NO SPECIAL INTERESTS GROUPS, PLEASE

Reading through the short Letter of Paul to Philemon we find Paul  relating to Philemon,that is marked with  "the real" and the kind of friendship that God has ordered for our lives. Philemon was a convert of Paul's. In this letter of a loving friendship, the exhortation from Paul to him is on the "very act of love"! Paul states that he prays for his friend and gives thanks for his fellow laborer in Christ Jesus.
I wonder if we do that????


Philemon
1:1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer, 2 to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

8 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, 9 yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you--being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ-- 10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, 11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. 12 I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. 15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave--a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. 18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. 19 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay--not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides. 20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord. 21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers. 25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.  
NKJV

This passage here always stands out foremost to me:

Philemon 4-7

4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.  NKJV

Paul was transparent about representing his heart toward Philemon. He was thankful for the opportunity to meet him, speak about Jesus to him, and then help him in his walk with the Lord. Paul was expecting the communication of that faith in Philemon to grow and be imparted to others. That acknowledgement, that acknowledging was the recognizing Paul saw in Philemon.

This man had done such a good job in his works as to represent Jesus to others that was to Paul something that the man had to be praised. Every thing this man did for others was because of the faith he held in the Lord. His Christian character proved he "operated in God's love"!

Oh, the refreshing we could bring to others, if only we would tell them of Jesus and of the salvation available.

Philemon 10-16

10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, 11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. 12 I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, 13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel. 14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary. 15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave--a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.  NKJV

Paul was sending someone to Philemon and the young man was Onesimus. Because of the love for God and to Paul, Onesimus was being sent to Philemon. We are to love those begotten of God, those who follow God closely, living by faith in Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to rule there. Bearing the image of Christ is what each of us must do. And in that we are loved by every Christian. Those who will not love know not Jesus or His Father, God.

Prayer is evident in the fruits found in Philemon. His love and faith shine, are communicated without constraint to others. Everything we do for God must be born in Him, flow through us, and be communicated without for the glory and to the glory of God. It is "good men" who will do this!

It is seen in both a life of prayer and praises to God.

As the "servants" of God we are a treasure in a family. As the servant, they make and keep their time and all their trust in Him will promote their good. Management is done well when God is kept 1st. It is not in our visions, our dreams, or our plans, but is established when we remain to carry out what God asked of us to do. If we are His hands, His feet and His mouthpiece, do we speak as God would speak or does it appear more our own promotion time in our own interests?

Paul must have trusted Philiemon to a great degree and now he was sending Onesimus to him. Verse 12 mentions that Paul wanted Philemon to receive Onesimus with the love Paul had for him. There was to be no resentments with anyone, there was to be forgiveness to those who would have injured and offended them.

In considering the letter to Philemon, we must understand that this is "a spiritual brotherhood". Of late that is what the Lord relates to me. We are to speak "spirit to spirit". For if the kingdom of God has come to us truly, then we speak as Jesus spoke, we act as Jesus acted, and we pray like Jesus prayed! Speaking, praying and helping another only strengthens us more.

It is in that discharging of a duty for another saint that came through Jesus, is that grace shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. His eyes are ever on the "faithful".......and those believing who have placed their trust in Him walk in the perfect way.

 Onesimus was to receive the same regard and Paul sent him to Philemon because he would need someone to exhort him often. The outward good extended in love will not mean as much as that which is of the spiritual, comes from the Father Who is Spirit and brings good that is life, love and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. For that love, a joy remains, gives long after we have "left the building or the area we give the Lord to others".

If you find one throwing a tantrum, give them to God. If you find one throwing up on you by their own negativity remarks and attitude walk away. For those who love, will always love no matter what, and they will not appear as "control tower".

In God's kingdom there are no special interest groups. It is all the "kingdom" all the time "kingdom" without hesitation.

Our dependence is to be on God Who is the Creator and created much within our hearts to live life fully for Him. In that walk there will be opportunities come to reach others and will be increased as we are faithful with that part. Surely others should see Jesus in us. It is in our trust and hope in Him that we will pursue that kind of love that comes from God to give to others. And trusting God is always about communicating to HIM in prayer. It is that fervent effectual prayer of the righteous which avails much AND GIVING OF MUCH THANKS!

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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