Is it Praying or Is It Begging?

Ephesians 6:13-18
 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.   NIV


Ephesians 6:13-18

13 So use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up. 

14 But to do this, you will need the strong belt of truth and the breastplate of God's approval. 15 Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God. 16 In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. 17 And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit-which is the Word of God. 

18 Pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit's wishes. Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.     TLB

Are we the pray-er person or the beggar person? Do we take our place and stand..........even doing every thing we must do in any circumstance, trial or tribulation............we are to be the standing not the one lying down say, or speaking, "Woe, is me!"
In verse 18 in TLB.....plead with Him, reminding Him of your needs.................plead..........standing in defense, claiming the Word of God as the force to be reckoned with.............that defense that stands, not denying the facts, but speaking on the side of truth that can and will rule over the enemy.

Standing firm is that our feet are planted and holding in a stance of a "victor" not the crumbling saint from a busy few days of ministry to the community or to other churches! With feet ready to run in the peace of God that is the refreshing, the life-giving force of God Himself, we look like the "victor".
I like the The Living Bible on verse 15............wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God. Amen!

E. M. Bounds said, “The prayers of God’s saints are the capital stock in heaven by which Christ carries on His great work upon the earth.”

Every time we enter into a time of prayer , we are enforcing God’s will upon the earth. It is we, ourselves, who are to stir up this gift of prayer in us. We are not to become paralyzed by a word spoken by the world into our lives. Some people become paralyzed by a report by a doctor of a serious situation.  They become paralyzed that their checking account shows no money in account, yet their paycheck was just direct-deposited. Still others, can become paralyzed with a fear like "what if I cannot find the right words, or what if I cannot find the right scriptures to pray?"

We must always remember that His kingdom is everlasting and it is life to us. We are to be ready with His Word, ready in prayer and make a difference not only for our lives, but for others as well.

We each have a sphere of influence. God gave Jesus 12 disciples. Jesus prayed for them and they rocked this world. (John 17:24)

Do we pray for those in leadership with us? Or do we consider them not important to the plan of God?

Our very attention should be on those God has placed around us. We should be willing to pray for those we are involved with on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

Persevering is to keep going; not lose heart or get discouraged. To truly get the answer, we persevere and see the manifestation of God’s answer in our lives. (example: like a restored marriage)

Our prayer is for people, and as the body of Christ we are told in Colossians 4:3….to continue in prayer in order for the work of the ministry to be able to take place. In prayer, we understand that conflicts, strife and interruptions can occur. But again, we should not be taken off from the assignment of prayer with said interruptions, strife or conflicts. We should always want to promote prayer that has the fruitfulness and effectiveness of the Holy Spirit in our lives. That with His power of love, peace, long-suffering, joy, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control……….it is the living in the Spirit of God, abiding in His presence……..that we have a powerful walk of the spirit.   (scripture reference: Galatians 5:22-26.........................22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. NKJV)

We should make the same statement Jesus made........"THAT He who is of GOD hears GOD’S WORDS………”   “That of myself I can do nothing; BUT AS MY FATHER TAUGHT ME, I SPEAK THESE THINGS.” “He who has sent me gave me a command, what I should say, and what I should speak. Therefore, whatever  I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.  (scripture references below:)

Jesus said:  John 8:47……47 He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God." …NKJV    John 8:28….28 Then Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself;  but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. NKJV   John 12:49-50………49 For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50 And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."   NKJV

God is actively seeking and searching for someone to fill the gap by praying for people and nations. One who stands in the gap is an “intercessor”. God is looking for those people who will pray a hedge of protection around a person or nation. It only happens through prayer. ( Scripture reference:  Ezekeil  22:30………30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. NKJV)

John 16:22-24

22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. 23 And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.                  NKJV

Jesus was talking about the relationship He had with His disciples. They would have the opportune time coming that they could ask something in His (Jesus' name) and receive it!

John 17:13-26

13 "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. 

20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 

24 "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 

25 "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." NIV

Jesus said, "MY prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. "  Do not take from the trials or tribulations, but protect them from the enemy, form the devil who came to steal, kill and destroy!

 "They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." AND He said, " MY prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message."

"That all may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world  know that I have sent them into the world. For them, I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified."

When we pray as Jesus, understanding we are in this world and will face trials and tribulations, yet we are to be continually sanctified in the Word.............and pray for those around us and those who will believe IN JESUS THROUGH THE MESSAGE WE GIVE THEM.

So are we the begging crowd, or the praying crowd? Do we follow those examples Jesus left to us?

Every time we have opportunity to speak either from a an actual pulpit, a podium or just stand in front of the crowd, we are to let people know we are the saved, the Redeemed, and bring glory to His name. If we do not do that, then we are no different than the world!
What message do we send?

Our influence is important. If people show up for a service, are we walking in reverence toward God or are we blatant, and just see people walk out of a service? Hopefully those who left will return, although I cannot imagine why, when they see us the body of Christ act so much like the world.

"What kind of impression did I leave.........was it godly or worldly?"

Did anyone see " love" in me for others or................?

Moving in godly fear.......what does it look like? A godly fear, moving through our days in a reverence toward God and knowing He is mighty! Godly fear is shunning that which is sinful in the eyes of God! God is holy and seeks us to follow Him in the daily journey of life. He is not some weak old man sucking on a bottle of medicine for an ulcer complaining He what He will do next. No, He is the Creator! HE is God ALMIGHTY!  He speaks and it is done! 

Do our children and grand-children see us as being different? OR, are all the kids, parents, and grand-parents acting the same? 

Let us not be that which is rude to others, the cruel, the grumpy............and obnoxious..............they are the toxic!! Oh yes, God still loves. He created "love". If we never attend church, then God is fine with that. But ultimately we are the ones who lose out toward knowing His love and fellowship with those believer's we could be meeting and spending time with at each meeting or service.



If we reflect on any service of late, will we be reminded of this scripture? 1 Corinthians 13:3 Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity (God's kind of love), it profiteth me nothing. If we deliver a message or even a "testimony" will we give it in God's love or will it just be the negative, the false, the blatant? Though I went to round up those to come, but have no love toward those I am spending time with in leadership...........then what does that mean...........to me and mine? Well, it means the devil is coming to your house.

Psalm 62:7-8
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.    NIV

I have many opportunities in the last year to write on prayer and on holiness toward God and His kingdom.  All we have in Christ is based on GRACE! As Jesus laid down His life in love for us......then we should have the same mindset of laying down our lives to pray for others all on the GRACE that was extended to us. In that knowing of His holiness, and revering His pleasures and desires, we move out of that land where we have faith in and of ourselves in the "doing" for God..........BUT RATHER MOVE TO THE LAND where we have faith for what He has done for us!

Father, today when we pray, we desire to pray the way Jesus did. Not in any flippant or lax attitude toward You! . We desire to not be the "lazy" or the begging person. We have read in scriptures about those who want or demand something done their way instead of seeking Your plan. We know You can answer us for something simple like a parking space closer TO THE FRONT DOOR, when the long walk will not work today, and that is not being selfish.  But in looking at the Israelites in the wilderness time, we see an anger being kindled as in Numbers 11:5. These folks demanded meat, and they got it straight away for thirty full days of "meat". But in searching out the scriptures, we see that in Psalm 106 and verse 15 that they certainly got their "meat" but You Father also sent them a leanness of their souls. We know this to mean that they were not gaining in the knowledge of You because these unhappy souls desired meat and prayed with a great dislike in their hearts. They had much hostility Father. We desire to not become like those who despise YOUR leading and direction for surely You have good things for us. These lacked any new knowledge of YOU and suffered for it. They died without seeing the Promised Land and fulfilling YOUR plan for them.
May we not despise the time to minister Your Message at the podium or the pulpit. We ask YOU to show us when we are dealing in that direction and allowing the adversary a foot hold into our business, in our lives,  or in ministry or any other thing we desire to grow and be fruitful. Our salvation came through Jesus and His shed blood and our honor is dependent on You.

Father, we saw Jesus predict the time of the end. It is where we find ourselves today. And He said, "but as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be (Matthew 24:37) Despite all the serious things going on today, people are still going about "those normal routines". Without considering what is on the horizon coming toward them, they take not a moment to think or ponder on those major events and if those major events will be affecting them personally.
Father, we pray not to be the easily distracted. We desire to know Your thoughts concerning these days and how the time is short! Help us know what we must consider, and how deadly serious things are multiplying on the earth. Our praying is done in love, it is daily and it is in the love we express toward others. I pray that everyone who reads and prays this today will join with others and give what YOU have told them to give in the "love" that only comes from YOU our Father. It is Jesus' name we pray and we do believe our best days in prayer are ahead! Amen.



You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV 

In Boldness, Vigor and Great Style

Psalm 37:7-11......7 Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret--it only causes harm.

9 For evildoers shall be cut off;
But those who wait on the LORD,
They shall inherit the earth. 
10 For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more;
Indeed, you will look carefully for his place,
But it shall be no more.
11 But the meek shall inherit the earth,
And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.  NKJV

Ever tried to hurry God in something you want or need to happen now? Has someone insulted you or ridiculed you in some manner that seems to be ongoing with no end to it? Are we wanting some uncomfortable face to face with someone to be over, yet know not how to handle it?

It is in waiting in prayer and the Word that we find, what some may overlook or not even discover, but is His peace. Being captive by something that overtakes our thinking, causes us to overlook, and to not see the benefit of waiting in God's presence and can send us to a place of turmoil and upheaval. He surely knows our wants and desires, but all are not of benefit to us. Surely He knows bills have to be paid and the children cared for, and He also knows the messes we sometimes get ourselves into while making this journey through life. It may be some conflict at home, or at the workplace. It may be someone who just does not like you, and makes every effort to get some peeps on-board with their thoughts against you. But God is greater and He will show us how to walk through the ordeal and to remain meek, but bold in the Lord!

I think of the times when our daughter at a young age wanted something desperately. She would think her life would be over if she did not get some little thing right now. At even a young age of six, she could debate the issue with the best of them. She could maneuver as the Stealth through quiet and low key questions as to why she could not have the "thing she wanted". Even today, she moves through as the Stealth, but she is moving in the power of God and through the Holy Spirit that keeps her under the radar of ordinary man, to minister at just the right time the life and truth of God's word to someone on her radar. She seeks their good in God's plan.

In showing her from a young age the importance of waiting and working toward a certain goal came quicker than she ever thought it would. She could turn her focus in being happy where she was at and what she was doing at the time, and continually be persistence to hold before her the truth that a new toy, a new bike or a car could come into her hands. She became diligent to walk toward that which she desired, keeping the goal, and helping others get to where they needed to go as well with their goals. She walked the talk about the new thing she desired.

Today, she and her husband show our grand-daughter the same importance of speaking God's word and sowing finances toward that end! Anytime our grand-daughter gets money, she is ready to sow some seed into fertile soil. She is ready to sow some toys, that are still good condition that another younger child might like. She is looking out to sow where she can, even her clothes when she outgrows them too soon.  It is seen in her life and her parents as well, the importance of sowing. When we do, it will surely come back to us in that which we have sown.

Jesus told us that the meek shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5....5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  NIV

Those humble, expectant, and with all gentleness shall inherit the earth. They shall be those who have been hurt by insults, ridiculed, or even far worse, and turned to give all gentleness back to the one who insulted them, to the one who ridiculed them. Gentleness will harbor no anger or resentment toward another when the other gets a new home, or a new car, or another trip to Hawaii or abroad. The meek shall speak out in joy for the one who has received maybe something they were believing for from God and are still waiting expectantly for it.

Whatever the injury to our person, we are to rise above to that peace in God that He is with us. He will show us the benefits of walking in meekness of heart.

We are told in:

Titus 3:1-8....3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. 

NKJV

James 1:19-20.....19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 

NKJV

We are to be those who speak evil of no one, but being gentle toward others, even those who may be haters and who live in a place of envy. We are to be eager to hear, and slow to speak, slow to wrath, for that wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

James 1:21-22.....21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.KJV

Receiving God's word protects us in the workplace and the world. Any place we may have to partake of, we have the choice to choose whom we will serve. Will we serve ourselves, or be ready to humble ourselves and let God take care of the injustices? In serving ourselves, we are actually serving our emotions. Man's first response to any insult or ridicule is to protect himself! But Jesus told us to turn the other cheek when having a face to face with someone who is against us, who has envy or hate toward us.

I really like the scripture verse from the Living Bible. It states:
James 1:21-27.....21 So get rid of all that is wrong in your life, both inside and outside, and humbly be glad for the wonderful message we have received, for it is able to save our souls as it takes hold of our hearts.

22 And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. So don't fool yourselves. 23 For if a person just listens and doesn't obey, he is like a man looking at his face in a mirror; 24 as soon as he walks away, he can't see himself anymore or remember what he looks like. 25 But if anyone keeps looking steadily into God's law for free men, he will not only remember it but he will do what it says, and God will greatly bless him in everything he does.

26 Anyone who says he is a Christian but doesn't control his sharp tongue is just fooling himself, and his religion isn't worth much. 27 The Christian who is pure and without fault, from God the Father's point of view, is the one who takes care of orphans and widows, and who remains true to the Lord-not soiled and dirtied by his contacts with the world.     TLB

In our daughter's Junior High years, she had eczema over some of her body.  Some of the "kids" in school would make fun of her. But it was no fun for her. She had such a time of pain and itch. Her sheets would look like someone had bleed on them overnight. In those times, she kept her focus on her school work. She was given the award of Student of the Term three times in those two years. She kept a perfect 4.0 GPA in those times of pain and chaos.  With those new friends she made and kept, she gave them encouragement.
I remember our daughter in her first year of high school had a friend who had a car.  He would sometimes come by and pick her up for school so she would not have to ride the bus.  Some of those who ridiculed her in Junior High had to ride the bus everyday. So our daughter's friend, a young man who lived in our neighborhood would come by and they would go to school together. He would talk of his needing a paint job on his car. His car ran really well for an older model but he surely spoke correctly about the paint job. Our daughter believed with him for new paint. She did not complain about her "desires" at the time but only spoke of her friend. Well the young man got his paint job. He was so joyful about it and wanted to show everyone when he got his car back from the Paint and Body Shop!
We choose each day how we will act to any insult or ridicule made against us!
From scripture we see meekness as a Christian grace. In Galatians 5:22-23.....it is one of the fruits of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23.....22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  KJV

2 Corinthians 10:1-9.......10:1 I plead with you-yes, I, Paul-and I plead gently, as Christ himself would do. Yet some of you are saying, "Paul's letters are bold enough when he is far away, but when he gets here he will be afraid to raise his voice!"

2 I hope I won't need to show you when I come how harsh and rough I can be. I don't want to carry out my present plans against some of you who seem to think my deeds and words are merely those of an ordinary man. 3 It is true that I am an ordinary, weak human being, but I don't use human plans and methods to win my battles. 4 I use God's mighty weapons, not those made by men, to knock down the devil's strongholds. 5 These weapons can break down every proud argument against God and every wall that can be built to keep men from finding him. With these weapons I can capture rebels and bring them back to God and change them into men whose hearts' desire is obedience to Christ. 6 I will use these weapons against every rebel who remains after I have first used them on you yourselves and you surrender to Christ.

7 The trouble with you is that you look at me and I seem weak and powerless, but you don't look beneath the surface. Yet if anyone can claim the power and authority of Christ, I certainly can. 8 I may seem to be boasting more than I should about my authority over you-authority to help you, not to hurt you-but I shall make good every claim. 9 I say this so that you will not think I am just blustering when I scold you in my letters. TLB

Paul directed his letter to say, I plead with you gently as Christ himself would do. He wrote that others would say "that he was bold while far away, but when present with them, that he, Paul would be afraid to raise his voice."  In truth, being humble, does not look like the weak and the ordinary.
Paul stated that he was not using human plans or man's way to win the battles. Paul wrote that he used the mighty weapons of God to knock the devil's strongholds. Those weapons were breaking down every proud argument against God! Paul wrote that he could capture rebels and bring them back to God and see their hearts change to obedience to Christ. Paul stated in verse 7 that the authority was beneath the surface. He was claiming the authority he walked in was that given him by Christ Jesus. Paul said, " I shall make good every claim, not to hurt them but to show them the way in which to walk. Paul was exhibiting boldness and vigor in his letters. Paul wrote many letters and he always illustrated everything by his life. He always referenced Jesus in the things he wrote about. Paul knew of his trust in the Good News. He was held by the peace of God in knowing he had seen God do great things in and through him. He continued to walk in that place in looking out for others even when they rebelled against what he preached and taught!

I close with this:
In ministry, I found times like when ministering at the jail one of those places that was a delight but a hard place to give the Word. Not that the Word of God is hard to give, no, not at all. What I am saying is that you can face those who come to hear and face those some who just go to chapel to get out of the cell or out of the module.

 I found those who did not care for the Word of God, and would try talking during the message! If the chatter continued, all I had to do was walk back to the back rows of the chapel where the "chatter" was going on, and continue with the scriptures and the examples the Lord wanted me to give in that teaching. I would look them in the eye and continue to teach. I can tell you that the "chatter" would stop immediately. We need to know that being humble and meek, is being submitted to God, His plan and His Word. It is not appearing weak and sickly! No, He will direct our paths in boldness, when we look out for others. Ours was not to go into the chapel to cause problems, to cause others pain, but our's was to go in and minister life to those women in jail. Our hope was to make a difference in others lives as God had made in ours. And we certainly saw many continue to receive and walk in the Word and prayer to God for their lives. We saw great things that God did for some of those women in the jail. They would even show up coming out of the elevator with the guard and be singing songs of praise to our God! And this was before chapel began. Yes, it was awesome to see. We stood our ground with a boldness, vigor and a great style that comes through Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory!
Look out for others today and you will see God move on your behalf!

Father, thank You for the Word of God that has manifested in our lives. His name is Jesus and He is the way, the truth and the life to us.
We are told that those who are meek shall inherit the earth, and delight themselves in the abundance of peace. (Psalm 37:11)
We ask for help, Your guidance in keeping to a walk of being the meek man. Lord, we seek to be governed by the love of God. It is by faith that we clothe ourselves with the new man giving ourselves to the Word of God and to prayer. We know that we cannot do this by ourselves. It takes power of the Holy Spirit to direct us into that perfect love, to love others, as we work, as we play, and as we live with our families.
We loose the Holy Spirit to mortify our inner man purging out any insecurities, intimidation, and lusts that have hindered our lives.
We are looking to live by the Spirit and have the fruit of the Spirit that is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith. (Gal.5:22-23)
Whatever the injury to our person,  help us Lord to rise above any insult or injury to our person, and invade us with the peace in God that He is with us. Show us the benefits of walking in meekness of heart and we will always give thanks. It is in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV