Greetings,
Samuel Chadwick said, 'A prayer life is a life that prays."
"I give myself unto prayer." - Psalm 109:4
". . . he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed. . . " - Daniel 6:10
"Continue in prayer" - Colossians 4:2
"Pray without ceasing" - I Thess. 5:17
". . . for behold, he prayeth." Acts 9:11
Verses that the Lord has placed on my heart and mind years ago and continues to this day to be the standard. Nothing is done in God's kingdom, here on earth, apart from the prayers of His people. God knows this, hell knows this, but I do not know if the church knows this. But I believe wholeheartedly, the remnant of prayer warriors carries the will of the Lord day in and day out. I thank God for all those faithful prayer warriors who labor in the secret closets, so as to prevail. Not of recognition, not of pride or vanity, but love for the Savior and His people and purpose. They pray!
Next week is the Sermonindex conference in California. The theme is revival, 'How Long Lord?" And the answer to why revival tarries, is because the church has not prayed so as to prevail for God's Divine Presence. And at the same time is Prayer Link, the SBC prayer gathering in Dallas. In which I have spent the better part of 4 months in thinking, calling, emailing, writing to get materials ready for a meeting that I will not even be at. But it is my duty to seek after the prayer life in myself and in others. I want to pray so as to please my Father and Lord; and I've always wanted my beloved SBC to be a people of prayer as well.
The constant warning of Ravenhill, '5 seconds inside eternity we will all wish that we had prayed harder and more'. My fear, this catalyst of regret, that drives me is to not have this said of me when I stand before the Lord. The Lord, 'You knew this truth that prayer was My means of employment of My will on earth and in the hearts of man. Yet, you prayed so sparingly, so limited; so faithless. Why? I entrusted you with this fire and burden; why did you not compel them to continue in prayer and go deeper with HIm? Why did you not go deeper and stay longer?" What shall I say on that day? What shall you say?
My latest works have revealed what I have long touted and rebuffed in SBC life, 'we are not a people that prays, and our churches are not houses of prayer'. I have found out that less than 20% of churches have any kind of corporate prayer meeting in a months time. This is directly a reflection of the secret closet prayer life of pastors and church laymen. This is the cause to our questions of baptism numbers, of souls saved, of evils not stopped and the rise of epidemics on our nation.
IT is to be reminded once again of our great weapon of warfare for victory over sin, self and Satan - it is in the prayer life. Not just to say prayers, but pray so as to prevail; pray with fervency, urgency and a knowledge of the emergency on our very future.
I have done the article on 'SBC and its Prayer life"; I have done a video on my youtube page of "Urgency" for Prayer Link. I have called, emailed, and begged for the increase needed to bring attention to the humanism of the SBC and other churches. to learn that it is prayer with a holy life that comes before God and is granted what they asked for. It is not looking to man, means or methods but to look to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith to be granted the desires of our heart. It is to sit still before Him and hear His heart and will in this world and the one to come.
Brethren, I say the same words, LET US PRAY.
Prayer Targets:
Epidemics:
1. Drugs
2. Cancer
3. Great Evil
4. Children abused and neglected; sex traffic;
5. LGBT
6. Natural Disasters
Updates:
--Sermoninex Conference - less than a week away; let me thank each of you that have privately written me and prayed these last 6 months. Let me thank you that have sent me money to help pay for this trip. Let me encourage you to pray through and watch and participate during the simulcast. Invite and share with others to do so also.
--Youtube page - sermons are live streamed from youtube each Sunday service at Keyser and Fox's Hollow; then saved and uploaded to my youtube page;
--A Word - not much done since hitting 2000; time is not favourable right now;
--Dan Biser blog - the prayer blog; Prayer LIfe of the SBC; for you to read and share;
Until,
dan
Friday, September 28, 2018
Monday, September 24, 2018
THE ACTIVITY OF GOD IN THE BIBLE - JOSHUA
The Activity of God
Going through the Bible, book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, phrase by phrase and word by word to give attention to the following:
--the Names of God;
--the word & deeds of God;
--the sayings of God;
--the attributes of God;
Too often the churches weakness and the Christians weakness is found in this one sin, 'we do not know God'. We have not studied the Bible, nor Him to learn more of Him. Seeking that this might be a help for myself and others in this pursuit that each of us 'may grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord.'
JOSHUA
Chapter 1
1:1 it came to pass that the Lord spake unto Joshua. . . saying And God said/spoke;
1:2 Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. God knows and calls His servatns by name; God gives directive to Joshua to rise up and go over into promised land; God gives them the land;
1:3 that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. God gives the land to them; And God said/spoke;
1:4 shall be your coasts God tells what is theirs' of the land;
1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. God declares that none shall be able to defeat them; God promises to be with them; I will's of God to be with him and not forsake them;
1:6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shall thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their father to give them. God gives directive to Joshua on dividing the land, to be strong and courageous; And God said/spoke/sware; God gives the land;
1:7 Only be thou strong and very courgaeious, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law. . . turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. God gives directive again to be strong and courageous; to keep and do law; God is able for their obedience to make them to propser;
1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success. God gives directive to not let the book depart from them; God promsies if they maintain they shall be prosperous and have good success - a warning;
1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. the Lord commanded; God gives directive to be strong and courageous, to not fear, nor be dismayed; God promises that He is with him where ever he goes; Omnipresent;
1:11 to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it God gives them the land to possess it;
1:13 which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, The Lord your God hath given you rest and hath give you this land. God's servants; the Lord commanded; God gives them rest and gives them the land;
1:15 Until the Lord have given your brethren rest, as He hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the Lord your God giveth them. . . which Moses the Lord's servant gave you God gives rest; God gives land to possess;
1:17 only the Lord thy God be with thee, as He was with Moses. God is with His servants and was with Moses and will be with Joshua;
Chapter 2
2:9 I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhaibtants of the land faint because of you. God gives the land; God causes terror and for them to faint; God protects His people and goes before them;
2:10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you. . . and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites. . .whom ye utterly destroyed. God dried up the Red sea; God delivered the two kings into their hans and they was destroyed utterly;
2:11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. God causes hearts to melt; God takes away courage; God is God; God of heaven and earth;
2:12 swear unto me by the Lord God's Name is used to seal oath;
2:14 when the Lord hath given us the land God gives them the land, for He had promised;
2:24 Truly the Lord hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us. God delivers the land into their hands; God causes them to faint;
Chapter 3
3:3 when ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God. . . ye shall remove from your place and go after it God's ark bears His representation to the people to lead them and cause them draw near, HIs Presence; and carries the ten commandments and book of the law; His ways;
3:5 Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you. I will's of God to do wonders among them; sanctify - be holy as God is holy;
3:7 And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. And God said/spoke; I will's of God to magnify Joshua before the people; I will's of God to be with Joshua as He was with Moses and all shall know it;
3:8 God gives directive to piest that bare the ark at the brink of the water;
3:9 come hither and hear the words of the Lord your God And God said/spoke;
3:10 Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the -ites. God among them; I will's of God to drive out enemies of -ites;
3:11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you God of all the earth and His ark bearing His covenant to Israel; God passes before His people;
3:13 the priests that bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut of from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap. God's ark bore by priests; God of all the earth; God to cut off the waters and cause them to stand up;
3:16 That the waters which came down from aobve, stood and rose up upon a heap. . .and failed and were cut off and the people passed over God cuts off waters and causes them to stand up as a heap; Omnipotent;
3:17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over the dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan. God's ark bore by priests of covenant; God causes water to cease and gives dry ground for His people to pass over to the promised land; Omnipotent;
Chapter 4
4:1 that the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying, And God said/spoke;
4:2 - 4 God gives directive to take up 12 stones;
4:5 Pass over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of Jordan God's ark,
4:7 That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord God's ark of the covenant; God cuts off waters before His people; Omnipotent;
4:8 as the Lord spake unto Joshua And God said/spake; God gives directive regarding 12 rocks;
4:10 until everything was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua the Lord commanded;
4:11 when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the Lord passed over God's ark passes over into promised land;
4:13 passed over before the Lord unto battle God sees and allows children to pass over into promised land ready for war;
4:14 On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel God magnifies His man before His people for His purpose;
4:15 And the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying, and God said/spoke;
4:16 God gives command to Joshua regarding priest and ark
4:18 the priests that are the ark of the covenant of the Lord were come up out of the midst of Jordan God's ark carried by priests comes up out of; God causes river to return to normal; Omnipotent;
4:22 Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. God's power and miracle; Omnipotent;
4:23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red sea, which He dried up from before us, until we were gone over. God dries up Jordan and allows His people to pass over on dry land into promised land; God dried up Red Sea to bring them out of Egypt; God brings out to bring in; Omnipotent;
4:24 That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever. God's hand is mighty; God's hand to feared by His people and all the earth; the fear of the Lord;
Chapter 5
5:1 heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, netiher was there spirit in them any more God dries up the river; God causes them to pass over into promised land; God caused them to hear of His mighty hand; God cause them to lose heart and melt;
5:2 At that time the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. And God said/spake; God directs them to circumcise the children of Israel;
5:6 because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord: unto whom the Lord sware that He would not shew them the land, which the Lord sware unto their fathers that He would give us God's voice spoke and commanded and they obeyed it not; And God said/spake/sware (2); I will's of God to not show them the land; I will's of God to not give them the land;
5:7 And their children, whom He raised up in their stead God raised up the next generation to give them the land and fulfill His covenant;
5:9 And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you, Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day. And God said/spoke; God, on this day, rolled away the reproach from off them;
5:12 And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eatern of the old cor of the land God had supplied manna for 40 years for them; Omnipotent;
5:14 And He said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And God said/spoke; God's captain of His hosts - Jesus; . . . am I now come to thee;
5:15 And the captain of the Lord's hosts said unto Joshau. Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy And God said/spoke; God directs him to take his shoes off, for he is on holy ground; God is holy;
Chapter 6
6:2 And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. And God said/spake; God gives them the city and the people into his hand;
6:3 - 5 God declares what they shall do and how they shall do it to gain victory over the city; Omniscient; Omnipotent;
6:6 and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams; horns before the ark of the Lord God's ark to lead them to victory around the city;
6:7 armed pass on before the ark of the Lord. God's ark to go before;
6:8 passed on before the Lord. . .and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them God's ark and Presence is with His people to give them victory;
6:11 So the ark of the Lord compassed the city God's ark compasses the city;
6:12 took up the ark of the Lord God's ark is with them;
6:13 before the ark of the Lord went on continually. . . after the ark of the Lord God's ark goes before and leads those that follow after;
6:16 shout for the Lord hath given you the city. God gives them the city;
6:17 And the city shall be accursed. . . and all that are therein, to the Lord God curses the city and all those within, except Rahab; cursed before God;
6:19 are consecrated unto the Lord: they shall come into the treasury of the Lord God takes precious metals and consecrates them unto Himself; God's treasury;
6:24 they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord God's treasury of the collection of precious metals; collection of tithes for the work of the Lord;
6:26 Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho; God honors the curse of Joshua upon the man before the Lord that rebuilds this city; fulfilled in I Kings 16:54
6:27 So the Lord was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country. God is with His man and people;
Chapter 7
7:1 and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel God knows the sin that Achan committed and the people face the wrath of God over it; one man sins, all the people pay the price; sin in the camp;
7:6 fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the Lord until the eventide God's ark where Joshua lay before it to enquire and seek answers and help from the Lord;
7:7 Alas, O Lord God, wherefore hast Thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Woudl to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan? God brought them over; God delivers into hands; God destroys;
7:8 O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! God is sought for an answer to give to the people;
7:9 what wilt Thou do unto Thy great Name? God's great name;
7:10 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? And God said/spake; God questions Joshua;
7:11 Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. God declares what they have done; God knows their sin; the Lord commanded; Omnipresent; Omniscient;
7:12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed; neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. God answers Joshaus questions and tells them what to do; Cursed in the eyes of the Lord;I will's of God to not be with them for their folly;
7:13 Up, sanctify the people and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel And God said/spoke; God dclares what they are to do and why it happened;
7:14 that the tribe which the Lord taketh shall come according to the families. . .which the Lord shall take shall come by households and the household which the Lord shall take shall come man by man. God takes the families, households and man (3);
7:15 And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath because he hath transgressed the covenant of the Lord and because he hath wrought folly in Israel. God declares what shall be done to the man taken and all that he hath;
7:19 My son, give I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto Him God is to be glorified; God hears and knows the confession of man before Him;
7:20 Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of ISrael, and thus and thus have I done. God knows whom, when and what sin is against Him by His own people;Omniscient;
7:23 and laid them out before the Lord God sees and knows the accursed thing that is presented and brought before Him of Achan;
7:25 The Lord shall trouble thee this day. God troubles the sinner this day!
7:26 so the Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger God's anger is turned away when the sin is dealt with properly;
Chapter 8
8:1 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed; . . .go up to Ai, see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai And God said/spoke; God commands and declares to Joshua what to do; fear not nor be dismayed; Go up; God gives them the king of Ai;
8:7 for the Lord your God will deliver it into your hand I will's of God to deliver city and enemy into their hands;
8:8 according to the commandment of the Lord the Lord commanded;
8:18 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand. And God said/spoke; God commanded and directed Joshua how to win the battle and city; I will's of God to give the into his hand;
8:26 For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai God fulfilled His promise of victory and deliverance as He had told Joshua.
8:27 according unto the word of the Lord which He commanded Joshua the Lord commanded;
8:30 Then Joshua built an altar unto the Lord God of Israel in mount Ebal. God is approached at the altar by His people;
8:31 the servant of the Lord commanded the children of Irsael, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses. . . they offered thereon burn offerings unto the Lord. . . the Lord commanded; And God said; God receives offerings from children of Israel;
8:33 which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord. . . Moses the servant of the Lord God's ark bore by priests before them; God's servant Moses, whom He knows all His servants;
Chapter 9
9:9 thy servants are come because of the name of the Lord thy God: for we have heard the fame of Him, and all that He did in Egypt. God's Name revered by the heathen; God's fame proceeds and goes forth throughout all the earth; God's deed and works which He did in Egypt;
9:10 And all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites God's defeating of the two kings of Amorites was heard and they feared the Lord;
9:14 and they asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord God is to be sought and heard from for direction and counsel, and they refused to seek Him; thus left to their folly;
9:18 because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel God's Name is sworn by them for permanency; an oath that cannot go back on;
9:19 We have sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel God's Name is sworn as the absolute oath; an oath that cannot go back on;
9:23 for the house of my God God's house to be supplied with wood and water;
9:24 because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the Lord thy God commanded His servant Moses the Lord commanded;
9:27 and for the altar of the Lord God's altar to be supplied with wood and water;
Chapter 10
10:8 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand there shall not a man of them stand before thee. And God said/spoke; God commands him not to fear them; God delivers them into his hand for victory;
10:10 And the Lord discomfited them before Israel and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon God gives victory to Joshua and Israel; God discomfited them before His people and gave a great slaughter to them;
10:11 that the Lord cast down great stones from heaven upon them . . . more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword God cast down stones upon them to kill them; God killed more with stones than Israel with swords;
10:12 Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel God delivered enemy into Joshua and Israels hand; God hears the prayer of His servant;
10:13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies God stays the sun and moon and gives them the victory over their enemies; Omnipotent;
10:14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel. God hearkened to Joshua; God demonstrates His power and makes a day unlike any other day ever; God fought for Israel.
10:19 for the Lord your God hath delivered them into your hand God delivers their enemies into their hands;
10:21 none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel God's Divine protection;
10:25 for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight God does this to all the enemies of His people;
10:30 And the Lord delivered it also and the king thereof into the hand of Israel God delivers the enemy into His peoples hands to gain victory;
10:32 And the Lord delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel God delivers enemy into hand of Israel;
10:40 but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the Lord God of Israel commanded God destroyed enemies before Israel; the Lord commanded;
10:42 because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel God fights for His people;
Chapter 11
11:6 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel : thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. And God said/spoke; I will's of God that He will deliver the enemy into their hands tomorrow; Omnipresent; Omniscient; God directs not to fear, to hough horses and burn chariots;
11:8 And the Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon God delivered them into their hand just as He had said;
11:9 And Joshua did unto them as the Lord bade him the Lord commanded; and God said/spoke;
11:12 as Moses the servnat of the Lord commanded the Lord commanded; God's servant
11:15 As the Lord commanded Moses. . . of all that the Lord commanded Moses the Lord commanded (2);
11:20 For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle. . . as the Lord commanded Moses God hardens their hearts to bring them to their destruction; the Lord commanded;
11:23 according to all that the Lord said unto Moses And God said/spoke; the Lord commanded;
Chapter 12
12:6 Them did Moses the servant of the Lord . . . Moses the servant of the Lord gave it for a possession God knows and uses and leads His servants for His purpose; (2)
Chapter 13
13:1 Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land ot be possessed: And God said/spoke; God gives directive to Joshua;
13:2 - 13 God gives directive about land and dividing it and possessing it;
13:6 them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee. the Lord commanded; I will's of God to drive out enemies from before Israel; God gives directive to divide land by lot to tribes;
13:8 even as Moses the servant of the Lord gave them God's servants known;
13:14 Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the Lord God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as He said unto them. God gives Levis' His sacrifices as their inheritance; And God said/spoke;
13:33 Moses gave not any inheritance: the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance as He said unto them. God was Levi's inheritance; And God said/spoke;
Chapter 14
14:2 as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses the Lord commanded;
14:5 As the Lord commanded Moses the Lord commanded;
14:6 The knowest the thing tha tthe Lord said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee And God said/spoke; God's man; God gave directive regarding Caleb and Joshua for their faithfulness;
14:7 when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me God's man and His servant;
14:8 but I wholly followed the Lord my God God knows those that wholly follow Him Omniscient;
14:9 because thou hast wholly followed the Lord thy God God blesses and rewards those that wholly follow Him; He knows who they are; Omniscient; Omnipotent;
14:10 Behold the Lord hath kept me alive, as He said these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses God keeps men alive; and the Lord said/spoke (2);
14:12 give me the mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day . . .if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said. And God said/spoke (2); I will's of God to be with him in victory and fulfill promise;
14:14 because that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel God knows those that wholly follow Him and rewards them; Omniscient; Omnipotent;
Chapter 15
15:13 according to the commandment of the Lord to Joshua the Lord commanded;
Chapter 16
NO ACTIVITY OF GOD - 1st in Joshua; 6th chapter in the Bible;
Chapter 17
17:4 The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren. Therefore, according to the commandment of the Lord he gave them an inheritance the Lord commanded (2);
17:14 Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inhertit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the Lord hath blessed me hitherto? God blesses His people and multiplies them;
Chapter 18
18:3 which the Lord God of your fathers hath given you? God gives them the land;
18:6 that I may cast lots for you here before the Lord our God God sees and directs them as they cast lots for division of promised land.
18:7 which Moses the servant of the Lord gave them God knows and marks His servants;
18:8 that I may here cast lots for you before the Lord in Shiloh God sees and directs the casting of lots for the promised land;
18:10 cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord God sees and directs casting of lots for promised land division;
Chapter 19
19:50 According to the word of the Lord they gave him the city which he asked And God said/spoke; God gave directive to give Joshua city;
19:51 by lot in Shiloh before the Lord at the door of the tabernalce of the congregation God sees and directs them in dividing of the land;
Chapter 20
20:1 The Lord also spake unto Joshua, saying, And God said/spoke;
20:2 speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses And God said/spoke; God gives directive regarding refuge cities;
Chapter 21
21:2 The Lord commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in the Lord commanded; God directed for priests to have cities scattered among Israel;
21:3 at the commandment of the Lord the Lord commanded;
21:8 as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses the Lord commanded;
22:43 And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which He sware to give unto their fathers God gave them the land; And God said/spoke/sware;
21:44 And the Lord gave them rest round about, according ot all that He sware unto their fathers. . . the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand God gives rest to His people; and God said/spoke/sware; God delivered enemies into their hand;
21:45 There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lrod had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass And God said/spoke; God fulfills and brings everything to completion; Omnipotent;
Chapter 22
22:2 all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you God knows His servants;
22:3 but have kept the charge of the commandment of the Lord your God the Lord commanded;
22:4 And now the Lord your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as He promised them. . . which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you God gives rest to His people; God promises and fulfilled; God knows His servants by name;
22:5 which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all HIs ways, and to keep His commandments, and to cleave unto Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul. God knows His servants by name; God charged them how to serve and live; God gave directive to love, walk in His ways, keep His commandments and to cleave unto Him and to serve Him with all heart and soul.
22:9 to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses God gave them possession; And God said/spoke; God's word fulfilled;
22:16 Thus saith the whole congregatio of the Lord, What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel,l to turn away this day from following the Lord, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the Lord? God's congregation and people, He knows; God knows that have and have not committed trespass against Him and turned away from Him;
22:17 although there was a plague in the congregation of the Lord God sent plague among His people for their sin;
22:18 from following the Lord? seeing ye rebel to day against the Lord, that to morrow He will be wroth with the whole congregation God knows those that follow and do not follow; God knows those that rebel and those that dont; God's wrath against those that rebel;
22:19 pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the Lord, wherein the Lord's tabernacle dwelleth. . .but rebel not against the Lord. . .beside the altar of the Lord our God. God's possession and tabernacle where He abides; God knows those that rebel or not;
22:22 The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, HE knoweth . . . if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the Lord God knows; God knows if rebellion and trangsgression against Himself;
22:23 to turn from following the Lord. . .let the Lord Himself require it God knows those that turn from following or not; God requires it;
22:24 what have ye to do with the Lord God of Israel? God's people and what they have to do with Him;
22:25 For the Lord hath made Jordan a border between us and you. . . ye have no part in the Lord. . make our children cease from fearing the Lord God made Jordan a boundary between them; God knows those that have part in Him; the fear of the Lord;
22:27 that we might do the service of the Lord before Him . . . Ye have no part in the Lord God sees and knows those that offer before Him; God knows those that have part in Him;
22:28 the pattern of the altar of the Lord God's pattern for His altar;
22:29 God forbid that we should rebel against the Lord and turn this day from following the Lord. . . beside the altar of the Lord our God that is before His tabernacle God knows those that are His' and forbids them from rebelling against Him; God knows those that turn from Him and those that turn to Him; God's altar before His tabernacle where His glory abides;
22:31 This day we perceive that the Lord is among us, because ye have not committed this trepass against the Lord: now ye have delivered the children of ISrael out of the hand of the Lord God is among them for they did right; God knows those that commit trespass against Him; God's hand delivers them to peace and/or to judgement
22:33 and the children of Israel blessed God God receives the blessings of His people;
22:34 for it shall be a witness between us that the Lord is God God is witness of who or are His or not;
Chapter 23
23:1 a long time after that the Lord had given rest unto Israel God gives rest from enemies;
23:3 And ye have seen all that the Lord your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the Lord your God is He that hath fought for you. What God has done to all the nations; God fought for them because He was their God;
23:5 And the Lord your God, He shall expel them from before you and drive them from out of your sight. . as the Lord your God hath promised unto you God expels and drives out enemy from before them; God promised this unto them; God fulfills His promises;
23:8 But cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done unto this day. God knows those that cleave and keep His ways; God knows if they have done so all their days;
23:9 For the Lord hath driven out from before you great nations and strong; but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day. God drives out enemy from before them; God protects and gives them victory;
23:10 One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God He it is that fighteth for you, as He hath promised you God fights for His people and gives them victory; God promised and God cannot lie;
23:11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the Lord your God God is to be loved and obeyed by His people; HE is worthy;
23:13 Know for a certainty that the Lord your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you . . . until ye perish from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you I will's of God will not drive out enemy if they sin and disobey Him; God will cause them to perish from the land; God gave them the land and God can take it away;
23:14 that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you and not one thing hath failed thereof. And God said/spoke; God fulfills and brings all to pass as He said; God cannot fail;
23:15 Therefore it shall come to pass that as all good things are come upon you, which the Lord your God promised you; so shall the Lord bring upon you all evil things until He have destroyed you from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you. God promises good things if they obey; God promises evil things if they disobey; God shall bring to pass evil things to destroy them for disobedience; God gives them the land;
23:16 When ye have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, . . . then shall the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which He hath given unto you. God knows those that transgress His covenant; the Lord commanded; God's anger shall be kindled against them for their disobedience and cause them to perish off the land; God gives them the land;
Chapter 24
24:1 and they presented themselves before God God sees and knows those that have presented themselves before Him;
24:2 thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time. . .and they served other gods. And God said/spoke; God knows all the fore-fathers where and when they dwelt; God knows they served other gods, rather than Him; Omnipresent; Omniscient;
24:3 And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac. God took Abraham and led him through the land; God multiplied his seed; God gave him Isaac.
24:4 And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau; and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it, but Jacob and his children went down in to Egypt. God gave Isaac two sons; God gave Esau moutn Seit; God led Jacob and Israel into Egypt; Omniscient; Omnipresent;
24:5 I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that whihc I did among them: and afterward I brought you out. God sent Moses and Aaron; God plagued Egypt; God brought them out;
24:6 And I brought your fathers out of Egypt; . . .and they pursued you God brought them out; God sees and knows when the enemy is pursuing His children;
24:7 And when they cried unto the Lord, He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them and covered them, and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt, and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season. God hears the cries of His people; God put darkness between them; God brought the sea upon them and covered them; What God did; God knows how and where they dwelt in the wilderness; Omnipresent; Omniscient;
24:8 And I brought you into the land of the Amorites. . . and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hands, that ye might possess their land, and I destroyed them from before you. God brought them into land; God knows those that come against His people; God gave them into their hands for victory; God destroyed them from before them;
24:10 But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still; so I delivered you out of his hand. God refuses to hear Balaam; God receives his blessing for Israel; God delivers them out of his hand; Omnipotent;
24:11 and I delivered them into your hand God delivered enemy into their hand for victory;
24:12 And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you. . . but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow. God sent the hornet and drove them out from before them; God did it not their abilities; Omnipotent;
24:13 And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour God gives them the land, cities, fields,
24:14 Now therefore fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in truth. . . serve ye the Lord the fear of the Lord; God is to be feared, served and in truth and sincerity by His people;
24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord choose you this day whom ye will serve. . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. God is to be served and the choice made for the individual and the household to do so;
24:16 and the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods; God is not to be forsaken, but to be served wholly;
24:17 For the Lord our God, He it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt; from the house of bondage and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the ways, wherein we went and among all the people through whom we passed. God brought them up and out of Egypt; God did marvellous signs and wonders among them; God preserved them and went with them all the way; God protected and delivered them from among the enemy nations;
24:18 And the Lord drave out from before us all the people. . . therefore we will serve the Lord; for he is our God. God is God; God drove out the enemy from before them; God is to be served wholly;
24:19 Ye cannot serve the Lord; for He is a n holy God; He is a jealous God: He will not forgive your transgression nor your sins God is to be served; God is holy; God is jealous; I will's of God to not forgive those that continue in sin;
24:20 For if ye forsake the Lord and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, and consume you after that He hath done you good. God is to be served and feared; I will's of God to turn and do hurt and consume them if they depart from Him; God does good to His peopel that obey Him;
24:21 Nay; but we will serve the Lord. God is to be served;
24:22 that ye have chosen you the Lord to serve Him, And they said, We are witnesses. God is to be chosen and served by His people; God hears their oath;
24:23 incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel God requires for His children to incline their hearts to Him; God knows whose hearts are inclined to Him;
24:26 And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God. . that was by the sanctuary of the Lord. God's law written in a book; God's sanctuary;
24:27 for it hath heard all the words of the Lord which He spake unto us; it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God. And God said/spake; God is not to be denied, but obeyed;
24:29 that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord died; God knows His servants; God knows their death, days and time; Omniscient; Omnipresent;
24:31 And Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua. . and which had known all the works of the Lord, that He had done for Israel. God knows who and how long His people serve Him; God's works are manifest to His people which He hath done for them and by them;
Started: September 24, 2018
Continued: 9/25;9/26;9/27;9/29;9/30;10/1;10/4;10/9;10:10;10/11;10:13;10/14;10/15;10/16;10/17;10/18;10/19;10/20;10/21;
Finished: October 21, 2018
Going through the Bible, book by book, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, phrase by phrase and word by word to give attention to the following:
--the Names of God;
--the word & deeds of God;
--the sayings of God;
--the attributes of God;
Too often the churches weakness and the Christians weakness is found in this one sin, 'we do not know God'. We have not studied the Bible, nor Him to learn more of Him. Seeking that this might be a help for myself and others in this pursuit that each of us 'may grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord.'
JOSHUA
Chapter 1
1:1 it came to pass that the Lord spake unto Joshua. . . saying And God said/spoke;
1:2 Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. God knows and calls His servatns by name; God gives directive to Joshua to rise up and go over into promised land; God gives them the land;
1:3 that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. God gives the land to them; And God said/spoke;
1:4 shall be your coasts God tells what is theirs' of the land;
1:5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. God declares that none shall be able to defeat them; God promises to be with them; I will's of God to be with him and not forsake them;
1:6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shall thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their father to give them. God gives directive to Joshua on dividing the land, to be strong and courageous; And God said/spoke/sware; God gives the land;
1:7 Only be thou strong and very courgaeious, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law. . . turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. God gives directive again to be strong and courageous; to keep and do law; God is able for their obedience to make them to propser;
1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success. God gives directive to not let the book depart from them; God promsies if they maintain they shall be prosperous and have good success - a warning;
1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. the Lord commanded; God gives directive to be strong and courageous, to not fear, nor be dismayed; God promises that He is with him where ever he goes; Omnipresent;
1:11 to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it God gives them the land to possess it;
1:13 which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, saying, The Lord your God hath given you rest and hath give you this land. God's servants; the Lord commanded; God gives them rest and gives them the land;
1:15 Until the Lord have given your brethren rest, as He hath given you, and they also have possessed the land which the Lord your God giveth them. . . which Moses the Lord's servant gave you God gives rest; God gives land to possess;
1:17 only the Lord thy God be with thee, as He was with Moses. God is with His servants and was with Moses and will be with Joshua;
Chapter 2
2:9 I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhaibtants of the land faint because of you. God gives the land; God causes terror and for them to faint; God protects His people and goes before them;
2:10 For we have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red sea for you. . . and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites. . .whom ye utterly destroyed. God dried up the Red sea; God delivered the two kings into their hans and they was destroyed utterly;
2:11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the Lord your God, He is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. God causes hearts to melt; God takes away courage; God is God; God of heaven and earth;
2:12 swear unto me by the Lord God's Name is used to seal oath;
2:14 when the Lord hath given us the land God gives them the land, for He had promised;
2:24 Truly the Lord hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us. God delivers the land into their hands; God causes them to faint;
Chapter 3
3:3 when ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God. . . ye shall remove from your place and go after it God's ark bears His representation to the people to lead them and cause them draw near, HIs Presence; and carries the ten commandments and book of the law; His ways;
3:5 Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you. I will's of God to do wonders among them; sanctify - be holy as God is holy;
3:7 And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. And God said/spoke; I will's of God to magnify Joshua before the people; I will's of God to be with Joshua as He was with Moses and all shall know it;
3:8 God gives directive to piest that bare the ark at the brink of the water;
3:9 come hither and hear the words of the Lord your God And God said/spoke;
3:10 Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will without fail drive out from before you the -ites. God among them; I will's of God to drive out enemies of -ites;
3:11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you God of all the earth and His ark bearing His covenant to Israel; God passes before His people;
3:13 the priests that bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut of from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap. God's ark bore by priests; God of all the earth; God to cut off the waters and cause them to stand up;
3:16 That the waters which came down from aobve, stood and rose up upon a heap. . .and failed and were cut off and the people passed over God cuts off waters and causes them to stand up as a heap; Omnipotent;
3:17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over the dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan. God's ark bore by priests of covenant; God causes water to cease and gives dry ground for His people to pass over to the promised land; Omnipotent;
Chapter 4
4:1 that the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying, And God said/spoke;
4:2 - 4 God gives directive to take up 12 stones;
4:5 Pass over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of Jordan God's ark,
4:7 That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord God's ark of the covenant; God cuts off waters before His people; Omnipotent;
4:8 as the Lord spake unto Joshua And God said/spake; God gives directive regarding 12 rocks;
4:10 until everything was finished that the Lord commanded Joshua the Lord commanded;
4:11 when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the Lord passed over God's ark passes over into promised land;
4:13 passed over before the Lord unto battle God sees and allows children to pass over into promised land ready for war;
4:14 On that day the Lord magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel God magnifies His man before His people for His purpose;
4:15 And the Lord spake unto Joshua, saying, and God said/spoke;
4:16 God gives command to Joshua regarding priest and ark
4:18 the priests that are the ark of the covenant of the Lord were come up out of the midst of Jordan God's ark carried by priests comes up out of; God causes river to return to normal; Omnipotent;
4:22 Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. God's power and miracle; Omnipotent;
4:23 For the Lord your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red sea, which He dried up from before us, until we were gone over. God dries up Jordan and allows His people to pass over on dry land into promised land; God dried up Red Sea to bring them out of Egypt; God brings out to bring in; Omnipotent;
4:24 That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever. God's hand is mighty; God's hand to feared by His people and all the earth; the fear of the Lord;
Chapter 5
5:1 heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, netiher was there spirit in them any more God dries up the river; God causes them to pass over into promised land; God caused them to hear of His mighty hand; God cause them to lose heart and melt;
5:2 At that time the Lord said unto Joshua, Make thee sharp knives and circumcise again the children of Israel the second time. And God said/spake; God directs them to circumcise the children of Israel;
5:6 because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord: unto whom the Lord sware that He would not shew them the land, which the Lord sware unto their fathers that He would give us God's voice spoke and commanded and they obeyed it not; And God said/spake/sware (2); I will's of God to not show them the land; I will's of God to not give them the land;
5:7 And their children, whom He raised up in their stead God raised up the next generation to give them the land and fulfill His covenant;
5:9 And the Lord said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you, Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day. And God said/spoke; God, on this day, rolled away the reproach from off them;
5:12 And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eatern of the old cor of the land God had supplied manna for 40 years for them; Omnipotent;
5:14 And He said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And God said/spoke; God's captain of His hosts - Jesus; . . . am I now come to thee;
5:15 And the captain of the Lord's hosts said unto Joshau. Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy And God said/spoke; God directs him to take his shoes off, for he is on holy ground; God is holy;
Chapter 6
6:2 And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour. And God said/spake; God gives them the city and the people into his hand;
6:3 - 5 God declares what they shall do and how they shall do it to gain victory over the city; Omniscient; Omnipotent;
6:6 and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams; horns before the ark of the Lord God's ark to lead them to victory around the city;
6:7 armed pass on before the ark of the Lord. God's ark to go before;
6:8 passed on before the Lord. . .and the ark of the covenant of the Lord followed them God's ark and Presence is with His people to give them victory;
6:11 So the ark of the Lord compassed the city God's ark compasses the city;
6:12 took up the ark of the Lord God's ark is with them;
6:13 before the ark of the Lord went on continually. . . after the ark of the Lord God's ark goes before and leads those that follow after;
6:16 shout for the Lord hath given you the city. God gives them the city;
6:17 And the city shall be accursed. . . and all that are therein, to the Lord God curses the city and all those within, except Rahab; cursed before God;
6:19 are consecrated unto the Lord: they shall come into the treasury of the Lord God takes precious metals and consecrates them unto Himself; God's treasury;
6:24 they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord God's treasury of the collection of precious metals; collection of tithes for the work of the Lord;
6:26 Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho; God honors the curse of Joshua upon the man before the Lord that rebuilds this city; fulfilled in I Kings 16:54
6:27 So the Lord was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country. God is with His man and people;
Chapter 7
7:1 and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel God knows the sin that Achan committed and the people face the wrath of God over it; one man sins, all the people pay the price; sin in the camp;
7:6 fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the Lord until the eventide God's ark where Joshua lay before it to enquire and seek answers and help from the Lord;
7:7 Alas, O Lord God, wherefore hast Thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Woudl to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan? God brought them over; God delivers into hands; God destroys;
7:8 O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! God is sought for an answer to give to the people;
7:9 what wilt Thou do unto Thy great Name? God's great name;
7:10 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? And God said/spake; God questions Joshua;
7:11 Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. God declares what they have done; God knows their sin; the Lord commanded; Omnipresent; Omniscient;
7:12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed; neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. God answers Joshaus questions and tells them what to do; Cursed in the eyes of the Lord;I will's of God to not be with them for their folly;
7:13 Up, sanctify the people and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel And God said/spoke; God dclares what they are to do and why it happened;
7:14 that the tribe which the Lord taketh shall come according to the families. . .which the Lord shall take shall come by households and the household which the Lord shall take shall come man by man. God takes the families, households and man (3);
7:15 And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath because he hath transgressed the covenant of the Lord and because he hath wrought folly in Israel. God declares what shall be done to the man taken and all that he hath;
7:19 My son, give I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto Him God is to be glorified; God hears and knows the confession of man before Him;
7:20 Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of ISrael, and thus and thus have I done. God knows whom, when and what sin is against Him by His own people;Omniscient;
7:23 and laid them out before the Lord God sees and knows the accursed thing that is presented and brought before Him of Achan;
7:25 The Lord shall trouble thee this day. God troubles the sinner this day!
7:26 so the Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger God's anger is turned away when the sin is dealt with properly;
Chapter 8
8:1 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed; . . .go up to Ai, see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai And God said/spoke; God commands and declares to Joshua what to do; fear not nor be dismayed; Go up; God gives them the king of Ai;
8:7 for the Lord your God will deliver it into your hand I will's of God to deliver city and enemy into their hands;
8:8 according to the commandment of the Lord the Lord commanded;
8:18 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand. And God said/spoke; God commanded and directed Joshua how to win the battle and city; I will's of God to give the into his hand;
8:26 For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai God fulfilled His promise of victory and deliverance as He had told Joshua.
8:27 according unto the word of the Lord which He commanded Joshua the Lord commanded;
8:30 Then Joshua built an altar unto the Lord God of Israel in mount Ebal. God is approached at the altar by His people;
8:31 the servant of the Lord commanded the children of Irsael, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses. . . they offered thereon burn offerings unto the Lord. . . the Lord commanded; And God said; God receives offerings from children of Israel;
8:33 which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord. . . Moses the servant of the Lord God's ark bore by priests before them; God's servant Moses, whom He knows all His servants;
Chapter 9
9:9 thy servants are come because of the name of the Lord thy God: for we have heard the fame of Him, and all that He did in Egypt. God's Name revered by the heathen; God's fame proceeds and goes forth throughout all the earth; God's deed and works which He did in Egypt;
9:10 And all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites God's defeating of the two kings of Amorites was heard and they feared the Lord;
9:14 and they asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord God is to be sought and heard from for direction and counsel, and they refused to seek Him; thus left to their folly;
9:18 because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel God's Name is sworn by them for permanency; an oath that cannot go back on;
9:19 We have sworn unto them by the Lord God of Israel God's Name is sworn as the absolute oath; an oath that cannot go back on;
9:23 for the house of my God God's house to be supplied with wood and water;
9:24 because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the Lord thy God commanded His servant Moses the Lord commanded;
9:27 and for the altar of the Lord God's altar to be supplied with wood and water;
Chapter 10
10:8 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand there shall not a man of them stand before thee. And God said/spoke; God commands him not to fear them; God delivers them into his hand for victory;
10:10 And the Lord discomfited them before Israel and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon God gives victory to Joshua and Israel; God discomfited them before His people and gave a great slaughter to them;
10:11 that the Lord cast down great stones from heaven upon them . . . more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword God cast down stones upon them to kill them; God killed more with stones than Israel with swords;
10:12 Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel God delivered enemy into Joshua and Israels hand; God hears the prayer of His servant;
10:13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies God stays the sun and moon and gives them the victory over their enemies; Omnipotent;
10:14 And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the Lord hearkened unto the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel. God hearkened to Joshua; God demonstrates His power and makes a day unlike any other day ever; God fought for Israel.
10:19 for the Lord your God hath delivered them into your hand God delivers their enemies into their hands;
10:21 none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel God's Divine protection;
10:25 for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight God does this to all the enemies of His people;
10:30 And the Lord delivered it also and the king thereof into the hand of Israel God delivers the enemy into His peoples hands to gain victory;
10:32 And the Lord delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel God delivers enemy into hand of Israel;
10:40 but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the Lord God of Israel commanded God destroyed enemies before Israel; the Lord commanded;
10:42 because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel God fights for His people;
Chapter 11
11:6 And the Lord said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel : thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. And God said/spoke; I will's of God that He will deliver the enemy into their hands tomorrow; Omnipresent; Omniscient; God directs not to fear, to hough horses and burn chariots;
11:8 And the Lord delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon God delivered them into their hand just as He had said;
11:9 And Joshua did unto them as the Lord bade him the Lord commanded; and God said/spoke;
11:12 as Moses the servnat of the Lord commanded the Lord commanded; God's servant
11:15 As the Lord commanded Moses. . . of all that the Lord commanded Moses the Lord commanded (2);
11:20 For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle. . . as the Lord commanded Moses God hardens their hearts to bring them to their destruction; the Lord commanded;
11:23 according to all that the Lord said unto Moses And God said/spoke; the Lord commanded;
Chapter 12
12:6 Them did Moses the servant of the Lord . . . Moses the servant of the Lord gave it for a possession God knows and uses and leads His servants for His purpose; (2)
Chapter 13
13:1 Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the Lord said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land ot be possessed: And God said/spoke; God gives directive to Joshua;
13:2 - 13 God gives directive about land and dividing it and possessing it;
13:6 them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee. the Lord commanded; I will's of God to drive out enemies from before Israel; God gives directive to divide land by lot to tribes;
13:8 even as Moses the servant of the Lord gave them God's servants known;
13:14 Only unto the tribe of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the Lord God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as He said unto them. God gives Levis' His sacrifices as their inheritance; And God said/spoke;
13:33 Moses gave not any inheritance: the Lord God of Israel was their inheritance as He said unto them. God was Levi's inheritance; And God said/spoke;
Chapter 14
14:2 as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses the Lord commanded;
14:5 As the Lord commanded Moses the Lord commanded;
14:6 The knowest the thing tha tthe Lord said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee And God said/spoke; God's man; God gave directive regarding Caleb and Joshua for their faithfulness;
14:7 when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me God's man and His servant;
14:8 but I wholly followed the Lord my God God knows those that wholly follow Him Omniscient;
14:9 because thou hast wholly followed the Lord thy God God blesses and rewards those that wholly follow Him; He knows who they are; Omniscient; Omnipotent;
14:10 Behold the Lord hath kept me alive, as He said these forty and five years, even since the Lord spake this word unto Moses God keeps men alive; and the Lord said/spoke (2);
14:12 give me the mountain, whereof the Lord spake in that day . . .if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the Lord said. And God said/spoke (2); I will's of God to be with him in victory and fulfill promise;
14:14 because that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel God knows those that wholly follow Him and rewards them; Omniscient; Omnipotent;
Chapter 15
15:13 according to the commandment of the Lord to Joshua the Lord commanded;
Chapter 16
NO ACTIVITY OF GOD - 1st in Joshua; 6th chapter in the Bible;
Chapter 17
17:4 The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren. Therefore, according to the commandment of the Lord he gave them an inheritance the Lord commanded (2);
17:14 Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inhertit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the Lord hath blessed me hitherto? God blesses His people and multiplies them;
Chapter 18
18:3 which the Lord God of your fathers hath given you? God gives them the land;
18:6 that I may cast lots for you here before the Lord our God God sees and directs them as they cast lots for division of promised land.
18:7 which Moses the servant of the Lord gave them God knows and marks His servants;
18:8 that I may here cast lots for you before the Lord in Shiloh God sees and directs the casting of lots for the promised land;
18:10 cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord God sees and directs casting of lots for promised land division;
Chapter 19
19:50 According to the word of the Lord they gave him the city which he asked And God said/spoke; God gave directive to give Joshua city;
19:51 by lot in Shiloh before the Lord at the door of the tabernalce of the congregation God sees and directs them in dividing of the land;
Chapter 20
20:1 The Lord also spake unto Joshua, saying, And God said/spoke;
20:2 speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses And God said/spoke; God gives directive regarding refuge cities;
Chapter 21
21:2 The Lord commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in the Lord commanded; God directed for priests to have cities scattered among Israel;
21:3 at the commandment of the Lord the Lord commanded;
21:8 as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses the Lord commanded;
22:43 And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which He sware to give unto their fathers God gave them the land; And God said/spoke/sware;
21:44 And the Lord gave them rest round about, according ot all that He sware unto their fathers. . . the Lord delivered all their enemies into their hand God gives rest to His people; and God said/spoke/sware; God delivered enemies into their hand;
21:45 There failed not ought of any good thing which the Lrod had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass And God said/spoke; God fulfills and brings everything to completion; Omnipotent;
Chapter 22
22:2 all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you God knows His servants;
22:3 but have kept the charge of the commandment of the Lord your God the Lord commanded;
22:4 And now the Lord your God hath given rest unto your brethren, as He promised them. . . which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you God gives rest to His people; God promises and fulfilled; God knows His servants by name;
22:5 which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all HIs ways, and to keep His commandments, and to cleave unto Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul. God knows His servants by name; God charged them how to serve and live; God gave directive to love, walk in His ways, keep His commandments and to cleave unto Him and to serve Him with all heart and soul.
22:9 to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses God gave them possession; And God said/spoke; God's word fulfilled;
22:16 Thus saith the whole congregatio of the Lord, What trespass is this that ye have committed against the God of Israel,l to turn away this day from following the Lord, in that ye have builded you an altar, that ye might rebel this day against the Lord? God's congregation and people, He knows; God knows that have and have not committed trespass against Him and turned away from Him;
22:17 although there was a plague in the congregation of the Lord God sent plague among His people for their sin;
22:18 from following the Lord? seeing ye rebel to day against the Lord, that to morrow He will be wroth with the whole congregation God knows those that follow and do not follow; God knows those that rebel and those that dont; God's wrath against those that rebel;
22:19 pass ye over unto the land of the possession of the Lord, wherein the Lord's tabernacle dwelleth. . .but rebel not against the Lord. . .beside the altar of the Lord our God. God's possession and tabernacle where He abides; God knows those that rebel or not;
22:22 The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, HE knoweth . . . if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the Lord God knows; God knows if rebellion and trangsgression against Himself;
22:23 to turn from following the Lord. . .let the Lord Himself require it God knows those that turn from following or not; God requires it;
22:24 what have ye to do with the Lord God of Israel? God's people and what they have to do with Him;
22:25 For the Lord hath made Jordan a border between us and you. . . ye have no part in the Lord. . make our children cease from fearing the Lord God made Jordan a boundary between them; God knows those that have part in Him; the fear of the Lord;
22:27 that we might do the service of the Lord before Him . . . Ye have no part in the Lord God sees and knows those that offer before Him; God knows those that have part in Him;
22:28 the pattern of the altar of the Lord God's pattern for His altar;
22:29 God forbid that we should rebel against the Lord and turn this day from following the Lord. . . beside the altar of the Lord our God that is before His tabernacle God knows those that are His' and forbids them from rebelling against Him; God knows those that turn from Him and those that turn to Him; God's altar before His tabernacle where His glory abides;
22:31 This day we perceive that the Lord is among us, because ye have not committed this trepass against the Lord: now ye have delivered the children of ISrael out of the hand of the Lord God is among them for they did right; God knows those that commit trespass against Him; God's hand delivers them to peace and/or to judgement
22:33 and the children of Israel blessed God God receives the blessings of His people;
22:34 for it shall be a witness between us that the Lord is God God is witness of who or are His or not;
Chapter 23
23:1 a long time after that the Lord had given rest unto Israel God gives rest from enemies;
23:3 And ye have seen all that the Lord your God hath done unto all these nations because of you; for the Lord your God is He that hath fought for you. What God has done to all the nations; God fought for them because He was their God;
23:5 And the Lord your God, He shall expel them from before you and drive them from out of your sight. . as the Lord your God hath promised unto you God expels and drives out enemy from before them; God promised this unto them; God fulfills His promises;
23:8 But cleave unto the Lord your God, as ye have done unto this day. God knows those that cleave and keep His ways; God knows if they have done so all their days;
23:9 For the Lord hath driven out from before you great nations and strong; but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day. God drives out enemy from before them; God protects and gives them victory;
23:10 One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the Lord your God He it is that fighteth for you, as He hath promised you God fights for His people and gives them victory; God promised and God cannot lie;
23:11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the Lord your God God is to be loved and obeyed by His people; HE is worthy;
23:13 Know for a certainty that the Lord your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you . . . until ye perish from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you I will's of God will not drive out enemy if they sin and disobey Him; God will cause them to perish from the land; God gave them the land and God can take it away;
23:14 that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you and not one thing hath failed thereof. And God said/spoke; God fulfills and brings all to pass as He said; God cannot fail;
23:15 Therefore it shall come to pass that as all good things are come upon you, which the Lord your God promised you; so shall the Lord bring upon you all evil things until He have destroyed you from off this good land which the Lord your God hath given you. God promises good things if they obey; God promises evil things if they disobey; God shall bring to pass evil things to destroy them for disobedience; God gives them the land;
23:16 When ye have transgressed the covenant of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, . . . then shall the anger of the Lord be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which He hath given unto you. God knows those that transgress His covenant; the Lord commanded; God's anger shall be kindled against them for their disobedience and cause them to perish off the land; God gives them the land;
Chapter 24
24:1 and they presented themselves before God God sees and knows those that have presented themselves before Him;
24:2 thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time. . .and they served other gods. And God said/spoke; God knows all the fore-fathers where and when they dwelt; God knows they served other gods, rather than Him; Omnipresent; Omniscient;
24:3 And I took your father Abraham from the other side of the flood and led him throughout all the land of Canaan, and multiplied his seed, and gave him Isaac. God took Abraham and led him through the land; God multiplied his seed; God gave him Isaac.
24:4 And I gave unto Isaac Jacob and Esau; and I gave unto Esau mount Seir, to possess it, but Jacob and his children went down in to Egypt. God gave Isaac two sons; God gave Esau moutn Seit; God led Jacob and Israel into Egypt; Omniscient; Omnipresent;
24:5 I sent Moses also and Aaron, and I plagued Egypt, according to that whihc I did among them: and afterward I brought you out. God sent Moses and Aaron; God plagued Egypt; God brought them out;
24:6 And I brought your fathers out of Egypt; . . .and they pursued you God brought them out; God sees and knows when the enemy is pursuing His children;
24:7 And when they cried unto the Lord, He put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them and covered them, and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt, and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season. God hears the cries of His people; God put darkness between them; God brought the sea upon them and covered them; What God did; God knows how and where they dwelt in the wilderness; Omnipresent; Omniscient;
24:8 And I brought you into the land of the Amorites. . . and they fought with you: and I gave them into your hands, that ye might possess their land, and I destroyed them from before you. God brought them into land; God knows those that come against His people; God gave them into their hands for victory; God destroyed them from before them;
24:10 But I would not hearken unto Balaam; therefore he blessed you still; so I delivered you out of his hand. God refuses to hear Balaam; God receives his blessing for Israel; God delivers them out of his hand; Omnipotent;
24:11 and I delivered them into your hand God delivered enemy into their hand for victory;
24:12 And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you. . . but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow. God sent the hornet and drove them out from before them; God did it not their abilities; Omnipotent;
24:13 And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour God gives them the land, cities, fields,
24:14 Now therefore fear the Lord and serve Him in sincerity and in truth. . . serve ye the Lord the fear of the Lord; God is to be feared, served and in truth and sincerity by His people;
24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord choose you this day whom ye will serve. . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. God is to be served and the choice made for the individual and the household to do so;
24:16 and the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods; God is not to be forsaken, but to be served wholly;
24:17 For the Lord our God, He it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt; from the house of bondage and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the ways, wherein we went and among all the people through whom we passed. God brought them up and out of Egypt; God did marvellous signs and wonders among them; God preserved them and went with them all the way; God protected and delivered them from among the enemy nations;
24:18 And the Lord drave out from before us all the people. . . therefore we will serve the Lord; for he is our God. God is God; God drove out the enemy from before them; God is to be served wholly;
24:19 Ye cannot serve the Lord; for He is a n holy God; He is a jealous God: He will not forgive your transgression nor your sins God is to be served; God is holy; God is jealous; I will's of God to not forgive those that continue in sin;
24:20 For if ye forsake the Lord and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, and consume you after that He hath done you good. God is to be served and feared; I will's of God to turn and do hurt and consume them if they depart from Him; God does good to His peopel that obey Him;
24:21 Nay; but we will serve the Lord. God is to be served;
24:22 that ye have chosen you the Lord to serve Him, And they said, We are witnesses. God is to be chosen and served by His people; God hears their oath;
24:23 incline your heart unto the Lord God of Israel God requires for His children to incline their hearts to Him; God knows whose hearts are inclined to Him;
24:26 And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God. . that was by the sanctuary of the Lord. God's law written in a book; God's sanctuary;
24:27 for it hath heard all the words of the Lord which He spake unto us; it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God. And God said/spake; God is not to be denied, but obeyed;
24:29 that Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the Lord died; God knows His servants; God knows their death, days and time; Omniscient; Omnipresent;
24:31 And Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua. . and which had known all the works of the Lord, that He had done for Israel. God knows who and how long His people serve Him; God's works are manifest to His people which He hath done for them and by them;
Started: September 24, 2018
Continued: 9/25;9/26;9/27;9/29;9/30;10/1;10/4;10/9;10:10;10/11;10:13;10/14;10/15;10/16;10/17;10/18;10/19;10/20;10/21;
Finished: October 21, 2018
Saturday, September 22, 2018
PRAYER BLOG - SEPTEMBER 22
Greetings,
In the midst of such epidemics on our nation, the churches loss of Spirit and power, growth of evil and sin in the church and on our streets, and within the homes and hearts of men; and our very future in jeopardy, here is the question that needs to be asked and needs to be answered:
What is going on?
Why is this happening?
What are we to do about it?
". . . Are these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us? And I will surely hide My face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods. . . " Deuteronomy 31:17 - 19
We have seen an unprecedented increase in evils over these last 10 years. These acts of evil have gradually increased as time as gone. I have spent time in researching, observing, praying and seeking to understand why these things are happening. Out of that comes this heart cry from me to you that read this to answer the above questions one more time.
What is going on?
When an act of evil takes place and calamity happens, people begin to ask 'what is wrong with people?" "What is going on?" The simple answer is, that we are being judged. When a nations is righteous and there is a people that fears and serves the Lord rightly, the Lord meets them and blesses them. But when a people practice and do perverse, sinful, evil things then God meets them and judges them. Our nation has done much to provoke the Lord to anger and judgement. And the church has not done its part to stop the issues that provoke Him. thus, we see an increase in evil and God's judgements upon our nation, homes, streets and churches.
These judgements and episodes that have happened to us have increased to the place of constant remedial judgements. Now remedial judgements are sent and allowed by God to cause them to correct their behavior and cease from doing evil. And if they understand this, and repent of their evil, God will repent of the evil that He thought to do unto them. But if they refuse to turn from their folly, God will meet them with increased remedial judgements that are deeper, more affecting, and of deeper resolve to correct us. These issues of judgement have increased now to be at 'EPIDEMIC' proportions upon our nation and society. so much so, that our very existence as a nation and for population of our future is now at stake. We are not reproducing fast enough to continue a future. We are dying more than living. We are becoming EXTINCT!
Why is this happening?
As I mentioned, we have forsaken and forgotten the Lord over the last 50 years, in almost utter abandonment. We have a nation population at 330 million. But on any given Sunday morning for Christina churches, there may be only around 10% in church to worship and meet Him. I would be willing to give the benefit of doubt and increase to 50 million. But the reality is that well over 80% are not fearing, serving, loving or obeying the Lord and His Word and way.
Now this is due for several reasons:
1. The work of salvation in the soul in generally manipulated by the church. In such a desperation to 'win them', the church has largely "still borne" souls. due to emotion, "decisionism" and religious exercises they have not brought men and women, boy and girls to a saving knowledge of Christ that secures the soul from returning to the world.
when a soul is moved to come to Christ to be saved, the Holy Spirit is drawing them. They are under conviction and they are at that point of recognizing they are lost and need to be saved. One of the principle points of salvation that is generally failed by the church today is to answer the question upon the convicted soul, 'Saved from what?' Saved from sin of course; saved from self. And at that point the soul dies to self, takes up their cross and vows to promise God to follow Him no matter what for all his days.
but the soul that is robbed of this truth, is convicted, being given promises that upon receiving Christ they shall be saved. But they are never instructed to what their new life is all about. They do not know that they are living for Christ totally; nor do they know they are dying to self permanently. thus, they continue in sin, and self; having never truly died to anything, and never really living to anything. This is not biblical salvation to simply receive Christ without the work of Christ to be done in the soul of the seeking person. We have a false salvation.
With this way of doing salvation; which is really just humanism. Men are doing it, not God. We produce religious people, not born again people. And we fill the churches, the rolls with names, baptisms, of those that have been told by men that they are saved. I wonder how many die and go to hell thinking their ok, when they believed a lie, instead of knowing and hearing the whole truth. ADrian Rodgers warned SBC decades ago of this new way of salvation apart from Gospel.
2. There is a lack of knowledge, ignorance of the Word of God and of the God of the Word. Here we see another issue that has mounted in my lifetime, a lack of the bible. Now Madelyne Murray O'Hare may have got the bible out of public schools in 1963, but there are too many churches and Christians that got the bible out of their lives a long time ago on their own. The church, for some reason, I know not, quit reading the Word. They quit teaching the people to memorize verses and passages. They ceased mediation on what God said and Who God is. And out of that came the ignorance of Who God is. They know not His name, nor His attributes, nor His ways. Therefore they are not able to speak to the people truth of Who and what God has said, done or will do
3. The masses of society have seared consciences, reprobate minds and evil hearts. With the added mass of 'still born' souls in the churches and society. with the lack of Bible, truth and knowledge of God. No fear of God, nor way of knowing what is right and wrong; our society has embraced, encouraged, and increased in the ways of hell. We have legalized, and judicial edicts of the very things that God said, "I hate and abhor these things'. We have embraced the abominations and sins that God has vowed to judge any nation, people or person that practices and encourages them to participate in. Thus, we have a huge majority of this nation that refuse to repent from their evil ways. But instead they seek to promote and practice as much evil as they can while they can. They have subverted an entire generation to evil; this is mainly the LGBT agenda. And now we are so close to the age of Noah; 'and God saw that their thoughts and imaginations were continually evil'. And God judged them and destroyed them; and He is doing the same to us.
What are we to do about it?
To acknowledge where we are and what is going on is so important. To continue on as if this normal, or everything is ok, is a lie from hell. We are in serious trouble and the right response to our predicament is absolutely necessary.
With an understanding to all this death and destruction caused by our great sin against a great God, should break our hearts. A great lamentation and mourning should be expressed, seen and heard somewhere. but I can't hardly find it among the church. No tears, no sorrow, no heart cry.
so let us weep over our current situation, weep over our tears, let us weep before the altar and seek the Lord for mercy. Confess our sins and great offenses against Him and His ways.
we have found that less than 20% of SBC churches had or have any type of corporate prayer with any given month. The sin of prayerlessness is great among us. We must see a change in this immediately. For in this we may find the Lord's mercy; "Who knoweth if He will turn and repent and leave a blessing behind Him". But we must seek Him now.
But let me suggest again this remedy:
1. Call for Concerts of Prayer the first of each month; where churches come together corporately and cry out to God; confess sins and seek the Lord;
2. let us acknowledge our sins by specific confessions, followed by repentance; and renewed vows to serve and follow always;
3. a monthly time to fast before the Lord for these most important things;
4. may there be Divine times where God meets these seeking Him and finding Him;
EPIDEMICS:
1. Drugs;
2. Cancer;
3. Great Evil - the last week has revealed the increase daily of murder-suicides; mass shooting in MD, coupled with numerous domestic deaths; Something is in the works here.
4. LGBT;
5. Children abuse, neglect, sex traffic;
6. Natural Disasters;
UPDATES:
--Sermonindex Conference for October 4 - 6 is upon us; your prayers for this and the speakers have been greatly appreciated; continue to pray through these days for each session and speaker and for those that give ear and heart to receive; Everything is pretty much set now, now its time to do it.
--prayer link for the SBC meets at the same time as the sermonindex conference; I've done as much as I feel I can to present what they will receive for that regarding 'urgency' and gathering the SBC prayer life and trying to write it out to show where we are literally; Even though I have not posted all the actual stats, this blog covers the means of it:
http://danbiser.blogspot.com/2018/09/prayer-life-of-sbc.html
--sermons from last Sunday are uploaded to youtube page;
--A Word - have not worked on that since last Sunday when I hit the 2000 mark in Isaiah 54:4;
--The Activity of God - Deuteronomy up through chapter 32; just 3 pages to go;
http://danbiser.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-activity-of-god-in-bible-deuternomy.html
Until,
dan
In the midst of such epidemics on our nation, the churches loss of Spirit and power, growth of evil and sin in the church and on our streets, and within the homes and hearts of men; and our very future in jeopardy, here is the question that needs to be asked and needs to be answered:
What is going on?
Why is this happening?
What are we to do about it?
". . . Are these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us? And I will surely hide My face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods. . . " Deuteronomy 31:17 - 19
We have seen an unprecedented increase in evils over these last 10 years. These acts of evil have gradually increased as time as gone. I have spent time in researching, observing, praying and seeking to understand why these things are happening. Out of that comes this heart cry from me to you that read this to answer the above questions one more time.
What is going on?
When an act of evil takes place and calamity happens, people begin to ask 'what is wrong with people?" "What is going on?" The simple answer is, that we are being judged. When a nations is righteous and there is a people that fears and serves the Lord rightly, the Lord meets them and blesses them. But when a people practice and do perverse, sinful, evil things then God meets them and judges them. Our nation has done much to provoke the Lord to anger and judgement. And the church has not done its part to stop the issues that provoke Him. thus, we see an increase in evil and God's judgements upon our nation, homes, streets and churches.
These judgements and episodes that have happened to us have increased to the place of constant remedial judgements. Now remedial judgements are sent and allowed by God to cause them to correct their behavior and cease from doing evil. And if they understand this, and repent of their evil, God will repent of the evil that He thought to do unto them. But if they refuse to turn from their folly, God will meet them with increased remedial judgements that are deeper, more affecting, and of deeper resolve to correct us. These issues of judgement have increased now to be at 'EPIDEMIC' proportions upon our nation and society. so much so, that our very existence as a nation and for population of our future is now at stake. We are not reproducing fast enough to continue a future. We are dying more than living. We are becoming EXTINCT!
Why is this happening?
As I mentioned, we have forsaken and forgotten the Lord over the last 50 years, in almost utter abandonment. We have a nation population at 330 million. But on any given Sunday morning for Christina churches, there may be only around 10% in church to worship and meet Him. I would be willing to give the benefit of doubt and increase to 50 million. But the reality is that well over 80% are not fearing, serving, loving or obeying the Lord and His Word and way.
Now this is due for several reasons:
1. The work of salvation in the soul in generally manipulated by the church. In such a desperation to 'win them', the church has largely "still borne" souls. due to emotion, "decisionism" and religious exercises they have not brought men and women, boy and girls to a saving knowledge of Christ that secures the soul from returning to the world.
when a soul is moved to come to Christ to be saved, the Holy Spirit is drawing them. They are under conviction and they are at that point of recognizing they are lost and need to be saved. One of the principle points of salvation that is generally failed by the church today is to answer the question upon the convicted soul, 'Saved from what?' Saved from sin of course; saved from self. And at that point the soul dies to self, takes up their cross and vows to promise God to follow Him no matter what for all his days.
but the soul that is robbed of this truth, is convicted, being given promises that upon receiving Christ they shall be saved. But they are never instructed to what their new life is all about. They do not know that they are living for Christ totally; nor do they know they are dying to self permanently. thus, they continue in sin, and self; having never truly died to anything, and never really living to anything. This is not biblical salvation to simply receive Christ without the work of Christ to be done in the soul of the seeking person. We have a false salvation.
With this way of doing salvation; which is really just humanism. Men are doing it, not God. We produce religious people, not born again people. And we fill the churches, the rolls with names, baptisms, of those that have been told by men that they are saved. I wonder how many die and go to hell thinking their ok, when they believed a lie, instead of knowing and hearing the whole truth. ADrian Rodgers warned SBC decades ago of this new way of salvation apart from Gospel.
2. There is a lack of knowledge, ignorance of the Word of God and of the God of the Word. Here we see another issue that has mounted in my lifetime, a lack of the bible. Now Madelyne Murray O'Hare may have got the bible out of public schools in 1963, but there are too many churches and Christians that got the bible out of their lives a long time ago on their own. The church, for some reason, I know not, quit reading the Word. They quit teaching the people to memorize verses and passages. They ceased mediation on what God said and Who God is. And out of that came the ignorance of Who God is. They know not His name, nor His attributes, nor His ways. Therefore they are not able to speak to the people truth of Who and what God has said, done or will do
3. The masses of society have seared consciences, reprobate minds and evil hearts. With the added mass of 'still born' souls in the churches and society. with the lack of Bible, truth and knowledge of God. No fear of God, nor way of knowing what is right and wrong; our society has embraced, encouraged, and increased in the ways of hell. We have legalized, and judicial edicts of the very things that God said, "I hate and abhor these things'. We have embraced the abominations and sins that God has vowed to judge any nation, people or person that practices and encourages them to participate in. Thus, we have a huge majority of this nation that refuse to repent from their evil ways. But instead they seek to promote and practice as much evil as they can while they can. They have subverted an entire generation to evil; this is mainly the LGBT agenda. And now we are so close to the age of Noah; 'and God saw that their thoughts and imaginations were continually evil'. And God judged them and destroyed them; and He is doing the same to us.
What are we to do about it?
To acknowledge where we are and what is going on is so important. To continue on as if this normal, or everything is ok, is a lie from hell. We are in serious trouble and the right response to our predicament is absolutely necessary.
With an understanding to all this death and destruction caused by our great sin against a great God, should break our hearts. A great lamentation and mourning should be expressed, seen and heard somewhere. but I can't hardly find it among the church. No tears, no sorrow, no heart cry.
so let us weep over our current situation, weep over our tears, let us weep before the altar and seek the Lord for mercy. Confess our sins and great offenses against Him and His ways.
we have found that less than 20% of SBC churches had or have any type of corporate prayer with any given month. The sin of prayerlessness is great among us. We must see a change in this immediately. For in this we may find the Lord's mercy; "Who knoweth if He will turn and repent and leave a blessing behind Him". But we must seek Him now.
But let me suggest again this remedy:
1. Call for Concerts of Prayer the first of each month; where churches come together corporately and cry out to God; confess sins and seek the Lord;
2. let us acknowledge our sins by specific confessions, followed by repentance; and renewed vows to serve and follow always;
3. a monthly time to fast before the Lord for these most important things;
4. may there be Divine times where God meets these seeking Him and finding Him;
EPIDEMICS:
1. Drugs;
2. Cancer;
3. Great Evil - the last week has revealed the increase daily of murder-suicides; mass shooting in MD, coupled with numerous domestic deaths; Something is in the works here.
4. LGBT;
5. Children abuse, neglect, sex traffic;
6. Natural Disasters;
UPDATES:
--Sermonindex Conference for October 4 - 6 is upon us; your prayers for this and the speakers have been greatly appreciated; continue to pray through these days for each session and speaker and for those that give ear and heart to receive; Everything is pretty much set now, now its time to do it.
--prayer link for the SBC meets at the same time as the sermonindex conference; I've done as much as I feel I can to present what they will receive for that regarding 'urgency' and gathering the SBC prayer life and trying to write it out to show where we are literally; Even though I have not posted all the actual stats, this blog covers the means of it:
http://danbiser.blogspot.com/2018/09/prayer-life-of-sbc.html
--sermons from last Sunday are uploaded to youtube page;
--A Word - have not worked on that since last Sunday when I hit the 2000 mark in Isaiah 54:4;
--The Activity of God - Deuteronomy up through chapter 32; just 3 pages to go;
http://danbiser.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-activity-of-god-in-bible-deuternomy.html
Until,
dan
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
PRAYER LIFE OF THE SBC
September, 2018
Greetings,
Within the last several months, a group of prayer leaders among the SBC had formed a committee to look at the conditions of prayer among SBC. Among this committee they broke up into smaller task forces to complete some task and prepare for the October meeting of Prayer Link. Prayer Link has been a gathering of prayer leaders among the SBC to pray and discuss issues among Southern Baptist in regards to prayer ministry.
In the discussion among these prayer leaders was suggested, "What should we do to promote and encourage prayer?" My response was, 'you cannot seek to promote something before you know where they are in their prayer life." Then was asked by one, 'How do we do that?" Now 10 years ago, I organized Broken Before the Throne, a prayer conference, designed to incorporate preaching and teaching on prayer, but also to include times of prayer, application of prayer. There was many conferences, but little time given, if any time given to actually pray corporately or in small groups. OUt of this time came the understanding that prayer was greatly lacking among SBC pastors and churches. Out of those times, it was sought to seek where and who is praying; and how are they praying. Ten years ago, it was found out the sinful state of the SBC churches and pastors that were guilty of prayerlessness. This was done by asking and communicating with them about the prayer life.
To answer the question, 'how do we do that?' It was the same situation, go and ask them. Upon asking them, communicating with them, we would be able to discern where exactly the prayer life of the SBC is. It would be necessary to go ask pastors, laymen, associational directors, state officers, state convention executives, seminary presidents, and leaders of the SBC entities. Tell us, 'how is your prayer life?' 'What are you doing? or not doing in the realm of prayer?" Beginning this conversation on prayer is a rare theme. And the results confirm what our pre-conceived thoughts are on the SBC prayer life. We do not have 'houses of prayer'; nor are we a praying people.
And so, for the last decade this same notion of the prayer life of most of Christianity in the US has remained. But there has been efforts among the SBC to encourage more prayer and increase it. Always rejoicing in prayer groups, individuals or churches that testify that they are praying and prevailing. Going to these groups, conferences and meeting with these leaders to hear from them their heart and share whats on mine to increase the prayer life among the body of Christ is a great encouragement. This battle to see a healthy prayer life among the SBC is a huge undertaking and an uphill battle. The uphill battle is due to the fact of some of the following issues:
--schedules are too busy and prayer is generally the first thing or one of the first things neglected and cut;
--many are defensive when questioned about this;
--too many testify that they know that they should pray more and do more, but they do not; James 4:17;
The prayer life of the SBC is greatly guilty of the sin of prayerlessness. To know and not do, it is sin. There must be a renewed fire to prevail at the altar of God for our families, for souls, for His kingdom and for our future. For all of these things are in jeopardy and the need is great.
Out of these things came the need to access just where is the prayer life of the SBC; what can be done to help; where are we and where do we need to go.
This article is a report to those findings, to those that have had a conversation on their prayer life among SBC. Gathering information and answering the questions on prayer. This information is not a comprehensive study, but a search to find out the norm pattern of SBC prayer. This was to be gathered from SBC entities - IMB, NAMB, ERLC, BGR and the Executive Committee; from the 6 seminaries; from the 41 state conventions and the suggested percentage of the 45,000 SBC churches.
HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY PRAYER
This is too large of a group and not enough time to invest in more accurate results of the prayer life among SBC. However, I believe that a small gathering of info and numerics would prove identifying of where we are and what we are doing in regards to prayer. Now the overall emphasis to me is in the following issues:
1. Identifying the personal prayer life vs. the corporate prayer life of the church and/or small groups. Seeing that this is for the denomination study/church study, the focus of this is not so much about the personal prayer life but to stay focused on the corporate. Although I affirm that the corporate prayer life is a direct result of the private prayer life of individuals. Out of the secret closet comes the blessings and overflow in the corporate setting.
2. Examine what they are doing and how they are doing prayer among the body, the church. Now this is simply done by asking the question: ''Tell me what you are doing for prayer and how." Note the frequency of it, per week? per month? per quarter? semi-annual or annually? Who is faithful and consistent in this?
3. Note how those that are praying, in how this came to be. Was they discipled? was they mentored? What moved them to begin to pray?
Most of these questions and personal dialogue with leaders helped shape and form the perspective of where we are. but more importantly, 'why' we are here. some where along the line prayer was lost, not taught, not demonstrated - and then 'out of sight, out of mind'. The damage that this has cost our Lord's kingdom will never be revealed till we stand at judgement. but seeing the last 20 years of our nation, and the SBC convention are revealing enough to me.
WHAT WAS FOUND:
6 seminaries - This is almost a given that each seminary has employed the following: one semester of spiritual formations to cover the disciplines, which includes prayer; prayer focuses on issues following chapel services; shared issues to pray about via mail/email/text; special emphasis, such as missions to pray for;
New Orleans - 8 AM prayer call for seminary family;
Southwestern - recently having prayer groups to pray as search for a new president is sought; Had Life Action group come do a 2- 3 day services in Oct. 2018;
Gateway - chapel services, followed by prayer;special emphasis of missions and or specific needs shared among campus; weekly - at noon, one day a week;
Midwestern - chapel, prayer emphasis; Need Oriented; Specificity of needs and shared requests;
Not known of any small groups praying on campus or off.
ERLC - at the height of an event, legislation, or court edict, calls to prayer will be issued;
BGR -
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - a day of prayer set on SBC calendar; believe that they cannot mandate set calls to prayer;
STATE CONVENTIONS:
42 state conventions; only a few of these states have been able to maintain a state office for "Prayer and/or Spiritual Awakening"; 4 states have one that I know of, there may be 5 or 6; but it would still be under 15% have this office. Many states that had such an office,have cut that office, due to downsizing and finances. Those that had those offices have had to divert to multiple hats of responsibilities and generally was said, that prayer is not the priority as it gets bumped to the back.
Now the encouraging part that has been implemented since Ronnie Floyd was president of the SBC for two years, was that the prayer movement seemed to largely increase in interest and particiaption. This was done, by a set of 2 day prayer gatherings to lead the people to pray and engage in prayer. Although this was a small number in Dallas, and Atlanta, the hope was for those impacted to return to their offices, churches and continue that spirit of prayer. He also, implemented this during the SBC convention onTuesday night sessions for time to be given to pray corporately and in small groups.
From that time there have been a number of state conventions that have embraced for their annual meetings themes on prayer and times of prayer during those days.
WV & NY - among these 2 state conventions we have 20 associations; and around 750 churches. found was 1 of the 20 associations that had any corporate prayer meetings per year (this association had 2 corporate prayer meetings; semi-annually); Of the churches there was none that could be spoken for that had any kind of 1 hr of corporate prayer meeting per month. (my 2 churches Keyser, and Fox's Hollow do it several times a month, but that was not known to leadership. This again is a problem of not being able to identify every praying group. therefore to give credit for those missed, I sought to round up at least 5 - 8 %) That would mean that 700 of these 750 churches have no monthly corporate hour of prayer.
KY - associations and regional ministers oversee and work with church and pastors; one regional minister said, 'I have had people call for church discord; pastor burn-out; deacon ministry. But in all these years I have never had someone call and ask for help for their prayer or the prayer life of the church." Of this same individual, multiple associations covered, about 100 churches and he did not know of 1 out of 100 that had any corporate prayer meeting for one hour per month, or for the year.
SBCV - social media has shown that they have over the last several years employed quarterly and semi-annually prayer meetings for churches and/or pastors;
AL - Mike Jackson was prayer coordinator, but due to restructuring lost that title and took on other responsibilities; 68 counties; 75 associations; 3248 churches; 65 state staff workers; Feb. - May NDP, rallies held by churches on court steps; daily emails with prayer prompts; NW - annual gathering of churches with other denominational churches on day before NDP; constant outreach to pastors of how state staff can help and pray for them individually; Noted a few churches and their corporate prayers times.
Out of the state conventions I have found that TX, AL, SBCV, CO, OK, IL and NC have the greatest state prayer initiatives to set times, places, emphasis and calls for prayer among their associations, churches and pastors.
So again we see, that around 20% of state conventions are active in promoting prayer initiatives, emphasis and calls to prayer. Now this does not mean that they are praying, but that there is an effort to bring it before the people.
The other state conventions of around 20% (7 or 8 out of 42) have a week of prayer for state missions, prayer emergency requests, and/or a regional prayer time/conference/retreat.
And out of these states that may not be as active as the states mentioned above, they have within their regions, associations, group of churches and pastors that pray. They seek times and places to gather and have prayer. these are encouraging testimonies among the SBC.
thus leaving us with almost 60% of our state conventions deficiency in this most needed area of prayer for our churches, families, states, regions, nation and our Lord's kingdom. When wondering why baptism rates have dropped for almost 2 decades herein at the heart is found the sin of prayerlessness.
Lastly, among the over 45,000 churches the percentage drops severely down under 15% of activity. Now here is a hard thing to consider, "how do you define the prayer life within a church?" Is there an active prayer meeting weekly, monthly? Is there a small group/remnant that prays and seeks the Lord for the church, families, souls , communities etc?
Here is the defining:
Is there an active corporate prayer meeting 1 time per month?
Now there may be a list, a church prayer text, a prayer chain and prayer offered over the offering, invocation and benediction. but this does not define a praying church. We would define as highly active 'house of prayer' as Brooklyn Tabernacle and their great Tuesday night prayer meeting. Or the city of Austin and those multi-denominational churches participating in active corporate prayer meetings for their city and region. They have there and in New Mexico a 24/7 prayer chain. These are highly engaged in the prayer life. SEattle, Washington also has a consistent prayer watch daily. (NOt sure of the churches/names/pastor) but I know they are 24/7 praying.
The traditional Wednesday night 'prayer meeting and bible study', even though the term may still be used, does not meet the definition of a prayer church. Let us look at a usual order of that night for many of these churches: this is based on an hour service:
start at 6 or 7 PM; first 5 minutes of opening prayer, announcements and/or song;
bible study and discussion for 35 to 45 minutes;
take prayer requests - 5 to 10 minutes;
Thus leaving only 5 - 10 minutes to actually engage in prayer. and generally, this is done by one person and not a corporate participation. (Although I know that many may wish to defi9ne as 'praying in agreement with that one person, it does not constitute corporate participation.)
Now for the most part these churches will define themselves as 'a house of prayer' but in reality they are not given to much prayer at all.
This is the norm of the SBC prayer life in the church body. We sing, or used to sing, the old hymn, 'Sweet Hour of Prayer'; but you would be hard pressed to find the church, the pastor, the laymen that actually spend an hour in prayer with their brothers and sisters.
CONCLUSION:
We are not intentional about prayer.
Neglect and loss of time to pray is generally because there is no effort to employ time and energy to pray. Priorities are skewed; schedules are overloaded for carnal things rather than eternal things; and God condemns us with the same words to the disciples, 'What? Could you not watch with Me one hour?" the lack of focus to maintain and employ a daily prayer time personally and a weekly prayer time corporately is desperately needed. Without it our failures will continue and our circumstances worsen.
Willingness to pray and know that we should pray; but the sad confession of most, 'i do not pray enough' -
Perhaps this is what this is all about, to get us to see where we are in the sight of God. We are not spiritually as healthy as we should be. And allowance now to address where we are with the hopes of growing and digging deeper in prayer.
Grass Roots vs. Leadership Taught -
One of two responses were expressed by the majority of these addressed about prayer life. And their response was either they did not implement any prayer initiative for the sole reason that they wanted a grass roots movement to spring up. The opposite side, bolstered prayer initiatives because if prayer is never suggested, promoted or taught, it will die off. Of course, grass roots advocates would say that 'then prayer becomes mechanical, legalistic in approach; rather than Spirit formed and led'. I believe there is a fine line between these two that must be forged for a growth in prayer life.
simply left to a grass roots movement, prayer has died out in many of the SBC churches, and associations. I don't know whether the right phrase is, but certainly could make a point for 'out of sight, out of mind'. therefore I believe it necessary to continue to promote, plan, implement times of prayer to be taught, increased and deepened for the sake of the kingdom.
Defensive response by many in church leadership is that, "I do pray".
And again, when questioned on prayer, it does become a question of understanding what is meant by 'praying'. Is it the 1 hour a day alone in the secret closet? is it 2 hours? Prayer is to be defined by personal and corporate. Out of the corporate it is the whole body as well as small groups and the remnant. For example, you may have a church of 100 faithful; and out of that group only 5 people pray. Now that's only 5% are praying actively. But those 5 can transform the 100 and 'do great exploits for our Lord'.
The defensive positioning is largely conviction of not knowing just where they are in their prayer life, and are more largely convicted that they know that they should do more and be more targeted and specific in setting times and application of prayer among the church body and their own personal walk. the defensive positioning should be abandoned as pride. and replaced with a spirit of humbleness among the body to be taught, led and instructed into a deeper, greater prayer life for the cause of Christ and His kingdom.
The Numbers -
I understand that many will be quick again with the defensive positioning of 'these numbers can't be right'. 'Well, this isn't a complete view of our SBC prayer life'. It is fine with any that may wish to do a more deeper study and gathering of numerics and stats for a better picture of our prayer life. but rather, what has been revealed should be alarming enough to be a catalyst for a response. Are we content to have less than 25% of our convention to shoulder the responsibility of prayer? Are we satisfied with less than 10% active in monthly/weekly times of prayer? We should be so ashamed and greatly agonizing. For we should understand that the fall of our nation, the baptism numbers that the SBC reports continues to decrease, understand that they are directly linked to our lack of prayer.
do you realize that the lack of evangelism among the SBC is due to the lack of prayer? There is no fuel for the fire! Do you realize that the low baptism numbers for decades is due to the lack of prayer? The absence of SBC being 'houses of prayer' is sin in the heart and God will not hear the prayers of those that regard iniquity in their heart. Do you realize that revival tarries because of the sin of prayerlessness? That if 50 - 80% of SBC churches and entities would immediately change their prayer status 'a mighty rushing Wind' would come from the heavens for a people that 'called, and He answered"; for a people 'that sought Him, found Him".
too many will promote or focus on the less than 20% that are engaged in great prayer. And these should be recognized and touted for their obedience and their prayer lives. There are great testimonies and blessings that comes out of these faithful ones. It is not the desire to neglect or shortchange them for their faithfulness to pray. But too often in this day, and I understand it not, that we are lopsided in our focuses. Always present the positive, but never address the negative. But the whole must be addressed, the good with the bad, to get a complete picture. Rejoice with those that are seeing great strides in prayer; but remember they are less than 20%. Sorrow over the 80% that are prayerless, for this the reason of Ichabod upon our nation and many churches.
Suggested Solutions:
1. SBC leadership should re-evaluate and employ help from Prayer Link to assist in making all 47,000 churches to be 'houses of prayer'. Yes, I know time and effort will be involved. But as David said, 'is there not a cause?'
2. Each entity should be willing to look and implement some sort of prayer initiative that our labor is not in humanism, not in the arm of flesh, but in the Spirit of the Lord. 'not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit saith the Lord". Each one and all of SBC must be intentional about prayer.
3. JD Greear has set the SBC convention for 2019 and cancelled all evening sessions. Prayer Link should capitalize on this and organize a time of prayer for the Lord's work among SBC.
4. A suggested call to prayer, much like Jonathan Edward and others promoted for the first Monday/Tuesday of each month. A day of fasting for revival and awakening.
5. To come along side of groups, associations, states and entities to speak much more about their prayer life. 'Where are you at brother/sister in your walk with the Lord? How is your prayer life? Can I pray with you and for you?"
6. Samuel Chadwick said, 'A prayer life is a life that prays". And we must concede that we have not had a prayer life because we have not prayed throughout life. And make a covenant with the Lord that we will be a people of prayer and we will have houses of prayer for His glory and honor.
PRAYER FOR THE SBC & PRAYER LINK
Worship & Adoration:
--You are God; we are Yours' and You are ours';
--You are the God Who gave to us the means of prayer; Divine conversation from You to us and us to You;
--You are the God Who promises for us to 'call and You will answer'; 'ask and You shall give'; 'seek & You shall help and allow for us to find';
--You have created and ordained Your Bride, the body of Christ to e 'houses of prayer';
Confession:
--where You have given us much in freedoms, time, opportunity and means to pray and prevail; we have not done as we should have to that which is pleasing unto You;
--our confession as a whole body is that we have sinned: 'to him that knoweth to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.'
--we do not have 'houses of prayer';
--for many our secret closets are dusty and filled with cobwebs due to our negligence;
--we are guilty of the sin of prayerlessness;
--these judgements and evils on our nation is a direct response of our failure to come before You;
Petitions & Supplications:
--Lord, makes us to be men and women of prayer;
--Lord, help us and hear our cry to make Your house a house of prayer;
--Grant to us that Spirit that will keep us praying without ceasing;
--give to us a spirit of empathy and not apathy;
--pour out Your Spirit on Your people and churches that we may see the mighty hand of God seek and save that which is lost; empower Your people and bring glory to Your Name;
Until,
Dan Biser
rdbiser@live.com
Started: September 17, 2018
Continued: 9/19; 9/20;9/21;9/24;9/25;10/17;
Finished:
Greetings,
Within the last several months, a group of prayer leaders among the SBC had formed a committee to look at the conditions of prayer among SBC. Among this committee they broke up into smaller task forces to complete some task and prepare for the October meeting of Prayer Link. Prayer Link has been a gathering of prayer leaders among the SBC to pray and discuss issues among Southern Baptist in regards to prayer ministry.
In the discussion among these prayer leaders was suggested, "What should we do to promote and encourage prayer?" My response was, 'you cannot seek to promote something before you know where they are in their prayer life." Then was asked by one, 'How do we do that?" Now 10 years ago, I organized Broken Before the Throne, a prayer conference, designed to incorporate preaching and teaching on prayer, but also to include times of prayer, application of prayer. There was many conferences, but little time given, if any time given to actually pray corporately or in small groups. OUt of this time came the understanding that prayer was greatly lacking among SBC pastors and churches. Out of those times, it was sought to seek where and who is praying; and how are they praying. Ten years ago, it was found out the sinful state of the SBC churches and pastors that were guilty of prayerlessness. This was done by asking and communicating with them about the prayer life.
To answer the question, 'how do we do that?' It was the same situation, go and ask them. Upon asking them, communicating with them, we would be able to discern where exactly the prayer life of the SBC is. It would be necessary to go ask pastors, laymen, associational directors, state officers, state convention executives, seminary presidents, and leaders of the SBC entities. Tell us, 'how is your prayer life?' 'What are you doing? or not doing in the realm of prayer?" Beginning this conversation on prayer is a rare theme. And the results confirm what our pre-conceived thoughts are on the SBC prayer life. We do not have 'houses of prayer'; nor are we a praying people.
And so, for the last decade this same notion of the prayer life of most of Christianity in the US has remained. But there has been efforts among the SBC to encourage more prayer and increase it. Always rejoicing in prayer groups, individuals or churches that testify that they are praying and prevailing. Going to these groups, conferences and meeting with these leaders to hear from them their heart and share whats on mine to increase the prayer life among the body of Christ is a great encouragement. This battle to see a healthy prayer life among the SBC is a huge undertaking and an uphill battle. The uphill battle is due to the fact of some of the following issues:
--schedules are too busy and prayer is generally the first thing or one of the first things neglected and cut;
--many are defensive when questioned about this;
--too many testify that they know that they should pray more and do more, but they do not; James 4:17;
The prayer life of the SBC is greatly guilty of the sin of prayerlessness. To know and not do, it is sin. There must be a renewed fire to prevail at the altar of God for our families, for souls, for His kingdom and for our future. For all of these things are in jeopardy and the need is great.
Out of these things came the need to access just where is the prayer life of the SBC; what can be done to help; where are we and where do we need to go.
This article is a report to those findings, to those that have had a conversation on their prayer life among SBC. Gathering information and answering the questions on prayer. This information is not a comprehensive study, but a search to find out the norm pattern of SBC prayer. This was to be gathered from SBC entities - IMB, NAMB, ERLC, BGR and the Executive Committee; from the 6 seminaries; from the 41 state conventions and the suggested percentage of the 45,000 SBC churches.
HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY PRAYER
This is too large of a group and not enough time to invest in more accurate results of the prayer life among SBC. However, I believe that a small gathering of info and numerics would prove identifying of where we are and what we are doing in regards to prayer. Now the overall emphasis to me is in the following issues:
1. Identifying the personal prayer life vs. the corporate prayer life of the church and/or small groups. Seeing that this is for the denomination study/church study, the focus of this is not so much about the personal prayer life but to stay focused on the corporate. Although I affirm that the corporate prayer life is a direct result of the private prayer life of individuals. Out of the secret closet comes the blessings and overflow in the corporate setting.
2. Examine what they are doing and how they are doing prayer among the body, the church. Now this is simply done by asking the question: ''Tell me what you are doing for prayer and how." Note the frequency of it, per week? per month? per quarter? semi-annual or annually? Who is faithful and consistent in this?
3. Note how those that are praying, in how this came to be. Was they discipled? was they mentored? What moved them to begin to pray?
Most of these questions and personal dialogue with leaders helped shape and form the perspective of where we are. but more importantly, 'why' we are here. some where along the line prayer was lost, not taught, not demonstrated - and then 'out of sight, out of mind'. The damage that this has cost our Lord's kingdom will never be revealed till we stand at judgement. but seeing the last 20 years of our nation, and the SBC convention are revealing enough to me.
WHAT WAS FOUND:
6 seminaries - This is almost a given that each seminary has employed the following: one semester of spiritual formations to cover the disciplines, which includes prayer; prayer focuses on issues following chapel services; shared issues to pray about via mail/email/text; special emphasis, such as missions to pray for;
New Orleans - 8 AM prayer call for seminary family;
Southwestern - recently having prayer groups to pray as search for a new president is sought; Had Life Action group come do a 2- 3 day services in Oct. 2018;
Gateway - chapel services, followed by prayer;special emphasis of missions and or specific needs shared among campus; weekly - at noon, one day a week;
Midwestern - chapel, prayer emphasis; Need Oriented; Specificity of needs and shared requests;
Not known of any small groups praying on campus or off.
ERLC - at the height of an event, legislation, or court edict, calls to prayer will be issued;
BGR -
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - a day of prayer set on SBC calendar; believe that they cannot mandate set calls to prayer;
STATE CONVENTIONS:
42 state conventions; only a few of these states have been able to maintain a state office for "Prayer and/or Spiritual Awakening"; 4 states have one that I know of, there may be 5 or 6; but it would still be under 15% have this office. Many states that had such an office,have cut that office, due to downsizing and finances. Those that had those offices have had to divert to multiple hats of responsibilities and generally was said, that prayer is not the priority as it gets bumped to the back.
Now the encouraging part that has been implemented since Ronnie Floyd was president of the SBC for two years, was that the prayer movement seemed to largely increase in interest and particiaption. This was done, by a set of 2 day prayer gatherings to lead the people to pray and engage in prayer. Although this was a small number in Dallas, and Atlanta, the hope was for those impacted to return to their offices, churches and continue that spirit of prayer. He also, implemented this during the SBC convention onTuesday night sessions for time to be given to pray corporately and in small groups.
From that time there have been a number of state conventions that have embraced for their annual meetings themes on prayer and times of prayer during those days.
WV & NY - among these 2 state conventions we have 20 associations; and around 750 churches. found was 1 of the 20 associations that had any corporate prayer meetings per year (this association had 2 corporate prayer meetings; semi-annually); Of the churches there was none that could be spoken for that had any kind of 1 hr of corporate prayer meeting per month. (my 2 churches Keyser, and Fox's Hollow do it several times a month, but that was not known to leadership. This again is a problem of not being able to identify every praying group. therefore to give credit for those missed, I sought to round up at least 5 - 8 %) That would mean that 700 of these 750 churches have no monthly corporate hour of prayer.
KY - associations and regional ministers oversee and work with church and pastors; one regional minister said, 'I have had people call for church discord; pastor burn-out; deacon ministry. But in all these years I have never had someone call and ask for help for their prayer or the prayer life of the church." Of this same individual, multiple associations covered, about 100 churches and he did not know of 1 out of 100 that had any corporate prayer meeting for one hour per month, or for the year.
SBCV - social media has shown that they have over the last several years employed quarterly and semi-annually prayer meetings for churches and/or pastors;
AL - Mike Jackson was prayer coordinator, but due to restructuring lost that title and took on other responsibilities; 68 counties; 75 associations; 3248 churches; 65 state staff workers; Feb. - May NDP, rallies held by churches on court steps; daily emails with prayer prompts; NW - annual gathering of churches with other denominational churches on day before NDP; constant outreach to pastors of how state staff can help and pray for them individually; Noted a few churches and their corporate prayers times.
Out of the state conventions I have found that TX, AL, SBCV, CO, OK, IL and NC have the greatest state prayer initiatives to set times, places, emphasis and calls for prayer among their associations, churches and pastors.
So again we see, that around 20% of state conventions are active in promoting prayer initiatives, emphasis and calls to prayer. Now this does not mean that they are praying, but that there is an effort to bring it before the people.
The other state conventions of around 20% (7 or 8 out of 42) have a week of prayer for state missions, prayer emergency requests, and/or a regional prayer time/conference/retreat.
And out of these states that may not be as active as the states mentioned above, they have within their regions, associations, group of churches and pastors that pray. They seek times and places to gather and have prayer. these are encouraging testimonies among the SBC.
thus leaving us with almost 60% of our state conventions deficiency in this most needed area of prayer for our churches, families, states, regions, nation and our Lord's kingdom. When wondering why baptism rates have dropped for almost 2 decades herein at the heart is found the sin of prayerlessness.
Lastly, among the over 45,000 churches the percentage drops severely down under 15% of activity. Now here is a hard thing to consider, "how do you define the prayer life within a church?" Is there an active prayer meeting weekly, monthly? Is there a small group/remnant that prays and seeks the Lord for the church, families, souls , communities etc?
Here is the defining:
Is there an active corporate prayer meeting 1 time per month?
Now there may be a list, a church prayer text, a prayer chain and prayer offered over the offering, invocation and benediction. but this does not define a praying church. We would define as highly active 'house of prayer' as Brooklyn Tabernacle and their great Tuesday night prayer meeting. Or the city of Austin and those multi-denominational churches participating in active corporate prayer meetings for their city and region. They have there and in New Mexico a 24/7 prayer chain. These are highly engaged in the prayer life. SEattle, Washington also has a consistent prayer watch daily. (NOt sure of the churches/names/pastor) but I know they are 24/7 praying.
The traditional Wednesday night 'prayer meeting and bible study', even though the term may still be used, does not meet the definition of a prayer church. Let us look at a usual order of that night for many of these churches: this is based on an hour service:
start at 6 or 7 PM; first 5 minutes of opening prayer, announcements and/or song;
bible study and discussion for 35 to 45 minutes;
take prayer requests - 5 to 10 minutes;
Thus leaving only 5 - 10 minutes to actually engage in prayer. and generally, this is done by one person and not a corporate participation. (Although I know that many may wish to defi9ne as 'praying in agreement with that one person, it does not constitute corporate participation.)
Now for the most part these churches will define themselves as 'a house of prayer' but in reality they are not given to much prayer at all.
This is the norm of the SBC prayer life in the church body. We sing, or used to sing, the old hymn, 'Sweet Hour of Prayer'; but you would be hard pressed to find the church, the pastor, the laymen that actually spend an hour in prayer with their brothers and sisters.
CONCLUSION:
We are not intentional about prayer.
Neglect and loss of time to pray is generally because there is no effort to employ time and energy to pray. Priorities are skewed; schedules are overloaded for carnal things rather than eternal things; and God condemns us with the same words to the disciples, 'What? Could you not watch with Me one hour?" the lack of focus to maintain and employ a daily prayer time personally and a weekly prayer time corporately is desperately needed. Without it our failures will continue and our circumstances worsen.
Willingness to pray and know that we should pray; but the sad confession of most, 'i do not pray enough' -
Perhaps this is what this is all about, to get us to see where we are in the sight of God. We are not spiritually as healthy as we should be. And allowance now to address where we are with the hopes of growing and digging deeper in prayer.
Grass Roots vs. Leadership Taught -
One of two responses were expressed by the majority of these addressed about prayer life. And their response was either they did not implement any prayer initiative for the sole reason that they wanted a grass roots movement to spring up. The opposite side, bolstered prayer initiatives because if prayer is never suggested, promoted or taught, it will die off. Of course, grass roots advocates would say that 'then prayer becomes mechanical, legalistic in approach; rather than Spirit formed and led'. I believe there is a fine line between these two that must be forged for a growth in prayer life.
simply left to a grass roots movement, prayer has died out in many of the SBC churches, and associations. I don't know whether the right phrase is, but certainly could make a point for 'out of sight, out of mind'. therefore I believe it necessary to continue to promote, plan, implement times of prayer to be taught, increased and deepened for the sake of the kingdom.
Defensive response by many in church leadership is that, "I do pray".
And again, when questioned on prayer, it does become a question of understanding what is meant by 'praying'. Is it the 1 hour a day alone in the secret closet? is it 2 hours? Prayer is to be defined by personal and corporate. Out of the corporate it is the whole body as well as small groups and the remnant. For example, you may have a church of 100 faithful; and out of that group only 5 people pray. Now that's only 5% are praying actively. But those 5 can transform the 100 and 'do great exploits for our Lord'.
The defensive positioning is largely conviction of not knowing just where they are in their prayer life, and are more largely convicted that they know that they should do more and be more targeted and specific in setting times and application of prayer among the church body and their own personal walk. the defensive positioning should be abandoned as pride. and replaced with a spirit of humbleness among the body to be taught, led and instructed into a deeper, greater prayer life for the cause of Christ and His kingdom.
The Numbers -
I understand that many will be quick again with the defensive positioning of 'these numbers can't be right'. 'Well, this isn't a complete view of our SBC prayer life'. It is fine with any that may wish to do a more deeper study and gathering of numerics and stats for a better picture of our prayer life. but rather, what has been revealed should be alarming enough to be a catalyst for a response. Are we content to have less than 25% of our convention to shoulder the responsibility of prayer? Are we satisfied with less than 10% active in monthly/weekly times of prayer? We should be so ashamed and greatly agonizing. For we should understand that the fall of our nation, the baptism numbers that the SBC reports continues to decrease, understand that they are directly linked to our lack of prayer.
do you realize that the lack of evangelism among the SBC is due to the lack of prayer? There is no fuel for the fire! Do you realize that the low baptism numbers for decades is due to the lack of prayer? The absence of SBC being 'houses of prayer' is sin in the heart and God will not hear the prayers of those that regard iniquity in their heart. Do you realize that revival tarries because of the sin of prayerlessness? That if 50 - 80% of SBC churches and entities would immediately change their prayer status 'a mighty rushing Wind' would come from the heavens for a people that 'called, and He answered"; for a people 'that sought Him, found Him".
too many will promote or focus on the less than 20% that are engaged in great prayer. And these should be recognized and touted for their obedience and their prayer lives. There are great testimonies and blessings that comes out of these faithful ones. It is not the desire to neglect or shortchange them for their faithfulness to pray. But too often in this day, and I understand it not, that we are lopsided in our focuses. Always present the positive, but never address the negative. But the whole must be addressed, the good with the bad, to get a complete picture. Rejoice with those that are seeing great strides in prayer; but remember they are less than 20%. Sorrow over the 80% that are prayerless, for this the reason of Ichabod upon our nation and many churches.
Suggested Solutions:
1. SBC leadership should re-evaluate and employ help from Prayer Link to assist in making all 47,000 churches to be 'houses of prayer'. Yes, I know time and effort will be involved. But as David said, 'is there not a cause?'
2. Each entity should be willing to look and implement some sort of prayer initiative that our labor is not in humanism, not in the arm of flesh, but in the Spirit of the Lord. 'not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit saith the Lord". Each one and all of SBC must be intentional about prayer.
3. JD Greear has set the SBC convention for 2019 and cancelled all evening sessions. Prayer Link should capitalize on this and organize a time of prayer for the Lord's work among SBC.
4. A suggested call to prayer, much like Jonathan Edward and others promoted for the first Monday/Tuesday of each month. A day of fasting for revival and awakening.
5. To come along side of groups, associations, states and entities to speak much more about their prayer life. 'Where are you at brother/sister in your walk with the Lord? How is your prayer life? Can I pray with you and for you?"
6. Samuel Chadwick said, 'A prayer life is a life that prays". And we must concede that we have not had a prayer life because we have not prayed throughout life. And make a covenant with the Lord that we will be a people of prayer and we will have houses of prayer for His glory and honor.
PRAYER FOR THE SBC & PRAYER LINK
Worship & Adoration:
--You are God; we are Yours' and You are ours';
--You are the God Who gave to us the means of prayer; Divine conversation from You to us and us to You;
--You are the God Who promises for us to 'call and You will answer'; 'ask and You shall give'; 'seek & You shall help and allow for us to find';
--You have created and ordained Your Bride, the body of Christ to e 'houses of prayer';
Confession:
--where You have given us much in freedoms, time, opportunity and means to pray and prevail; we have not done as we should have to that which is pleasing unto You;
--our confession as a whole body is that we have sinned: 'to him that knoweth to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.'
--we do not have 'houses of prayer';
--for many our secret closets are dusty and filled with cobwebs due to our negligence;
--we are guilty of the sin of prayerlessness;
--these judgements and evils on our nation is a direct response of our failure to come before You;
Petitions & Supplications:
--Lord, makes us to be men and women of prayer;
--Lord, help us and hear our cry to make Your house a house of prayer;
--Grant to us that Spirit that will keep us praying without ceasing;
--give to us a spirit of empathy and not apathy;
--pour out Your Spirit on Your people and churches that we may see the mighty hand of God seek and save that which is lost; empower Your people and bring glory to Your Name;
Until,
Dan Biser
rdbiser@live.com
Started: September 17, 2018
Continued: 9/19; 9/20;9/21;9/24;9/25;10/17;
Finished:
Thursday, September 13, 2018
PRAYER BLOG - SEPT. 13 - PRAYER REQUEST
Greetings,
A short word of pleading for prayer for our current need.
"Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God." - Revelation 3:2
IN the last 48 hours there has been a great increase in evil in our land. Yesterday we had our first school death of this school year. (to my knowledge) Two girls fighting and the one stabbed the other and she died from those wounds. I awoke this morning to the next tragedy of 6 dead in CA, in a murder-suicide. This death coupled with the hurricanes activity is quite alarming again that we are seeing so much in such a short time frame. And as I plead for help in prayer yet so little response to push back stop this evil from the church leadership. .
"when evil comes in like a flood, God raises up a standard bearer" This is to combat the evil that is being allowed and permitted by God upon our nation for its great evils against Him. We are in such dangerous times. And no matter how much I plead and report these EPIDEMICS upon us, it seems to little avail for the standard bearers, the church, to arise and respond. I often illustrate it that I feel like the little Dutch boy plugging the holes of the dam with his fingers and toes to stop breach. And I thank God for those of you that pray, of the remnant, in like manner.
Be watchful, strengthen the things that remain for its getting ready to die. Is God getting ready to remove our candlestick? Have we gone so long, amidst so many remedial judgements that we are nearing the end as church as we know it? I believe in 4 pillars to be maintained: 1. Bible - reading/memorizing/study/meditate; 2. Prayer - prevailing, private and corporate settings; 3. Church - active and attending; 4. Evangelize - to engage and create opportunities to speak to men of eternity and their souls.
In these 4 pillars I seek to strengthen that they may remain among the brethren. Our 24/7 prayer page will come to a close at the end of September, due to failure to have active participants engage in prayer throughout the week for these things. Another reason for 'our getting ready to die'. Working the stats to prepare for Prayer Links meeting next month find that less than 10% of all churches and entities have any monthly corporate setting of prayer. For many this is weeks, months and for some, years on end. Another reason for our death. . .
But I will be watchful. I will enter into my secret closet. I will seek to plead yet, for the time of death is near. I will continue to encourage you to deepen and engage your prayer life for His kingdom. Please consider where we are and what is going on and resolve for your prayers to be offered up this day. souls are at stake, our future is at stake.
When moments like this come with increase of evil in our land, I have pleaded with church and prayer leaders to make the body aware and call for immediate prayer to this. Always it seems with waiting till the disaster then pray. Understanding that the handwriting on the wall has happened and our nation is in great peril this day. And when evil begins to happen, I believe that the Lord is waiting for His intercessors to plead with Him to 'repent of the evil that He thought to do to us."
Therefore I am asking you to set time aside today, for I fear for what may be coming with all these things happen in so short a period of time. And I still believe that there is a greater calamity on the horizon for our nation. Economic, war, disease, I don't know. but we are in serious trouble and you are needed.
EPIDEMICS:
1. DRUGS; continued death, useage and deepening of impact upon society, future;
2. CANCER - the lists continues to grow and deepen;
3. GREAT EVIL - school death yesterday; 6 dead in murder-suicide in CA;
4. LGBT;
5. CHILDREN
6. NATURAL DISASTERS - 4 named storms in Atlantic right now; possible #5 to be named today and to hit south Texas; we keep hearing the reports and the words, 'catastrophic'; 'record' 'historic' Don't we understand what is happening!
Until,
dan
A short word of pleading for prayer for our current need.
"Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God." - Revelation 3:2
IN the last 48 hours there has been a great increase in evil in our land. Yesterday we had our first school death of this school year. (to my knowledge) Two girls fighting and the one stabbed the other and she died from those wounds. I awoke this morning to the next tragedy of 6 dead in CA, in a murder-suicide. This death coupled with the hurricanes activity is quite alarming again that we are seeing so much in such a short time frame. And as I plead for help in prayer yet so little response to push back stop this evil from the church leadership. .
"when evil comes in like a flood, God raises up a standard bearer" This is to combat the evil that is being allowed and permitted by God upon our nation for its great evils against Him. We are in such dangerous times. And no matter how much I plead and report these EPIDEMICS upon us, it seems to little avail for the standard bearers, the church, to arise and respond. I often illustrate it that I feel like the little Dutch boy plugging the holes of the dam with his fingers and toes to stop breach. And I thank God for those of you that pray, of the remnant, in like manner.
Be watchful, strengthen the things that remain for its getting ready to die. Is God getting ready to remove our candlestick? Have we gone so long, amidst so many remedial judgements that we are nearing the end as church as we know it? I believe in 4 pillars to be maintained: 1. Bible - reading/memorizing/study/meditate; 2. Prayer - prevailing, private and corporate settings; 3. Church - active and attending; 4. Evangelize - to engage and create opportunities to speak to men of eternity and their souls.
In these 4 pillars I seek to strengthen that they may remain among the brethren. Our 24/7 prayer page will come to a close at the end of September, due to failure to have active participants engage in prayer throughout the week for these things. Another reason for 'our getting ready to die'. Working the stats to prepare for Prayer Links meeting next month find that less than 10% of all churches and entities have any monthly corporate setting of prayer. For many this is weeks, months and for some, years on end. Another reason for our death. . .
But I will be watchful. I will enter into my secret closet. I will seek to plead yet, for the time of death is near. I will continue to encourage you to deepen and engage your prayer life for His kingdom. Please consider where we are and what is going on and resolve for your prayers to be offered up this day. souls are at stake, our future is at stake.
When moments like this come with increase of evil in our land, I have pleaded with church and prayer leaders to make the body aware and call for immediate prayer to this. Always it seems with waiting till the disaster then pray. Understanding that the handwriting on the wall has happened and our nation is in great peril this day. And when evil begins to happen, I believe that the Lord is waiting for His intercessors to plead with Him to 'repent of the evil that He thought to do to us."
Therefore I am asking you to set time aside today, for I fear for what may be coming with all these things happen in so short a period of time. And I still believe that there is a greater calamity on the horizon for our nation. Economic, war, disease, I don't know. but we are in serious trouble and you are needed.
EPIDEMICS:
1. DRUGS; continued death, useage and deepening of impact upon society, future;
2. CANCER - the lists continues to grow and deepen;
3. GREAT EVIL - school death yesterday; 6 dead in murder-suicide in CA;
4. LGBT;
5. CHILDREN
6. NATURAL DISASTERS - 4 named storms in Atlantic right now; possible #5 to be named today and to hit south Texas; we keep hearing the reports and the words, 'catastrophic'; 'record' 'historic' Don't we understand what is happening!
Until,
dan
Sunday, September 9, 2018
PRAYER BLOG - SEPTEMBER 8
Greetings,
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" Ecc. 3:1
Much is on my heart and mind on the following -- What time is it?
Is it a time for revival? Is it a time for the end? Is it a time for more judgements? How will God orchestrate it all for these days upon us. There have been multiple times over the lat 2 - 3 years of God's "mercy drops" in tent crusades and outbreaks of great salvation. All of which is termed 'revival', but it is not; it is simply awakening of lost souls to salvation. However, in contrast the judgements have increased. Leading to what I term now as 'epidemics'. Catastrophic results, with a jeopardy to our nations future is now upon us.
so will there be another great judgement on our land, making 9/11 or Katrina look like a small matter? And out of that come a great cry of need for the Lord? Or will He simply send that move of His Spirit upon the church and it will arise and shed its carnality and live wholly for Him. thus provoking the spirit of contention in this pagan nation. And if this be the case, it will lead to a great persecution of which the US Christians have never known. One thing is certain I believe, that with Trump being president we have seen a great relief to laws and judicial edicts that have provoked the Lord to great anger. And I fear the reprise of that is that the church is satisfied with this.
Not knowing that the greater sin of decades of abandonment to true Christian holiness has not been addressed nor dealt with. WE have continued to sink and sink into humanism and carnality of the worst sort. Sin still lies upon us and the land is still defiled before Him, Whose eyes are of purer things than to behold iniquity. And at the heart of this is the true question of the church, are we really saved? From Adrian Rogers to Ravenhill to Tozer all defining that most in the church from the 1950's till 1980's that there was many religious folk in the churches and baptized but not truly saved and born again.
And in this era of heighten pressure to 'get the baptism numbers up' we see humanism pushing to do just that. But the authentic work of the Holy Spirit is much distant. A great need for us to examine and exhort true salvation in Christ and lives surrendered to Him. 'Unless a grain of wheat dies', it shall not come forth for His purpose or for His kingdom. Religion is a weapon of Satan and he has used it masterfully among us.
So what time is it? Revival or ruin? How will God orchestrate these days in front of us. It has been 2 years now since God did a work in me, giving me warning that evil was coming and to set the people to pray. SEveral lessons of this to learn, not knowing what was going on. But now, it is clear that God sets His people to pray lest He consume us in a moment. This is where the preventive prayers came from. I warned last year before the mass shooting of Las Vegas and sought before the storms during the month of September that leadership would respond, they did not.
Now we are worse and in greater peril. What time is it? Is it time to be weighed in the balances and finished? War is coming; conflict in the nations is getting ready to happen. Souls for all eternity are in jeopardy and not a word of warning. Too much interested in our entertainment and money. but its coming and another calamity no doubt. The heightened increase has begun and we are called to yield to Him -- 'in wrath remember mercy'. I plead with you to join us in prayer to address our sins, in our nation and in the church. To set days of fasting and supplication before Him for our future.
"It is high time to awake out of sleep" And its time to get ready for what is coming this fall.
EPIDEMICS:
1. Drugs - famous rap artist; newswoman's moving broadcast on her daughter dying; We continue to see it unfold
2. Cancer - Anne Graham Lotz breast cancer and surgery Sept. 18; quite the lists that I have in prayer. As this continues upon near and far. Treatments, surgery, recovery and death.
3. Great Evil - August was favorable of no police officers killed, no school shooting. Chicago continues in its daily death rate. But the last week an increase in murders, and murder-suicides. I believe the last half of this month we will see multiple mass shootings in school, police and public. Why? Again these epidemics are increased because of the failure of the church to respond to our sin. No response, epidemics of remedial judgements increase and worsen.
4. LGBT - their recent losses in court and with Kavanguagh being selected will force them to greater extremes; I fear for what this means. As possible as storming the Senate to delay and risk the vote for him to be on the supreme court, for they know what is at stake. I also fear assassination due to extremism.
5. Children - amber alerts, headlines continue in wake of our children under such scrutiny of sin in abuse and neglect;
6. Natural Disasters - 30% of our nation continues under severe drought; coupled with numerous record wildfires in the west; Hurricane season during the month of August was no existed in the Atlantic; one historic swipe at Hawaii. Now in September we have another record. Last August into first September, we saw 2 hurricanes hit back to back in US. Now on 3 separate front, the first of next week may have US hit in Guam, Hawaii and east coast all at the same time. Don't tell me this is not a severe warning.
UPDATES:
--bible reading; Hopefully the next time I write I will have finished reading my bible through; It will be #49. The goal was to hit 50 by my 50th birthday. I've already started through for the 50th time with 'The Activity of God" but no doubt, Lord allowing, I will pass in readings several times as this is a slow tedious task. Word studies this time in reading has been: Call; Put and all the "P" words;
--The Activity of God - Deuteronomy - up through chapter 22; greatly slowed down in August and thus far in September; was doing 3 pages a day, but barely able to get one done now. The last 3 chapters have picked up, due to these chapters being less of Activity of God mentioned in them.
--Videos - was away last Sunday, so no videos uploaded; but the most important thing I have done is "Urgency" which I have been laboring on and seeking to relate to Prayer Link for their meetings next month. I only wanted about 6 - 9 minutes, but couldn't get it under 15 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/user/rdbiser10/videos?view_as=subscriber
--A Word - currently just finished starting all verses in Isaiah chapter 55: verse 1 - 13; 1996 blog posts on bible verses started, only a few have been finished. but working ot finish all of chapter 55 before I approach #2000 in chapter 56;
--24/7 prayer chain - we have sought to continue this; And I thank those that pray toward this, but do not feel able to sign up. But I believe it to be the most important thing right now to prevail. Our failure to fill the slots shows we cannot prevail. I'm asking you to consider this and join us.
--Sermonindex conference - under a month away; 12 speakers, Oct. 4-6; simulcast is available and you are asked to sign up for this; I will be helping moderating and preaching. I will be gone for a week. This is pay for your own way conference, you may consider helping toward this.
--Prayer Link - i've been on this task force and spoken the last several months via conference call; but due to the sermonindex conference wiill not be able to attend. I can only pray and submit what I have already shared on the urgency and need of response by the church.
Until,
dan
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" Ecc. 3:1
Much is on my heart and mind on the following -- What time is it?
Is it a time for revival? Is it a time for the end? Is it a time for more judgements? How will God orchestrate it all for these days upon us. There have been multiple times over the lat 2 - 3 years of God's "mercy drops" in tent crusades and outbreaks of great salvation. All of which is termed 'revival', but it is not; it is simply awakening of lost souls to salvation. However, in contrast the judgements have increased. Leading to what I term now as 'epidemics'. Catastrophic results, with a jeopardy to our nations future is now upon us.
so will there be another great judgement on our land, making 9/11 or Katrina look like a small matter? And out of that come a great cry of need for the Lord? Or will He simply send that move of His Spirit upon the church and it will arise and shed its carnality and live wholly for Him. thus provoking the spirit of contention in this pagan nation. And if this be the case, it will lead to a great persecution of which the US Christians have never known. One thing is certain I believe, that with Trump being president we have seen a great relief to laws and judicial edicts that have provoked the Lord to great anger. And I fear the reprise of that is that the church is satisfied with this.
Not knowing that the greater sin of decades of abandonment to true Christian holiness has not been addressed nor dealt with. WE have continued to sink and sink into humanism and carnality of the worst sort. Sin still lies upon us and the land is still defiled before Him, Whose eyes are of purer things than to behold iniquity. And at the heart of this is the true question of the church, are we really saved? From Adrian Rogers to Ravenhill to Tozer all defining that most in the church from the 1950's till 1980's that there was many religious folk in the churches and baptized but not truly saved and born again.
And in this era of heighten pressure to 'get the baptism numbers up' we see humanism pushing to do just that. But the authentic work of the Holy Spirit is much distant. A great need for us to examine and exhort true salvation in Christ and lives surrendered to Him. 'Unless a grain of wheat dies', it shall not come forth for His purpose or for His kingdom. Religion is a weapon of Satan and he has used it masterfully among us.
So what time is it? Revival or ruin? How will God orchestrate these days in front of us. It has been 2 years now since God did a work in me, giving me warning that evil was coming and to set the people to pray. SEveral lessons of this to learn, not knowing what was going on. But now, it is clear that God sets His people to pray lest He consume us in a moment. This is where the preventive prayers came from. I warned last year before the mass shooting of Las Vegas and sought before the storms during the month of September that leadership would respond, they did not.
Now we are worse and in greater peril. What time is it? Is it time to be weighed in the balances and finished? War is coming; conflict in the nations is getting ready to happen. Souls for all eternity are in jeopardy and not a word of warning. Too much interested in our entertainment and money. but its coming and another calamity no doubt. The heightened increase has begun and we are called to yield to Him -- 'in wrath remember mercy'. I plead with you to join us in prayer to address our sins, in our nation and in the church. To set days of fasting and supplication before Him for our future.
"It is high time to awake out of sleep" And its time to get ready for what is coming this fall.
EPIDEMICS:
1. Drugs - famous rap artist; newswoman's moving broadcast on her daughter dying; We continue to see it unfold
2. Cancer - Anne Graham Lotz breast cancer and surgery Sept. 18; quite the lists that I have in prayer. As this continues upon near and far. Treatments, surgery, recovery and death.
3. Great Evil - August was favorable of no police officers killed, no school shooting. Chicago continues in its daily death rate. But the last week an increase in murders, and murder-suicides. I believe the last half of this month we will see multiple mass shootings in school, police and public. Why? Again these epidemics are increased because of the failure of the church to respond to our sin. No response, epidemics of remedial judgements increase and worsen.
4. LGBT - their recent losses in court and with Kavanguagh being selected will force them to greater extremes; I fear for what this means. As possible as storming the Senate to delay and risk the vote for him to be on the supreme court, for they know what is at stake. I also fear assassination due to extremism.
5. Children - amber alerts, headlines continue in wake of our children under such scrutiny of sin in abuse and neglect;
6. Natural Disasters - 30% of our nation continues under severe drought; coupled with numerous record wildfires in the west; Hurricane season during the month of August was no existed in the Atlantic; one historic swipe at Hawaii. Now in September we have another record. Last August into first September, we saw 2 hurricanes hit back to back in US. Now on 3 separate front, the first of next week may have US hit in Guam, Hawaii and east coast all at the same time. Don't tell me this is not a severe warning.
UPDATES:
--bible reading; Hopefully the next time I write I will have finished reading my bible through; It will be #49. The goal was to hit 50 by my 50th birthday. I've already started through for the 50th time with 'The Activity of God" but no doubt, Lord allowing, I will pass in readings several times as this is a slow tedious task. Word studies this time in reading has been: Call; Put and all the "P" words;
--The Activity of God - Deuteronomy - up through chapter 22; greatly slowed down in August and thus far in September; was doing 3 pages a day, but barely able to get one done now. The last 3 chapters have picked up, due to these chapters being less of Activity of God mentioned in them.
--Videos - was away last Sunday, so no videos uploaded; but the most important thing I have done is "Urgency" which I have been laboring on and seeking to relate to Prayer Link for their meetings next month. I only wanted about 6 - 9 minutes, but couldn't get it under 15 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/user/rdbiser10/videos?view_as=subscriber
--A Word - currently just finished starting all verses in Isaiah chapter 55: verse 1 - 13; 1996 blog posts on bible verses started, only a few have been finished. but working ot finish all of chapter 55 before I approach #2000 in chapter 56;
--24/7 prayer chain - we have sought to continue this; And I thank those that pray toward this, but do not feel able to sign up. But I believe it to be the most important thing right now to prevail. Our failure to fill the slots shows we cannot prevail. I'm asking you to consider this and join us.
--Sermonindex conference - under a month away; 12 speakers, Oct. 4-6; simulcast is available and you are asked to sign up for this; I will be helping moderating and preaching. I will be gone for a week. This is pay for your own way conference, you may consider helping toward this.
--Prayer Link - i've been on this task force and spoken the last several months via conference call; but due to the sermonindex conference wiill not be able to attend. I can only pray and submit what I have already shared on the urgency and need of response by the church.
Until,
dan
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