each depends on the other. We can not live in the Spirit and walk in the flesh. Likewise, we can not walk in the Spirit and live in the flesh. Living has everything to do with our thoughts, meditations, worship, focus, and heart; walking has to do with our actions. We can not act out a life in the Spirit unless we are living in the Spirit. We live in the Spirit by our prayer life. The more we pray, the more we live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit; the Spirit teaches us how to walk out our salvation in acts of GODLY LOVE.

BELOVED, LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER, FOR LOVE IS OF GOD
GOD IS LOVE.

PRAY IN THE SPIRIT

Wednesday, October 27, 2010
1 Corinthians 2: 9,10
But as it is written, "Eye hath not seen, not ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which GOD hath prepared for them that love Him." But GOD hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit; for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of GOD.

THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDES AND TEACHES ACCORDING TO GOD

We have, within us, a resident teacher, the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth and He only speaks what He hears from the Father and the Son. John 16: 13 says: "When He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth; for He shall not speak of Himself, but whatever He shall hear, that shall He speak; and He will show you things to come." GOD speaks to us by the Holy Spirit who lives within all those who believe in JESUS. He will show us those deep things of GOD and reveal the hidden truths and the things to come.

The GODHEAD is not separated; GOD is ONE in three manifestations. The three agree in ONE and therefore the Holy Spirit only speaks what He hears from the Father and the Son. This is why it is so very vital to pray in union with the Holy Spirit, under the anointing mantle. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.
This anointing is available to all who love JESUS and desire to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. Worship of the LORD GOD, opens the door to the great anointing and the Holy Spirit descends, like a mantle upon His prayerful people.

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD

PRAY IN THE SPIRIT

Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Jude 20,21
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most Holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of GOD, looking for the mercy of our LORD JESUS Christ unto eternal life.

There are key words in these verses which give us a pattern for life in GOD: 1. we are called "beloved", this means we are Loved by GOD. 2. Build up yourselves in Holy faith. 3. Pray in the Holy Spirit. 4. Keep yourselves in the Love of GOD. 5. Look for mercy.

When you put these 5 together, you find that the "beloved ones" work on the relationship they have with GOD by praying in the Holy Spirit, keeping pure in the love of GOD and watching in expectation for the mercy of the LORD JESUS to be manifest. We are to be the people of prayer, love and mercy in our relationship with others and with GOD. As we nurture the union with the Holy Spirit by our behavior, not just one or two days a week but without ceasing, we are in union with GOD. When we are one with the Holy Spirit, then we are one with the will of the Father and the Son. This is very simple, yet often miss understood, GOD calls us His "beloved", He desires to share His Heart with us, so when we open our Heart to Him by prayer in the Holy Spirit, He gives himself to us.

COME, BELOVED, AND PRAY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT

PRAY IN THE SPIRIT

Monday, October 25, 2010
Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints...

PRAY IN TRUTH (Psalm 145:18)

This week, we will discuss praying in the Spirit. I trust that this will open doors of understanding for you and deepen your prayer life. There are 5 things that we will consider:
1. Seek the face of GOD in worship.
2. The Holy Spirit guides and leads us according to the will and word of GOD.
3.The anointing of the Holy Spirit teaches us.
4.We are to live and walk in the Spirit always.
5.True worship is Spirit led.

The verse for today calls us to "pray always". This means that our heart focus must be JESUS 24/7. When we look at life through the lens of the Holy Spirit and see through the eyes of JESUS what is really real, then we can ask how He would like us to pray, and we can pray in agreement with Him. WOW!!! WE CAN PRAY IN AGREEMENT WITH GOD. So, we must first and foremost seek the face of GOD and worship Him in Spirit and in truth. True worship comes from the inside out: from the Holy Spirit, through us to JESUS and the Father. This forms a Holy circle of prayer that has no beginning and no ending, it is continuous.

The Scripture does not single out one type of prayer that is more acceptable to GOD than any other type. Prayer is prayer when it is Spirit led. The verse from Ephesians says to "pray always with all prayer" this means every type of prayer: Tongues, Scripture, written prayers, spoken, silent, or one word, JESUS. Ask, as a child would ask the father and know that the father will grant the request; seek the will of GOD for all matters; knock at the door for entrance into the presence of GOD and be still and know that He is present.

YOU ARE THE CHILD OF THE LIVING GOD BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS, SEEK HIS FACE AND HE WILL SHOW YOU HIS LOVE

PRAY THE SCRIPTURE

Saturday, October 23, 2010
Romans 10: 14-17
How, then, shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah saith, LORD, who hath believed our report? So, then, faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of GOD.

THIS MONTH IS A TIME TO HONOR PASTORS, PRIESTS AND RABBIS

These verses from Romans tell us just how vital our Pastors, Priests and Rabbis are in the plan of GOD for the building up of the people of GOD. Look at the sequence of events which unfold when the Good News of our LORD is preached and celebrated:
1. The people hear the Word and are able to call upon GOD.
2.Faith is increased as the Word is preached in their hearing.
3. The preacher who proclaims the Good News of GOD, brings the message of GOD and belief is increased.
4. Preachers are sent by GOD to witness to the reality of GOD.
5. Obedience to the Word of GOD, by the people, builds a strong environment for life under the guidance and direction of GOD.

We celebrate Pastors, Priests and Rabbis, called by GOD, who faithfully build up the people in the Most Holy Faith. They open the door so that people might walk in the way of the LORD.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS

PRAY THE SCRIPTURE

Friday, October 22, 2010
Romans 8: 26-28
Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of GOD. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love GOD, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH PRAYS THE WORD OF TRUTH - THE WILL OF GOD.

The Holy Spirit knows the mind of GOD and the heart of man. Therefore, He can pray the Word and will of GOD for the real need of each and every one of us. Isn't it wonderful that GOD knows our deepest need and works all things together for good for us? GOD'S will is His word and when we pray His word we are praying according to His will. That is beyond awesome.

There is a question which many people ask: "How do you know which Scripture to pray, for a particular circumstance?" The answer is found in the Scripture for today. Romans 8: 27 (NIV) says this: And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with GOD'S will. In the commentary for this verse, the commentator says this: "The relationship between the Holy Spirit and GOD the Father is so close that the Holy Spirit's prayers need not be audible. GOD knows His every thought" (because they are the same GOD). The Holy Spirit will bring into your thoughts the exact Scripture that speaks to your need and when you pray that Scripture, you are praying the Will of GOD.

PRAY THE SCRIPTURE

Thursday, October 21,2010
Genesis 32:9,12
And Jacob said, O GOD of my father, Abraham, and GOD of my father, Isaac, the LORD who saidst unto me, "Return unto thy country and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee."...
And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF YOU PRAY THE WORD OF THE LORD?
1. You will change. When you think, meditate and ponder the Scripture you will have a great change of character.
2. You will have what you ask, because you are asking according to the will of the LORD.
3.Your faith will increase, because you are exercising your faith muscles and you can see the results.
4. The plans of satan are canceled and the enemy departs.

GOD said: "I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude." GOD grants prosperity to those who stand on His word and believe that when He says a thing, He will do it.

GOOD THINGS HAPPEN WHEN WE PRAY THE SCRIPTURE AND STAND ON GOD'S WORD

PRAY THE SCRIPTURE

Wednesday October 20,2010
Isaiah 43:25,26
I, even I, am He who blotteth out thy transgressions for Mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Put me in remembrance; let us plead together; declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.

This is a call for radical agreement with GOD. When we pray the Scripture, we enter into an agreement with GOD for His Word to go forth in power. He has said to "put Him in remembrance" so that together we can call forth the Word into being. Jesus said that "it is finished" or completed; when we unite with Him in His Holy Word, we can ask according to His Word and it will be done.

Why does GOD do all that He does for us? Why does He want us to pray in agreement with Him and His Word? The answer to these questions is found in one simple three little words: "He Loves Us". God wants us to prosper, be fruitful and to live well. He wants us to have a good life with Him and to enjoy Him for ever. God wants fellowship with His children. This is why He does all that He does for us and that is why He wants us to pray in agreement with Him. He wants to "Plead together", so we are given the privilege of declaring his Word, standing on His promises and making what He has said in Scripture, our very own. Believe Him and watch what He does.

LORD, YOU SAID IT; I BELIEVE IT; THAT SETTLES IT; IT IS FINISHED

PRAY THE SCRIPTURE

Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Isaiah 55:10,11
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not there, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My Mouth; it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

These images of rain and snow, bud and seed, as a metaphor for the Word of the LORD, speak volumes. The Word of the LORD is like rain that soaks into the earth quickly and reaches the thirsty ground, giving nourishment to the roots. The snow melts slowly, giving nourishment in smaller doses, as it waters the plants even more deeply than the rain. The bud brings forth the flower and then the fruit which bears the precious seed. Seed that is contained in the fruit of a plant, when the fruit falls to the ground, goes into the earth and is nourished by the rain and the snow. GOD's Word is seed, nourished by the water of the Holy Spirit, it brings forth a plant in the lives of those who hear His word. The plant brings forth a bud of revelation and the spirit of man is brought to life by the presence of the WORD. When the revelation of GOD comes to full flower, it produces fruit which carries the seed of the Word for others. The cycle goes on and on. The Word of GOD never falls to the ground and dies, it always bears fruit, because it was sent into a life for a purpose as part of the plan of GOD.

In prayer, when we pray the Scripture, we are saying that we are in agreement with His Word and that we believe that what He has said, He will do. We acknowledge that we are part of the plan of GOD and that His purpose will be fulfilled in our life. This agreement with Him is like a fertile garden, where the precious seed can grow, watered by the Holy Spirit and bear fruit to the Glory of GOD.

WE ARE A WATERED GARDEN OF LIFE FOR A HUNGRY AND THIRSTY WORLD.
PRAY THE SCRIPTURE.

PRAY THE SCRIPTURE

Monday, October 18, 2010
John 15:7,8
If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. In this is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be My disciples.

When we abide in JESUS, we have fellowship with Him. When we have fellowship with JESUS, the Word of GOD lives in us and is alive (Hebrews 4:12). JESUS is the person of truth and the Scripture is the word of truth, therefore, truth lives in us. When we are in fellowship with JESUS and His words dwell in us, we can ask what we will, and the Father will do it.

Notice the word "will", how do we know what the will of GOD is? The will of GOD is in Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation and everything in between. The Scripture says in Jeremiah 7: 23, Obey My voice, and I will be your GOD, and ye shall be My people; and walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. This is the will of GOD concerning us. When our hearts are in fellowship with JESUS, and the Word of GOD dwells in us, our "will" will conform to His will and He will always do what He has said.

There is another way of saying all this: pray the Scripture as your prayer to GOD; believe that He will do what He says and then watch, in expectation for the fulfillment. "In this is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be My disciples."

JESUS IS THE INCARNATE WILL AND WORD OF GOD

SEEK HIS FACE BEFORE YOU SEEK HIS HAND

Saturday, October 16, 2010
The Acts 19: 13; 15,16

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them who had evil spirits the name of the LORD JESUS, saying, "We adjure you by JESUS, whom Paul preacheth"... and the evil spirits answered and said, "JESUS I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?" and the man in whom the evil spirit was, leaped on them and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

THOSE WHO USE THE NAME OF JESUS MUST HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM

In an earlier commentary, I wrote about the need to have a family relationship with JESUS, as a born again believer, before there is the privilege and the authority to use His Name. On a very human level, it is illegal for a person to use another persons name, or do business in a name other than your own. In the Spirit, it is the same. Spiritually, the only people who have the right to use the Name of JESUS are those who are of the Household of GOD.

In the story of the sons of Sceva, the seven sons thought that they had the right and authority to use any name, since they were the sons of a Jew who was a Chief Priest. They also saw Paul healing, successfully, in the Name of JESUS. So, why not use that Name! They thought that the name was the magic word. Well, the Name of JESUS is not a magic word, it is the Name above all names with power to save and heal, BUT it can only be used, without blasphemy, by the ones who honor and respect that Name.

I am reminded of the third commandment: "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy GOD in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain." The sons of Sceva took the Name of the LORD GOD in vain and the evil spirits caused the possessed one to leap on them and wound them.

When we seek the face of the LORD, we unite ourselves with Him. THEN and only then, can we humbly seek His hand. Call upon the Name of the LORD and you shall be saved, you and your household.
HE IS THE HOLY ONE

SEEK HIS FACE BEFORE YOU SEEK HIS HAND

Friday, October 15, 2010
Hebrews 5: 7-9
(JESUS) who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death and was heard in that He feared, though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; and being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him...

JESUS, our great High Priest, won for us, who obey Him, the victory and Eternal Salvation. It is in the Name of JESUS, the Son of GOD, that we have life. There is no other way for us to live for ever, it was bought with the price of the Blood of JESUS, and His obedience through suffering. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one can come to the Father except through Him. He won the battle and opened the door for us to walk right up to the throne of Grace. When we seek his face, He opens His hand for us to receive mercy.

Obedience, by JESUS, was the key to the opening of the door; it is obedience to Him which allows us to walk through that door into His presence. How do we learn obedience? The Scripture verse says that JESUS learned obedience by the things He suffered. We, too, learn obedience by the things which we experience in our life. We learn that every moment of every day is a time of prayer. The more we pray, the more insight we have to meet the challenges of the day. The more we pray the more we see the Glory of GOD manifest in our daily life. The more we pray, the more strength we have, given directly to us by GOD.

JESUS WALKED THIS ROAD BEFORE US; JESUS WALKS THIS ROAD WITH US; JESUS WALKS AHEAD OF US; ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS FOLLOW HIM.

SEEK HIS FACE BEFORE YOU SEEK HIS HAND

Thursday October 14,2010
Luke 18:1,7,8
And He spoke a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint...And shall not GOD avenge his own elect, who cry day and night unto him, though He bear long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?

Why do we pray in the name of JESUS?
There are 6 reasons why we must pray in the Name of JESUS:
1. He says so - John 14: 13,14
2.Recognition of who He is - He is LORD
3. Humility before the Father
4. Witness to others
5. Warfare in the Spirit
6.Effective - John 15:16

The prayer of truth in the person of Truth, JESUS, is our right; our privilege; and our responsibility. In the verse quoted for today, there is a question that JESUS asks. I leave you with this question to ponder:
"When the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?"

SEEK HIS FACE BEFORE YOU SEEK HIS HAND

Wednesday October 13, 2010
Zechariah 14: 9
And the LORD shall be King over all the earth; in that day shall there be One LORD and His Name One.

This verse was fulfilled in JESUS, whose Name is above all names. JESUS is King of Kings and LORD of LORDS, the Almighty. At the Name of JESUS all should bow in honor; His Name is Holy.

I am struck by the fact that the Name of JESUS has such infinite power; that to say the Name of JESUS is to speak the most Holy Name that can move mountains. I am reminded that all creation honors that Name. All the universe sings that Name. When I call upon Him and ask His help in His Name, He hears and responds immediately. How my heart overflows with adoration, as I think about JESUS, who He is the LORD, and what He has done for all created things! The magnitude of the Love that GOD has for us in sending His Son to redeem us, leaves me speechless. All I can do is bow my head and say, from the heart, thank you LORD.

Feeling this intense adoration for JESUS, there can be no casual uttering of His Name. A casual or flip using of the holy Name would be sinful. Yet, He has given us his Name, just like a Father would give us His Name to his very own children. We are called by His Name, because we are His Family. We are joint heirs with JESUS and His Name is written on our hearts, we belong to him. We are sons and daughters of the Living God. How awesome is that!!!

JESUS, PRECIOUS JESUS, YOU ARE LORD OF ALL

SEEK HIS FACE BEFORE YOU SEEK HIS HAND

Tuesday October 12,2010
Colossians 2:9
For in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

When we seek the face of JESUS, we are looking into the face of the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. When we pray in the Name of JESUS, we are praying in the total Name of the Godhead. All other names for GOD are wrapped up in the Name of JESUS. At the Name of JESUS every knee bows in heaven and earth and under the earth, and every tongue confesses that JESUS Christ is LORD to the glory of GOD the Father.

Our first key to prayer, is to pray in the Name of JESUS. Without that Name, our prayers have no meaning and will accomplish nothing. With the Name of JESUS, all the power of GOD is brought forth and every name that is named bows down in worship.

Before you use the Name of JESUS, you must know Him and He must give you the authority to use that name. Every born again believer has the right and the authority to speak His Name. Why? Because we are part of the family of GOD and joint heirs with JESUS. He bought us with the price of His own Blood and brought us into the family. We have a right to use His Name; we have the responsibility to use it in a respectful and Holy manner. This is why we are to " seek his face, before we seek His hand". He is worthy of all praise, honor and glory as we bow before the King of Kings and LORD of LORDS in the Holy presence of the Most High GOD.

WE SEEK HIS FACE AND ARE WRAPPED IN HIS PRESENCE

SEEK HIS FACE BEFORE YOU SEEK HIS HAND

Monday October 11, 2010
Psalm 145:18,19
The LORD is near unto all those who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear him; He also will hear their cry, and will save them.

I was inspired by a phrase that the Pastor used last week in his sermon, "Seek His face before you seek His hand".
As I pondered these words, I saw something emerge about prayer that oftentimes escapes us. We are surrounded by needs, in our own life and in the lives of others; it seems that bad conditions get better and new ones rise up. It is easy to shout, "O LORD, help me....!" or "What am I to do now?" and then launch into a description of our need. It is easy to spend all of our time in prayer "seeking His hand" of mercy, grace, healing, guidance, and deliverance. However, when "we call upon Him in truth", we must first acknowledge Him as LORD, and give Him the Glory due His Name.

Adoration of the LORD is the first cry of all of heaven and all created things of the earth. "Our Father, who art in Heaven, Holy is Your Name. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as in Heaven." We adore You, O Christ, we acclaim Your Holy Name, we lift You high and praise You for who You are. WE SEEK YOUR FACE, YOUR FACE ONLY DO WE SEEK.

Adoration opens doors and the ear of the LORD turns toward us. He is the GOD of Truth and He hears us when we call. We must first be "in truth" to call on Truth to hear us. Therefore, "we must seek his face before we seek His hand."

Do you want your prayers heard by GOD? Do you want to know that you are praying in truth? Then "enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him and bless his Name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth to all generations.(Psalm 100:4,5)

CHURCH AT PRAYER

Saturday October 9, 2010
II Chronicles 7:14-16

I have chosen to end this week of study of the CHURCH AT PRAYER, with the words from II Chronicles. Here is what the LORD says to His people:

If My people, who are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attentive unto the prayer that is made in this place. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that My Name may be there forever; and Mine eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually.

BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD

CHURCH AT PRAYER

Friday October 8, 2010
The Acts 4: 24, 31
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to GOD with one accord, and said, "LORD, thou art GOD, who hast made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all this in them is;"... And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of GOD with boldness.

Peter and John had been preaching concerning JESUS Christ; the Jews were offended and Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin. They were told that they were to stop preaching about JESUS and to be silent.
In verses 19 and 20, we hear the response that Peter and John made to the Sanhedrin, "Whether it is right in the sight of GOD to hearken unto you more than unto GOD, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."

When Peter and John returned to the Christians, they went immediately to prayer, together in one accord. Their prayer had three aspects to it and this is a perfect model for us to follow when we pray. 1. They worshipped GOD for who He is, this set their focus on the sovereignty of GOD and His infinite power; 2. They petitioned GOD by first laying out their need and then asking for help; 3. They thanked the LORD for what He was going to do. The result of their prayers, as they were "assembled together" was that the place was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Next, they spoke with boldness the Word of God.

We are the Church today, we often are told that it is not "politically correct" to proclaim JESUS IS LORD, but we are not to keep silent, we are to obey GOD and He will fill us with His Holy Spirit. Then with the power from on high, we are to boldly speak the Word of GOD and not be silent.

STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS, YE SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS; LIFT HIGH HIS ROYAL BANNER, IT MUST NOT SUFFER LOSS.

CHURCH IN PRAYER

Thursday October 7, 2010
The Acts 2: 1-5
When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place, and suddenly there came a sound from heaven like a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

This is the result of the Church at prayer. When the people of GOD gather together in one place and are of one mind, praying to the LORD and seeking His face in Worship, things happen. In the verses from The Acts, we see first the gathering of the people together, then a mighty act of GOD by His Holy Spirit. There is the sound of a heavenly wind, rushing and filling the house, then a physical manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the form of tongues of fire, then they all began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. What a day, what a manifestation of the power of GOD!!!

Notice that this event in the life of the first Church does not stop with the people gathered in "one place". Verse 5 tells us that Jerusalem was filled with many "devout Jews". In one of my commentaries it says that there were 70 Nations gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Pentecost, a Jewish feast attended by devout Jews. These representatives from 70 Nations witnessed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and were touched by the manifestation of GOD'S presence.

I am impressed by the fact that when GOD does a mighty work in the lives of His Church gathered in His Name, it brings a powerful transformation to all who are witnesses. Those witnesses, reach others and the Holy Spirit flows forth, changing lives and bringing the presence of JESUS to people. The Church was born; founded on the Rock, JESUS; and spread abroad by the power of the Holy Spirit. "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of."


THE CHURCH IN PRAYER, FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, MOVES IN A MIGHTY WAY TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

CHURCH AT PRAYER

Wednesday October 6, 2010
The Acts 1: 14
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary, the mother of JESUS, and with His brethren.

The Apostles, the women, and Mary, the mother of JESUS were in the upper room together "with one accord in prayer and supplication". This is a picture of the early Church waiting together in prayer. The word, "together" is very important for us to see, we are not to be isolated from the body of believers. Instead, we are to fellowship one with another "in one accord" and in one mind, the mind of JESUS (Philippians 2:5).

I am convinced that if we continue in one accord and in the mind of JESUS, we, as the Church, will change the world. JESUS did, the Apostles did, the disciples did and so can we. We are not powerless. After the first Church stayed together and prayed together, the promised Holy Spirit came and filled them all. (The Acts 2:1-4).
Notice in The Acts 2:1, When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in the one place. "One accord in the one place" is very important, they were all open and praising GOD as a unit.

We, as the Church, must be in one accord, praising GOD, praying in intercession for one another and be of one mind, The mind of Christ. The power of the Holy Spirit will fill us and give us the gifts and fruit to save the world one soul at a time.

CHURCH IN PRAYER

Tuesday October 5, 2010
Matthew 21:13a
And (JESUS) said unto them, "My house shall be called the House of prayer..."

Yes, we can have fun and dance; music and stirring preaching, all this is a part of worship of the Living GOD, BUT, MY House shall be called the House of Prayer. It is very interesting that after this statement, JESUS healed. Look at verse 14 And the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them.

Is there a connection between the Church in Prayer and healing, miracles, salvation, conversion, and transformation? I believe that there is a connection. When we are in prayer, we are identified with the Almighty GOD in a very intense way. In that union with GOD, His power flows to meet the needs of those for whom we pray. Prayer is our connection to the power source. When we assemble together in one accord, in one place, the Church, we become that House of Prayer and GOD is in our midst hearing, answering and providing power to meet needs.

PRAY WITHOUT CEASING, CHURCH, AND WATCH THE POWER FLOW

CHURCH IN PRAYER

Monday, October 4, 2010
Psalm 32:6,7
For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found; surely, in the floods of great waters, they shall not come near unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.

THE CHURCH AT PRAYER

The Church that has embraced all the manifestations and practices of Truth, will stand and can be trusted to be the pillars and ground of GOD'S Truth. What are the manifestations of Truth? Jesus Christ, the person of Truth; the Bible, the Word of Truth; the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth; the Church, the pillar and ground of Truth. What are the practices of Truth? The Doctrine of the Apostles, the Word of Truth; Fellowship, the Spirit of Truth; Breaking of Bread, the person of Truth - JESUS; Prayers, the pillar and ground of Truth.

When all of these elements are in place, miracles happen, souls are saved, healing happens, and people are raised up as living stones. There is power in a Church that has embraced it's call to be the pillar and ground of Truth. The pillar holds up and builds up; the church is called to hold up the Word of GOD and to build up the people of GOD. The ground, is the ROCK, JESUS Christ the LORD. "On this Rock, I will build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." Thus saith the LORD JESUS.

This week, we will be discussing the Church at prayer. There is power in the assembling together of godly people who pray. Let us not neglect to gather together in the LORD and pray, WE ARE HIS CHURCH

BREAKING OF BREAD

Saturday October 2, 2010
I Corinthians 11: 27-30
Wherefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the LORD unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the LORD. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. For he that eatheth and drrinketh unworthily, eatheth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the LORD's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

This is the fourth practice in communion. The first three regular practices are: Thanksgiving to GOD; Remember JESUS; Remember JESUS is coming again. The last practice has to do with who we are and how we receive Christ.

All too often, people receive communion casually, not recognizing the presence of JESUS in the bread and cup. It is also true that many do not recognize that JESUS is always present in our daily life, by the action of the Holy Spirit. In the communion, JESUS is very visible in the elements; we are in the very presence of JESUS, himself. This should bring us to our knees in awe. Unfortunately, we, sometimes, receive Him with dirty hands and heart. When we do, we can become very sick and weak. The body and blood of JESUS, strengthen those who receive Him worthily, but those who receive Him unworthily, drink and eat judgement. This is a sign of great disrespect toward One who deserves are utmost respect.

Before we come to receive JESUS in the elements of bread and cup, we should examine ourselves and see if there is any stain of sin, any unforgiveness, any place where we have strayed from His way. When we find those places of sin in our life, we should also remember that "when we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Then with washed lives, we can receive JESUS worthily and with a good conscience.
AT THE NAME OF JESUS, EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW IN HEAVEN AND IN EARTH AND UNDER THE EARTH AND EVERY TONGUE CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.