updated: 5/27/11
wrote - May 26, 2011
Revelation 2:22, "Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds."
9:20, "And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
9:21, "Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
16:8 - 11, "And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds."
I chose three different sections of Scripture to prove the path of men today and that which is to come. Throughout Scripture there is the constant message of repentance for sinful mankind. Some take heed and repent and chose life in Christ. Many reject and turn away from His mercy and grace to receive His judgment and power. Out of the 105 times in the Bible 'repent' is used, we have this point illustrated clearly in the book of Revelation. For it is, at the close of the age that men will receive a great outpouring of God's wrath upon them and they will not repent.
In Revelation 2, the church is being addressed to repent. They are guilty of adultery and if they refuse, God says he will bring great tribulation upon those that have committed such sin. In Revelation 9, the poor heathen are being addressed. They have committed great sin and are reaping God's wrath upon them. But even in the midst of this outpouring of wrath they refuse to acknowledge that they have sinned against a holy God. Lastly, in Revelation 16, we have the vials of God's wrath upon mankind, the fourth and fifth vial specifically. AS men are tortured and receive great pain for their sin, in the midst of this it hardens them against God. It even pushes them further away from God and they blasphemy His Holy Name.
This is the year of our Lord, two thousand and eleven. As I write this we are close to have completing 5 months into this year. What the world has seen thus far in this year, can be described as nothing else but the wrath of God. Much like we read in this Scriptures of Revelation we have seen the affliction upon men in death, devastation, disease and distress. Yet, among so many earthly catasophres, men have not fallen on their knees and cried out for mercy. Even the church has been silent upon this point of 'Repent lest you be consumed.' There is no watchman in the tower to sound the warning.
Can we assume that because men have not fallen and repented in the face of such tragedy that they do not fear the Lord? Or is it given that something else keeps them from repenting?
Why Men Don't Repent - Is this God's fault? II Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, . . .but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." Many times over in the Scripture this truth is found, that God does not desire to see lost men perish. Only Satan loves to see it so. Men chose it for their own folly, having loved this present world and its desires, satisfy the flesh, and condemn the soul. We see the message of repentance found consistently throughout all of mankinds history. First there was the first transgression of Adam and Eve. Here God meets with Adam and Eve and even though He punishes each involved in the transgression, He shows mercy in not destroying them. The work of repentance was found that God put away their iniquity and they sorrowed in sin. They lost their first estate and looked to God for grace and mercy. In each of these God put forth His grace and mercy to restore fallen men. The very message of John was 'Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand'. Christ comes along and says the say, 'Unless you repent, you shall likewise perish.' God's mercy endured for a while but now the Truth of sin, salvation is given. Repentance is declared and offered for those that receive it and do it. To think that there is salvation apart from repentance is to suffer loss of the full Gospel.
Peter preached to the peopel of Jerusaleum the first message after Pentecost, or should we say during Pentecost, 'Repent and be baptized'. WE have this same message now to the whole of every nation and people - Repent.
Continued. . .
Thursday, May 26, 2011
A NOTE
I am still trying to work alot of this out on my writings. I think I will have to do it like this -- when I write a devotional at http://dbiser.blogspot.com/ I will write 'Continue' at the end if it is not completed. I will write 'Finished' when it is complete. If you are waiting for one to be finished, that is the only way I can let you know. There is no gurantee when I will return to devotional blogs to finish. Currently right now I am in Proverbs, and it is slow going with so much to cover. Also, I am writing through Psalm 119, currently at verse 106. Many of these are not finished. Upon finishing each verse, I will start to go back and finish each verse of Psalm 119 thus completing it entirely.
As for http://danbiser.blogspot.com/ I will also put 'Continue' to those that are not done. To let you know if I have worked on them at the very beginning of the article I will write when I last updated. If you keep track and are waiting for one to be completed, you will have that to go by. Again, there is no way for me to determine when I will return to work on articles, sermons and writings.
I would like to hear from you if these have helped or blest you in any way. I have many countries hitting the blog and that is exciting.
If there are any questions or other info you need, let me know.
Until,
dan biser
rdbiser@live.com
As for http://danbiser.blogspot.com/ I will also put 'Continue' to those that are not done. To let you know if I have worked on them at the very beginning of the article I will write when I last updated. If you keep track and are waiting for one to be completed, you will have that to go by. Again, there is no way for me to determine when I will return to work on articles, sermons and writings.
I would like to hear from you if these have helped or blest you in any way. I have many countries hitting the blog and that is exciting.
If there are any questions or other info you need, let me know.
Until,
dan biser
rdbiser@live.com
Thursday, May 19, 2011
LETTER TO SOUTHERN BAPTIST LEADERS
May 18, 2011
Greetings dear brothers,
I am writing to you one more time, perhaps the last, before the SBC convention. I know that much of the agenda and decisions have already been made, and simply it is a matter of presentation before the body.
But in prayer time this morning I was led to cry out to God for you, as our leaders. Can I simply say to you, I love Southern Baptists. I have always loved these, that are my brothers and sisters in Christ. I thank God with what we have seen in our life time by and through Southern Baptists. But there is much on the horizon that is unclear and somewhat troubling to me.
I have been a pastor and preached in Southern Baptists churches for 25 years. I was 18 years old when I started. I am the son of a Southern Baptist pastor. I grew up in, as a teenager hearing the arguments and sharp words between Pre-millennialism and A-millennialism in the 1970’s. I saw and listened to the great debates over the Word of God in the 1980’s and into the 1990’s. Now we see the divisive factors of Satan trying to shred the body again through theology of Calvinism vs. Arminianism; through worship styles; through plans and promotions of our agendas. To me, there is an answer that we must embrace. You as leaders must promote it. It is humility exercised and practiced before the brethren.
Old Duncan Campbell, who led the great Hebrides Revival once preached this humility by saying, ‘Brethren, you got to put pride in your pocket. Oh, that we would learn that lesson of putting pride in our pocket.’ We have much to answer for. We have much to give an account over. Would it not be best to take time to humble ourselves on our knees during those days and humble ourselves before God and seek for His Divine favor for His kingdom? Does He not stand ready to answer and meet us with grace, mercy and Divine power? He is not willing more to answer than we are to ask? Absolutely to all this.
‘Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.’
This verse in Isaiah 59:1,2, should remind us that as a denomination, there is really only one time to conduct such a confession time - it is at the convention. During the Solemn Assembly call for January of this year, roughly only 7 % participated. Only 1 seminary out of 6. Our denominational pride should not blind us to brag on our numbers.
How often I have heard and seen it printed that we boast of having 17 million members. What? Where are they? Estimates again tell us that only 5 million are gathered together on Sunday morning; 1 million on Sunday night; and less than 500,00 out of 17,000,000 on Wednesday night. Would we even have 7,000 for prayer meetings? Does the population people brag that 300,000 babies were born last year, but never show that 270,000 died? Isn’t a half truth a whole lie? These are things that we need to own up to and confess. We need a time of pouring ourselves out to Him for His cleansing and forgiveness. How pleased He would be with such drawing unto Him. ‘Draw nigh unto Me, and I will draw nigh unto you.’
TW Hunt, my father in the faith for prayer, always reminds me that God always has His remnant. Those days in the 1980’s when he along with Avery Willis and Henry Blackaby strove to make this a spiritual denomination for the glory of God. Now you all are in those places of leadership. ‘For such a time as this God has put you where you are.’ It is for His glory to be sought after. We have many that cry out, ‘Rend the heavens and come down’; and God fires back to us, ‘Rend your hearts, then I will rend the heavens.’
I will not cease praying for you all, specifically, pointedly, personally and for the fullness of the Spirit to cover and keep you in His service. I will not cease praying for my brethren in the Southern Baptists convention - the seminaries; the agencies and their heads; our mission workers; state conventions/associations and local pastors and laborers. Oh, how we need God in our midst. Why pass up this opportunity to seek God’s face together during these days? Do you know how many pastors and churches are struggling? Do you know how much sin is in our midst? Do you know how many have gone astray?
Is it not time to seek the Lord?
With all the destruction in our nation and around the world, do we not see that time is short and the work is tremendous upon our shoulders? I know you see this. We cannot do this without Him! I hate humanistic talking of ‘I‘ and ‘me‘ and ‘we‘ with no reference to God or upon God. Some of you have used these humanistic pronouns in your discussions with no reference to God. I know you know this truth, please be careful in your speech. ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord.’ He must do it through yielded and surrendered vessels. Holy vessels. ‘Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? He that has clean hands and a pure heart.‘ May we make time during the days of the convention to corporately cleanse our hands and purify our hearts through the power of the blood of Christ and anointing of the Holy Spirit in fire to purge us from self, sin and the world and its ways.
May you reconsider a time to seek and call upon the Lord during these days. May we rejoice in knowing that He is able to do abundantly above all that we ask or think.
“All the way my Savior leads me; What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, Divinest comfort, Her by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know whatever befall me, Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know whatever befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.”
‘I give myself unto prayer’ for you
Until,
Dan Biser
Rdbiser@live.com
http://dbiser.blogspot.com
http://www.brokenbeforethethrone.com
http://danbiser.blogspot.com
Greetings dear brothers,
I am writing to you one more time, perhaps the last, before the SBC convention. I know that much of the agenda and decisions have already been made, and simply it is a matter of presentation before the body.
But in prayer time this morning I was led to cry out to God for you, as our leaders. Can I simply say to you, I love Southern Baptists. I have always loved these, that are my brothers and sisters in Christ. I thank God with what we have seen in our life time by and through Southern Baptists. But there is much on the horizon that is unclear and somewhat troubling to me.
I have been a pastor and preached in Southern Baptists churches for 25 years. I was 18 years old when I started. I am the son of a Southern Baptist pastor. I grew up in, as a teenager hearing the arguments and sharp words between Pre-millennialism and A-millennialism in the 1970’s. I saw and listened to the great debates over the Word of God in the 1980’s and into the 1990’s. Now we see the divisive factors of Satan trying to shred the body again through theology of Calvinism vs. Arminianism; through worship styles; through plans and promotions of our agendas. To me, there is an answer that we must embrace. You as leaders must promote it. It is humility exercised and practiced before the brethren.
Old Duncan Campbell, who led the great Hebrides Revival once preached this humility by saying, ‘Brethren, you got to put pride in your pocket. Oh, that we would learn that lesson of putting pride in our pocket.’ We have much to answer for. We have much to give an account over. Would it not be best to take time to humble ourselves on our knees during those days and humble ourselves before God and seek for His Divine favor for His kingdom? Does He not stand ready to answer and meet us with grace, mercy and Divine power? He is not willing more to answer than we are to ask? Absolutely to all this.
‘Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.’
This verse in Isaiah 59:1,2, should remind us that as a denomination, there is really only one time to conduct such a confession time - it is at the convention. During the Solemn Assembly call for January of this year, roughly only 7 % participated. Only 1 seminary out of 6. Our denominational pride should not blind us to brag on our numbers.
How often I have heard and seen it printed that we boast of having 17 million members. What? Where are they? Estimates again tell us that only 5 million are gathered together on Sunday morning; 1 million on Sunday night; and less than 500,00 out of 17,000,000 on Wednesday night. Would we even have 7,000 for prayer meetings? Does the population people brag that 300,000 babies were born last year, but never show that 270,000 died? Isn’t a half truth a whole lie? These are things that we need to own up to and confess. We need a time of pouring ourselves out to Him for His cleansing and forgiveness. How pleased He would be with such drawing unto Him. ‘Draw nigh unto Me, and I will draw nigh unto you.’
TW Hunt, my father in the faith for prayer, always reminds me that God always has His remnant. Those days in the 1980’s when he along with Avery Willis and Henry Blackaby strove to make this a spiritual denomination for the glory of God. Now you all are in those places of leadership. ‘For such a time as this God has put you where you are.’ It is for His glory to be sought after. We have many that cry out, ‘Rend the heavens and come down’; and God fires back to us, ‘Rend your hearts, then I will rend the heavens.’
I will not cease praying for you all, specifically, pointedly, personally and for the fullness of the Spirit to cover and keep you in His service. I will not cease praying for my brethren in the Southern Baptists convention - the seminaries; the agencies and their heads; our mission workers; state conventions/associations and local pastors and laborers. Oh, how we need God in our midst. Why pass up this opportunity to seek God’s face together during these days? Do you know how many pastors and churches are struggling? Do you know how much sin is in our midst? Do you know how many have gone astray?
Is it not time to seek the Lord?
With all the destruction in our nation and around the world, do we not see that time is short and the work is tremendous upon our shoulders? I know you see this. We cannot do this without Him! I hate humanistic talking of ‘I‘ and ‘me‘ and ‘we‘ with no reference to God or upon God. Some of you have used these humanistic pronouns in your discussions with no reference to God. I know you know this truth, please be careful in your speech. ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord.’ He must do it through yielded and surrendered vessels. Holy vessels. ‘Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? He that has clean hands and a pure heart.‘ May we make time during the days of the convention to corporately cleanse our hands and purify our hearts through the power of the blood of Christ and anointing of the Holy Spirit in fire to purge us from self, sin and the world and its ways.
May you reconsider a time to seek and call upon the Lord during these days. May we rejoice in knowing that He is able to do abundantly above all that we ask or think.
“All the way my Savior leads me; What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who through life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, Divinest comfort, Her by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know whatever befall me, Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know whatever befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.”
‘I give myself unto prayer’ for you
Until,
Dan Biser
Rdbiser@live.com
http://dbiser.blogspot.com
http://www.brokenbeforethethrone.com
http://danbiser.blogspot.com
Monday, May 16, 2011
SHALL I GO UP AGAIN?
Shall I Go Up Again?
There are many that are asking this question in churches today. ‘How many times do I have to pray before I get an answer?’ ‘How many times do I have to forgive them?’ “how many times do I have to witness to them before I see them born again and saved?’ This example in Scripture will teach how often we shall need to go up again.
Judges 20:1 - 48
v. 28, “And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days, saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the Lord said, God up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.”
There are two things of certainty here for us to understand: 1. Word study of ‘The Lord said’; found throughout Scripture is these 3 words that speak to every person and especially to the His children. For when God speaks, it is truth. HE cannot lie. How precious to hear from Him. The children of Israel had already been defeated twice. There was 10’s of thousands that had died. God had told them to go up the last two times. They were questioning and wondering why God was sending them to their death. And then the second certainty, 2. Word study of “I will”; when God says something, it is wonderful, but when He gets personal and says, ‘I will deliver them into thine hand tomorrow’ - it is an absolute.
The Problem
One of the most horrible of deeds done is recorded in Judges chapter 19. A Levite takes his concubine and enters into the city of Gibeah. They had passed by the city of Jebus, which is Jerusalem because it was occupied by the heathen Jebusites. He felt that it was better to avoid the sin and trouble of the unrighteous and go to his own people in Gibeah. He felt safe and could trust his own people, of the tribe of Benjamin, the children of Israel. But when he arrived into the city, no doubt, he sensed the evil that was there. The first sign was that no one received him in. When hospitality goes cold and people are selfish and recluse, then there is a much greater sin at hand.
Judges 20:3, ‘Tell us, how was this wickedness?’ The explanation of what happened here. The evil deed, the sin, the wickedness that these men of Gibeah practiced. They threatened the old man that took them in. They threatened this Levite. And they gave the concubine to satisfy these wicked men’s appetite for sin. They raped her and beat her all night. She crawled back to the door where this Levite was. And with her last breath, her hands outstretched upon the threshold of the door, she died. Murdered, violated, beat by the hands of these sons of Belial.
What shall be done to those that practice such wickedness? We are in a great strait, for this same wickedness is practiced over and over this day around the world. In war torn countries, many a young and old lady are ravaged and violated. Sin is practiced over and over in so many forms that offends God. Nations have rejected God and practice every known evil under the sun. Men are pleasing their own selves and give no thought to God or answering for their wicked deeds. But has not history shown that one must always answer for the deeds done? Here in this chapter of Judges, the children of Israel gather themselves together to make them answer for their wicked deeds.
v. 12, ’And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?’ Give an account of yourselves. What say you for your family? For our nation? For our own lives? Are we found in the way of wickedness? Who is making the people answer for the sins found among us? Who is asking the question to the church and individuals today that profess Christ, ’What wickedness is this that is done among you?’ God will always raise up someone that will ask the question that needs to be answered before He judges.
We must understand that it is only right to expect lost men to act lost. They practice sin, they love sin. But when you mention the church and sin, they are not to go together. The church is to be holy and without sin. And if there be sin in the midst of the church, then God will send His prophet that shall declare, ’Choose you this day Whom/whom you will serve?’
CONTINUE. . ..
There are many that are asking this question in churches today. ‘How many times do I have to pray before I get an answer?’ ‘How many times do I have to forgive them?’ “how many times do I have to witness to them before I see them born again and saved?’ This example in Scripture will teach how often we shall need to go up again.
Judges 20:1 - 48
v. 28, “And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days, saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the Lord said, God up; for to morrow I will deliver them into thine hand.”
There are two things of certainty here for us to understand: 1. Word study of ‘The Lord said’; found throughout Scripture is these 3 words that speak to every person and especially to the His children. For when God speaks, it is truth. HE cannot lie. How precious to hear from Him. The children of Israel had already been defeated twice. There was 10’s of thousands that had died. God had told them to go up the last two times. They were questioning and wondering why God was sending them to their death. And then the second certainty, 2. Word study of “I will”; when God says something, it is wonderful, but when He gets personal and says, ‘I will deliver them into thine hand tomorrow’ - it is an absolute.
The Problem
One of the most horrible of deeds done is recorded in Judges chapter 19. A Levite takes his concubine and enters into the city of Gibeah. They had passed by the city of Jebus, which is Jerusalem because it was occupied by the heathen Jebusites. He felt that it was better to avoid the sin and trouble of the unrighteous and go to his own people in Gibeah. He felt safe and could trust his own people, of the tribe of Benjamin, the children of Israel. But when he arrived into the city, no doubt, he sensed the evil that was there. The first sign was that no one received him in. When hospitality goes cold and people are selfish and recluse, then there is a much greater sin at hand.
Judges 20:3, ‘Tell us, how was this wickedness?’ The explanation of what happened here. The evil deed, the sin, the wickedness that these men of Gibeah practiced. They threatened the old man that took them in. They threatened this Levite. And they gave the concubine to satisfy these wicked men’s appetite for sin. They raped her and beat her all night. She crawled back to the door where this Levite was. And with her last breath, her hands outstretched upon the threshold of the door, she died. Murdered, violated, beat by the hands of these sons of Belial.
What shall be done to those that practice such wickedness? We are in a great strait, for this same wickedness is practiced over and over this day around the world. In war torn countries, many a young and old lady are ravaged and violated. Sin is practiced over and over in so many forms that offends God. Nations have rejected God and practice every known evil under the sun. Men are pleasing their own selves and give no thought to God or answering for their wicked deeds. But has not history shown that one must always answer for the deeds done? Here in this chapter of Judges, the children of Israel gather themselves together to make them answer for their wicked deeds.
v. 12, ’And the tribes of Israel sent men through all the tribe of Benjamin, saying, What wickedness is this that is done among you?’ Give an account of yourselves. What say you for your family? For our nation? For our own lives? Are we found in the way of wickedness? Who is making the people answer for the sins found among us? Who is asking the question to the church and individuals today that profess Christ, ’What wickedness is this that is done among you?’ God will always raise up someone that will ask the question that needs to be answered before He judges.
We must understand that it is only right to expect lost men to act lost. They practice sin, they love sin. But when you mention the church and sin, they are not to go together. The church is to be holy and without sin. And if there be sin in the midst of the church, then God will send His prophet that shall declare, ’Choose you this day Whom/whom you will serve?’
CONTINUE. . ..
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
SIN, SORROW, SICKNESS - THE ANSWER - SAVIOR AND SPIRIT
SIN, SORROW, SICKNESS - THE ANSWER - SAVIOR AND SPIRIT
updated: 5/27/11
updated: 5/26/11
wrote: 5/10/11
The old hymn tells us the truth of this title, ‘Out of my bondage, sorrow and night; Jesus I come’. A vast amount of prayer are being offered up daily for the first 3 words of our study - sin, sorrow and sickness. Many prayers are being offered, even now, in ICU’s and hospitals and will be offered at funeral homes today. Many a person struggles with the Satanic attacks of drugs, lusts, alcohol and other temptations, few find deliverance. Many will say that this is the way of the world and will always be this way. But I could tell you and share with you, that this is just as reflective of the church and Christians today as well. So whether lost or saved, individual or family or church, all are struggling and looking for help and answers. Our answers, as some of you may know is in the last part of our title. The answer is found in Christ Jesus and the blessed Holy Spirit. I want us to look at a portion of Scripture and then begin to see where we are and where we need to go in our witness and walk with God.
Our Scripture: Acts 8:21- 23, “Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. V. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. V. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.”
In this chapter 8 of Acts we see Philip going into Samaria. Through the work of persecution He caused and allowed for His church to start reaching out to Judea, Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth. Philip goes into these cities of Samaria and they found Jesus, ‘there was great joy in the city.’ Satan always has his people as well. The conflict between good and evil is always existing in this world. There was a man there named Simon, a sorcerer. He was the agent of sin, the devil’s pawn for this city and area. Now comes the Gospel, the vessel and means of light and deliverance. The invitation is extended and the people respond to it. Even this Simon, sees and desires it. Philip is seeing many come to know Christ as Lord and Savior. But for some reason, unknown to me, Philip does not have the ability to lay hands on them so that they might be filled with the Holy Spirit. They have the Savior that saves them from their sins and saves their souls. But they do not have the Spirit to empower them.
There are many today in the church that recognize Christ as Savior from our sins, but never sees nor acknowledges the Spirit. Thus, we have a saved, but powerless church. Powerless against hell; against sin; against sorrow and against sickness. When you read the Gospels, and the book of Acts do you see the great hand of God upon His people to defeat sin, sickness and sorrows? When you read of the great saints and days of revival, all 3 major S’s were taken care of. Sorrow was turned into joy; sicknesses were healed; and sin was removed. In order for a complete Gospel, all 3 of the Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Spirit are needed and desired. None of the Holy God Trinity are to be rejected or left out, or we leave room for Satan to do his best work among the witness and the people of God.
What we see and hear today among the church in North America is a captive, sick and sorrowing people. The bible teaches the exact opposite of these 3 things in a believers heart. Jesus told us that the church (we as believers) would have sorrow and suffering through persecution. ‘If I have suffered, so also will you suffer’. but the command was that we are to face such suffering with joy, for He has overcome and ‘greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.’ Do you see such joy in the church? Do you have such joy in you own life and walk?
It is the constant prayer requests of many churches, families and individual lives that they are not free and in joy. But bound by fleshly, carnal habitual sins and their joy is drowned in their sorrow of sin. Is there any greater sorrow than to see a Christian shackled in sin? Pornography in the church, in families, in the pulpits and leadership of the churches is resisting and quenching the power of the Holy Spirit in their ministries and lives. The next sin of binding on the horizon that will need to be dealt with by the church is the habitual use of prescription drugs. They are hooked in habitual useage and sin of this. A generation ago, the sin of tobacco was the culprit. Research came out and revealed the destruction so many by cancer as a direct response to this sin. Many a preacher and church took a stand against tobacco but many did not see it as sin. They did not regard the preaching against sin, in ‘your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost’. they did not see this as viable, until cancer research showed the direct relationship. Oh, what destruction has drugs and sin caused the people of God. They would not hear, they would not understand, they would not cease their sin. And because of a direct effect, sorrow ( the death and sickness of so many) and sin ( the quenching of the Holy Spirit) have plagued the people of God.
This man, Simon, sees Peter come and lay hands on these new believers to receive the power of the Spirit in their lives. This power of the Holy Ghost is what makes men over- comers. ‘Not by might, nor by strength, but by My Spirit saith the Lord.’ ‘Wait until you be endued with power from on high.‘ And on the 10th day they were endued with power and 3000 were saved and great miracles happened after they were endued. I simply say, we must wait and be endued before going forward without power to overcome.
Simon had controlled these people for years, by tactics of fear and intimidation. Now he saw a new way to maintain control and dominance, through the laying on of hands. He wanted this power, he wanted to be able to do what Peter was doing. It never occurred to him that if Philip, the great preacher, was not doing this, what made him think that he could? Our pride, as Simon’s, causes us more trouble than we care to admit. I would ask of you to listen to peoples use of pronouns when they talk about the Lord and their ministry. The humanistic ideal of so many today is the ‘I’ and ‘me’ usage. The spiritual ideal is ’Look what the Lord has done.’ Simon is filled with ’I’ and ’me’. Make sure your sin is not vanity, pride and the love of self. Make sure you are not always using, 'I' and 'me' when praise and credit ought to be offered unto the Lord. 'Not I but Christ Who lives in me', is the ture christian motto.
When the Holy Spirit is grieved and men are left without power to do anything. They foster the work of the Lord to do something, to accomplish something. No doubt, Simon tried to do it, but with failure. This is what led him to ask Peter for the power to do it. When you look to men, they will fail. God is faithful and sure, a rock and steadfast for His people. ’trust in the Lord, look not to a friend; put not your confidence in the one that lays her head on your chest.’ Our confidence is in God alone. Do not look to men and family for support and encouragement. Either the Lord is sufficient or He is not. He was not the first or last that tried to use the Spirit of God. There was seven sons of Sceva who tried to cast out a demon. And when they failed to exercise the power of the Holy Spirit to do such a thing, the evil spirit replied: 'Paul, I know; and Jesus, I know; but who are you?' And he immediately attacked and whipped all 7 sons driving them from the house. It is a costly thing to try to manage and use the Holy Spirit for your own selfish endeavor.
Is it clear to us that the sin of self is our problem today? God is not lacking power or ability. Yea, He is able to do abundantly above all that we ask of Him. It is not God; it is us. We are the ones at fault. Sin is the great destroyer of the work of God today around the world, in the church, in our families and in our own lives. Bound and captive by our sins of pride, self-reliance, self-assurance and love of praise of men and glory for our own egos. Simon wanted all this for his own self. Many a minister/pastor, and leader today wants it for their own selves. They are working so hard to be somebody. The lesson has not be taught nor learned yet - to be somebody for God you must first be come nobody at the cross.
Are you able to say this: ‘Who am I? I am nothing, but a sinner saved by grace. Powers and abilities given by the merciful, gracious, benevolent God in heaven and earth. Allowing me a brief moment in time to do something for His glory and His kingdom. I am not my own; but bought with the price of Christ’s blood. Infused with the likeness of God in manner, talk, thought and desire. Casting away anything that limits or hinders His image in me. Detesting all that robs me of His Own glory and image. Here I am Lord, send me.’ These words are not simply said and voiced. They are not vain repetition. They are the very desire and purpose of living from a heart surrendered and consecrated to Him for His glory. They are nothing of self; but everything of Him. Can you say this? Have you said this?
Now let us look how Peter answers this man, called Simon the sorcerer. ‘Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter’ - was he saved or not? Did he believe what Philip had preached in his mind and what his eyes had seen, but not received it into his heart? The old preacher asked the man if he was saved. He answered the preacher, 'I believe in Jesus Christ.' The old preacher replied to him, 'There is 18 inces of difference from believing in Christ with your head and your heart.' Simon was one that no doubt, saw and believed in Christ in his head. But his hearts actions proved he was not born again. Peter rebuked him harshly and confirmed this truth, by saying, 'I perceive thou are in a gall of bitterness.' Oh, how many are in a gall of bitterness. They know that Christ is Lord and the Son of God. But they never embraced Him as their Lord. They never made room for Him in their heart and life. They still function and live for self. They only need God when emergencies come. They are in a gall of bitterness.
Do you know anyone like this? Are you one that having made a 'profession of faith' still find yourself empty and void of purpose and joy? Have you been set free? Is there power in your life? I see and hear from so many that are still shackled and bound in sin. They never came ot the cross and died. They never took their sin to Calvary and crucified them there. They carry them around like a ball and chain. So easy to fall, so prone to wander; to leave the God I love. This was not the power of Acts that sets me free. In the book of Exodus, God spoke to Moses and said, 'I know their sorrow'. He is touched with the 'gall of bitterness' in so many. christ looked on the feeble, hungry and weak and had compassion. Think not for a moment that God does not love His creation and have care for their eternity. Oh, how He loves you and me. Such Divine love is stretched out to all the world for the saving of lost men and women. To deliver them from the 'gall of bitterness' that they may rejoice with joy unspeakable.
Simon immediately upon his reubke from Peter requests of Peter that he would pray for him. Pray that these things would not happen to me. Pray that my gall of bitterness be removed. Pray, Peter, Pray! We find here our first remedy for 'sin, sickness and sorrow', it is in the power of prayer. Prayer introduces us to the thorne of God. It brings us boldly into the throne of grace where we may ask and request and petition the Almighty God to do great things. Things so wonderful and mighty that no other explanation can be given but, 'This is God.'
CONTINUE. . . .
updated: 5/27/11
updated: 5/26/11
wrote: 5/10/11
The old hymn tells us the truth of this title, ‘Out of my bondage, sorrow and night; Jesus I come’. A vast amount of prayer are being offered up daily for the first 3 words of our study - sin, sorrow and sickness. Many prayers are being offered, even now, in ICU’s and hospitals and will be offered at funeral homes today. Many a person struggles with the Satanic attacks of drugs, lusts, alcohol and other temptations, few find deliverance. Many will say that this is the way of the world and will always be this way. But I could tell you and share with you, that this is just as reflective of the church and Christians today as well. So whether lost or saved, individual or family or church, all are struggling and looking for help and answers. Our answers, as some of you may know is in the last part of our title. The answer is found in Christ Jesus and the blessed Holy Spirit. I want us to look at a portion of Scripture and then begin to see where we are and where we need to go in our witness and walk with God.
Our Scripture: Acts 8:21- 23, “Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. V. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. V. 23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.”
In this chapter 8 of Acts we see Philip going into Samaria. Through the work of persecution He caused and allowed for His church to start reaching out to Judea, Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth. Philip goes into these cities of Samaria and they found Jesus, ‘there was great joy in the city.’ Satan always has his people as well. The conflict between good and evil is always existing in this world. There was a man there named Simon, a sorcerer. He was the agent of sin, the devil’s pawn for this city and area. Now comes the Gospel, the vessel and means of light and deliverance. The invitation is extended and the people respond to it. Even this Simon, sees and desires it. Philip is seeing many come to know Christ as Lord and Savior. But for some reason, unknown to me, Philip does not have the ability to lay hands on them so that they might be filled with the Holy Spirit. They have the Savior that saves them from their sins and saves their souls. But they do not have the Spirit to empower them.
There are many today in the church that recognize Christ as Savior from our sins, but never sees nor acknowledges the Spirit. Thus, we have a saved, but powerless church. Powerless against hell; against sin; against sorrow and against sickness. When you read the Gospels, and the book of Acts do you see the great hand of God upon His people to defeat sin, sickness and sorrows? When you read of the great saints and days of revival, all 3 major S’s were taken care of. Sorrow was turned into joy; sicknesses were healed; and sin was removed. In order for a complete Gospel, all 3 of the Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Spirit are needed and desired. None of the Holy God Trinity are to be rejected or left out, or we leave room for Satan to do his best work among the witness and the people of God.
What we see and hear today among the church in North America is a captive, sick and sorrowing people. The bible teaches the exact opposite of these 3 things in a believers heart. Jesus told us that the church (we as believers) would have sorrow and suffering through persecution. ‘If I have suffered, so also will you suffer’. but the command was that we are to face such suffering with joy, for He has overcome and ‘greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.’ Do you see such joy in the church? Do you have such joy in you own life and walk?
It is the constant prayer requests of many churches, families and individual lives that they are not free and in joy. But bound by fleshly, carnal habitual sins and their joy is drowned in their sorrow of sin. Is there any greater sorrow than to see a Christian shackled in sin? Pornography in the church, in families, in the pulpits and leadership of the churches is resisting and quenching the power of the Holy Spirit in their ministries and lives. The next sin of binding on the horizon that will need to be dealt with by the church is the habitual use of prescription drugs. They are hooked in habitual useage and sin of this. A generation ago, the sin of tobacco was the culprit. Research came out and revealed the destruction so many by cancer as a direct response to this sin. Many a preacher and church took a stand against tobacco but many did not see it as sin. They did not regard the preaching against sin, in ‘your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost’. they did not see this as viable, until cancer research showed the direct relationship. Oh, what destruction has drugs and sin caused the people of God. They would not hear, they would not understand, they would not cease their sin. And because of a direct effect, sorrow ( the death and sickness of so many) and sin ( the quenching of the Holy Spirit) have plagued the people of God.
This man, Simon, sees Peter come and lay hands on these new believers to receive the power of the Spirit in their lives. This power of the Holy Ghost is what makes men over- comers. ‘Not by might, nor by strength, but by My Spirit saith the Lord.’ ‘Wait until you be endued with power from on high.‘ And on the 10th day they were endued with power and 3000 were saved and great miracles happened after they were endued. I simply say, we must wait and be endued before going forward without power to overcome.
Simon had controlled these people for years, by tactics of fear and intimidation. Now he saw a new way to maintain control and dominance, through the laying on of hands. He wanted this power, he wanted to be able to do what Peter was doing. It never occurred to him that if Philip, the great preacher, was not doing this, what made him think that he could? Our pride, as Simon’s, causes us more trouble than we care to admit. I would ask of you to listen to peoples use of pronouns when they talk about the Lord and their ministry. The humanistic ideal of so many today is the ‘I’ and ‘me’ usage. The spiritual ideal is ’Look what the Lord has done.’ Simon is filled with ’I’ and ’me’. Make sure your sin is not vanity, pride and the love of self. Make sure you are not always using, 'I' and 'me' when praise and credit ought to be offered unto the Lord. 'Not I but Christ Who lives in me', is the ture christian motto.
When the Holy Spirit is grieved and men are left without power to do anything. They foster the work of the Lord to do something, to accomplish something. No doubt, Simon tried to do it, but with failure. This is what led him to ask Peter for the power to do it. When you look to men, they will fail. God is faithful and sure, a rock and steadfast for His people. ’trust in the Lord, look not to a friend; put not your confidence in the one that lays her head on your chest.’ Our confidence is in God alone. Do not look to men and family for support and encouragement. Either the Lord is sufficient or He is not. He was not the first or last that tried to use the Spirit of God. There was seven sons of Sceva who tried to cast out a demon. And when they failed to exercise the power of the Holy Spirit to do such a thing, the evil spirit replied: 'Paul, I know; and Jesus, I know; but who are you?' And he immediately attacked and whipped all 7 sons driving them from the house. It is a costly thing to try to manage and use the Holy Spirit for your own selfish endeavor.
Is it clear to us that the sin of self is our problem today? God is not lacking power or ability. Yea, He is able to do abundantly above all that we ask of Him. It is not God; it is us. We are the ones at fault. Sin is the great destroyer of the work of God today around the world, in the church, in our families and in our own lives. Bound and captive by our sins of pride, self-reliance, self-assurance and love of praise of men and glory for our own egos. Simon wanted all this for his own self. Many a minister/pastor, and leader today wants it for their own selves. They are working so hard to be somebody. The lesson has not be taught nor learned yet - to be somebody for God you must first be come nobody at the cross.
Are you able to say this: ‘Who am I? I am nothing, but a sinner saved by grace. Powers and abilities given by the merciful, gracious, benevolent God in heaven and earth. Allowing me a brief moment in time to do something for His glory and His kingdom. I am not my own; but bought with the price of Christ’s blood. Infused with the likeness of God in manner, talk, thought and desire. Casting away anything that limits or hinders His image in me. Detesting all that robs me of His Own glory and image. Here I am Lord, send me.’ These words are not simply said and voiced. They are not vain repetition. They are the very desire and purpose of living from a heart surrendered and consecrated to Him for His glory. They are nothing of self; but everything of Him. Can you say this? Have you said this?
Now let us look how Peter answers this man, called Simon the sorcerer. ‘Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter’ - was he saved or not? Did he believe what Philip had preached in his mind and what his eyes had seen, but not received it into his heart? The old preacher asked the man if he was saved. He answered the preacher, 'I believe in Jesus Christ.' The old preacher replied to him, 'There is 18 inces of difference from believing in Christ with your head and your heart.' Simon was one that no doubt, saw and believed in Christ in his head. But his hearts actions proved he was not born again. Peter rebuked him harshly and confirmed this truth, by saying, 'I perceive thou are in a gall of bitterness.' Oh, how many are in a gall of bitterness. They know that Christ is Lord and the Son of God. But they never embraced Him as their Lord. They never made room for Him in their heart and life. They still function and live for self. They only need God when emergencies come. They are in a gall of bitterness.
Do you know anyone like this? Are you one that having made a 'profession of faith' still find yourself empty and void of purpose and joy? Have you been set free? Is there power in your life? I see and hear from so many that are still shackled and bound in sin. They never came ot the cross and died. They never took their sin to Calvary and crucified them there. They carry them around like a ball and chain. So easy to fall, so prone to wander; to leave the God I love. This was not the power of Acts that sets me free. In the book of Exodus, God spoke to Moses and said, 'I know their sorrow'. He is touched with the 'gall of bitterness' in so many. christ looked on the feeble, hungry and weak and had compassion. Think not for a moment that God does not love His creation and have care for their eternity. Oh, how He loves you and me. Such Divine love is stretched out to all the world for the saving of lost men and women. To deliver them from the 'gall of bitterness' that they may rejoice with joy unspeakable.
Simon immediately upon his reubke from Peter requests of Peter that he would pray for him. Pray that these things would not happen to me. Pray that my gall of bitterness be removed. Pray, Peter, Pray! We find here our first remedy for 'sin, sickness and sorrow', it is in the power of prayer. Prayer introduces us to the thorne of God. It brings us boldly into the throne of grace where we may ask and request and petition the Almighty God to do great things. Things so wonderful and mighty that no other explanation can be given but, 'This is God.'
CONTINUE. . . .
Thursday, May 5, 2011
WHEN PRAYER FAILS, THERE IS ONLY INTERCESSION
II Kings 18:42- 46, "So Ahab went up to eat, and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again sever times. And it came to pass at th eseventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of th esea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. "
Today is the National Day of Prayer this May 5, 2o11. This the 60th year for it, a celebration to many. Many services, prayer meetings and ceremonies are being held to pray. Many is the request from people that we know or are acquainted with to pray. Prayer for sick, prayer for the lost, prayer for problems, prayer for marriages, for children and other family, pray for churches, pastors, leadership and other entities. Upon this thought of praying over so much, there came this reading to me on 'When Prayer Fails'.
Rees Howell has been taken to a new level in his prayer life to pray for 'Every Creature' on earth to be saved and reached. It is 1936, and Hitler is flexing his muscle to overtake Europe. Britain has sent troops to the Rhineland to protect and fight Hitler. On March 21, Rees Howell and his prayer partners gather for 5 to 6 times of prayer per day over the next 9 days. And on March 29, he stands in front of those that had been praying for 9 days and says, 'Prayer has failed. We are on slippery ground. Only intercession will avail.' And scores of those there surrender and give themselves to this new battle of intercession.
I think between Elijah falling on his knees and praying we see that for 6 times prayer failed. But the 7th time intercession prevailed. Prayer is a very general word in regards to us calling upon the Lord. There are many aspects and avenues of prayer. There is confession, there is worship/praise/adoration, there is supplication, petitions, requests, thanksgivings and then there is intercession. Worship is the highest level of closeness to God, a person is at one with God who is simply adoring and 'looking unto Jesus'. Their thoughts, requests and heart is put on hold, so that they may be one with Him, as Christ was One with the Father. It was said of Tozer, that he could easily go into his study and stay hours upon hours, simply adoring God. No requests, no confessions, not even words, just simply adoring in awe. But the most strenounous, exhausting, time consumeing labor is intercession.
Intercession is usually the most urgent and intense time because of the situation or experience. For Rees Howell, war in Europe was at stake, and they was pushed far beyond saying a prayer, 'Lord, please don't let war come.' There was something bigger and deeper at hand. Hitler was a pawn of Satan. They must attack in their prayers Hitler and Satan. 'Tearing down stronghold' that are operated and conceived by Satan and his horde of demon followers. They seek to undo the glory of God and His works. The church is required to fight and prevail against Satan. 'Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.' Elijah, had been led of the Lord, to speak that there would be no rain. And there was no rain for 3 1/2 years. Now the sin of Baal had been put down. Sin has to be dealt with before God can be glorified. The only thing that remained was the need for rain. Drough was horrible; crops, livestock, whole families and cities were in need for water.
Here is our mentality of weakness. How many do you think prayed for rain? I think anytime disaster hits, and calamities are at hand, people pray. They say a general prayer that covers very little and accomplishes even less. I think many prayed, 'God, please send us rain.' And that was the extent of it. That was not enough. Even Elijah, had to stay and labor on his knees until it was granted. The cloud the size of a man's hand in a barren sky was suffecient. He didn't get it by simply lifting up his eyes unto heaven and saying, 'Lord, let it rain.' He could have. God is able to such and has done such. No, he had to get down and stay unil it broke. Intercession is the one that gets down and stays until it breaks forth.
Very few knwo or taught this great work of labor in prayer. They have been taught to pray. 'Just say your prayers and hopefully everything will work out.' We have a nation and a church full of such thinking and actions of praying. EVen this day, many who don't normally pray, may say a prayer. but what does it accomplish? God is able to take any prayer and make something of it. He is God and can do all things. But let us not trivalize God, when He says very clearly in many Scriptures, there are prerequistes to having prayer answered. And so we have a nation and a church that says prayers, but sees so little done by praying. And the reason is that we do not meet the standards that God says.
Let us look at some of these standards and then move forward to the great need fo today which is a role of intercession. The first standard is the issue of sin in a believers life. 'If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.' We have the first rejection of prayer. Many say, 'Oh, but I pray.' It is has nothing to do whether you pray, does the Lord hear you is the issue. Here we see, pray all you want, but if sin or sins are ruling and reigning, it is vanity. Elijah could pray and prevail because he was right with the Lord. The rest of Israel had been praciticing sin of idolatry. Pray all they want for rain, God would not hear them. He heard Elijah. Many praying today, heathen and Christian, but sin is found in our land, in our churches, in our homes and in our lives. Our prayers will not be heard.
Another standard, humility. 'If My people which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; . . .' As you see the order here, humble then pray. We are a proud people. I like the way Duncan Campbell says it, 'Put pride in your pockety.' Oh, this is what we need; put pride in your pocket. Get on your knees. Where was Elijah? Down on his knees with his face in between his legs. Get down, and quit standing up thinking more of yourself than what we are. A spirit of humility needs to grip the church for their pride and arrogance of 'what we have done'. We dishonor God by touted our great accomplishments, means and methods. And we are left with many unanswered, lost people because we think we did our duty by saying our prayers while we had sin and pride.
Lest you think, I am too harsh and critical upon the nation and church. Let us look for a moment at our present condition with all this pray going on. Greg Frizzell is noted as saying often, 'With a prayer movement over the last 30 years going up; our morality and condition sof sin has gone even higher.' With more prays being said, there are more lost people in America than ever before, nearly 250 million. With more praying, there have been more divorces, sometimes 2 or 3 for the same families and individuals. With more praying, churches are less attended and active. With more praying, tragedies and calamites are greater. With more praying, our present world condition is not better but far worse. With more praying, sin is more wicked and more vile than ever before with sexual sin, perversions and practices. With more praying, suicide is at an all time high. Need I go on? Do we not see that prayer and prayer alone is not doing it? There is something missing and wrong with our general, low key style of simply saying prayer. It is the need for intercession of holy men and women that will prevail on all these conditions.
Surely we must see that our present condition is far worse than many other times. surely we must see that this so-called prayer movement today is not the same as the 100 year Moravian movement of prayer that launcehd a great outreach of missions, theology and uprising of true christianity. surely we must see that this prayer movement of today is nothing compared to the 10 days of prayer in Jerusaleum before Pentecost. WE must understand that this 'saying prayers' is not enough against the evil forces of hell and Satan. There must be a deeper, holier, faithful style of intercession to come before God and not let go until He stretches forth His right hand and says, 'It is given'. Elijah did not get up until the cloud appeared on the 7th time. Faith is absolutely needed. Unbelief is anothe standard that limits and hinders the work of prayer in many a life. They say it in their prayer, but they do not believe it.
And becuase the need is so great and the current pray is not achieving its goal, then there must be something missing. There must be something else, something more. And that answer is found in intercession. When a soul comes before God, humble, knowing they have no claim or right to proceed other than what God has given, they are not full of pride or self-rightouesness, they are where they are supposed to be. Brought low before His most precious feet at the throne of God. The role of the intercessor is put upon the one that knows the value of end results. What I mean by 'end results' is the conclusion of it. If you don't prevail for a marriage it will end in divorce; if you don't prevail over a lost soul, they will perish in hell for ever; if you don't previal for a nation, God will destroy it or remove it. These are end results with the worst of endings. The intercessor knows the resposniblity of bearing up such a need before God. For God is the only One that can do anything about it.
Elijah prayed and prevailed because there was no one else. Yes, there was 7,000 that had not bowed down to Baal, but he was the one anointed to bear it up. Rees Howell and his group, saw the need to confront Hitler on their knees. And they prevailed and Hitler signed the Munich accord. His own words was to Chamberlain, the British representative, 'You are the only one that I have ever made a concession.' It wasn't Chamberlain, it wasn't Hitler, it was the intercessors that had prevailed. It was Elijah's intercession that prevailed.
When Moses stood before the Lord, when God was ready to consume the people, Moses prevailed for the sake of an entire nation. The people of Israel were the children of Abrahamn, the one who was in covenant with God. But they had sinned, and God was ready to consume them. But Moses stood up with the burden and would not remove till it was given what he wanted. God moves such people at certain times for this very sake and reason. Pray all you want, little is accomplished and done. But get serious about prayer, and go into the role of intercessor and kingdoms, nations, hell itself is moved by the prayer. This is the great need of our time.
Turning to God several times a day; never letting the burden go, always chewing on your mind and heart. Seeking, searching, devouring the Word for promises and hopes that God will say and do that which the burden requires for His glory. This is the labor, this is the cry and the need. Who else can overturn such evil as the drug business today? Who else can stop the sins of this nation that grow worse by the day? Who else can save such hardened souls against the Gospel? Only One, that is God. And He desire to do it. What is the promise? 'The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughtout all the world, to show HImself strong toward them whose hearts are perfect toward Him.' Is your heart perfect? Do you have a burden? It isn't simple saying a prayer or making a request, it is a burden. Know that God is calling. 'And i sought for one to stand in the gap, to make up the hedge; but I could not find one.'
It is God's Divine will that He is wishing and willing to accomplish. He moves us for that reason. He moved Elijah to send rain; He moved Elijah to remove the sin of Baal and its dominance over the people; He moved Moses show that He might show His mercy and deliver them from His wrath; He moved Rees Howell to protect the nations; He moved Christ, as the great Intercessor for the souls in need of a Savior. It is God breathing out His Holy Desires upon the sons of men that they 'may know that there is a God, and His Name is the Lord God Almighty.' He is the One Who speaks to the dead tree and it lives; and speaks to the living tree and it withers up and dies, He is the Lord. (Ezekiel 17)
What is it that God is moving today within the heart and minds of those seeking and longing for Him? He desire to make Himself known to those very ones. How hungry they are! How thirsty they are! 'I will pour out My Spirit upon the dry and thirsty ground'. There is suffeciency in Him. How much we must learn that the poetic form of saying prayer must end and there must be a deeper burden carried and pursued for the sake His glory Names sake. 'Not by strength, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord.'
So here I say it, 'Prayer has failed, there is only intercession'.
To your knees; before His throne; broken and spilled out; and His glory poured out the children of men.
Continue. . .
Today is the National Day of Prayer this May 5, 2o11. This the 60th year for it, a celebration to many. Many services, prayer meetings and ceremonies are being held to pray. Many is the request from people that we know or are acquainted with to pray. Prayer for sick, prayer for the lost, prayer for problems, prayer for marriages, for children and other family, pray for churches, pastors, leadership and other entities. Upon this thought of praying over so much, there came this reading to me on 'When Prayer Fails'.
Rees Howell has been taken to a new level in his prayer life to pray for 'Every Creature' on earth to be saved and reached. It is 1936, and Hitler is flexing his muscle to overtake Europe. Britain has sent troops to the Rhineland to protect and fight Hitler. On March 21, Rees Howell and his prayer partners gather for 5 to 6 times of prayer per day over the next 9 days. And on March 29, he stands in front of those that had been praying for 9 days and says, 'Prayer has failed. We are on slippery ground. Only intercession will avail.' And scores of those there surrender and give themselves to this new battle of intercession.
I think between Elijah falling on his knees and praying we see that for 6 times prayer failed. But the 7th time intercession prevailed. Prayer is a very general word in regards to us calling upon the Lord. There are many aspects and avenues of prayer. There is confession, there is worship/praise/adoration, there is supplication, petitions, requests, thanksgivings and then there is intercession. Worship is the highest level of closeness to God, a person is at one with God who is simply adoring and 'looking unto Jesus'. Their thoughts, requests and heart is put on hold, so that they may be one with Him, as Christ was One with the Father. It was said of Tozer, that he could easily go into his study and stay hours upon hours, simply adoring God. No requests, no confessions, not even words, just simply adoring in awe. But the most strenounous, exhausting, time consumeing labor is intercession.
Intercession is usually the most urgent and intense time because of the situation or experience. For Rees Howell, war in Europe was at stake, and they was pushed far beyond saying a prayer, 'Lord, please don't let war come.' There was something bigger and deeper at hand. Hitler was a pawn of Satan. They must attack in their prayers Hitler and Satan. 'Tearing down stronghold' that are operated and conceived by Satan and his horde of demon followers. They seek to undo the glory of God and His works. The church is required to fight and prevail against Satan. 'Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.' Elijah, had been led of the Lord, to speak that there would be no rain. And there was no rain for 3 1/2 years. Now the sin of Baal had been put down. Sin has to be dealt with before God can be glorified. The only thing that remained was the need for rain. Drough was horrible; crops, livestock, whole families and cities were in need for water.
Here is our mentality of weakness. How many do you think prayed for rain? I think anytime disaster hits, and calamities are at hand, people pray. They say a general prayer that covers very little and accomplishes even less. I think many prayed, 'God, please send us rain.' And that was the extent of it. That was not enough. Even Elijah, had to stay and labor on his knees until it was granted. The cloud the size of a man's hand in a barren sky was suffecient. He didn't get it by simply lifting up his eyes unto heaven and saying, 'Lord, let it rain.' He could have. God is able to such and has done such. No, he had to get down and stay unil it broke. Intercession is the one that gets down and stays until it breaks forth.
Very few knwo or taught this great work of labor in prayer. They have been taught to pray. 'Just say your prayers and hopefully everything will work out.' We have a nation and a church full of such thinking and actions of praying. EVen this day, many who don't normally pray, may say a prayer. but what does it accomplish? God is able to take any prayer and make something of it. He is God and can do all things. But let us not trivalize God, when He says very clearly in many Scriptures, there are prerequistes to having prayer answered. And so we have a nation and a church that says prayers, but sees so little done by praying. And the reason is that we do not meet the standards that God says.
Let us look at some of these standards and then move forward to the great need fo today which is a role of intercession. The first standard is the issue of sin in a believers life. 'If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.' We have the first rejection of prayer. Many say, 'Oh, but I pray.' It is has nothing to do whether you pray, does the Lord hear you is the issue. Here we see, pray all you want, but if sin or sins are ruling and reigning, it is vanity. Elijah could pray and prevail because he was right with the Lord. The rest of Israel had been praciticing sin of idolatry. Pray all they want for rain, God would not hear them. He heard Elijah. Many praying today, heathen and Christian, but sin is found in our land, in our churches, in our homes and in our lives. Our prayers will not be heard.
Another standard, humility. 'If My people which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; . . .' As you see the order here, humble then pray. We are a proud people. I like the way Duncan Campbell says it, 'Put pride in your pockety.' Oh, this is what we need; put pride in your pocket. Get on your knees. Where was Elijah? Down on his knees with his face in between his legs. Get down, and quit standing up thinking more of yourself than what we are. A spirit of humility needs to grip the church for their pride and arrogance of 'what we have done'. We dishonor God by touted our great accomplishments, means and methods. And we are left with many unanswered, lost people because we think we did our duty by saying our prayers while we had sin and pride.
Lest you think, I am too harsh and critical upon the nation and church. Let us look for a moment at our present condition with all this pray going on. Greg Frizzell is noted as saying often, 'With a prayer movement over the last 30 years going up; our morality and condition sof sin has gone even higher.' With more prays being said, there are more lost people in America than ever before, nearly 250 million. With more praying, there have been more divorces, sometimes 2 or 3 for the same families and individuals. With more praying, churches are less attended and active. With more praying, tragedies and calamites are greater. With more praying, our present world condition is not better but far worse. With more praying, sin is more wicked and more vile than ever before with sexual sin, perversions and practices. With more praying, suicide is at an all time high. Need I go on? Do we not see that prayer and prayer alone is not doing it? There is something missing and wrong with our general, low key style of simply saying prayer. It is the need for intercession of holy men and women that will prevail on all these conditions.
Surely we must see that our present condition is far worse than many other times. surely we must see that this so-called prayer movement today is not the same as the 100 year Moravian movement of prayer that launcehd a great outreach of missions, theology and uprising of true christianity. surely we must see that this prayer movement of today is nothing compared to the 10 days of prayer in Jerusaleum before Pentecost. WE must understand that this 'saying prayers' is not enough against the evil forces of hell and Satan. There must be a deeper, holier, faithful style of intercession to come before God and not let go until He stretches forth His right hand and says, 'It is given'. Elijah did not get up until the cloud appeared on the 7th time. Faith is absolutely needed. Unbelief is anothe standard that limits and hinders the work of prayer in many a life. They say it in their prayer, but they do not believe it.
And becuase the need is so great and the current pray is not achieving its goal, then there must be something missing. There must be something else, something more. And that answer is found in intercession. When a soul comes before God, humble, knowing they have no claim or right to proceed other than what God has given, they are not full of pride or self-rightouesness, they are where they are supposed to be. Brought low before His most precious feet at the throne of God. The role of the intercessor is put upon the one that knows the value of end results. What I mean by 'end results' is the conclusion of it. If you don't prevail for a marriage it will end in divorce; if you don't prevail over a lost soul, they will perish in hell for ever; if you don't previal for a nation, God will destroy it or remove it. These are end results with the worst of endings. The intercessor knows the resposniblity of bearing up such a need before God. For God is the only One that can do anything about it.
Elijah prayed and prevailed because there was no one else. Yes, there was 7,000 that had not bowed down to Baal, but he was the one anointed to bear it up. Rees Howell and his group, saw the need to confront Hitler on their knees. And they prevailed and Hitler signed the Munich accord. His own words was to Chamberlain, the British representative, 'You are the only one that I have ever made a concession.' It wasn't Chamberlain, it wasn't Hitler, it was the intercessors that had prevailed. It was Elijah's intercession that prevailed.
When Moses stood before the Lord, when God was ready to consume the people, Moses prevailed for the sake of an entire nation. The people of Israel were the children of Abrahamn, the one who was in covenant with God. But they had sinned, and God was ready to consume them. But Moses stood up with the burden and would not remove till it was given what he wanted. God moves such people at certain times for this very sake and reason. Pray all you want, little is accomplished and done. But get serious about prayer, and go into the role of intercessor and kingdoms, nations, hell itself is moved by the prayer. This is the great need of our time.
Turning to God several times a day; never letting the burden go, always chewing on your mind and heart. Seeking, searching, devouring the Word for promises and hopes that God will say and do that which the burden requires for His glory. This is the labor, this is the cry and the need. Who else can overturn such evil as the drug business today? Who else can stop the sins of this nation that grow worse by the day? Who else can save such hardened souls against the Gospel? Only One, that is God. And He desire to do it. What is the promise? 'The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughtout all the world, to show HImself strong toward them whose hearts are perfect toward Him.' Is your heart perfect? Do you have a burden? It isn't simple saying a prayer or making a request, it is a burden. Know that God is calling. 'And i sought for one to stand in the gap, to make up the hedge; but I could not find one.'
It is God's Divine will that He is wishing and willing to accomplish. He moves us for that reason. He moved Elijah to send rain; He moved Elijah to remove the sin of Baal and its dominance over the people; He moved Moses show that He might show His mercy and deliver them from His wrath; He moved Rees Howell to protect the nations; He moved Christ, as the great Intercessor for the souls in need of a Savior. It is God breathing out His Holy Desires upon the sons of men that they 'may know that there is a God, and His Name is the Lord God Almighty.' He is the One Who speaks to the dead tree and it lives; and speaks to the living tree and it withers up and dies, He is the Lord. (Ezekiel 17)
What is it that God is moving today within the heart and minds of those seeking and longing for Him? He desire to make Himself known to those very ones. How hungry they are! How thirsty they are! 'I will pour out My Spirit upon the dry and thirsty ground'. There is suffeciency in Him. How much we must learn that the poetic form of saying prayer must end and there must be a deeper burden carried and pursued for the sake His glory Names sake. 'Not by strength, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord.'
So here I say it, 'Prayer has failed, there is only intercession'.
To your knees; before His throne; broken and spilled out; and His glory poured out the children of men.
Continue. . .
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
MAY PRAYER UPDATE
May, 2011
Greetings,
I am always so blest by monthly newsletters and information about those in ministry that I feel led to share in like fashion. With the truest desire that you pray for me and with me; and that we may see the Lord’s mighty hand at work. I will give you themes and opportunities that the Lord is working currently in my life:
Ministry Opportunities - Participated in Sermonindex Conference Call last night; led a 10 minute devotion and then prayed with others for the remaining hour. Sermonindex is led by Greg Gordon and will have a conference in October in Atlanta, GA.
--April 30 and May 7 is Broken Before the Thrones Bible study and prayer meeting at 9 - 12 at WCRH in Williamsport, MD; I lead this as often as I can for the great need of prayer and fellowshipping with these brothers and sisters. It’s 90 miles away but a blessed time.
--Still pastor at Zoar and Fox’s Hollow; Sunday services, I teach SS at 10, worship at 11; Fox’s Hollows SS at 2 and worship at 3; Zoar evening worship at 5; Bible studies are Zoar at Tuesday at 7 and Fox’s Hollow on Thursday at 7;
I recently had another church express interest in me to become pastor. It is closer to my Keyser home. The church has had a rough 2 years, and I have prayed and helped when I could for the pastor because of his health and age. Please pray the Lord’s will be done here for them and me. I have no leading of the Spirit at this time for such a change.
Potomac Highland Baptist Assocaiton - led Solemn Assembly in Jan. of this year; nothing else has happened since; 20 churches, including Zoar And Fox’s Hollow, that I pray for; in Hampshire county, 20,000 population, 18,000 out of church and unresponsive to the Gospel;
WV Convention - pray for Terry Harper and 10 Associations in our state; 1.8 million population, 1.4 million lost and without Christ; I continue to try to promote prayer, solemn assemblies and times of prayer throughout;
SBC - I am in continual effort to reach the leadership of our convention to have ‘A Serious Call to Prayer’ throughout every state, seminary, assocation and local church to saturate us with the moving and working of the Holy Spirit; Most recently see an opportunity to have such a prayer meeting at the SBC meeting in Phoenix on Tuesday night to have prayer from 8 - 11 PM; Each hour have a special time to pray for NAMB, have tried to reach Kevin Ezell and Aaron Coe; contacted David Platt to lead another hour for the Secret Church and IMB’s plan to reach the remaining 6000 unreached people groups; and I want one hour to pray over the pastors and local churches across the SBC, so much sin, sorrow, and need for God’s fullness to be upon us to reach this world. It is always a battle in this. I know not why God lays it on my heart, but I respond as He does. And I thank God for what I have seen.
Family - my oldest child, Hannah graduates this month; the 3 oldest are in track and all doing well, looks like Hannah and Joshua will go to state;
Jonathan is away this week at 6th grade camp; Hannah is counselor there for the week;
Prayer Focus - having been praying with NAME, which is North Africa/Middle East group seeking 3 weeks of prayer and fasting for God’s direction in that troubled area; asking and looking for God to reveal His plans for them in the midst of this chaos and in some areas greater persecution;
--Canada has election today;
--US has Day of prayer on May 5th; such a horrible day with so many that do no regard prayer in other time except a day like this; our churches are not houses of prayer;
--prayer over 22 marriages that are divorcing or separated and struggling;
--praying over 100 lost souls;
--praying for saints that cover fellows brothers and sisters in Christ in the work of churches, leadership and laborers;
--praying for Ivory Coast/Sierra Leon/and Uganda;
--praying for Bill Elliff and Summit Church in Little Rock who are experiencing a great season of grace and working of God; praying for Cleveland, Tenn and churches in Bradley association having had 3 weeks of prayer and workings of God as well;
--another teenage suicide last week of 17 yr. old boy; praying for the drug use, alcohol use and loss of hope in so many in the area and across the nation;
Books: proper feeding is ever so necessary to sustain and replenish, this is always coupled with a healthy study, reading and memorizing of Scripture.
--The Christian in Complete Armour
--Diary of John sung;
--Rees Howel, intercessor
--5 devotionals
--Ablaze for God - wesley duewel
--The full blessing of Pentecost -Andrew Murray
--Heroes of the Holy Life by duewel
Answered Prayer: preacher taken sick, released and then rushed to the hospital Sunday morning thinking he was having a heart attack; restored, only stomach issues;
--woman injured severly in NC, husband and 2 year old son killed in accident; family blames God refuses to ask for prayer; now calling and asking for prayer;
--financial money given and provisions made;
--cancer patient in remission, and removed;
--husband lost and one of these of my 22 couples I’m praying for was saved and the marriage is healing and praise is given;
So as you pray with me and for me, I thank you. May we continue to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is moving us to seek and find Him; ‘As for me, I will give myself unto prayer. . .and not cease till I see it answered or God takes my last breath from me.
Until,
Dan Biser
Rdbiser@live.com
http://danbiser.blogspot.com - articles, letters and messages about what God is saying to me;
http://dbiser.blogspot.com - blog of devotionals of every chapter in the Bible;
http://www.brokenbeforethethrone.com
Greetings,
I am always so blest by monthly newsletters and information about those in ministry that I feel led to share in like fashion. With the truest desire that you pray for me and with me; and that we may see the Lord’s mighty hand at work. I will give you themes and opportunities that the Lord is working currently in my life:
Ministry Opportunities - Participated in Sermonindex Conference Call last night; led a 10 minute devotion and then prayed with others for the remaining hour. Sermonindex is led by Greg Gordon and will have a conference in October in Atlanta, GA.
--April 30 and May 7 is Broken Before the Thrones Bible study and prayer meeting at 9 - 12 at WCRH in Williamsport, MD; I lead this as often as I can for the great need of prayer and fellowshipping with these brothers and sisters. It’s 90 miles away but a blessed time.
--Still pastor at Zoar and Fox’s Hollow; Sunday services, I teach SS at 10, worship at 11; Fox’s Hollows SS at 2 and worship at 3; Zoar evening worship at 5; Bible studies are Zoar at Tuesday at 7 and Fox’s Hollow on Thursday at 7;
I recently had another church express interest in me to become pastor. It is closer to my Keyser home. The church has had a rough 2 years, and I have prayed and helped when I could for the pastor because of his health and age. Please pray the Lord’s will be done here for them and me. I have no leading of the Spirit at this time for such a change.
Potomac Highland Baptist Assocaiton - led Solemn Assembly in Jan. of this year; nothing else has happened since; 20 churches, including Zoar And Fox’s Hollow, that I pray for; in Hampshire county, 20,000 population, 18,000 out of church and unresponsive to the Gospel;
WV Convention - pray for Terry Harper and 10 Associations in our state; 1.8 million population, 1.4 million lost and without Christ; I continue to try to promote prayer, solemn assemblies and times of prayer throughout;
SBC - I am in continual effort to reach the leadership of our convention to have ‘A Serious Call to Prayer’ throughout every state, seminary, assocation and local church to saturate us with the moving and working of the Holy Spirit; Most recently see an opportunity to have such a prayer meeting at the SBC meeting in Phoenix on Tuesday night to have prayer from 8 - 11 PM; Each hour have a special time to pray for NAMB, have tried to reach Kevin Ezell and Aaron Coe; contacted David Platt to lead another hour for the Secret Church and IMB’s plan to reach the remaining 6000 unreached people groups; and I want one hour to pray over the pastors and local churches across the SBC, so much sin, sorrow, and need for God’s fullness to be upon us to reach this world. It is always a battle in this. I know not why God lays it on my heart, but I respond as He does. And I thank God for what I have seen.
Family - my oldest child, Hannah graduates this month; the 3 oldest are in track and all doing well, looks like Hannah and Joshua will go to state;
Jonathan is away this week at 6th grade camp; Hannah is counselor there for the week;
Prayer Focus - having been praying with NAME, which is North Africa/Middle East group seeking 3 weeks of prayer and fasting for God’s direction in that troubled area; asking and looking for God to reveal His plans for them in the midst of this chaos and in some areas greater persecution;
--Canada has election today;
--US has Day of prayer on May 5th; such a horrible day with so many that do no regard prayer in other time except a day like this; our churches are not houses of prayer;
--prayer over 22 marriages that are divorcing or separated and struggling;
--praying over 100 lost souls;
--praying for saints that cover fellows brothers and sisters in Christ in the work of churches, leadership and laborers;
--praying for Ivory Coast/Sierra Leon/and Uganda;
--praying for Bill Elliff and Summit Church in Little Rock who are experiencing a great season of grace and working of God; praying for Cleveland, Tenn and churches in Bradley association having had 3 weeks of prayer and workings of God as well;
--another teenage suicide last week of 17 yr. old boy; praying for the drug use, alcohol use and loss of hope in so many in the area and across the nation;
Books: proper feeding is ever so necessary to sustain and replenish, this is always coupled with a healthy study, reading and memorizing of Scripture.
--The Christian in Complete Armour
--Diary of John sung;
--Rees Howel, intercessor
--5 devotionals
--Ablaze for God - wesley duewel
--The full blessing of Pentecost -Andrew Murray
--Heroes of the Holy Life by duewel
Answered Prayer: preacher taken sick, released and then rushed to the hospital Sunday morning thinking he was having a heart attack; restored, only stomach issues;
--woman injured severly in NC, husband and 2 year old son killed in accident; family blames God refuses to ask for prayer; now calling and asking for prayer;
--financial money given and provisions made;
--cancer patient in remission, and removed;
--husband lost and one of these of my 22 couples I’m praying for was saved and the marriage is healing and praise is given;
So as you pray with me and for me, I thank you. May we continue to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is moving us to seek and find Him; ‘As for me, I will give myself unto prayer. . .and not cease till I see it answered or God takes my last breath from me.
Until,
Dan Biser
Rdbiser@live.com
http://danbiser.blogspot.com - articles, letters and messages about what God is saying to me;
http://dbiser.blogspot.com - blog of devotionals of every chapter in the Bible;
http://www.brokenbeforethethrone.com
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