Thursday, March 31, 2011
Verse for Strength, Help and Assurance
Jeremiah 32:17, 'Ah, Lord God! behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee." Jeremiah 32:27, 'Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh is there anything too hard for Me?' Answer the question, 'No, Lord there is nothing too hard for You.' Numbers 11:23, 'Is the Lord's hand waxed short?' You must answer this, God's hand cannot be shortened, unless by our own sin and choices. He is might to do all things. Genesis 18:14, 'Is anything too hard for the Lord?' No Lord, nothing is too hard for You. This was the great miracle of Sarah, at 90, having a child according to the very Word of God. He speaks and commands and it is done. Help Verses Psalm 12:1, 'Help, Lord, for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.' Psalm 38:21, 'Forsake me not, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me. v. 22 Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.' Psalm 119:86, 'All Thy commandments are faithful; they persecute me wrongfully; help Thou me.' And the blessed promises of help and deliverance: Isaiah 50:7, 'For the Lord God will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded; therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I knwo that I shall not be ashamed.' Isaiah 41:10, 'Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.' Cling fast in your faith to all of the 'I will's' that God speaks here; HE is a God that cannot lie, therefore He will fulfill each of these things.
Monday, March 28, 2011
ONE THING NEEDFUL
Luke 10:41, "And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: v. 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen taht good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Throughout all my life I have heard that call preached and proclaimed, 'Win souls'. I have ever been a lover of great soul winners. We hear of Spurgeon and the thousands that came to Christ through his preaching and personal soul winning. We read the work of Finney and Moody and how they preached and thousands, if not millions were brought to Christ. In each of these workers for God, they were used mightily by the Holy Spirit in their places and time to reach the masses with the Gospel and see great fruit brought into the kingdom of God. With more people in the world than ever, 7 billion, there are supposedly more lost people now than all of humanity before this generation. Possibly upwards toward 5 billion that have rejected or never heard the Gospel are living today. There is a rising thrust to promote evangelism and missions to reach the masses. Of course, this is no new call. The Lord issued the call in the Gospels. The servants of the Lord received the power at pentecost and the whole book of Acts demonstrates the power of God to win the world. What greater comment can there be than, 'Here comes these men that have turned the world upside down.!' Within the last 100 years, we have lost much ground in promoting the Gospel and seeing nations, regions, towns/cities and individuals come to Christ. Many thousands are coming in forgeign countires around the world in Africa and Asia. But there is defintiely a drought of real Christianity in Europe and North America. And as this call goes forth, it is my hope that some wandering eye and searching heart might be guided by the heavenly Spirit to stop and read these words. Any such call of man that sends men and women to evangelize and do mission work is utterly futile without that 'One thing that is needful', which is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Let us make sure that our motive and pursuit is not found in vanity or pride. Let us make sure that our motive and call is not stooped in labors of our own effort and power. There is one power, and that is found in the Lord God. He, and He alone is able to save the masses, empower the body of believers and give us the desires of our heart for a lost and dying world headed to hell. 'One thing needful' is a pursuit of man to find God and not let go. Let us look at several examples of this. 1. Genesis 32:28, 'for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.' We should know this account in the Scripture. Jacob is returning after two decades away to his home. He left with a threat from his brother, Esau, that he would kill him when his father died. Now Jacob is returning and his life and that of his family seems to hang in the balance. And as Esau is coming with 400 men, Jacob separates his family for deliverance and he is left alone. And here he wrestles with an angel of God and prevails. He found that one thing needful and as he laid hold upon God he would not let go until the blessing was given. 2. continued. . . .
Friday, March 25, 2011
SUGGESTION, ROUTINES, AND PATTERNS OF PRAYER
"The secret of a prayer life is that it is a life of prayer." Samuel Chadwick 'I give myself unto prayer' Psalm 109:4 David Brainer, 'Blesed be God, that I may pray' Andrew Murray - 'Blessed inner chamber, where I may approach God in Christ through the Word and prayer.' The command throughout Scripture is clear about a Christian's prayer life - Have One! We are to 'pray without ceasing'. We are to continue in prayer over everything. So it is needful for us to consider what our pray lives are like. Are they spiritual healthy? ARe they filled with God? ARe they selfish or glorifying unto Him?
I. The First Principle to consider is where are we at in our current prayer life. What are we actually doing in prayer?
Every great worker and saint for the kingdom that we have heard and read of their great labors for the Lord, had a great prayer life. It is utter foolishness to think that we are going to do anything for God without God. And the only way to be like God is to be with God. Murray said, 'Alone with God will make one wholly for God.' And the opposite of this truth is before us as well: the less we are with God, the less we become like God. Our prayer lives are reflective of how much time we spend with Him and how much we become like Him. A result that can be counted on in church lives today as well, as pastors lives and Christians in whole, is that we are not with Him enough to be like Him. Prayer lives are drastically reduced today to sick lists, needs (usually selfish desires) and our personal agendas. They are limited, they are carnal, at best and they lack any power to move the things of this world for God's glory. We must recognize this, and change the pattern of pray in our daily lives to meet the needs at hand. For where there is a great need, there must be a great response to meet that need. And if its not a great response then the need will not be met. When we consider that, out of 7 billion people are on this planet right now and that 3/4 of them are lost and without Christ --Than Is a Great Need! And the casual, lighthearted, sensual praying of churches and Christians does not rise up to meet that need. Therefore, we are losing more souls to hell than ever in the history of mankind. And God sought for a man to stand int the gap. Someone to come before and weep and pray with importunity and fervency to prevail over the souls of this world. What does your prayer life look like in comparison to this great need? How often do you pray? What is your structured prayer life look life? What components make up your prayer life? These are all questions and thoughts that we should examine and consider to develop a spiritual and healthy prayer life.
1. what are we doing? Is our church's houses of prayer?
there is a lot of interest and concern about prayer right now. And I say this in reference to days gone by over the last few decades, there seems to be more interest and concern for prayer. Tragedies are growing, disasters are more numerous and severe, world situations are more chaotic, and the future is uncertain for so many. With these types of situations at hand, it should compel God's peopel to seek His face. and in truth, the only reason we are in the situations that we are is directly related to the lack of prayer today. A search is needful to ask church's, families and individuals about their prayer time. We sing 'Sweet Hour of Prayer', are we spending an hour in His presence in prayer? do we those in the church know how to occupy an hour in prayer? Can they see the need of being specific or not? These are the concerns that should be addressed as to where we are or where we are not.
Let us begin with worship and adoration - Begin with a list of Who God is; lay out a list of verses that give description about God's attributes and revealings of Who He is. Declare what God has done and is doing and will do for you, family and the church. The mention of answered prayer, miracles, grace, Divine love, salvation and other wonderful works of God in our midst. If measuring time is of interest to you, here is 10 to 15 minutes. If you begin with 3 - 5 minutes then work to increase your knowledge of Who God is. If you can't see how active He is in your life, begin to ask God to reveal those things and open your eyes to see how much God fills with daily living. Your breathing, your abilities of walking, sitting, your thoughts, gifts, possessions, etc. see how God granted you these things and He can removve these things.
Next, let us spend time in confession. 1. Personal sins - 'if I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.' Where and what is your sin?
I. The First Principle to consider is where are we at in our current prayer life. What are we actually doing in prayer?
Every great worker and saint for the kingdom that we have heard and read of their great labors for the Lord, had a great prayer life. It is utter foolishness to think that we are going to do anything for God without God. And the only way to be like God is to be with God. Murray said, 'Alone with God will make one wholly for God.' And the opposite of this truth is before us as well: the less we are with God, the less we become like God. Our prayer lives are reflective of how much time we spend with Him and how much we become like Him. A result that can be counted on in church lives today as well, as pastors lives and Christians in whole, is that we are not with Him enough to be like Him. Prayer lives are drastically reduced today to sick lists, needs (usually selfish desires) and our personal agendas. They are limited, they are carnal, at best and they lack any power to move the things of this world for God's glory. We must recognize this, and change the pattern of pray in our daily lives to meet the needs at hand. For where there is a great need, there must be a great response to meet that need. And if its not a great response then the need will not be met. When we consider that, out of 7 billion people are on this planet right now and that 3/4 of them are lost and without Christ --Than Is a Great Need! And the casual, lighthearted, sensual praying of churches and Christians does not rise up to meet that need. Therefore, we are losing more souls to hell than ever in the history of mankind. And God sought for a man to stand int the gap. Someone to come before and weep and pray with importunity and fervency to prevail over the souls of this world. What does your prayer life look like in comparison to this great need? How often do you pray? What is your structured prayer life look life? What components make up your prayer life? These are all questions and thoughts that we should examine and consider to develop a spiritual and healthy prayer life.
1. what are we doing? Is our church's houses of prayer?
there is a lot of interest and concern about prayer right now. And I say this in reference to days gone by over the last few decades, there seems to be more interest and concern for prayer. Tragedies are growing, disasters are more numerous and severe, world situations are more chaotic, and the future is uncertain for so many. With these types of situations at hand, it should compel God's peopel to seek His face. and in truth, the only reason we are in the situations that we are is directly related to the lack of prayer today. A search is needful to ask church's, families and individuals about their prayer time. We sing 'Sweet Hour of Prayer', are we spending an hour in His presence in prayer? do we those in the church know how to occupy an hour in prayer? Can they see the need of being specific or not? These are the concerns that should be addressed as to where we are or where we are not.
Let us begin with worship and adoration - Begin with a list of Who God is; lay out a list of verses that give description about God's attributes and revealings of Who He is. Declare what God has done and is doing and will do for you, family and the church. The mention of answered prayer, miracles, grace, Divine love, salvation and other wonderful works of God in our midst. If measuring time is of interest to you, here is 10 to 15 minutes. If you begin with 3 - 5 minutes then work to increase your knowledge of Who God is. If you can't see how active He is in your life, begin to ask God to reveal those things and open your eyes to see how much God fills with daily living. Your breathing, your abilities of walking, sitting, your thoughts, gifts, possessions, etc. see how God granted you these things and He can removve these things.
Next, let us spend time in confession. 1. Personal sins - 'if I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.' Where and what is your sin?
Monday, March 21, 2011
A SERIOUS CALL TO PRAYER
A SERIOUS CALL TO PRAYER
William Law wrote, 'A Serious Call to a Holy and Devout Life'. Andrew Murray is one author that I love to read and that speaks to me of prayer and oneness with Christ. In reading Murray, he introduced me to Law and this book. As time has gone by in recent years, my study of prayer has broadened. I am intent on learning how, what and why people pray. With the desire to see prevailing prayer leading us to a revival that brings the fullness of God upon His people. In other writings and letters, I have shared some of those conclusions and confessions. And what we see in the Christian church today, is a poor reflection of prayer compared to that which Christ did and what the book of Acts reveals and demonstrates. The day of Pentecost came as a direct result of answered prayer. Christ had foretold the disciples that it was needful for Him to go away and He would send the Comforter. When He appeared unto them after His resurrection, He breathed on them and said, 'Receive you the Holy Ghost.' John 20:22 Upon His time to ascend back into heaven, our Lord gave them instruction to go and wait in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49 And as the disciples obeyed the Lord they waited for 10 days in the upper room. Those that were believers and followers of Christ were 120 people. And upon the 10th day, the day of Pentecost, He came. We read throughout the rest of the book of Acts the same message over and over - 'they prayed, and He came'. Do we think that any of this has changed in 2000 years?
We are instructed in this life, that whatsoever we face we are to give ourselves unto prayer. Prayer is the staging ground of faith to be enacted for His glory. The greatest events of history have come from someone giving themselves unto prayer. The examples are numerous for us to glean this truth: Charles Finney preached and led great revivals and awakenings among the churches and lost people; but all the while there was his own prayers coupled together with Praying Nash and Abel Clary going before him wherever he went. Someone pointed out to me, that isn't it interesting that Finney's itinerant ministry stopped at the same time of Praying Nash's death. Praying John Hyde, went to India in place of his brother who had died. And before leaving an old man gave him a letter, instructing him to seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit if he would be used of God there. He raged in anger at the old man's reproof. But when he settled that perhaps he was lacking power and the need of God's touch, he earnestly sought it and found it. And on and on I could go with Hudson Taylor, George Mueller, John Wesley, David Brainerd, Jonathan Edwards and such like. All these gave themselves unto prayer and God Who was intreated with them, heard and answered. He came and worked wondrously in them and through them for His glory. What does the Scripture say? 'For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.' Each of these saints sought and found Him and He poured out upon them His Holy Spirit that wrought great deeds for His kingdom and glory. What shall we say of the church today? Is there power? Is there prevailing prayer? Is there such wonders and miracles?
There are nearly 7 billion people on this planet. And almost 5 billion out of those 7 billion are lost and without Christ. We, as the church, have not gained the ground of so many people coming into this world as population continues to grow. As a matter of fact, the Christian church is actually losing ground in numbers compared to the population growth. Why? The excuses are given: 'Well, we don't have enough churches.' 'Well, we don't have enough money and resources.' 'Well, we don't have enough missionaries.' Wasn't it only 120 in the upper room that led to the 1,000's of people being born again that it was said of them: 'Here comes these ones that have turned the world upside down.'?
Numerical numbers, money, means, methods, and structure means nothing unless we have the power of the Holy Spirit upon us. When the Holy Spirit is upon His people, the people step up to go. The people give large sums of money for the work. The church responds with calling upon God day and night for Him to be glorified. Sin is put away from whole communities and the church is once again a 'house of prayer'. But if the Holy Spirit is resisted, grieved and quenched then they labor in vain that build the house. Brethren, we are in a strait of laboring in vain against God. We seek God's blessings for our work. It must be His work.
Humanism has gained access into the decisions and we are left null and void without the power of God upon us. Satan is sifting ministers, churches, families and the witness of the church because we are not armed with prevailing prayer. Without prevailing prayer we cannot tear down Satan's strongholds. Surely this has been demonstrated in the United States for long enough that we see how powerless we are against alcohol, tobacco, drugs, pornography, money, emotions, courts, religion, legislatures and such like. They continue steamrolling this nation, while the church sits befuddled over our present condition. The answer to all this is found in 'a Serious Call to Prayer.'
Who is to call for this time of prayer?
As you read through the Old Testament you see leaders were raised up for such a call to prayer. When they saw the great sin of the people; when they saw the need that was at hand they called for an assembly of the people to call upon the Lord for His mercies. We see when the Assyrians came against Judah to destroy Jerusalem and carry Judah away into captivity, King Hezekiah called for prayer. The children of Israel had already been carried away because of their sin. Their was no one to intreat the Lord for His mercies there. But God always raises up a man to 'stand in the gap' for such times. Yet, there does come time when there is no voice calling for serious prayer to be made. 'I sought for a man, but I could not find one.'
Sometimes the call for prayer is by the individual. We see Daniel praying alone for 3 weeks over the sins of the people. We see Ezra and Nehemiah standing alone at first and then assembling the people. but the burden began alone. We see Christ Himself bringing his disciples with Him into the garden. Then bringing Peter, James and John even closer; but at last, He withdrew to be alone. We see Noah all alone; we see Jeremiah alone; and such is the case in awful times when the people give themselves unto sin. God gives them up to their lusts and judgment is quick to follow.
Leadership is to make such a call. You that are burdened for the sake of Christ are to issue the call. Across denominations there are leaders in place to make such a call. Ministers, pastors, and other leaders in churches, and other areas should join in in agreement with such a call. Unity was found at Pentecost and in order for such a call of prayer to be done rightly, unity should prevail as well. But do not let leadership fail in making the call. We have seen many years go by, and there has been no serious call to prayer among the brethren. Even world wide there has been no call for the Christian church to call upon the Lord for the nations to be won into service of the King of Kings. We have lost much time. And if the call is not issued with definite purpose and end results to prevail with God, how much more will be lost for His glory?
What is a 'Serious call to prayer'?
Many will want to argue about such a call. They feel that prayer is already being offered. I would be quick to point out when the last revival was experienced. There were seasons of refreshing in Canada and at Asbury college in 1971. But nothing that changed the landscape of towns, counties and states. We have been without a mighty move of God for over a 100 years now in the United States. Surely such a tract record should prove to us that 'our praying' is not the needed 'Serious Call to Prayer'. In 1949 - 1951 the Hebrides Revival happened which was the entirety of those English islands. But the last world wide effect of revival was from 1904 that came out of the Welsh Revival. Its affects moved throughout the world. Why has it been so long? Because since that time prayer has continued to be less and less of a priority in the church and Christian life. Confessions of pastors and churches reflect this sinful truth, the house of prayer is no longer a house of prayer. Prayer time has become vain repetition or removed altogether. Statements about prayer reflect the mind set and motives of people in the church: 'It is not exciting enough'; or no time to interfere with their bands jamming out or whatever other nonsense they use as excuses to remove prayer. The simple fact is that prayer in churches today is very hard to find. Show me the church that prays an hour a week. One hour out of 168 hours in a week. Many churches won't pray 1 hour in a month's time.
A serious call to prayer is to turn all this around. The facts are before us, we have no other resource that God will honor but prevailing prayer. This is how He has designed and honored that He will work. Why even argue over the fact of another way to win souls or build churches? Prayer is the method and means by which God bestows His power upon His people. No prayer, no power; no power, directly related to no prayer. A serious call recognizes this sin; it addresses the need for confession among God's people; it recognizes the need for repentance and a need to wait before Him.
It is a yielded time to be still and know that God is God. Many children of God do not know anything about God. They have not studied the Scriptures. Almost all the time spent by churches is geared for social groups, entertainment and recreation. They have not been taught about God's attributes and ways because there is not much time given to this. The time has been given to drawing the crowds in with their methods and means. But they have not been still before Him to learn of Him. And time is needful to give to this challenge. In essence, God's people don't know God. How can this be? Prayer that directly brings us to God has been erased from the daily lives of His saints. And an intimate fellowship is not daily practiced by many Christians today. such a Call to Prayer would bring us together and have us to wait in His Presence. It has been so long since such things have been talked about, let alone done.
Let us not look at the small measure of prayer done today and think that it equals the given need of the hour. I know most will be offended at these remarks. They accuse the brethren, that prayer is being done in some circles. Praise the Lord for those circles. Praise the Lord for those pastors and intercessors that give time to God. But as a whole, surely it is not to be contested that the church majority do not and have not given quality time to prayer. To use as a recent example: out of 44000 churches in the Southern Baptist - all were called to hold Solemn Assemblies. Calling throughout associations and state conventions, a survey was taken that revealed less than 10 % participated, actually closer to 5% did. Are we content then to say, 'Well at least 10 % did'; or do we see the truth (reality) of the situation - 90 % did not. Another example, 7 pastors and leaders out of an association of 20 churches. They were asked, 'Tell me about your quiet time'. the reply on average was less than 15 minutes given to study and prayer. Now add that up! 15 X 7 = 105 minutes per week; less than 2 hours out of 168 hours per week. Now tell me what percentage we have of men that lead in quiet time. Not time spent in preparing for messages and lessons. But time spent alone with God. Can you not see the enormous vacancy of sin in our lives? How much we need to spend quality time with God on a daily basis. How much more could be done with a body of believers yielded and surrendered to God?
Why have a Serious Call to Prayer?
To put it simply, we cannot go on without it. Without God's full Presence upon leaders, workers, and the church, nothing can be done. One of the things that has tainted this generation is the excessive force of relying on numbers. Numbers are relevant to reveal the direction that things are going in. But numbers causes many leaders to lie and cheat to maintain a status of success. We bring sin into our numbers by lying. 'How many baptisms did you have?' The reply, 'Oh, we had 200 baptisms last year.' They did baptize 200 but 1o0 of those was also baptized the year before. and 75 had been baptized in other places and joined into the church. So in actuality only 25 were new converts. Yet the numbers are skewed to show success. How many churches did we start last year? Example: 'Oh, we started 500 new churches.' Wonderful right!? But how many churches did we lose? 'Oh, 250 churches closed or are getting ready to close their doors.' So in actuality what is the truth (reality)? That really only 250 churches were started. You see, it is not the whole truth; it is only a half truth. And as one old preacher preached it, 'A half truth is a whole lie.' To show success is pride, it is arrogance, it is the sin of vanity. A serious call to prayer brings us to humility. It removes the pronouns of what "I" can do, or what 'WE' can do. Instead it reveals to us what the Lord can do. 'Not by might, nor by strength but by My Spirit saith the Lord'. The why of such a call is to draw nigh unto God. We are separated from Him and our current status in this world shows that clearly. Any revival in the Bible or in church history reveals the impact on nations, families, churches and individuals. We don't see that in our land today. The why of the serious call is to get back to God; Its' His desire for us to be near Him. He desires to show Himself mighty on our behalf.
The why is because we cannot go any longer without Him. With all these new directions and visions being cast for our future. How can we possibly believe that we can accomplish anything in our own abilities? May our tongue and teeth fall out if we dare say or think 'we' can do it as we currently are in our spiritual condition. The sins of this nation are against God and His Word. The practices of churches and families are unspiritual and ungodly in their daily practices. The Lord has said clearly, 'If we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us.' We must have a serious time to reveal the sin, expose the sin and repent of the sin. This cannot be done in a 30 minute meeting. A long, protracted time to gather together and seek the Lord is what is needed.
What can be done in such a meeting?
Pentecost. A revival the like of which none of us have ever seen. A revival that we have only heard tales about or read about in days gone by. What can happen? churches can be filled, nations can be reached, prayers can be answered, sins can be removed, the captives can be set free. This is what we need. This is what we must seek for. Would we know what do to with 10,000 men and women signed up and ready to go to the nations of the world? Would we know what to do with $10 billion given to evangelize the world? How much greater could things be than what I simply have suggested. 'There is nothing too hard for God.' 'My ear is not heavy, nor is my arm shortened that I cannot answer and reach to save'. 'But'. . .but what? 'But your sins and iniquities have separated you from Me.' Such a time of prayer and confession is needed to remove the sin and make us holy by His holy blood and Holy Spirit. Isn't His glory what we want in our day and age? Aren't you jealous for His glory to be manifested to the 4 corners of the earth? Then surely you know that what I have written is the truth. That the only way that God has ever ordained His fullness among His people, is when they sought Him with all their heart. 'And you shall seek Me, and find Me; when you search for Me with all your heart.' Do not approach this with religious rhetoric. do not approach this with good gestures.
Issue the call. Make the effort first and foremost before you send them out and start your labors. Wait upon Him until all of us are endued with power from on high.
Suggestion:
Some will ask, 'What are you suggesting then?' an immediate time of prayer to be called for. Every state, every leader, every agency, and every church to issue the call and respond to the call. Upon the conclusion of the weeks prayer time at whatever designated place it would be held, there would be a suggested format of how to do this. Let's be honest, most Christians labor to pray for one hour, how are they going to pray for a week? A suggested format to be laid out for an example or pattern.
1. Set the date - Octobe 30,2011; It is a Sunday, declare a fast and the entire day to prayer. Pastors and others to lead prayer times, others to help in making it a day of supplication, intercession and confession.
2. Help with instruction to fill the hours of what must be prayed for. Most can't pray 15 minutes, let alone a whole day. Details and helps must be supplied to show specific needs, sins, and pleadings for family, churches, our nations, before the Lord.
3. Present the burden and the need to as many other denominations to respond for a complete sweep among the church today. This would lead to a world wide revival for His glory and honor among all the people.
What say you?
As for me, 'I will give myself unto prayer' so long as I have breath to breathe. I gave my life to Him, as you did. I must obey what He has commanded in the Scriptures, as you must as well, 'Pray without ceasing.'
Until,
Dan Biser
William Law wrote, 'A Serious Call to a Holy and Devout Life'. Andrew Murray is one author that I love to read and that speaks to me of prayer and oneness with Christ. In reading Murray, he introduced me to Law and this book. As time has gone by in recent years, my study of prayer has broadened. I am intent on learning how, what and why people pray. With the desire to see prevailing prayer leading us to a revival that brings the fullness of God upon His people. In other writings and letters, I have shared some of those conclusions and confessions. And what we see in the Christian church today, is a poor reflection of prayer compared to that which Christ did and what the book of Acts reveals and demonstrates. The day of Pentecost came as a direct result of answered prayer. Christ had foretold the disciples that it was needful for Him to go away and He would send the Comforter. When He appeared unto them after His resurrection, He breathed on them and said, 'Receive you the Holy Ghost.' John 20:22 Upon His time to ascend back into heaven, our Lord gave them instruction to go and wait in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49 And as the disciples obeyed the Lord they waited for 10 days in the upper room. Those that were believers and followers of Christ were 120 people. And upon the 10th day, the day of Pentecost, He came. We read throughout the rest of the book of Acts the same message over and over - 'they prayed, and He came'. Do we think that any of this has changed in 2000 years?
We are instructed in this life, that whatsoever we face we are to give ourselves unto prayer. Prayer is the staging ground of faith to be enacted for His glory. The greatest events of history have come from someone giving themselves unto prayer. The examples are numerous for us to glean this truth: Charles Finney preached and led great revivals and awakenings among the churches and lost people; but all the while there was his own prayers coupled together with Praying Nash and Abel Clary going before him wherever he went. Someone pointed out to me, that isn't it interesting that Finney's itinerant ministry stopped at the same time of Praying Nash's death. Praying John Hyde, went to India in place of his brother who had died. And before leaving an old man gave him a letter, instructing him to seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit if he would be used of God there. He raged in anger at the old man's reproof. But when he settled that perhaps he was lacking power and the need of God's touch, he earnestly sought it and found it. And on and on I could go with Hudson Taylor, George Mueller, John Wesley, David Brainerd, Jonathan Edwards and such like. All these gave themselves unto prayer and God Who was intreated with them, heard and answered. He came and worked wondrously in them and through them for His glory. What does the Scripture say? 'For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him.' Each of these saints sought and found Him and He poured out upon them His Holy Spirit that wrought great deeds for His kingdom and glory. What shall we say of the church today? Is there power? Is there prevailing prayer? Is there such wonders and miracles?
There are nearly 7 billion people on this planet. And almost 5 billion out of those 7 billion are lost and without Christ. We, as the church, have not gained the ground of so many people coming into this world as population continues to grow. As a matter of fact, the Christian church is actually losing ground in numbers compared to the population growth. Why? The excuses are given: 'Well, we don't have enough churches.' 'Well, we don't have enough money and resources.' 'Well, we don't have enough missionaries.' Wasn't it only 120 in the upper room that led to the 1,000's of people being born again that it was said of them: 'Here comes these ones that have turned the world upside down.'?
Numerical numbers, money, means, methods, and structure means nothing unless we have the power of the Holy Spirit upon us. When the Holy Spirit is upon His people, the people step up to go. The people give large sums of money for the work. The church responds with calling upon God day and night for Him to be glorified. Sin is put away from whole communities and the church is once again a 'house of prayer'. But if the Holy Spirit is resisted, grieved and quenched then they labor in vain that build the house. Brethren, we are in a strait of laboring in vain against God. We seek God's blessings for our work. It must be His work.
Humanism has gained access into the decisions and we are left null and void without the power of God upon us. Satan is sifting ministers, churches, families and the witness of the church because we are not armed with prevailing prayer. Without prevailing prayer we cannot tear down Satan's strongholds. Surely this has been demonstrated in the United States for long enough that we see how powerless we are against alcohol, tobacco, drugs, pornography, money, emotions, courts, religion, legislatures and such like. They continue steamrolling this nation, while the church sits befuddled over our present condition. The answer to all this is found in 'a Serious Call to Prayer.'
Who is to call for this time of prayer?
As you read through the Old Testament you see leaders were raised up for such a call to prayer. When they saw the great sin of the people; when they saw the need that was at hand they called for an assembly of the people to call upon the Lord for His mercies. We see when the Assyrians came against Judah to destroy Jerusalem and carry Judah away into captivity, King Hezekiah called for prayer. The children of Israel had already been carried away because of their sin. Their was no one to intreat the Lord for His mercies there. But God always raises up a man to 'stand in the gap' for such times. Yet, there does come time when there is no voice calling for serious prayer to be made. 'I sought for a man, but I could not find one.'
Sometimes the call for prayer is by the individual. We see Daniel praying alone for 3 weeks over the sins of the people. We see Ezra and Nehemiah standing alone at first and then assembling the people. but the burden began alone. We see Christ Himself bringing his disciples with Him into the garden. Then bringing Peter, James and John even closer; but at last, He withdrew to be alone. We see Noah all alone; we see Jeremiah alone; and such is the case in awful times when the people give themselves unto sin. God gives them up to their lusts and judgment is quick to follow.
Leadership is to make such a call. You that are burdened for the sake of Christ are to issue the call. Across denominations there are leaders in place to make such a call. Ministers, pastors, and other leaders in churches, and other areas should join in in agreement with such a call. Unity was found at Pentecost and in order for such a call of prayer to be done rightly, unity should prevail as well. But do not let leadership fail in making the call. We have seen many years go by, and there has been no serious call to prayer among the brethren. Even world wide there has been no call for the Christian church to call upon the Lord for the nations to be won into service of the King of Kings. We have lost much time. And if the call is not issued with definite purpose and end results to prevail with God, how much more will be lost for His glory?
What is a 'Serious call to prayer'?
Many will want to argue about such a call. They feel that prayer is already being offered. I would be quick to point out when the last revival was experienced. There were seasons of refreshing in Canada and at Asbury college in 1971. But nothing that changed the landscape of towns, counties and states. We have been without a mighty move of God for over a 100 years now in the United States. Surely such a tract record should prove to us that 'our praying' is not the needed 'Serious Call to Prayer'. In 1949 - 1951 the Hebrides Revival happened which was the entirety of those English islands. But the last world wide effect of revival was from 1904 that came out of the Welsh Revival. Its affects moved throughout the world. Why has it been so long? Because since that time prayer has continued to be less and less of a priority in the church and Christian life. Confessions of pastors and churches reflect this sinful truth, the house of prayer is no longer a house of prayer. Prayer time has become vain repetition or removed altogether. Statements about prayer reflect the mind set and motives of people in the church: 'It is not exciting enough'; or no time to interfere with their bands jamming out or whatever other nonsense they use as excuses to remove prayer. The simple fact is that prayer in churches today is very hard to find. Show me the church that prays an hour a week. One hour out of 168 hours in a week. Many churches won't pray 1 hour in a month's time.
A serious call to prayer is to turn all this around. The facts are before us, we have no other resource that God will honor but prevailing prayer. This is how He has designed and honored that He will work. Why even argue over the fact of another way to win souls or build churches? Prayer is the method and means by which God bestows His power upon His people. No prayer, no power; no power, directly related to no prayer. A serious call recognizes this sin; it addresses the need for confession among God's people; it recognizes the need for repentance and a need to wait before Him.
It is a yielded time to be still and know that God is God. Many children of God do not know anything about God. They have not studied the Scriptures. Almost all the time spent by churches is geared for social groups, entertainment and recreation. They have not been taught about God's attributes and ways because there is not much time given to this. The time has been given to drawing the crowds in with their methods and means. But they have not been still before Him to learn of Him. And time is needful to give to this challenge. In essence, God's people don't know God. How can this be? Prayer that directly brings us to God has been erased from the daily lives of His saints. And an intimate fellowship is not daily practiced by many Christians today. such a Call to Prayer would bring us together and have us to wait in His Presence. It has been so long since such things have been talked about, let alone done.
Let us not look at the small measure of prayer done today and think that it equals the given need of the hour. I know most will be offended at these remarks. They accuse the brethren, that prayer is being done in some circles. Praise the Lord for those circles. Praise the Lord for those pastors and intercessors that give time to God. But as a whole, surely it is not to be contested that the church majority do not and have not given quality time to prayer. To use as a recent example: out of 44000 churches in the Southern Baptist - all were called to hold Solemn Assemblies. Calling throughout associations and state conventions, a survey was taken that revealed less than 10 % participated, actually closer to 5% did. Are we content then to say, 'Well at least 10 % did'; or do we see the truth (reality) of the situation - 90 % did not. Another example, 7 pastors and leaders out of an association of 20 churches. They were asked, 'Tell me about your quiet time'. the reply on average was less than 15 minutes given to study and prayer. Now add that up! 15 X 7 = 105 minutes per week; less than 2 hours out of 168 hours per week. Now tell me what percentage we have of men that lead in quiet time. Not time spent in preparing for messages and lessons. But time spent alone with God. Can you not see the enormous vacancy of sin in our lives? How much we need to spend quality time with God on a daily basis. How much more could be done with a body of believers yielded and surrendered to God?
Why have a Serious Call to Prayer?
To put it simply, we cannot go on without it. Without God's full Presence upon leaders, workers, and the church, nothing can be done. One of the things that has tainted this generation is the excessive force of relying on numbers. Numbers are relevant to reveal the direction that things are going in. But numbers causes many leaders to lie and cheat to maintain a status of success. We bring sin into our numbers by lying. 'How many baptisms did you have?' The reply, 'Oh, we had 200 baptisms last year.' They did baptize 200 but 1o0 of those was also baptized the year before. and 75 had been baptized in other places and joined into the church. So in actuality only 25 were new converts. Yet the numbers are skewed to show success. How many churches did we start last year? Example: 'Oh, we started 500 new churches.' Wonderful right!? But how many churches did we lose? 'Oh, 250 churches closed or are getting ready to close their doors.' So in actuality what is the truth (reality)? That really only 250 churches were started. You see, it is not the whole truth; it is only a half truth. And as one old preacher preached it, 'A half truth is a whole lie.' To show success is pride, it is arrogance, it is the sin of vanity. A serious call to prayer brings us to humility. It removes the pronouns of what "I" can do, or what 'WE' can do. Instead it reveals to us what the Lord can do. 'Not by might, nor by strength but by My Spirit saith the Lord'. The why of such a call is to draw nigh unto God. We are separated from Him and our current status in this world shows that clearly. Any revival in the Bible or in church history reveals the impact on nations, families, churches and individuals. We don't see that in our land today. The why of the serious call is to get back to God; Its' His desire for us to be near Him. He desires to show Himself mighty on our behalf.
The why is because we cannot go any longer without Him. With all these new directions and visions being cast for our future. How can we possibly believe that we can accomplish anything in our own abilities? May our tongue and teeth fall out if we dare say or think 'we' can do it as we currently are in our spiritual condition. The sins of this nation are against God and His Word. The practices of churches and families are unspiritual and ungodly in their daily practices. The Lord has said clearly, 'If we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us.' We must have a serious time to reveal the sin, expose the sin and repent of the sin. This cannot be done in a 30 minute meeting. A long, protracted time to gather together and seek the Lord is what is needed.
What can be done in such a meeting?
Pentecost. A revival the like of which none of us have ever seen. A revival that we have only heard tales about or read about in days gone by. What can happen? churches can be filled, nations can be reached, prayers can be answered, sins can be removed, the captives can be set free. This is what we need. This is what we must seek for. Would we know what do to with 10,000 men and women signed up and ready to go to the nations of the world? Would we know what to do with $10 billion given to evangelize the world? How much greater could things be than what I simply have suggested. 'There is nothing too hard for God.' 'My ear is not heavy, nor is my arm shortened that I cannot answer and reach to save'. 'But'. . .but what? 'But your sins and iniquities have separated you from Me.' Such a time of prayer and confession is needed to remove the sin and make us holy by His holy blood and Holy Spirit. Isn't His glory what we want in our day and age? Aren't you jealous for His glory to be manifested to the 4 corners of the earth? Then surely you know that what I have written is the truth. That the only way that God has ever ordained His fullness among His people, is when they sought Him with all their heart. 'And you shall seek Me, and find Me; when you search for Me with all your heart.' Do not approach this with religious rhetoric. do not approach this with good gestures.
Issue the call. Make the effort first and foremost before you send them out and start your labors. Wait upon Him until all of us are endued with power from on high.
Suggestion:
Some will ask, 'What are you suggesting then?' an immediate time of prayer to be called for. Every state, every leader, every agency, and every church to issue the call and respond to the call. Upon the conclusion of the weeks prayer time at whatever designated place it would be held, there would be a suggested format of how to do this. Let's be honest, most Christians labor to pray for one hour, how are they going to pray for a week? A suggested format to be laid out for an example or pattern.
1. Set the date - Octobe 30,2011; It is a Sunday, declare a fast and the entire day to prayer. Pastors and others to lead prayer times, others to help in making it a day of supplication, intercession and confession.
2. Help with instruction to fill the hours of what must be prayed for. Most can't pray 15 minutes, let alone a whole day. Details and helps must be supplied to show specific needs, sins, and pleadings for family, churches, our nations, before the Lord.
3. Present the burden and the need to as many other denominations to respond for a complete sweep among the church today. This would lead to a world wide revival for His glory and honor among all the people.
What say you?
As for me, 'I will give myself unto prayer' so long as I have breath to breathe. I gave my life to Him, as you did. I must obey what He has commanded in the Scriptures, as you must as well, 'Pray without ceasing.'
Until,
Dan Biser
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
THE NEED TO TURN THE PRAYER LIFE OF THE CHURCH AROUND
Here we are, in one of the greatest dilemas ever for mankind. It is not as bad as the days of Noah, when he and he alone was the only one found righteous in the sight of the Lord. It is not as bad as the days of Jeremiah when the people were in open rebellion against the Word of the Lord. For they said, 'All that the Lord says through you we will do'. And when JEremiah told the people, 'Thus saith the Lord, Do not go down into Egypt'. The people replied, 'You are lying to us and the Lord did not say that. but we shall go down into Egypt, everyone of us.' So they all turned away from the Lord. Those that had gone into captivity and those that remained in the land, they all sinned against the Lord. It is said by historians that the days that proceeded the Great Awakenings were terrible days full of sin, violence, and great absence of God in the churches and pulpits. We are much on the same plane.
It is a wicked day in the world today. A continual report by so many of pastors falling into open sin. Christians praciticing sin daily and being content with it. Families are decimated by divorce and wicked relationships and God is absent from their thinking or daily living. And it is said that there are as many lost people today in the world as has ever been in the world population. That thought alone should shake us and alarm us. That if the Lord returns today. The people of this earth will perish. And the fact that there are as many, right now, lost in sin as is already in hell today should move us to action.
But the fact is, the church is largely unmoved by the facts of which they already know. They know that this nation is wicked. It is not shock anymore of the headlines. I think we are almost beyond the statment, 'I can't believe this'. WE have seen and read some of the most horrifying, gross, perverted and evil acts committed by man. Yet, with all this we are still unmoved. The desensitizing us to the urgency of the hour is allowing for hell to gain ground left and right. We are left without a movement of urgent prayer to undo and counter this great work of evil.
Many would contest this and say that there is more talk of prayer, more books and programs of prayer, more prayer calls and such. But as I have examined over the years, those that say they are praying, are not really praying a whole lot. For example, I was at a conference, a prayer conference. During their sessions, they scheduled 1/2 hour for prayer time. Here is how these 30 minutes of prayer went: the leader was 3 minutes late getting started - 27 minutes left; he had several announcments - 5 minutes - 22 minutes left; he made a call for people to come to the altar and prepare for prayer - 4 minutes - 18 minutes left; he spoke and shared his theme for 10 minutes, with illustration, story and example (whereas, he could have just got straight ot the point) 8 minutes were left for prayer; and they stopped 2 minutes early. Total time given to prayer was 6 minutes out of 30 minutes. Now they will profess they prayed for 30 minutes, but in actuality they wasted 24 minutes. Yet, you will never hear that kind of confession from pastors, church leaders and Christians.
The sin of pride keeps us from seeing and believing just how sinful we are in the sight of God. And because we don't want to see it or admit it, we continue on underneath the guise of deception. How Satan must love this! Yet, the Lord would not have it continue. He stands forth in the midst of such darkness to show His mighty hand. He moves and shows His great power to turn around the ways of wickedness and sin. He restores holiness to the foremost part of our relaitonship and walk. So much that churches either repent and get holy or turn against any one that preaches and practices it.
During the revivals of old, the leaders were always met with opposition from the church leadership that was Pharisees, they were wolves in sheep clothing. But the true believers are moved by the power of the Holy Spirit to move us toward the Lord.
It is a wicked day in the world today. A continual report by so many of pastors falling into open sin. Christians praciticing sin daily and being content with it. Families are decimated by divorce and wicked relationships and God is absent from their thinking or daily living. And it is said that there are as many lost people today in the world as has ever been in the world population. That thought alone should shake us and alarm us. That if the Lord returns today. The people of this earth will perish. And the fact that there are as many, right now, lost in sin as is already in hell today should move us to action.
But the fact is, the church is largely unmoved by the facts of which they already know. They know that this nation is wicked. It is not shock anymore of the headlines. I think we are almost beyond the statment, 'I can't believe this'. WE have seen and read some of the most horrifying, gross, perverted and evil acts committed by man. Yet, with all this we are still unmoved. The desensitizing us to the urgency of the hour is allowing for hell to gain ground left and right. We are left without a movement of urgent prayer to undo and counter this great work of evil.
Many would contest this and say that there is more talk of prayer, more books and programs of prayer, more prayer calls and such. But as I have examined over the years, those that say they are praying, are not really praying a whole lot. For example, I was at a conference, a prayer conference. During their sessions, they scheduled 1/2 hour for prayer time. Here is how these 30 minutes of prayer went: the leader was 3 minutes late getting started - 27 minutes left; he had several announcments - 5 minutes - 22 minutes left; he made a call for people to come to the altar and prepare for prayer - 4 minutes - 18 minutes left; he spoke and shared his theme for 10 minutes, with illustration, story and example (whereas, he could have just got straight ot the point) 8 minutes were left for prayer; and they stopped 2 minutes early. Total time given to prayer was 6 minutes out of 30 minutes. Now they will profess they prayed for 30 minutes, but in actuality they wasted 24 minutes. Yet, you will never hear that kind of confession from pastors, church leaders and Christians.
The sin of pride keeps us from seeing and believing just how sinful we are in the sight of God. And because we don't want to see it or admit it, we continue on underneath the guise of deception. How Satan must love this! Yet, the Lord would not have it continue. He stands forth in the midst of such darkness to show His mighty hand. He moves and shows His great power to turn around the ways of wickedness and sin. He restores holiness to the foremost part of our relaitonship and walk. So much that churches either repent and get holy or turn against any one that preaches and practices it.
During the revivals of old, the leaders were always met with opposition from the church leadership that was Pharisees, they were wolves in sheep clothing. But the true believers are moved by the power of the Holy Spirit to move us toward the Lord.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
ICHABOD vs. SHEW ME THY GLORY
"And the man said unto Eli, I am he that came out of the army, and I fled to day out of the army. And he said, What is there done, my son? And the messenger answered and sia, Israel is fled before teh Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken. And it came to pass, when he made mention of the ark of God, that he fell from off the seat backward by the side of the gate, and his neck brake, and he died: for he was an old man, and heavy. And he had judged Israel forty years. And his duaghter in law, Phinehas' wife, was with child, near to be delivered: and when she ehard the tidings that the ark of God was taken and that her father in law and her husband were dead, she bowed herself and travailed; for her pains came upon her. And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it. And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband. And she said, The glory is departed from Israel; for the ark of God is taken." I Samuel 4:16 - 22
"And he said, I beseech Thee, shew me Thy glory." Exodus 33:18
If offered between the two set of verses, almost everyone in the church today would choose the one from Exodus. Nobody of any sound mind wants to be assoicated with the first set of verses in I Samuel and the term 'Ichabod'. Yet, when we consider the plight of today across the nations; the conditions of our own nation, here in the United States; the coniditons of homes with marriages, relationships, parent - child upbringing; conditions in churches and the lack of power, holiness and awe of His glory; and the individual Chrisitan, who for the most part across the board labors on empty, striving at best simply to make it through; we are left with the broken hearted truth we are more of the Ichabod than 'His glory'. How did we get here?
We have to look at this story of Eli and Israel and see the historical lesson given and offered for us today. We are at the very beginning of the book I Samuel. Eli is the high priest. He has several sons that help me at Shiloh in the ministry. They are wicked sons, having set their desires for the flesh and sin. They commit great sin amongst the people and defile the holy place of God. God in His mercy, through the book of Judges has fought this battle of the people choices between themselves and Him. And when they chose themselves over God and His way, He allowed or sent captivity and burdens upon them. Sin reaps what it sows. 'For he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall reap everlasting life.' What have you sown too? What are you sowing even now in your life? Be certain of this truth, you will reap what you have sown. Now the children of Israel and Eli and his sons have made their choice.
God is merciful and gracious. It is not His desire to destroy His Own. Make the wrong choice, choose sin and self; but there He stands beckoning and pleading, 'Return unto Me, and I will return unto you.' And God in His love for redemption sent to Eli and Israel, repeatedly a word to get them to repent and turn back. Not just one invitation of turn or burn; but opportunities came and went for them to respond. He spoke through young Samuel, that night when God first spoke to the new chosen prophet. He sent others to tell of what the future holds if he did not reign in his children and their sin.
For those that know their Bibles and have read and learned, you know that Eli did not listen nor obey the Lord's gracious attempts for the wrongs to be made right. And how often is this our own case? God, in His mercy, comes and desires to help, to redeem, and gives the right way to choose and live; and we choose the opposite of what He desires. Hell is filled with those that live in regrets of having chosen in such a manner. The passage of Scritpure in I Samuel 4 is the out come of Eli's choice. His sons were dead, the ark of God was taken by the Philistines and the daughter - in - law died and this son, Ichabod, was left orphaned. Israel had been defeated and scattered and the enemies of the Lord had prevailed. Why? How did this happen?
It happened as has always been the case, when God's people turn from Him and His gracious ways and refuse to obey. The old hymn, 'Trust and Obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus; but to trust and obey.' People in the churches are not happy in Christ, because they don't trust and obey. If they trusted and obeyed, then they would be happy in Christ. Oh, the foolish of man to think they could ever do it without God. And instead of living for God's glory to be shown, we are left with Ichabod. We cannot survive with Ichabod as our status as a nation, church ,family or individual. These are the ones that are cut off early and removed from existence.
Look at what God did to Eli. He not only punished Eli, but the whole family. Is this the first time God did this? Oh no; look at the story of Noah and the very existence of all mankind. The line of Cain, completely destroyed in the flood. All the line of Seth and Enoch destroyed except for this one embissary, Noah. Who was allowed to live and his sons to carry on man's existence on this earth. What did God do to evil Ahab? to King Jeroboab, who made Israel to sin? to the other kings of Israel who refused to obey and follow rightly? He made them Ichabod and destroyed them.
Yet, look and see even in the midst of this sin, God spared the son. He would live and bear the name as a testimony for generations of men to learn that you cannot survive without God. 'if God be for us, who shall be against us?' But if God be against us, how shall we live?
When did we stop living for God? When did we stop seeking His glory? How did we get here in this awful mess called life? When we told God that we did not want Him, we did not want His glory, we wanted SIN. The absolute desire and passion for sin is unlike anything ever seen in our lifetime today. Whole nations, whole families, individuals living, planning and desiring sin in every way. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life being enjoyed day by day with little or no conscience of the evil that they are doing or the rewards of their sin. Satan is masterful at getting people to forget eternity. With no sight of eternity on their hearts or minds, they have no regrets nor hindrances to withhold themselves from their lusts. They are free to frolic. And frolic we are.
Entertainment, money, sports, family, technology, movies, music and whatever else that bids to this place of Ichabod. And only after the glory is departed shall we know what we have lost. only after death, pain, sorrow and suffering shall we know that all this could have been avoided had we only sought after the glory of God. So I ask you again? What do you desire? What are living for and dying for - Ichabod or the glory of God? What is your desire?
"And he said, I beseech Thee, shew me Thy glory." Exodus 33:18
If offered between the two set of verses, almost everyone in the church today would choose the one from Exodus. Nobody of any sound mind wants to be assoicated with the first set of verses in I Samuel and the term 'Ichabod'. Yet, when we consider the plight of today across the nations; the conditions of our own nation, here in the United States; the coniditons of homes with marriages, relationships, parent - child upbringing; conditions in churches and the lack of power, holiness and awe of His glory; and the individual Chrisitan, who for the most part across the board labors on empty, striving at best simply to make it through; we are left with the broken hearted truth we are more of the Ichabod than 'His glory'. How did we get here?
We have to look at this story of Eli and Israel and see the historical lesson given and offered for us today. We are at the very beginning of the book I Samuel. Eli is the high priest. He has several sons that help me at Shiloh in the ministry. They are wicked sons, having set their desires for the flesh and sin. They commit great sin amongst the people and defile the holy place of God. God in His mercy, through the book of Judges has fought this battle of the people choices between themselves and Him. And when they chose themselves over God and His way, He allowed or sent captivity and burdens upon them. Sin reaps what it sows. 'For he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall reap everlasting life.' What have you sown too? What are you sowing even now in your life? Be certain of this truth, you will reap what you have sown. Now the children of Israel and Eli and his sons have made their choice.
God is merciful and gracious. It is not His desire to destroy His Own. Make the wrong choice, choose sin and self; but there He stands beckoning and pleading, 'Return unto Me, and I will return unto you.' And God in His love for redemption sent to Eli and Israel, repeatedly a word to get them to repent and turn back. Not just one invitation of turn or burn; but opportunities came and went for them to respond. He spoke through young Samuel, that night when God first spoke to the new chosen prophet. He sent others to tell of what the future holds if he did not reign in his children and their sin.
For those that know their Bibles and have read and learned, you know that Eli did not listen nor obey the Lord's gracious attempts for the wrongs to be made right. And how often is this our own case? God, in His mercy, comes and desires to help, to redeem, and gives the right way to choose and live; and we choose the opposite of what He desires. Hell is filled with those that live in regrets of having chosen in such a manner. The passage of Scritpure in I Samuel 4 is the out come of Eli's choice. His sons were dead, the ark of God was taken by the Philistines and the daughter - in - law died and this son, Ichabod, was left orphaned. Israel had been defeated and scattered and the enemies of the Lord had prevailed. Why? How did this happen?
It happened as has always been the case, when God's people turn from Him and His gracious ways and refuse to obey. The old hymn, 'Trust and Obey for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus; but to trust and obey.' People in the churches are not happy in Christ, because they don't trust and obey. If they trusted and obeyed, then they would be happy in Christ. Oh, the foolish of man to think they could ever do it without God. And instead of living for God's glory to be shown, we are left with Ichabod. We cannot survive with Ichabod as our status as a nation, church ,family or individual. These are the ones that are cut off early and removed from existence.
Look at what God did to Eli. He not only punished Eli, but the whole family. Is this the first time God did this? Oh no; look at the story of Noah and the very existence of all mankind. The line of Cain, completely destroyed in the flood. All the line of Seth and Enoch destroyed except for this one embissary, Noah. Who was allowed to live and his sons to carry on man's existence on this earth. What did God do to evil Ahab? to King Jeroboab, who made Israel to sin? to the other kings of Israel who refused to obey and follow rightly? He made them Ichabod and destroyed them.
Yet, look and see even in the midst of this sin, God spared the son. He would live and bear the name as a testimony for generations of men to learn that you cannot survive without God. 'if God be for us, who shall be against us?' But if God be against us, how shall we live?
When did we stop living for God? When did we stop seeking His glory? How did we get here in this awful mess called life? When we told God that we did not want Him, we did not want His glory, we wanted SIN. The absolute desire and passion for sin is unlike anything ever seen in our lifetime today. Whole nations, whole families, individuals living, planning and desiring sin in every way. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life being enjoyed day by day with little or no conscience of the evil that they are doing or the rewards of their sin. Satan is masterful at getting people to forget eternity. With no sight of eternity on their hearts or minds, they have no regrets nor hindrances to withhold themselves from their lusts. They are free to frolic. And frolic we are.
Entertainment, money, sports, family, technology, movies, music and whatever else that bids to this place of Ichabod. And only after the glory is departed shall we know what we have lost. only after death, pain, sorrow and suffering shall we know that all this could have been avoided had we only sought after the glory of God. So I ask you again? What do you desire? What are living for and dying for - Ichabod or the glory of God? What is your desire?
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Learning a Lesson from History
Psalm 60: 1-3, "1. O God, Thou hast cast us off, Thou hast scattered us, Thou hast been displeased; O turn Thyself to us again. v. 2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble; Thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh. v. 3 Thou hast shewed Thy people hard things: Thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment. "
8 times in the first 4 verses, DAvid writes, 'Thou hast. . .' unto God. He is speaking unto the Lord about the current conditions they are facing and have gone through. I believe it would do well for us to learn a lesson from history here. David says in verse 1, that God had cast them off. Had He? No; but they were in severe trial and problems. Why were they in trouble? Because of sin. Sin separates us from the Lord; it brings punishment; it brings sorrow. If there was no sin we would be in paradise, we would be in bliss; we would be in His holiness. But we are not. sin is within, without and all around. In the secret chambers of our heart; in the rooms of our homes and loved ones; in the churches, abiding in the pews and pulpits; and in our nation from coast to coast. Sin has costs us much and will continue to do so, until we learn our lesson. Three things of learning here: casts off, scatterd and He is not pleased with us. All directly linked, caused and related to because of sin. If we are to see revival; If we are to enjoy His PResence; if we are to see His mighty hand work; if we are to have great answers to prayer; it will be because our sin is gone.
But why must we get here? Here is the lesson to learn. This scattering, casting off (void of His Presence) and His hot displeasure with us does not need to happen. His attributes are revealed to us, and He desires to show forth His Divine love, His mercy, and His grace. But as long as the sin continues, then these things are absent. But if wisdom comes in, some heart and head is brought to wise reason to say, 'Why should I sin and reap His wrath? I will acknowledge my sin and the sin of my people. I will call upon Him and I will find His mercy and help.' Then God moves suddenly upon such a one that has learned the lesson of history. WE do not need to repeat the folly of sinful man. 'Cease to do evil; learn to do good.'
"Thou hast cast off. .. Thou hast scattered. . .Thou hast been displeased" God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. One of His attributes is found in Malachai, 'the God that changes not'. Having a knowledge of Who God is helps us understand these truths about God. That if God did these things to Isarel, His promised people; then how can we think He would wink at our iniquity? God is the same, and will do the same. And if He did these toward Israel, toward saints in days gone by, He will do so again upon us. However, to those that sought Him, He was intreated with and did not pour out His wrath upon them. Look at the story of Josiah. Manasseh had done more evil to provoke the LOrd than all the other kings of Judah. Israel had already been sent into captivity. Judah had not been faithful. When the book of the law was found Josiah humbled himself before the Lord and sought mercy. He found it. God had said He would destroy Judah and send them into captiivty. Yet, because Josiah sought the Lord with tears and humility, He would not send it in his days. I believe we are in the days of Josiah. Our nation and the church has done much to offend God. Where much is given, much is required. We must answer for this. We have provoked Him to much anger and wrath. There is nothing else to do but come humbly before Him and seek for mercy. 'You are merciful, O Lord; show Yourself merciful to them that seek it'.
Turn Thyself to us agian - how needful do we need this!
8 times in the first 4 verses, DAvid writes, 'Thou hast. . .' unto God. He is speaking unto the Lord about the current conditions they are facing and have gone through. I believe it would do well for us to learn a lesson from history here. David says in verse 1, that God had cast them off. Had He? No; but they were in severe trial and problems. Why were they in trouble? Because of sin. Sin separates us from the Lord; it brings punishment; it brings sorrow. If there was no sin we would be in paradise, we would be in bliss; we would be in His holiness. But we are not. sin is within, without and all around. In the secret chambers of our heart; in the rooms of our homes and loved ones; in the churches, abiding in the pews and pulpits; and in our nation from coast to coast. Sin has costs us much and will continue to do so, until we learn our lesson. Three things of learning here: casts off, scatterd and He is not pleased with us. All directly linked, caused and related to because of sin. If we are to see revival; If we are to enjoy His PResence; if we are to see His mighty hand work; if we are to have great answers to prayer; it will be because our sin is gone.
But why must we get here? Here is the lesson to learn. This scattering, casting off (void of His Presence) and His hot displeasure with us does not need to happen. His attributes are revealed to us, and He desires to show forth His Divine love, His mercy, and His grace. But as long as the sin continues, then these things are absent. But if wisdom comes in, some heart and head is brought to wise reason to say, 'Why should I sin and reap His wrath? I will acknowledge my sin and the sin of my people. I will call upon Him and I will find His mercy and help.' Then God moves suddenly upon such a one that has learned the lesson of history. WE do not need to repeat the folly of sinful man. 'Cease to do evil; learn to do good.'
"Thou hast cast off. .. Thou hast scattered. . .Thou hast been displeased" God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. One of His attributes is found in Malachai, 'the God that changes not'. Having a knowledge of Who God is helps us understand these truths about God. That if God did these things to Isarel, His promised people; then how can we think He would wink at our iniquity? God is the same, and will do the same. And if He did these toward Israel, toward saints in days gone by, He will do so again upon us. However, to those that sought Him, He was intreated with and did not pour out His wrath upon them. Look at the story of Josiah. Manasseh had done more evil to provoke the LOrd than all the other kings of Judah. Israel had already been sent into captivity. Judah had not been faithful. When the book of the law was found Josiah humbled himself before the Lord and sought mercy. He found it. God had said He would destroy Judah and send them into captiivty. Yet, because Josiah sought the Lord with tears and humility, He would not send it in his days. I believe we are in the days of Josiah. Our nation and the church has done much to offend God. Where much is given, much is required. We must answer for this. We have provoked Him to much anger and wrath. There is nothing else to do but come humbly before Him and seek for mercy. 'You are merciful, O Lord; show Yourself merciful to them that seek it'.
Turn Thyself to us agian - how needful do we need this!
Monday, March 7, 2011
John Sung quote from his diary
John Sung: On 2 December, I read an article entitled ‘The Revival that We Need’ from the book, ‘A Light from the Shores of Darkness’ which mentioned the following:
1. In 1904, the city of Wales was full of sin but as a result of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the churches were suddenly filled with people. Evan Roberts led the people in singing hymns, praying and sharing testimonies. Non-believers, thugs, gamblers and drunkards were saved; and there were confessions of sins from those who had committed the most shameful of sins. Many paid their debts and the theatres closed down. Within a period of five weeks, some 20,000 people turned to the Lord.
2. In the year 1835, Pastor Pitus visited the shores of Bualu and everyone in the vicinity attended his meetings which lasted two years. Whenever the bell tolled, some 2,600 people would gather for the services. At one such meeting, someone asked, ‘What must I do to get saved?’ whereupon the entire congregation cried and confessed their sins. The speaker could not go on as a result. Some 1,500 people were baptized on one Sunday alone. When Pastor Pitus left the place, 11,960 people had been baptized.
3. In the fall of 1821, a young lawyer by the name of Felix were into a jungle to pray and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. There was a great revival in the stattes along the eastern coast of America. There were occasions when the congregation was already weeping even before Felix stepped into the chapel. This revival went on for several years. Once, things were not working too well at one of his meetings and he called the youths to commit to pray in the morning, afternoon and night for a week at home. This resulted in showers of blessings.
When I read this, I said to my fellow workers: ‘Man’s works do not even come close to the works of the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit does not work, all the efforts of man will come to naught.’
On 9 December, Ruth Paxson preached about ‘On Faith and Grace’. Faith and grace are the terms of exchange between Man and God. Fear, doubt and worry are the three main enemies of faith. To have fiath is to fix our eyes on Jesus and to carry out the word of the Lord. Ruth was in Switzerland when she saw a huge rock on which a 50-foot tall tree grew. The roots of the tree embraced the rock and sank deep into the ground. All the sufferings in the world are like the huge rock, bbut we can sink our roots deep into God with the help of faith.
I received four books as presents on Christmas Day. One of them was entitled ‘Does God Allow Us to Cry for help?’ There was a paragraph which read: ‘In 1873, several counties were ravaged by locusts in the state of Minnesota. By the following year, the locusts multiplied themselves many times over. All greenery was devastated and two southern states were laid barren. In 1875, the plague spread to 32 counties, spilling over to Dakota and Northern Iowa. Pillsbury called for a meeting with the 6 state governors in 1876, only to learn that ll known methods of dealing with these pests had been exhausted. The governor of Dakota then suggested that they set aside a day of prayer, but this fell on deaf ears. In winter that year, about 6,000 people had to seek help from the government, and trillions of baby locusts were waiting to emerge from the eggs come spring the following year. This would trigger off a nationwide disaster. Pillsbury made up his mind, on April 9, 1877, he put up notices to set aside 26 April as a day of fasting and prayer for the entire state and took special note of the extent of damage before and after this date. Everyone agreed to this, save a handful of scoffers. There was unprecedented calm within the state on that day. The sun on 27 April was very strong and millions of larvae crawled out, ready to destroy the fields. Two days later, the weather began to turn cold, followed by a sudden frost overnight. All the larvae were frozen to death. Jehovah truly works miracles. Nothing is impossible with God and He is full of love and compassion.’
1. In 1904, the city of Wales was full of sin but as a result of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the churches were suddenly filled with people. Evan Roberts led the people in singing hymns, praying and sharing testimonies. Non-believers, thugs, gamblers and drunkards were saved; and there were confessions of sins from those who had committed the most shameful of sins. Many paid their debts and the theatres closed down. Within a period of five weeks, some 20,000 people turned to the Lord.
2. In the year 1835, Pastor Pitus visited the shores of Bualu and everyone in the vicinity attended his meetings which lasted two years. Whenever the bell tolled, some 2,600 people would gather for the services. At one such meeting, someone asked, ‘What must I do to get saved?’ whereupon the entire congregation cried and confessed their sins. The speaker could not go on as a result. Some 1,500 people were baptized on one Sunday alone. When Pastor Pitus left the place, 11,960 people had been baptized.
3. In the fall of 1821, a young lawyer by the name of Felix were into a jungle to pray and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. There was a great revival in the stattes along the eastern coast of America. There were occasions when the congregation was already weeping even before Felix stepped into the chapel. This revival went on for several years. Once, things were not working too well at one of his meetings and he called the youths to commit to pray in the morning, afternoon and night for a week at home. This resulted in showers of blessings.
When I read this, I said to my fellow workers: ‘Man’s works do not even come close to the works of the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit does not work, all the efforts of man will come to naught.’
On 9 December, Ruth Paxson preached about ‘On Faith and Grace’. Faith and grace are the terms of exchange between Man and God. Fear, doubt and worry are the three main enemies of faith. To have fiath is to fix our eyes on Jesus and to carry out the word of the Lord. Ruth was in Switzerland when she saw a huge rock on which a 50-foot tall tree grew. The roots of the tree embraced the rock and sank deep into the ground. All the sufferings in the world are like the huge rock, bbut we can sink our roots deep into God with the help of faith.
I received four books as presents on Christmas Day. One of them was entitled ‘Does God Allow Us to Cry for help?’ There was a paragraph which read: ‘In 1873, several counties were ravaged by locusts in the state of Minnesota. By the following year, the locusts multiplied themselves many times over. All greenery was devastated and two southern states were laid barren. In 1875, the plague spread to 32 counties, spilling over to Dakota and Northern Iowa. Pillsbury called for a meeting with the 6 state governors in 1876, only to learn that ll known methods of dealing with these pests had been exhausted. The governor of Dakota then suggested that they set aside a day of prayer, but this fell on deaf ears. In winter that year, about 6,000 people had to seek help from the government, and trillions of baby locusts were waiting to emerge from the eggs come spring the following year. This would trigger off a nationwide disaster. Pillsbury made up his mind, on April 9, 1877, he put up notices to set aside 26 April as a day of fasting and prayer for the entire state and took special note of the extent of damage before and after this date. Everyone agreed to this, save a handful of scoffers. There was unprecedented calm within the state on that day. The sun on 27 April was very strong and millions of larvae crawled out, ready to destroy the fields. Two days later, the weather began to turn cold, followed by a sudden frost overnight. All the larvae were frozen to death. Jehovah truly works miracles. Nothing is impossible with God and He is full of love and compassion.’
Saturday, March 5, 2011
THE ABSENCE OF PRAYER IN OUR MIDST
PERSONAL - “But I give myself unto Prayer” Psalm 109:4
CORPORATE - “My house shall be called a House of Prayer” Luke 19:46
THE COMMAND - “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint” Luke 18:1
“Pray without ceasing” I Thessalonians 5:17
Here are 4 verses given for specific instructions to the Christian and the church. One command is enough for us in the Scriptures. But four commands should make us that much more sensitive to what the Lord is speaking to us. The work of prayer is found from the beginning to end in the Bible. We see from the very beginning of Genesis 1:2, ‘that the Spirit moved upon the face of the waters.’ James Stewart preached that great sermon on this and defined that the Spirit was ‘brooding’ upon the deep. And asked the question what HE was doing while there? The answer was that He was praying for the sons of men that were getting ready to come into existence. And at the very close of Revelation, John prays, ‘Even so come, Lord Jesus’ - a personal prayer, as well as, corporate for the church today. Found from the beginning of the Holy Spirit praying to the end where the church is praying, there are scores of other prayers offered and fulfilled in the Word of God.
It is my distress that prayer is being navigated away from in our labors today. We are moving in a dangerous directive that needs to be addressed before we become as others that are guilty of ‘vain repetitions’. Therefore, I am asking you to consider these words and directives and act upon them in a direct way as unto the Lord. In each of these 4 verses in opening we are directed to give place to the time, means, and hope of prayer. Yet today the sad confession is offered by numerous scores of pastors, leaders, churches, families and individuals that they ‘do not pray’. They will quickly confess, “I know I should pray. I want to pray. I need to pray. But I don’t pray.’
In beginning, we must look at the first verse given, Psalm 109:4. The personal testimony of any saint, that is a saint, is ‘That I give myself unto prayer.’ I do not rely on someone else. I do not hope alone in the church praying for me. But I take full responsibility and lay hold on the horns of the altar and offer my own ‘sweet savor’ unto Him, my Lord and my God. Now what say you about your own labor of prayer? Do you pray? How often do you pray? How deep do you pray? It will be revealed at the end, but for now enough people have given testimony that they pray sporadically, unfaithfully, and irreverently. They offer prayers haphazardly, in generalities and laced with a covering of the sin of unbelief. Asking, but never expecting to see fulfillment. I am wondering if the urgency for prayer is being abandoned because you, as leaders, do not pray as you should. I do not throw this as a charge, but simply for us to answer why are allowing the clear mandate of prayer to be lost and given up. Why would we ever think that we could be holy and do holy work of redemption and missions without the power of God that comes through prevailing prayer? To the heart that is tender, they will reply, ‘May it never be so said of us.’ To the heart that is guilty, they will seek to defend and excuse the present conditions. Let us speak honestly in this. Why are we allowing for Satan to gain a foot hold in the lives of young men and women in service unto God? Is it not because we have allowed the labor of prayer to fade? This cannot be and will not be; every soul surrendered to the Christ follows Christ. His example, is before us, ‘Behold, He prayeth’; He prayed on the mount, He prayed through the night, He prayed from the cross, He prayed in the garden, He prayed.
Secondly, when we have defined that individual prayer lives are right before God; then we must turn to the church and look at their testimony. It is well recorded from Pentecost through present day, that when God’s people prayed, He responded. From that very first example where the 120 met and prayed for 10 days and the result was the filling of the Holy Ghost upon them all. And upon Peter was boldness given and 3000 were added into the role of the Book of Life. The revival in China and India in present day are given testimony, that the church meets together and prays. The result is the same as the book of Acts. Yet, in North America the testimony of the church life, is that prayer has been removed. Not only in danger of so many saints not ‘giving themselves unto prayer’ individually, but the ‘house of prayer’ is no longer. We have not become Ichabod, where the glory of the Lord has departed. The Word of God is still preached and taught. Worship is being renewed in song and fellowship upon God’s holiness and wonders. Yet, prayer which is the catalyst of anointing from God’s throne, is left off. Half a century ago, there was a weekly prayer meeting held in most churches. Time, extended time was given to calling upon the Lord for His power, for confession and for souls to be saved. The great revivals in this nation had come from great prayer times by the body of believers. Before Jonathan Edwards stood and preached that sermon, ‘Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God’. He and his people were given to prayer and fasting days before that sermon was preached. Because the people prayed, God’s Spirit came down in such a powerful way that ushered in upon the region and throughout the states. Less than hundred years later, Charles Finney, through a time of yielded prevailing prayer was chosen as a vessel to preach with power the unsearchable riches of God. A prayer partner went before him, Praying Daniel Nash, praying days before Finney would show up and the power of God would come down. But today, prayer times are the least attended, the least mentioned, and most churches boast that they have no prayer time. Some are so foolish they even justify it by saying, ‘Look how much we have done without prayer, in building ministries, churches and labors.’ What will any of it mean at the judgment seat of Christ? It will all be wood, hay and stubble. It will all be consumed in fire for destruction. Even the souls saved without surrender unto Christ. Having offered a decision with their mouths but their hearts are far from Him. Do we not see that the weakness of so many churches is because of that lack and absence of prayer? Will you not concede to the facts that since the time that we have left off with deep, cleansing, urgent prevailing prayer, that baptisms and true born again experiences have dwindled and shortened? Will you not agree that the church is as sick as it ever has been because prayer is optional or obsolete in church life?
Lastly, I come to you with the last two verse given in opening. I repeat them for a standing testimony: “ Men ought always to pray” and ‘Pray without ceasing”. We
cannot do anything lasting for eternity and for His glory without His Divine commands being followed. These two verses should cover every action done in leadership, church and family and individual decisions. It is not to do it in reverse fashion, as has been demonstrated as of late. Where we make decisions and then go to the Lord and ask Him to bless it. This is utter folly and a high offence against God. All work done in denominations and by great men of old, has come that God spoke, moved, led by men praying always. The message and direction was clear and they walked in faith. God leading them all along. The delay in pursuing prevailing prayer and going ahead with decisions and affirmations will not last. God’s way is proven by saints since Pentecost. We cannot expect to fulfill the Great Commission without doing what Christ said. Everyone is quoting ‘Go and make disciples into all the earth’. But none is quoting the words that said, ‘Tarry in the city until you be endued with power from on high.’
Meetings have come and gone in the first part of this year. Little of next to nothing has been done or addressed at correcting this sin of prayerlessness among us. You cannot do the work of God without the power of God. We are becoming dangerously aligned with humanism, the great god of self can do it. Don’t let this sin be named among us. There needs to be clear, directive of prayer and yielding by leadership, churches, families and believers.
I ask you to give time and weight to this plea.
Thank you,
Until,
Dan Biser
Rdbiser@live.com
http://www.brokenbeforethethrone.com
http://dbiser.blogspot.com
CORPORATE - “My house shall be called a House of Prayer” Luke 19:46
THE COMMAND - “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint” Luke 18:1
“Pray without ceasing” I Thessalonians 5:17
Here are 4 verses given for specific instructions to the Christian and the church. One command is enough for us in the Scriptures. But four commands should make us that much more sensitive to what the Lord is speaking to us. The work of prayer is found from the beginning to end in the Bible. We see from the very beginning of Genesis 1:2, ‘that the Spirit moved upon the face of the waters.’ James Stewart preached that great sermon on this and defined that the Spirit was ‘brooding’ upon the deep. And asked the question what HE was doing while there? The answer was that He was praying for the sons of men that were getting ready to come into existence. And at the very close of Revelation, John prays, ‘Even so come, Lord Jesus’ - a personal prayer, as well as, corporate for the church today. Found from the beginning of the Holy Spirit praying to the end where the church is praying, there are scores of other prayers offered and fulfilled in the Word of God.
It is my distress that prayer is being navigated away from in our labors today. We are moving in a dangerous directive that needs to be addressed before we become as others that are guilty of ‘vain repetitions’. Therefore, I am asking you to consider these words and directives and act upon them in a direct way as unto the Lord. In each of these 4 verses in opening we are directed to give place to the time, means, and hope of prayer. Yet today the sad confession is offered by numerous scores of pastors, leaders, churches, families and individuals that they ‘do not pray’. They will quickly confess, “I know I should pray. I want to pray. I need to pray. But I don’t pray.’
In beginning, we must look at the first verse given, Psalm 109:4. The personal testimony of any saint, that is a saint, is ‘That I give myself unto prayer.’ I do not rely on someone else. I do not hope alone in the church praying for me. But I take full responsibility and lay hold on the horns of the altar and offer my own ‘sweet savor’ unto Him, my Lord and my God. Now what say you about your own labor of prayer? Do you pray? How often do you pray? How deep do you pray? It will be revealed at the end, but for now enough people have given testimony that they pray sporadically, unfaithfully, and irreverently. They offer prayers haphazardly, in generalities and laced with a covering of the sin of unbelief. Asking, but never expecting to see fulfillment. I am wondering if the urgency for prayer is being abandoned because you, as leaders, do not pray as you should. I do not throw this as a charge, but simply for us to answer why are allowing the clear mandate of prayer to be lost and given up. Why would we ever think that we could be holy and do holy work of redemption and missions without the power of God that comes through prevailing prayer? To the heart that is tender, they will reply, ‘May it never be so said of us.’ To the heart that is guilty, they will seek to defend and excuse the present conditions. Let us speak honestly in this. Why are we allowing for Satan to gain a foot hold in the lives of young men and women in service unto God? Is it not because we have allowed the labor of prayer to fade? This cannot be and will not be; every soul surrendered to the Christ follows Christ. His example, is before us, ‘Behold, He prayeth’; He prayed on the mount, He prayed through the night, He prayed from the cross, He prayed in the garden, He prayed.
Secondly, when we have defined that individual prayer lives are right before God; then we must turn to the church and look at their testimony. It is well recorded from Pentecost through present day, that when God’s people prayed, He responded. From that very first example where the 120 met and prayed for 10 days and the result was the filling of the Holy Ghost upon them all. And upon Peter was boldness given and 3000 were added into the role of the Book of Life. The revival in China and India in present day are given testimony, that the church meets together and prays. The result is the same as the book of Acts. Yet, in North America the testimony of the church life, is that prayer has been removed. Not only in danger of so many saints not ‘giving themselves unto prayer’ individually, but the ‘house of prayer’ is no longer. We have not become Ichabod, where the glory of the Lord has departed. The Word of God is still preached and taught. Worship is being renewed in song and fellowship upon God’s holiness and wonders. Yet, prayer which is the catalyst of anointing from God’s throne, is left off. Half a century ago, there was a weekly prayer meeting held in most churches. Time, extended time was given to calling upon the Lord for His power, for confession and for souls to be saved. The great revivals in this nation had come from great prayer times by the body of believers. Before Jonathan Edwards stood and preached that sermon, ‘Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God’. He and his people were given to prayer and fasting days before that sermon was preached. Because the people prayed, God’s Spirit came down in such a powerful way that ushered in upon the region and throughout the states. Less than hundred years later, Charles Finney, through a time of yielded prevailing prayer was chosen as a vessel to preach with power the unsearchable riches of God. A prayer partner went before him, Praying Daniel Nash, praying days before Finney would show up and the power of God would come down. But today, prayer times are the least attended, the least mentioned, and most churches boast that they have no prayer time. Some are so foolish they even justify it by saying, ‘Look how much we have done without prayer, in building ministries, churches and labors.’ What will any of it mean at the judgment seat of Christ? It will all be wood, hay and stubble. It will all be consumed in fire for destruction. Even the souls saved without surrender unto Christ. Having offered a decision with their mouths but their hearts are far from Him. Do we not see that the weakness of so many churches is because of that lack and absence of prayer? Will you not concede to the facts that since the time that we have left off with deep, cleansing, urgent prevailing prayer, that baptisms and true born again experiences have dwindled and shortened? Will you not agree that the church is as sick as it ever has been because prayer is optional or obsolete in church life?
Lastly, I come to you with the last two verse given in opening. I repeat them for a standing testimony: “ Men ought always to pray” and ‘Pray without ceasing”. We
cannot do anything lasting for eternity and for His glory without His Divine commands being followed. These two verses should cover every action done in leadership, church and family and individual decisions. It is not to do it in reverse fashion, as has been demonstrated as of late. Where we make decisions and then go to the Lord and ask Him to bless it. This is utter folly and a high offence against God. All work done in denominations and by great men of old, has come that God spoke, moved, led by men praying always. The message and direction was clear and they walked in faith. God leading them all along. The delay in pursuing prevailing prayer and going ahead with decisions and affirmations will not last. God’s way is proven by saints since Pentecost. We cannot expect to fulfill the Great Commission without doing what Christ said. Everyone is quoting ‘Go and make disciples into all the earth’. But none is quoting the words that said, ‘Tarry in the city until you be endued with power from on high.’
Meetings have come and gone in the first part of this year. Little of next to nothing has been done or addressed at correcting this sin of prayerlessness among us. You cannot do the work of God without the power of God. We are becoming dangerously aligned with humanism, the great god of self can do it. Don’t let this sin be named among us. There needs to be clear, directive of prayer and yielding by leadership, churches, families and believers.
I ask you to give time and weight to this plea.
Thank you,
Until,
Dan Biser
Rdbiser@live.com
http://www.brokenbeforethethrone.com
http://dbiser.blogspot.com
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