The Voice Of Truth

 

Starting Your Day With Jesus Lifestyle Series

 

By Mel D Westbrook MBTh

 

 

 

 

The Book Introduction

Version: 25.10.08

 

Using The Truth/Prayer Pages

Jesus will be teaching you a truth then lead you into praying for that truth.  Each page has power truths and power prayers.  Today read about the purpose of Power Truths.  Then, tomorrow read about the purpose of Power Prayers.  From then on, you will read three Truth/Prayer Pages each day for five days.  Please read the purpose of Power Truths today.  NOTE: This is a five-day program; you skip Saturday and Sunday. 

 

 

The Purpose Of “Power Truths”

 

Week One Day One

 

What Is Your Original Purpose?

This introduction is used in all the “Starting Your Day With Jesus Lifestyle Series” studies and prayers.  If you have read this introduction before, it may seem repetitious.  But, it is vital that you stay aware of where Jesus is taking you and what you are doing to get there. 

 

What kinds of people are you having to deal with every day?  Do you find that, as a Christian, it hard to do what Jesus wants your relationships to be?  With the kind of people you have to deal with, how does He expect you to treat people with unity, truth, compassion, fairness, and love?  How do these things work in business, dating, marriage, a family, or with an enemy or adversary?  How do you take what you learn in the Bible and apply it to the way you live life?  How do you do it in such a way it actually empowers you to succeed in life in a better way than ever before?  You and Jesus will be able to solve these issues together here. 

 

Does The Bible Help With Your Life?

Have you ever read a requirement in the Bible, and wondered what would happen if you applied it to your business or a relationship?  What would happen to your business or your friends if you went around just telling them the truth?  It can look like you would be a lot more successful if you mainly concentrated on your needs, likes, preferences, and interests.  To start loving others and concentrating on their needs, can appear to hurt your goals, plans, and future; but, it actually enhances them.  Wisdom from Jesus will make the difference. 

 

What makes you win in life?  What causes people to want to be around you?  Why would someone want to do business with you, marry you, be your friend, or stop being your enemy?  What kind of a person would you need to be to win at life and it make you and those around you happy.  What is Jesus, the truths of the Bible, and Christianity offering that would make your life so much better that you wish you had lived that way all of your life? 

 

Did You Know There Are Two Lifestyles?

There are two approaches to life; one involves dishonesty and the other involves honesty.  One involves selfishness and the other involves love.  One involves goals that end at death and the other wins now and in eternity.  One involves loving things and using people and the other involves loving people and using things.  One involves following the teachings of the world and the other involves following the teachings of Jesus.  The thing about these two lifestyles is, one abuses people and the other blesses, helps, befriends, and cares about people.  

 

Would You Like To Grow With Jesus?

What if you are already too busy to add one more thing to your life?  What if you already have a full schedule?  What if you are already doing as much as possible trying to have a relationship with God?  Why would you add something like this to your busy schedule? 

 

It’s true you can’t just stop your life to let Jesus teach you.  But, would reading and praying over three pages a day really be that hard?  Rather than a simple “thought for the day” or some self-help concept, what if Jesus took you into steady, continued growth in your relationship with Him?  What if He took you into incredible principles and taught you how to succeed at everything you do?  Studying a truth and then praying and asking Jesus to put it in your life is a powerful way of making your life so much better than it has ever been. 

 

How Is The Bible Relevant To Your Every Day Life?

What about your life?  Would you like Jesus to teach you how to succeed in a business, a marriage, a family, a career, or your life?  Are you willing to let Him help you grow in your relationship with Him?  Have you ever considered how wise Jesus is?  What would happen if you included Him in all the decisions of your day?  He will help you think of incredible things that will enhance your plans.  You can simply read and pray through three pages a day for five days a week and Jesus will help you learn how to walk and talk with Him all day long. 

 

What about your happiness?  Have you ever thought a certain thing or person would make you happy and it didn’t?  Have you ever got something that made you happy for a while and then it gradually lost its excitement?  How would you like Jesus to guide you into those things that bring true happiness that lasts for a lifetime?  How about starting your day with happiness? 

 

What Is Your System For Life?

What is life all about?  Jesus and the Bible are like turning on the light in a dark room.  Most people are trying to “feel” their way through life.  They are trying to imagine and guess what life is all about.  They find themselves going down dead-end paths, running into obstacles, and falling over things they weren’t able to see.  Jesus is the light of the world.  He illuminates the issues and circumstances you face so you can see and understand what you are dealing with.  This is called truth.  On each page, you will be letting Jesus teach you a truth and then empower you to pray and invite Him to put it into the attitudes, character, and behavior of your life.  That is worth the little time it takes to read and pray three pages a day. 

 

Do You Know What Causes You To Win Or Lose?

What about your success?  Did you know there are certain areas of your attitudes and character that are causing you to win or lose at life?  These two things are Jesus’ priority.  He knows that if you have bad attitudes, you will fail.  How is your character?  You may feel like your attitudes and character are pretty good.  Have you ever dealt with a person who seemed to be unaware of their faults?  Their people-skills were poor; but, they didn’t seem to know it.  It is difficult for you to see your own faults.  Jesus will lovingly and gently help you improve. 

 

Who do you like? Do you like those who are trying to use you to get what they want?  Do you like those who lie to you so you will meet their needs?  Do you like those who will cheat you, if they think they can get by with it?  Do you like those who talk down to you because they think they are superior to you?  Improving your attitudes and character are how Jesus helps you treat people the way you like being treated.  When they find out that you are real and trustworthy, it becomes much easier for them to be around you.  Jesus wants to teach you how.  Win/win relationships are all about doing to others what you want them doing to you. 

 

Your Team

Jesus’ people are praying that you are blessed in a special way.  They are praying that you have a close relationship with Jesus. 

 

People Are Praying This For You:

Eph 1:16-17 (NIV) I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.  I keep asking that the God of your Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may GIVE YOU the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.

 

Eph 1:18-19a (NIV) I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for you who believe. 

 

Eph 1:19b-21 (NIV) That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

The Purpose Of “Power Prayers”

 

Week One Day Two

 

Living Life For A Purpose

How Do You Turn Information Into A Lifestyle?

If you were a hoarder, you would fill your house with all kinds of things.  They may be very useful; but, you would have forgotten why you obtained them.  Working on your LIFEstyle is about using what you learn, and living life as God gives it to you.  This keeps you from just “hoarding” a bunch of information. 

 

Let’s say you got a degree and was licensed as a professional.  What if you worked at a fast-food place, getting minimum wages, while getting your education, degree, and license?  But, suppose you kept working as a fast-food worker after you paid the price, learned the information, earned the degree, and were licensed to take advantage of your training.  You didn’t make the changes in your lifestyle.  Jesus’ methods keep this from happening. 

 

What Makes Jesus’ Truths Different?

Have you seen people going on a strict diet, lose a lot of weight, but later gain it all back?  They didn’t make dieting and exercise a part of their lifestyle.  Your lifestyle is permanently changed by you “doing what it takes” to get where you need to go so you can continue living there.  By exposing yourself to Jesus’ principles, you develop a lifestyle. 

 

How can Jesus take three-page chapters and turn those principles into a new lifestyle for you?  First, He helps you understand His truths.  Then He helps you ask Him to put those truths into your life by providing you relevant prayers based on those truths.  Plus, He helps you be thinking about what you studied and prayed about.  All during your day, He helps you see how you can use His principles in your daily life. 

 

How Does Jesus’ Life Help Your Life?

A baby goes through many stages in becoming an adult; they try to pattern their life after adults. If they saw how much smaller, weaker, and untrained they were, they might get discouraged and not try.  You have been born again; this time you were born into the family of God.  You started out as a spiritual infant. As a beginner child of God, you are to become a mature, trained, adult child of God.  Jesus will help you grow into all these things. 

 

Jesus is your pattern for adulthood; But, you must see Him as your example.  Jesus is the Creator of the universe; He is God; of course He is able to do what He did.  As a spiritual beginner, you may see how small, weak, and untrained you are; you may not be willing to try.  You may not know you are to be a spiritual adult someday by following Jesus’ examples and training.  Jesus can get you ready to live in God’s Kingdom by helping you now. 

 

What Is Jesus Trying To Teach You?

If a baby doesn’t innately know the reason they have a small version of an adult body, they won’t develop properly.  They must desire to watch, practice, grow, and gradually learn how to live life as an adult.  You are never going to be God; but, you are a child of God; you are to watch Jesus, practice, grow, and gradually learn how to live life as a spiritual adult.  Jesus IS God; but, it is still His desire to show you how to live His adult, Jesus-life as a child of God. 

 

You were born as a human so you could have a body and a life to be trained with.  It is a limited life because your attitudes and character haven’t been developed to a place where you can be trusted with supernatural, God-sized power.  If you yield to Jesus’ training, your attitudes and character will be developed properly.  Then Jesus will gradually give you opportunities to work together with Him.  He and you will be able to train and help those around you to experience Jesus’ power and truths in their life. 

 

Are You Ready To Learn How To Live The Jesus-Life?

Ask Jesus to help you understand vital truth issues.  Like in the rest of these things in this book, spiritual understanding only comes from Jesus.  If you read and understand these things, you can be sure it is because Jesus is empowering you to understand.  If you read and don’t understand, all you have to do is ask Jesus to help you understand.  If you pray and still don’t understand, then ask Jesus to help you bring it back up when He is ready to explain it to you. 

 

1.     Be Born Into It

John 3:3 (NIV) In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”  You know what human birth looks like; it is a small version of a human, starting out for the first time on this planet.  They usually have all the physical equipment, but, don’t know how to use it or take advantage of it.  They have a lot of growing to do physically, mentally, spirituality, and in experiences.  They have a long way to go to be an adult human; but, they seem to have the desire, hope, and determination to get the job done. 

 

You were born again; your second birth made you God’s child, a member of His family, and a citizen in His Kingdom.  Now you need to allow all of this become a reality in your heart and mind.  You know you have been born into it.  Now allow Jesus to help you know the other things you need to know. 

 

2.     Know You Are Born Again For Eternity

1 Pet 1:23 (NIV) For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.  Being born again is different from being born as a human.  The human “seed” of your parents produced a life that is perishable and heading for death.  You do all that growing physically, mentally, and in experiences; but, if you aren’t born again, you lose it all at death.  Being born again through the “seed” of God is imperishable; you live forever.  But like human birth, you have some growing to do; you start from spiritual infancy and mature into an adult child of God. 

 

3.     Trade Your Human Life For Jesus’ Life

Gal 2:20 (NIV) I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.  If you want to, you can spend all your time learning how to succeed as a human.  If you do, you will forfeit your eternal Jesus-training.  As an untrained Christian, you will enter into eternity with very little spiritual skills, abilities, experiences, or training.  Your opportunities will be extremely limited.  However, even if you only give Jesus a few minutes of your time each day, He will use it to help you succeed now and for eternity in many ways.  

 

As a child of God, you have some growing to do.  Jesus will help you learn to live in the spirit realm where your Father lives.  As a new born-again beginner, you don’t know much about this new realm.  But, Jesus provides you examples through His life and teaching.  He will teach and show you what an adult child of God looks like.  It will take a lifetime to learn; but all of it will work now and last for eternity.  Let Jesus show you how to trade your life for His. 

 

4.     Trade One Lifestyle For Another

John 14:12 (NIV) I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 

What if a young child didn’t see their parents as someone they were to pattern after?  What if they thought they could never be like them?  That is what happens to a lot of Christians.  They don’t understand the lifestyle Jesus is trying to give them.  Yes, Jesus is God; but, He lived His life as a human, spiritual adult.  He did it so you can accept His lifestyle as yours. 

 

5.     Trade One Inheritance For Another

Rom 8:17 (NIV) Now if you are children, then you are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed you share in His sufferings in order that you may also share in His glory.  What if you see the Bible and Jesus’ life as not have anything to do with your life now?  How would it affect your life if you knew your life now was influencing your eternal inheritance?  What if you found out that you could be making investments in eternity by living a certain way here?  Did you know that your success here affects your success in eternity? 

 

6.     Appreciate Your New Birth And New Inheritance

Now if you are children, then you are heirs: What did you inherit when you became a child of God?  Dear friends, now you are children of God, and what you will be has not yet been made known.  But you know that when He appears, you shall be like Him, for you shall see Him as He is (1 John 3:2).  Just like a human child will automatically grow up looking a lot like their parents, there are parts of you that are automatic in Christian growth.  But, there are skills, knowledge, experiences, abilities, and training your parents have that you didn’t get. 

 

7.     Take Advantage Of Your New Birth And New Inheritance

Now if you are children, then you are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ: Not all of Christianity is automatic; a human baby inherits their characteristics from their parents.  But, what they do with them is up to them.  That is the way Christianity is; you inherited God and His provisions.  That is automatic; but, what you do with all this is the next big issue. 

 

You aren’t here just to learn how to live as a human, you are mostly here to learn how to live as a spirit being.  You are to let Jesus use the things you learn about living as a human to teach you about living as God’s child.  You have applied yourself to learning a lot about being human; and, you have applied yourself to learning how to live as God’s child.  Now it is time to start living as a child of God. 

 

8.     “Do What It Takes”

If you need a drink, you have learned how “to do what it takes” to get one.  If you need to chew some food, you know how to do it.  If you need to pick something up, you have learned the process of accomplishing that.  But, do you know how to hunger and thirst after righteousness?  Do you know how to “chew” spiritual truths?  Do you know how to move spiritual issues from one place to another?  Learning how to walk in the Spirit, digest God’s truth, have eyes and ears that can see and hear what Jesus is teaching, is what you are dealing with now. 

 

A Prayer For You To Always Pray For Yourself And Others

Jesus’ people are praying Ephesians 1:17-23 for you.  It contains such vital requests before God that it has converted into a prayer for you and those around you.  As others pray it for you, please join them by praying this modified prayer for yourself and your friends. 

 

I keep asking that the God of my Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that I may know Him better. 

 

I pray also that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened in order that I may know the hope to which He has called me, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for me, who believes.  Jesus, help me see, know, and understand the hope, the riches, and this power. 

 

That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills everything in every way.  Jesus, I ask that I would receive a full revelation and vision into all this power that is available to me; and, I ask this in Jesus' name.  Amen. 

 

It would be good for you to pray this prayer for yourself and those around you regularly. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

The Voice Of Truth

Version: 25.10.08

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter One

Making A Decision

 

Week One Day Three

 

 

Suppose you are about to make a major decision that will affect you for the rest of your life.  What system do you use to make sure it is the right one?  Have you ever used that system and it fail you?  Have you ever made a decision that you really believed was the right one and found out later that it was the wrong one? 

 

Jesus, it hurts to make wrong decisions; but, I can’t just refuse to take a chance; I have to go ahead and at least try to make the right one.  Life is full of decision-making all day long.  How many of my decisions were right and how many were wrong?  Wrong decisions have consequences that come back to bite me.  Help me have a way to know for sure I am making the right decisions all during my day. 

 

Making A Righteous Decision

Jesus has a way for you to make decisions that are good for you, those around you, and His plan for your life.  He has a word that He uses that always represents these decisions, thoughts, feelings, words, and deeds.  When you read the word “righteousness” in the Bible, it is Jesus’ word for you deciding and living a good life.  It is Jesus’ way for you thinking, feeling, saying, and doing only those things that are good for you, other people, and God’s plan. 

 

Jesus, when I find out how to make righteous decisions, show me that I will be able to make win-win decisions that are incredibly wise and beneficial for all involved.  People I work for, people I associate with, people I marry, people I do business with, and people I don’t like will ask me to do things that are only best for them.  Empower me to take those requests and show me how to turn them into solutions that are best for everyone involved. 

 

Protecting Your Future

You are getting thoughts and feeling all day long.  Are those thoughts and feelings coming from Jesus or some other source?  You read things, hear things from other people, and are taught things.  Are they things that are good for you; or, are they from a source that will lead you away from success in life?  You make decisions constantly; are those decisions the right ones or are they ones that will hurt you in the long run? 

 

Jesus, make it clear to me that all good things come through God; all bad things come from sources that aren’t through God.  Sometime, I like many people, don’t realize that all good things only come through God.  This causes me to not try to make sure I am getting information and resources through Him.  Help me realize that I need to make sure I am getting my ideas and supplies through Him.  Help me know how to be sure where things are coming from.  Teach me that good decisions can only be made when I have all the facts. 

 

Making Great Decisions

When you are trying to decide whether to accept a concept, principle, thought, or feeling, you need to be able to have a way to judge these things.  Jesus has provided you with a way to know whether a request from yourself or others is something you should respond to.  Just because you think of something or a friend asks you to do something doesn’t mean you should do it.  But, if you and Jesus decide to respond to your or someone else’s request, He will show you an incredibly wise and beneficial way to respond to it. 

 

If a boss, spouse, friend, business associate, or stranger asks you to do something, or, if you have a thought, feeling, concept, or principle pop up in your mind, Jesus wants to give you a way to test it.  This test lets you know whether or not it is a righteous one from Him.  This test from Jesus is kind of like the one you use all the time to know who is talking to you in your natural life. 

 

Jesus, help me know and recognize who is talking to me by their voice tone even before I see who they are.  Teach me that voice tone is very important in the spirit realm, because I can’t see who is causing ideas or feelings to pop up in my mind or heart.  I can’t see who is influencing people to ask me to do things for them.  Help me be able to identify spiritual sources by voice tone.  Teach me that there is a voice tone that always helps me identify You.  You always sound a certain way and always speak to me with certain attitudes and character. 

 

How Blind People Do Things

If you are sighted, you know who is talking to you by seeing their face.  But, if you are blind, you would have to rely on voice tone and content.  You frequently listen to people and accept what they say based on who they are.  If they are your friend, then you accept a lot more of what they say to you.  So, if you were blind and someone came to you and tried to fool you into believing they were your friend, you would decide whether or not that was true by the way their voice sounded and the content of what they were saying. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that I start out being blind in the spirit realm; but, soon I will be able to see things as clearly in the spirit realm as I see them here on earth.  However, for now, help me do what blind people do.  Empower me to know who is talking to me.  Help me believe that You are going to teach me how to always be sure. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Two

Making A Decision

 

Week One Day Four

 

 

Considering The Source

John 10:27 (NIV) My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. 

 

Wanting Help

My sheep: First, you have to become one of Jesus’ sheep; you have to recognize that you are very vulnerable, limited in your resources and abilities, and inadequate in your skills.  When you finally come to the place where you realize you need a shepherd, is the time where you are open to considering Jesus as your Savior.  As long as you see your need for a Protector, a Provider, and an Advisor, you will be looking for His outside help. 

 

Jesus, I realize that You always wait for me to see my need of Your help.  Open my eyes to how great my needs are for getting all You have to offer.  Deliver me from testing influences that come my way through my own systems.  They are blinding me to who and what is trying to direct me, instruct me, and control me.  Teach me how to know where the sources of influences are coming from.  Let me only be influenced by You and Your Word. 

 

Receptive To Jesus’ Help

My sheep listen: Most of the people around you try not to hurt your feelings.  Social skills, sales techniques, and teaching procedures all encompass saying things in such a way that you don’t offend people.  If you say things they don’t like, they won’t listen to you .  This creates a barrier between you and sharing information you need.  However, truth has to come in such a way that it isn’t contaminated by “a little bit” of what you want to hear. 

 

Jesus, I know You are talking to me all the time; I know You are trying to guide me, protect me, and teach me constantly; but, I need Your help listening to You.  Help me with willingness, seeing my needs, understanding it is coming from You, and a lot of other things that are hindering my hearing Your voice.

 

Only Receptive To Jesus’ Help

My sheep listen to My voice: How many things do you hear during your day that Jesus doesn’t agree with?  At one moment, a person can be saying things that Jesus approves of and the next moment they can say something that is way off base.  One moment you can be right on target with Jesus and the next be heading in the wrong direction.  You, the people around you, and circumstances can influence you in all kinds of decisions and directions.  Your life can be like a floating bottle in the waves of the ocean. 

 

Jesus, life is very confusing, frustrating, and misleading without You.  Help me realize and appreciate the stability, trustworthiness, and love that are coming from Your voice.  You love me, respect me, want the very best for me, and will always tell me the truth.  Help me be able to identify, recognize, and listen to Your voice and Your voice alone. 

 

Having A Relationship With Jesus

My sheep listen to My voice; I know them: Relationships have a lot to do with how receptive you are to what you hear.  If you trust people on a business level, on a professional level, or on a friendship level, you give them a certain amount of control over your beliefs, philosophies, and decisions.  When you open yourself to someone, you allow them to convince you of certain things.  You accept their advice, their instructions, and their opinions.  You allow thoughts and feelings from them become thoughts and feelings inside you.

 

Jesus, I have trusted information and training from a lot of people in my lifetime.  My heart and mind are filled with all kinds of things from other people.  I picked those things I thought were good for me; but, I wasn’t really qualified to be making those decisions.  Help me sift through all my past training and beliefs so I can start having more success in my life.  Give me Your filters for protecting me from current and future influences. 

 

Having A Receptive And Open Relationship With Jesus

My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me: You are used to being the judge and jury for all information coming your way.  All of your life you have been “secretly” evaluating all information.  You haven’t allowed people to know everything you think about things.  But, you decided what you believed and what you didn’t; that made you who you are. 

 

It’s a good thing people can’t read your minds.  Some of the things you think would hurt some people’s feelings.  Some of your opinions would offend others.  And, some of your ideas would cause others to reject you, fire you, or make fun of you. When you have someone like Jesus, Who knows everything, never makes mistakes, and loves you more than you love yourself, it isn’t in your best interests to try to fool Him or evaluate and critique His help. 

 

Jesus reads your mind; He sees all your hidden agendas; He knows how you feel and why you feel that way; and, He knows all those things you are hiding from everyone else.  Since He knows everything about you, your relationship with Him might as well be open and honest.  Since He knows the real you, even those things you try to not even admit to yourself, you might as well own up to them and let Him deal with them. 

 

Jesus, I am not used to having a relationship with someone like You.  Help me stop treating You the way I treat myself and other humans.  Give me a respect, trust, and love for You that is worthy of Who You are.  Change my relationship with You; help me recognize that You are God; help me keep accepting You as my Savior, Lord, and Perfecter of my faith.  I have already accepted You in this way on a novice level.  But, I want to accept You in these areas in a much deeper way.  Take me into a closer, more intimate, and open relationship with You. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Three

Voice Tone And Content

 

Week One Day Five

 

Who Does That Sound Like?

If you hear a person talking and think you recognize their voice but they are saying things that aren’t typical of them, then they may be a person who just sounds like them.  The Bible teaches you how to recognize Jesus’ voice by tone and by the content of what He is saying.  Those who know their Bible, know what Jesus always sounds and talks like.  Jesus always sounds a certain way; and He always says certain things. 

 

Jesus, help me spend time letting You teach me Your voice tone and the content of what You always say.  This will help me get acquainted with You, Your voice tone, and the way You says things.  Then I will know who and what to listen to and what to reject.  Help me see that once that happens, I am well on my way to making decisions and listening to the right sources that will shape my life in a beautiful and successful way. 

 

The Main Thing About Jesus

Rev 3:20 (NIV)  Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me. 

The content of Jesus’ voice always comes from One Who stands at the door of your life and knocks.  Most other sources of ideas, concepts, “opportunities,” and decisions come from the attitude and perspective of pressure.  You hear things like, if you don’t do this, you will lose your job.  If you miss this opportunity, you will be sorry.  If you are my friend, you will do this for me.  If you don’t make this payment, we will foreclose on your house. 

 

If you are being pressured to make a decision or take an immediate action, then Jesus isn’t talking to you, Jesus always allows you to see why you need to do something and allows you to start feeling good about the decision; His voice tone sounds like patience, love, and gentleness. 

 

Jesus, You reason with me, explain Your purpose, speak faith into me, and help me feel Your love for me.  Teach me that if there is a deadline for making a certain decision, if it’s God’s will, You will always start talking to me early enough.  You will help me be ready to make the decision in plenty of time.  You don’t wait to the last minute and then pressure me to make the decision immediately. 

 

You Make Mistakes

John 10:27 (NIV)  My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.  Most people don’t want to see themselves as being sheep.  When you hear someone say someone else is “just a sheep,” you see them as being a mindless, spineless person that just follows the crowd.  When Jesus refers to you as being His sheep, He isn’t making fun of you or disrespecting you, He is addressing the weakness of your humanity.  You are alone in a single body; you don’t know everything; you can’t see the future; and you can be misled. 

 

Jesus, help me see that I make honest, sincere mistakes that can hurt and damage me.  Just like the smartest sheep in the world is still unable to know as much as a shepherd, I will never measure up to Your wisdom.  You see, understand, and know things I need to have access to.  You are spending this time making it possible for me to get to know things You knows. 

 

It’s Time To Learn The Gate System

John 10:1 (NIV)  I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.

 

The man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate: If only you knew the gate system and had just listened to those who knew what they were talking about.  If only you had not forced yourself to learn things the hard way.  But, you did try to only listen to the right people and make all the right decisions.  The problem you had was knowing who the right people were.  You had a system for deciding who those people were and that system failed you.

 

But climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber: Jesus, I have listened to many people, including myself that climb[ed] in by some other way?  Where did I or they get their information?  What were we basing our life on?  What were our motives for trying to get me to follow a certain way of life?  Did we ignore the love, knowledge, foreknowledge of the future, understanding, and wisdom of God?  Were we failing at life but still trying to present ourselves as experts?  Help me stop listening to myself and these other people! 

 

The Gate System Always Includes Jesus

Rom 1:22 (NIV) Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools. 

 

Some Other Way Always Excludes Jesus

Although they claimed to be wise: There are people who represent themselves as experts, professionals, leaders, and counselors that have excluded Jesus from their education, degrees, certifications, licenses, and positions.  Many of them have money, possessions, positions, power, popularity, prestige, pleasure, and accomplishments.  But, on the judgment day, when they stand before Jesus, He will reject them.  Then you will see that they were unwise people. 

 

Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools: It all has to do with who you respect, consider experts, are your heroes, and do what they tell you to do.  If you don’t consider Jesus your real authority on life, then recognizing His voice won’t do you any good.  All who do not make Jesus their final authority are sources of misinformation.  As you hear all other sources of information, make your final decision based on what Jesus says. 

 

Jesus, I am surrounded by people who appear to be successful.  It is a big temptation for me to admire, respect, and follow these people.  But, You come through the gate; You approach me the right way; You treat me with respect and love.  Teach me that Your evaluations, principles, and instructions will be used on my final exam.  Show me that it will be like taking a test in a class under an instructor.  If my answers to all the questions aren’t the ones they want, they will be marked as wrong.  But, Your criteria, questions, and tests are about truth.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Four

Voice Tone And Content

 

Week Two Day One

 

 

The Main Thing About Jesus

Rev 3:20 (NIV)  Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.  You know everyone has a God-given free will; and, you know that God honors that free will with intensity.  But, God is the only one Who honors it.  If people, Satan, or the world system get an opportunity, they will, in some way, try to manipulate your will.  Jesus has all power and authority in heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18); but, He stands at the door and knocks; that is the gate system.  He always comes to you while honoring your God-given free will. 

 

Jesus, help me always realize that You alone honor my God-given free will.  Help me test all sources of information, opportunities, instructions, rules, laws, and leaders based on this issue.  Help me always realize that You will never speak to me in such a way that You are trying to breach my will.  Let me be looking for commandments that are based on love, truth, and mutually beneficial aspects.  Let that be the test for who is talking and trying to influence me. 

 

You Make Mistakes

John 10:27 (NIV)  My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.  You are used to people taking advantage of your needs, weaknesses, and problems.  If your car breaks down, you get sick, you need training, or you want something, someone is going to find out about it and try to charge you for helping you with it; the greater the need, the greater the cost. 

 

People will look down on you, make fun of you, or “help” you as someone superior to you, when you make mistakes.  You and other people evaluate you based on your abilities, worthiness, and performance.  If you do something wrong, bad, or evil, then the human evaluation is, you are a wrong, bad, or evil person.  However, Jesus draws you around to His side; and, you work together on that wrong, bad, or evil deed.  He treats you, who did the wrong, bad, or evil deed as a right, good, and righteous person.  He honors you as a person who is trying to get rid of wrong, bad, or evil deeds in your life. 

 

Jesus, You are always on my side, helping me get rid of those things you are against.  You see me through salvation and justification.  Help me see me the same way; help me be looking for a voice from the Bible, in my conscience, in my thoughts, and in my heart that have that same attitude and character.  Help me resist, reject, and defeat all other voices with different attitudes and character.  Help me always know they are not You speaking to me. 

 

Learn The Gate System

John 10:1 (NIV)  I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 

You are interacting with people almost all the time; you use all kinds of things to decide who they are and whether or not they qualify for speaking things into your life.  But, the most important question is, what is their relationship with Jesus?  Do they believe in Him? Do they hear from and listen to Him?  Do they respect Him and His Word?  And, have they been born again through His Spirit? 

 

Jesus, there is certain information that doesn’t have spiritual implications.  I need all kinds of this information from unsaved people all the time.  But, a lot of times these same people try to tell me how life works, how relationships should be established, and what right and wrong consists of.  Teach me how to do business, what kind of a marriage to have, how to establish and maintain friendships, and how to live life. 

 

The Gate System Always Includes Jesus

Rom 1:22 (NIV)  Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools.  There are experts and professionals in science, mechanics, chemistry, electronics, engineering, medicine, and physics.  But, this does not qualify these people as experts on relationships.  Jesus is the only expert on people and their relationships with each other.  The moment an expert or professional tries to establish the rules for relationships of any type, they have moved out of human expertise and into the realm of God.  Jesus decides who is being treated with justice, fairness, love, respect, righteousness, godliness, holiness, and purity.  All human and God relationships are only evaluated and judged by Jesus alone. 

 

Jesus, I sometimes allow my respect and admiration for success in human areas to influence my respect on relational matters.  Help me not allow human experts and professionals to advise me on spiritual, relational, and Biblical issues.  Help me see where the line is and how to not allow people to cross over it.  Help me only allow You to advise me on these matters. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Five

Know The Character Of The Person

 

Week Two Day Two

 

 

Jesus Always Follows The Rules

John 10:2 (NIV) The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep.  Before you decide to listen to someone, you need to know who they really are.  What is their agenda?  What kind of character do they have?  What are their motives for trying to teach you, train you, or influence you?  Once you know they are trustworthy and that they know what they are talking about, then you can be ready to listen to them. 

 

Jesus Never Tells You To Take Shortcuts

Jesus, You didn’t climb in by some other way; it cost You Your life but You enter[ed] the sheep pen by the gate.  You did what it took to be my Advisor.  I can’t comprehend all the reasons why You had to die for me.  But, it is obvious it was the only way for me to be saved and delivered from my sins.  You didn’t want to suffer and die; but, You were willing to suffer and die.  Help me not take shortcuts.  Help me yield to Your voice of honesty and integrity. 

 

Here is Jesus, just before He went to the cross and died for you: Mark 14:36 (NIV)  “Abba, Father,” He said, “everything is possible for You.  Take this cup from Me.  Yet not what I will, but what You will.”

 

Jesus, “Take this cup from Me” was what You wanted; but, not what I will, but what You will was what You did.  Help me understand that “Everything is possible for You” means all possibilities were considered and there was no other way to save and heal me. There were other ways to make my life better.  There were millions of shortcuts that would help me. But, make it clear to me that there was only one way to give me God’s best; so, You went through the gate and saved me.  Teach me that, that is the character of Your voice tone. 

 

Know The Motives Of The Person

John 10:3 (NIV)  The watchman opens the gate for Him, and the sheep listen to His voice.  He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.

 

Before you decide to learn how to recognize Jesus’ voice, you need to know why He is trying to get you to follow Him.  Why should you listen to Jesus’ voice?  Here’s why:

·        Psa 23:1 A psalm of David: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

·        Psa 23:2-3 He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

·        Psa 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

·        Psa 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

·        Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 

 

Jesus, show me that this is how You treat me; this is how You talk to me; and this is Who You are.  If I hear a voice with different attitudes and character, then it isn’t You speaking to me. And, if it isn’t You speaking to me, empower me reject it, not listen to it, and not believe it. 

 

Know The Voice Of The Person You Follow

He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out: Jesus leads; Satan and his crowd drive.  When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice (John 10:4). 

 

Jesus, help me see that my relationship with You starts with You standing at the door of my heart and life and knocking.  Satan and his way of life come to me and try to knock the door down.  Those who don’t belong to You try to entice me, lure me, deceive me, drive me, and threaten me.

 

Know The Character Of The Person You Follow

The major key is to not start following someone until you know them.  Jesus is allowing you to get to know Him so you will be willing to follow Him.  You aren’t being driven by Him; you are being allowed the opportunity to follow Him; that makes it your choice. 

 

When He has brought out all His own: Jesus, I have decided to be one of Your own.  Since I have decided to be one of Your own, I need to know Your voice so I can know who I am following.  And His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.  I know You are the right Person to follow; and I know Your voice so I can follow the right person.  Help me understand that this opens the door to true and powerful success in life. 

 

Run From The Wrong Person

John 10:5 (NIV)  But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.

 

They will never follow a stranger: What has a stranger done for you? What’s their character? What’s their motives?  And, what’s their objectives?  You don’t know; they are a stranger.  But, you listen to strangers on TV, the internet, books, magazines, newspapers, and in classes.  You may know what kind of money, possessions, positions, prestige, power, popularity, pleasure, and accomplishments they have; but, who are they?

 

They will run away from him: Even sheep know what to do with strangers.  Until a person has established who they are, you are not to allow them to speak character, attitudes, or relational advice into your life.  If they try to, what is their relationship with Jesus? 

 

They do not recognize a stranger’s voice: Jesus, teach me that all I have to do is learn to recognize Your voice and that will help me exclude everyone else.  Your principle is, if it isn’t You speaking character, attitude, or relational truths, I am to refuse to listen to them.  As long as I am able to know it is You, it can be like getting something in the mail, over the phone, through a text, or by social media from a person; I know Your voice tone and content no matter who or what You use to speak it to me.

 

The Method Won’t Matter

If you know Jesus’ tone and character, it won’t matter what or who He uses to speak to you. He can speak to you through the media; He can speak to you through other people; He can speak to you through the Bible; and, He can speak to you through your feelings and thoughts. 

 

·        Jesus, if I hear something through the media and it isn’t Your voice tone, character, attitudes, or motives…empower me to run! 

·        If I hear something through a person or group and it isn’t Your voice tone, character, attitudes, or motives…empower me to reject it! 

·        If I read something in the Bible, and I get a meaning from that verse and it isn’t Your voice tone, character, attitudes, or motives…empower me to take it to the Holy Spirit and get His interpretation of it. 

·        If I feel or think something and it isn’t Your voice tone, character, attitudes, or motives…empower me to get Your evaluation so I can think and feel the right things. 

 

Dealing With Strangers

1 Cor 5:9-10 (NIV)  I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people--not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters.  In that case you would have to leave this world. 

 

Influencing Rather Than Being Influenced

You will be spending a lot of time with strangers, people you just do business with, and people you get human information from.  You aren’t entering into a monastery and living a cloistered life.  He (Jesus) said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation (Mark 16:15).  You are influencing them for Jesus not them influencing you. 

 

Talking Rather Than Listening

Mat 5:13 (NIV) You are the salt of the earth.  But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.  Jesus is telling you to be the influence in the people of the world’s lives. 

 

Teaching Rather Than Being Taught

Mat 5:14-15 (NIV) You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  You must not hide your influence for Jesus. 

 

Changing Rather Than Being Changed

2 Cor 5:20 (NIV) You are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through you. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.  Jesus, teach me that, as it relates to all relationships, as it relates to what is right and wrong, as it relates to attitudes and character in life, and as it relates to what success in life is, and as it relates to You and eternity, I am to be the expert, the professional, and the major influence on my society.  Help me see that, once I am hearing, identifying, understanding, applying, and obeying Your voice, I can help change the lives of people in a wonderful and powerful way. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Six

Know The Character Of The Person

 

Week Two Day Three

 

 

Jesus Never Tells You To Take Shortcuts

Mark 14:36 (NIV) “Abba, Father,” He said, “everything is possible for You.  Take this cup from Me.  Yet not what I will, but what You will.”

 

Abba, Father,” He said: You will be facing a lot of situations where a “little” lie, a slight “stretching of the truth,” a small amount of deception, or a tiny bit of misleading “is needed.”  You will feel like you need to bend the rules or take a shortcut to save the deal, maintain the relationship, or keep your job or client.  The first thing you must do is pray; you will need Jesus’ help at a moment when “so much is riding on” what you do or say. 

 

Jesus, help me come to You even though I know I am facing doing something wrong.  Help me not ignore You, go do something anyway, try to justify my actions, try to excuse what I am about to do, or get permission to do it from some other source.  Help me not take shortcuts no matter what it will cost me.  Help me do it in love; but, help me do the right thing. 

 

Righteousness With Total Power

“Abba, Father,” He said, “everything is possible for You”: Jesus didn’t want to suffer and die, your heavenly Father didn’t want Him to suffer and die.  It didn’t matter to God what He wanted; it mattered to Him what He knew was right.  When you have a good reason for doing the wrong thing, it still doesn’t justify doing the wrong thing.  Since everything is possible for God, you can know for sure that if there had been another way, Jesus would not have suffered and died.  He didn’t justify doing the wrong thing; He went through the gate. 

 

Jesus, You and our heavenly Father paid a heavy price for doing the right thing.  Out of all the other possibilities God could have come up with, You did the only thing that would work.  Help me be willing to have this same commitment to doing the right thing.  Help me not think the cost is too great; help me know that the end result will make the sacrifice worth it. 

 

Using The Right To Ask

“Abba, Father,” He said, “everything is possible for You.  Take this cup from Me”: God can come up with incredible solutions to all your problems.  He has awesome answers for every issue you face.  But, you may not like the solution, answer, miracle, or requirement He presents to you. When He does or says something you don’t think you are going to appreciate, like Jesus, you have the right to ask and see if you can do it a different way; but, you need to accept the final answer, like Jesus did. 

 

Heavenly Father, help me come to You with anything I don’t feel is the way I want to handle it.  If You answer with solutions that I will have to suffer over, help me not just get mad, frustrated, confused, or in disagreement with it.  Help me come to You to see if there is another way for it to be done.  Let me bring it to You with a loving heart and see what You can do about it.  Then help me accept Your final answer with love, respect, and faith. 

 

If This Is The Best Way

“Abba, Father,” He said, “everything is possible for You.  Take this cup from Me.  Yet not what I will, but what You will: No matter what it costs, you need to get the very best from God.  You may have to do some suffering in order to get the best; but, it will be worth it in the long run.  Relational faith spoken into you from Jesus will help you say: Yet not what I will, but what You will.  Part of hearing Jesus’ voice is accepting His final answer. 

 

Heavenly Father, help me know that You want the very best for me.  Help me accept that the very best doesn’t always come easy.  Help me be willing to suffer whatever is needed so I can be taken into Your very best for my temporary life and my eternal life.  Help me honor Your incredible knowledge, foreknowledge of the future, understanding, wisdom, power, and love.  Help me accept Your will over my will all the time.  Help me always obey Jesus’ voice. 

 

Assess The Motives

John 10:3 (NIV)  The watchman opens the gate for Him, and the sheep listen to His voice.  He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.

 

The sheep listen to His voice: There was a time when Jesus was a stranger to you. You started your relationship with Him with caution, suspicion, doubts, and sometimes fears.  He had to do a lot of good things for you before you really trusted Him.  Romans 7:15-25 took you, as a new or untrained Christian, through your struggles, efforts, experiments, and learning processes. 

 

The main problem was, you didn’t immediately trust Jesus voice.  You tried to run the Christian life using your human goals and plans, your world training, and your human efforts.  It was hard for you to let go and let Him lead you into a whole new way of living.  It was hard for you to trust Him with the way you ran your life; but Jesus was patient.  He kept talking to you and trying to get you to accept what He was saying.  Now you are learning Jesus’ voice better, pray to listen to Him. 

 

Jesus, thank You for being patient with me; it has been hard for me to trust anyone more than myself.  I have trusted others and they let me down.  I developed walls and barriers of suspicions, reservations, and caution.  Help me let down my guard and give You more influence over me and my life.  Heal me by melting these walls and barriers.  Give me training on how to take advantage of Your love.  Teach me how to use it to be loved, love myself, and love other people. 

 

The Personal Touch

The sheep listen to His voice. He calls His own sheep by name: In sales, you are taught that people like to hear you use their name.  But, the salesperson isn’t taught to use it because they want to establish a personal relationship; they just want to have a business relationship.  Jesus calls you by name because He loves you individually and personally.  He cares about every aspect of your life. 

 

Jesus is willing to get involved in any and all areas where He is invited.  He was willing to make major, personal sacrifices for you. He put His life and His physical comfort on the line for you. He concentrates on you and stays readily available to you all the time.  He is devoting His life to you so you can have His life as your life; that is total commitment. 

 

Jesus, I realize that it is my problem that You and I aren’t as close as we could be.  I know my reservations aren’t justified or reasonable.  Help me relax and put my whole life in Your hands.  Let me have a much closer relationship than we have.  Empower me to invite You into all the aspects of my life.  Help me include You in all I do and plan to do.  Help me learn how to invite You into my thoughts, feelings, conversations, and activities. 

 

How Does It Make You Feel?

The watchman opens the gate for Him, and the sheep listen to His voice.  He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out: As you learn to recognize and respond to Jesus’ voice, you learn to look for the way it makes you feel when you hear it.  There are times when you hear or think of Scriptures that should be Jesus speaking to you. Since it is right out of the Bible, you would think that it had to be Him.  But, when you check your heart and the emotions it is getting, you feel pressured, driven, forced, and pushed.  It may be something the Bible requires of you; but, Satan is trying to get you to do it with your own efforts, skills, and determination.  Unless you ask Jesus to empower you to do it, you can’t do it.  Asking takes the pressure of your abilities, skills, talents, and wisdom and uses Jesus’ power. 

 

If you don’t take Scriptures that you are struggling with and process them through The Seven Biblical Principles, you will be driven rather than led.  These seven principles make sure it is Jesus’ voice leading you; and, they keep Satan from being able to drive you.

 

Jesus, help me not be driven into serving You and obeying Your Word.  Protect me from Satan pushing me into things that would typically be healing and freeing truths.  Let me move into only being led by You and the Holy Spirit.  You are going ahead of me and preparing the way for me and my life.  You have already been where I am going.  You are now walking with me through all those things You have prepared.  I thank You for this relationship rather than a boss, tyrant, or taskmaster. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Seven

What Does Jesus Sound Like?

 

Week Two Day Four

 

 

Developing A Filter

Once you have decided to only listen to Jesus, the next thing is to learn how to only listen to Jesus.  All kinds of voices, words, feelings, and thoughts come your way all the time.  If you don’t know how to filter them, you will be tossed around and taken in all different directions. 

 

Jesus, help me realize that if I follow my own directions, I can get my goals set, my plans made, and my life organized; but, where will I end up?  If I follow the wrong people, systems, philosophies, and beliefs, I won’t find out until things start going wrong.  How can I know when people, circumstances, issues, opinions, and my own thoughts and feelings are from You?  Teach me all there is to know about hearing, recognizing, understanding, and obeying Your voice.  Help me see how important it is for me to be having a constant conversation with You that is always You and not any other source. 

 

The Mind Filter For Decision Making

Phil 4:8 (NIV) Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

 

If you memorize this list and try to check everything that comes your way by it, life is going to get confusing and difficult.  Why?  Because you are trying to use this verse to decide what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy.  It is easy to see how confusing and difficult that would be for you. Your mind and feelings are moving at a high rate of speed.  Your life experiences are coming at you at a fast pace.  You don’t have time to go over this list every second and check everything out.  Human effort is never your answer. 

 

Letting Jesus Run The Mind Filter

Jesus, help me see that the goal is to be where I think about such things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy.  Use this verse to speak faith into me that empowers me to believe You will accomplish this in me. Use the Holy Spirit to speak to my conscience.  Help me feel a “check” in my emotions when something is wrong.  Help me feel bad, uncomfortable, uneasy, cautious, or suspicious about something or someone who is talking to me.  Then help me go over the list and ask You if it fits the character of this list.  Help me then go over The Seven Biblical Principles and make sure these things I am hearing, reading or thinking are right.  

 

From Mind Filtering To Life Success Characteristics

Gal 5:22-23 (NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law. 

 

Jesus, when I stop feeling these feelings, help me know that what I am reading, thinking, hearing, doing or saying is wrong.  Help me understand that it is my indication that it isn’t coming from You.  Help me pray and let You talk to me about why I am not feeling the fruit of the Spirit at that moment. 

 

Jesus explains in Mat 12:34b (NIV) For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.  That means Jesus, like you, speaks with the voice tone of what comes out of His heart; Jesus talks out of Who He is.  If you start thinking His thoughts, you will start talking with His words. 

 

Thinking Positive Rather Than Negative

Gal 5:19-21 (NIV)  The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery (excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures); idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.  I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

 

Jesus, teach me that the things in Galatians 5:19-21are those things in Satan’s heart; and many, if not most of them, are in the hearts of the unsaved.  If Satan or someone of the world speaks to me, help me see that it will come from this tone of voice.  I could memorize this list and spend all my time watching out for these tones and trying to avoid them.  But, teach me that You don’t work from the negative; You work from the positive. 

 

Just Listening For Jesus’ Voice

Rather than Jesus helping you spend your time avoiding bad things, He guides you into a way of life that embraces good things.  If you are always suspicious, cautious, fearful, distrusting, and critical, you will head in the wrong direction.  Once you focus in on Jesus’ voice, you just have to know whether or not it is Jesus talking to you. You aren’t listening for fake, bad, evil, or deceptive voices; you are spending your time listening for a voice that is filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

 

The Question Is, Is It Jesus Speaking?

Jesus, when I hear or read something or when I feel or think something, help me simply check to see if it has Your voice tone.  When someone tells me something, tries to teach me something, or tries to influence me in a certain direction, help me just check to see if it contains the voice tone of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

 

Since Jesus only speaks with a voice tone that has a positive, moral attitude and character, then any other voice tone isn’t Jesus.  All you have to look for is, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  You don’t have to be watching to see if it has some other qualities; you just look to see if it has these.  If it doesn’t—run!

 

The Test

If you think something and it causes fear, then even if the thought was true, fear was a reaction that wasn’t true.  The reaction, the feeling, or the results it would bring wasn’t from Jesus.  You can reject it as not being a true response, reaction, feeling or result.  If you get bad news and you feel nervous, the news may be true; but, your response is based on a false conclusion.  You are nervous or fearful because you are assuming the news is going to cause something bad to happen.  First, you test the information to see if it is true; second, you test your reaction to the information to see if it is Jesus’ voice influencing your reaction. 

 

Rom 8:28 (NIV)  And you know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.  Jesus, teach me that this means the news which seems to be bad is going to be news that will turn out for my good.  God is working on this situation and making sure I end up getting good things out of it.  Help this keep me from fearing things that look bad; whether it is bad or good news, give me the faith to believe that it will turn out good in the end. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Eight

What Does Jesus Sound Like?

 

Week Two Day Five

 

The Mind Filter For Decision Making

Phil 4:8 (NIV)  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.  As you read over this list, you will see a definite pattern.  There is a special quality, a targeted emphasis that exists in this list.  If you are a person whose mind is only receptive to things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy, if you automatically gravitate in directions like this, then your mind is only open to the tone and content that Jesus speaks with.  

 

Jesus, help me not be looking for things wrong, bad, or evil.  Help me not spend my time talking about negative and problematic issues.  Help me live in the solutions, the benefits, the blessings, the successes, and all those things that demonstrate Your love and greatness.  You are wanting to talk to me about all those things in life that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy.  Help me want to listen to, think about, and join You in bringing about things like these in my life and in the lives of others. 

 

From Mind Filtering To Life Success Characteristics

Gal 5:22-23 (NIV)  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law.  This is what Jesus’ voice sounds like; when you hear any voice that doesn’t sound like this, you may be getting information straight from the Bible, but, it isn’t being presented to you by Jesus.  2 Cor 11:13-14 (NIV)  For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 

 

Jesus, set me free from Satan’s voice; You are inviting me to live the righteous life together with You.  You are teaching me how to live all my relationships through Your strength and power.  Your voice is positive, encouraging, loving, relational, and supportive.  Even when You are correcting me, You are working on something I did that was wrong.  You still consider me to be a righteous, good, valuable person.  Help me see that the improvements You are making in me are on my deeds and not against me. 

 

Thinking Positive Rather Than Negative

Gal 5:19-21 (NIV) The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery (excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures); idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.  I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

There is a big difference between love, joy, and peace, and sensual pleasure.  The assumption is, pleasure is the same thing as happiness.  Your body can experience extreme pleasure and it not make you happy, feel loved, feel joy, or peace. 

 

Jesus, protect me from Satan’s voice of sensual pleasure.  Help me always know the difference between Your voice of love, joy, and peace.  Help me realize that Satan is trying to addict me, trap me, and bait me into being a slave to sinful issues.  Help me see the selfishness in Satan’s voice tone and content.  Help me have an open heart to a type of love that provides win/win situations for everyone involved.  Your voice leads me into relationships that are noncompetitive, unified, and compassionate. 

 

The Heart Of The Matter

Mat 12:34b (NIV)  For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.  Jesus’ voice is controlled by His heart; Rom 5:8 (NIV)  But God demonstrates His own love for you in this: While you were still sinners, Christ died for you.

 

Satan hasn’t demonstrated any love for you; yet, he came to Adam and Eve with opinions, reasons, and instructions that they listened to anyway.  God has blessed you with a life on a planet with all kinds of wonderful things.  Jesus came and demonstrated His love for you in a lot of loving ways.  You can see why His voice sounds like it does; His heart is full of love for you. He isn’t coming to you “acting” like, or just “sounding” like He loves you. He isn’t disguising His voice with sales techniques and flattering messages; God demonstrates His own love for you. Jesus isn’t all talk; His life proves that the tone and content of His voice is real. 

 

Jesus, I have a good reason for wanting to recognize, listen to, understand, and obey Your voice.  No one has been willing to back their words up with actions like You have.  No one has demonstrated a sacrificial love for me like You.  You have proven that Your love is real and trustworthy.  Help me always have this proof in my heart so I never stray from You and Your words to me.  No one can compare to all You are and have done.  Therefore, I want You and Your voice to be the final authority in my life. 

 

The Wrong Reaction

Rom 8:28 (NIV)  And you know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.  You can have God working on all your relationships, your emotions, your finances, and your physical needs and conditions.  He can be forcing all kinds of circumstances, events, and plans to work out for your good.  But, because you can’t see the end results yet, you can react to all the things coming your way with fear, frustration, hopelessness, anger, suspicion, and doubts. 

 

However, you can know that all things are working for the good, long before they work for the good.  You can be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, when the worst “seems” to be happening to you.

 

Jesus, when the worst “seems” to be happening to me, help me realize I am listening to Satan.  Let me be listening to You and Your voice tone.  Help me listen to You all during those times when God is working for the good, but, it is during that time when the good hasn’t happened to me yet.  Protect me from opening my heart to all the things Satan will be telling me during these times. 

 

Jesus, during those times when the solution, the healing, the blessing, or the answer hasn’t come, teach me how to be listening to Your voice tone and content of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Let me be hearing those things You are telling me that are soon to come my way.  Help me listen for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control; empower it to be filling my heart and mind.  Give me a faith and expectancy for a future, my future, that embraces these kinds of tones. 

 

Jesus, help me realize that Matthew 12:34b is telling me that out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.  If I start allowing Your thoughts and feelings to fill my mind and heart, then I will start saying those things You are saying.  Help me think and feel what You think and feel so I can say what You want me to say. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Nine

Your Reactions

 

Week Three Day One

 

 

Jesus’ Voice Helps Your Reactions

When things happen to you that look bad, you can respond with fear, frustration, anxiety, anger, depression, hopelessness, helplessness, sorrow, or want revenge.  These and other negative reactions are based on an assumption that the situation is or is going to be bad.  When you feel these negative feelings, Galatians 5:22-23, will help you realize it isn’t Jesus saying this to you.

 

Jesus, when I read something, hear someone say something, or think something that causes negative or painful reactions, help me immediately ask You to help me know You aren’t saying it.  Assure me that You aren’t speaking those thoughts and feeling into me. Your voice isn’t causing me to feel helpless, frustrated, anxious, anger, depressed, fear, sorrow, hopeless, or want revenge.  I know this, show me I am ready to take faith-action against them. 

 

Your Choice

Your reactions are based on the “voices” you are willing to listen to.  When people’s words or your thoughts are accepted by you as being true, it can cause certain reactions; this choice creates a belief in you. You must realize you have a choice; your reactions aren’t being forced on you. You can feel like you have to react that way; you can feel like the situation is causing it. 

 

Jesus, teach me that prayer is much better than me just reacting to people’s words, my thoughts, or various circumstances.   When I hear, think, or experience something that may be bad, I can handle it my old way of trying to solve it myself; or I can consult You. 

 

The Seven Biblical Principles Helping Us With Your Reactions

Jesus helped you with seven major Biblical principles.  They lead you into involving God in your thoughts, feelings, decisions, and actions.  When you get confused about whether or not you are hearing Jesus voice, or don’t know if you understand what it means, or are not sure you know how to apply it, The Seven Biblical Principles help you get Jesus’ power to solve the confusion.  Let Jesus lead you into some prayers that will help with this problem. 

 

1.     DESIRE: Rom 8:5b (NIV) Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 

 

Jesus, since You intensely honor my God-given free will.  If this is a time when I don’t desire to hear Your voice because I want to do something else, search my desires and help me see where I desire my own way. 

 

2.     STUDY: John 8:31-32 (NIV) To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. 

 

Jesus, the Bible is Your voice.  When I read and study it, I am hearing the primary source of Your voice.  When the Holy Spirit explain what it means, I am understanding the primary meaning of Your voice.  Am I reading it, but not understanding it?  Am I knowing what it means but not knowing how to apply it?  Do I know how to apply it but don’t desire to apply it?  Show me where my confusion and difficulties are.  

 

3.     PRAY: Mat 7:11 (NIV) If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! 

 

Jesus, I know I must pray and ask God to provide the good gifts I want and need.  Am I not hearing You tell me what to pray for?  Am I deciding what I should pray for instead?  Am I allowing the world to influence what I am praying for?  Did I allow the devil to push me into praying for something?  Help me listen to what You want me to pray for.  Help me see that if it isn’t Your voice tone, I am listening to the wrong voice. 

 

4.     BELIEVE: Heb 11:6 (NIV)  And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. 

 

Your faith can be placed anywhere you want; you can believe in yourself, you can trust other people; you can believe that the systems of the world can solved your problems; or, you can believe in God.  But, the place where you put your faith will decide what kind of voice tones you will listen to.  Ask Jesus to help you fix your eyes on Him (Heb 12:2). 

 

Jesus, I know I must believe that God is honest and trustworthy.  Have I started also believing in myself?  Have I started believing in some of the world’s things?  Have I listened to the devil and believed that I needed to pray for something he pushed me into?  Help me only look to You and fix my eyes on You for all my faith to believe. 

 

5.     LOVE: 1 Cor 13:1-3 (NIV)  If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 

 

Jesus, I know I must have motives of love for myself and others in order for God to respond to my needs and requests.  I also have to love Him before He will respond.  Is my heart fooling me into thinking that my desires, studies, and prayers are out of a love for myself, other people, and God?  Examine my heart and heal it of all selfishness.  Help me listen to Your voice and respond with a pure heart. 

 

6.     FAITH-ACTION: Luke 6:46 (NIV)  Why do you call Me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say?  You must take faith-action and start living on the basis of the fact that God has given you those things you have desired, studied about, prayed for, believed for, and have been motivated by love for.  Ask Jesus to help you with this. 

 

Jesus, I know that every day of my life I will be making decisions and basing my actions on some kind of faith.  Am I mixing some of my actions on faith in myself?  Have I been contaminated by the world and am relying on my own human effort?  Have I listened to Satan’s voice and allowed pride to push me into do my own thing?  Help me join You and Your guidance in my life so I will be directed by You.  

 

7.     THANKFUL: Rom 1:21 (NIV) For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.  When Jesus responds to all of this application to The Seven Biblical Principles, you must be thankful.  If you desire, study, pray, believe, love, and take faith-action and forget to be thankful, it demonstrates that you were using all these tools just to get what you want. 

Jesus, as I go through my day and start to see the miracles of God, am I truly thankful, so I can really enjoy those miracles?  Am so thankful that I am growing in my relationship with You.  Or, am I living without thankfulness and just establishing a business relationship with You?  Help me enjoy spending time thanking You for each and everything You do for me and those I am praying for.    

 

When you are thinking negative thoughts, feeling negative emotions, listening to people talk to you about negative things, or are evaluating circumstances that are “making” you feel negative feelings, you know you are listening to voice tones that are not from Jesus.  They are your warning that you are listening to the wrong source.  Once you take advantage of The Seven Biblical Principles to stop listening to wrong thoughts, feelings, and information, you become empowered to start listening to Jesus exclusively. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Ten

Your Reactions

 

Week Three Day Two

 

 

While You Are Waiting

Rom 8:28 (NIV)  And you know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.  When you look back on the miracles that God brought your way, what were you thinking and feeling while you waited for God to, in all things…work for the good?  When you finally saw what wonderful things God was forcing to happen for you, had you been staying in faith and thanksgiving?  Are you spending the time. while you are waiting, getting Jesus’ power to enjoy and succeed during this journey? 

 

It can be embarrassing to look back at all kinds of bad attitudes and reactions, once you see what God was doing to work it all for your good.  You want to have such relational faith in God that you know in advance that He is making it work out for the very best. 

 

Jesus, it is hard on me to be worrying, fretting, doubting, and fearing all during those times God is working things out for my good.  I could be enjoying Your comfort, Your assurance, Your voice of faith, and Your fellowship all during this time.  Help me be able to enjoy all of my life all of the time; help me have such a close relationship with You that you go through everything with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control being the influence on my thoughts, feelings, and reactions. 

 

Desiring The Right Things While You Are Waiting

1.     DESIRE: Rom 8:5b (NIV) Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.  The moment you feel some kind of negative reaction or emotional response come to the surface of your heart, this is the time for you to bring your desires before Jesus.  What is it you want that is causing this negative feeling?  Is it a desire coming from the Holy Spirit or is it coming from you or Satan? 

 

Jesus, when I get some kind of negative reaction or feeling to a situation, it is usually because I want things to turn out the way I think they should.  Help me see what Your Holy Spirit wants so I can get His desires replacing my desires.  Sometimes I want things that aren’t good for me; then when You don’t give them to me, I get upset.  When I set goals that have flaws in them, I see things interfering with me getting them and get upset.  Help me see that my heavenly Father is working it all out for my good.  Help me desire His will rather than the goals and desires I have set for myself.  Help me trust that You have the best plan for me. 

 

Studying The Right Things While You Are Waiting

2.     STUDY: John 8:31-32 (NIV)  To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.  When your studies are leading you into the directions of the world, it sets your goals, plans, and systems in the wrong direction.  The more you make the Bible your main source of information, the more you go in success-oriented directions. 

 

Jesus, speak to me through the Bible and cause it to create faith and transformation in me.  Help me look to Your Word for my directions, philosophies, and goals.  Give me Your knowledge, understanding, and wisdom so I can work together with You.  I want to react to the situations of my life in ways that lead me into Your will for my life. 

 

Praying The Right Things While You Are Waiting

3.     PRAY: Mat 7:11 (NIV)  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!  When you consult your brain, other people’s opinions, or the world’s philosophies rather than praying to God, you have a hard time waiting on God’s solutions and directions.  Prayer invites God into each situation and plan you face. 

 

Jesus, help me pray and invite You into everything I face, react to, and do.  You know everything; You can bring great success into me and my emotions.  You can fill my life with Your voice and content.  Empower me to work together with You so you can accomplish great things together.  Help me relax inside Your will so I am more cooperative. 

 

Believing The Right Things While You Are Waiting

4.     BELIEVE: Heb 11:6 (NIV)  And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.  When you worry about how things are going to turn out, you are struggling with the existence and rewards of God.  God has promised to take care of you; He has assured you that He is working everything out for your good.  Jesus’ voice of faith helps you base your thoughts and feelings on God’s existence and faithfulness. 

 

You must not only believe God exists; you must believe He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.  Since you are desiring, studying, praying, believing, loving, taking faith-action, and being thankful, you are earnestly seeking Him.  The next thing is to believe He is rewarding you.  Only Jesus’ voice of faith can empower you to do that. 

 

Jesus, speak faith into me so I base all my thoughts and feeling on the fact that my heavenly Father exists and rewards me for earnestly seeking Him.  Help me relax in His care and not allow fear, doubts, frustration, hopelessness, or desires for revenge to enter my heart or mind. 

 

Motivated By The Right Thing While You Are Waiting

5.     LOVE: 1 Cor 13:1-3 (NIV)  If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 

 

Selfishness causes you to focus in on how you feel, what you want, and how things affect you. When you allow Jesus’ voice to open your eyes to the win/win system of living life, you understand what God is doing.  Jesus will explain to you that He isn’t just working out your circumstances so as to bless you. He is bringing blessings to all who are involved; though love everyone will get blessed.  That’s how Jesus talks!

 

Jesus, if I just care about myself, then it keeps me from understanding what God is working out for my good.  If I am just trying to get my life blessed, then I am on a different path than my heavenly Father.  Constantly guide me into love; speak the kinds of goals, plans, and desires that embrace Your love and concern for all those around me as well. 

 

Doing The Right Things While You Are Waiting

6.     FAITH-ACTION: Luke 6:46 (NIV)  Why do you call Me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say?  If Jesus speaks faith in you for something you weren’t looking for, you will try to live something else while lacking faith to accomplish it; this puts you back into human effort.  You are trying to accomplish something that you don’t have the power to accomplish.  Before you start practicing faith-action on something, you need your desires, study, prayers, believing, and love to be lined up with Jesus.  Then when it comes time to start living on the basis of it, everything is ready for success and wonderful results. 

 

Jesus, You are speaking faith into me for those things that will bless me, those around me, and God’s plan.  As Your words move me into the place where it is time to base my life on faith-action, help me be in agreement with what You said.  If I don’t, help me go through The Seven Biblical Principles letting you check my heart and mind to see where I am not in agreement with You and Your goals and plans.  If my reactions become negative, fearful, filled with doubt, frustrated, revengeful, or hopeless, help me realize something is wrong with my thoughts and feelings. 

 

Jesus, help me see that my reactions are the gage for letting me know when I have something wrong in my heart or mind.  Let me come to You for help.  Let my reactions be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Let Your voice always be the voice that is influencing my reactions. 

 

Thankful For The Right Things While You Are Waiting

7.     THANKFUL: Phil 4:6 (NIV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  As you are responding to Jesus’ voice for more things, present your requests with thanksgiving.  While you are waiting on the answer to other requests, spend your time thanking Jesus for all the other things that He has already done for you.  Ask Jesus to tell you about things you forgot about.  That is another important aspect of Jesus’ voice. 

 

Jesus, help me not look at being thankful as being something I must do.  Help me actually feel and be thankful.  Help me take out the time to look at all you have done for me and allow my heart to rejoice over each one of them.  Help me see how wonderful they are.  Help me feel the greatness of Your love for me.  Then help me be empowered with God’s love, so I can express my love, praise, and thankfulness to You from my heart. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Eleven

Moving Into The Possibilities Of God

 

Week Three Day Three

 

 

Who Decides Whether It Is Good Or Bad?

You may not see any way for what you are experiencing to turn out good.  When you can’t see any solution or any good solution, you tend to refuse to believe there is a solution.  This can cause you to reject Jesus’ voice tone and only listen to bad sources of information. 

 

Jesus, when things look impossible to me, help me go over The Seven Biblical Principles to see that nothing is impossible for God.  Go over each of the seven items so I can see where I am not trusting God.  Teach me that rather than me trying to see a solution, I need to become empowered to see God, as my solution.  Teach me that when I don’t see any way out, I am listening to the wrong voice.  Speak faith into me, showing me God is providing me with a way out. 

 

 

Getting Results In Your Reactions

Getting Results Through Jesus’ Voice

With Jesus speaking to you through The Seven Biblical Principles, He leads you into feeling loved, filled with joy, experiencing peace, having a very powerful feeling of patience, seeing God’s incredible kindness, believing in His great goodness, being able to relax in His faithfulness, enjoying His gentleness, and being empowered with the self-control He provides you.  Jesus’ voice speaks these things into your heart and mind, when they are open. 

 

Getting Results Through The Faith Issue

·        Luke 18:27 (NIV)  Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

·        Mark 10:27 (NIV)  Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

·        Luke 1:37 (NIV)  For nothing is impossible with God. 

 

Getting Results Through Learning Where To Put Your Faith

With man this is impossible: The problem with your faith is, you have learned what you can do and what you can’t.  You have run into impossible situations before and had to accept them.  You have lived in the human world for long enough to have a view of what is possible and what is impossible.  But, you are now moving into God’s world where nothing is impossible for Him. 

 

All things are possible with God: Jesus, Your voice is based on this fact.  Help me decide that I am willing to base my reactions on what You are saying.  When I wonder: “What if God can solve this problem but decides not to?”  “What if He solves it in a way I don’t like?”  “If God can, then why doesn’t He?”  Show me that these are satanic questions coming at me.  Jesus, help me realize that satanic voices create fear, frustration, anxiety, anger, depression, hopelessness, helplessness, and sorrow.  Explain to me that when I get a certain solution in my mind and Satan starts presenting questions and doubts that are designed to hurt my faith and relationship with God, I am to realize that I am being satanically attacked. 

 

Getting Results Through Counting On God

God will solve all your problems; He may not solve them the way or when you want Him to.   But, you can know His solution will be brilliant, loving, powerful, and the very best for you and those around you. He creates win/win solutions that are beneficial for all involved.  If you are listening, Jesus will speak faith into you to help you base your life on this fact. 

 

Jesus, I may just want God to solve things that are best for me. I may not care how the solution affects others.  I may not see the final results I would get, if God solved them the way I want them solved.  I may not realize what it will take to get a solution that will be a real solution; but, God does.  Speak faith into me, so I will know His solution is the only solution that is totally good for me and those around me.

 

Getting Results By Letting Jesus Speak Faith Through This Into You

Rom 8:28 (NIV)  And you know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

 

Sometimes you forget and don’t know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him; God wants you to always know it.  Jesus will speak faith into you so you know it.  God has provided seven faith-building questions that are success-building; they help you be receptive to Jesus’ tone and content.  They are the content Jesus always speaks.  As you go over them, be receptive to the fact that this is how Jesus talks.  Let them empower you to learn Jesus’ language.  As you go through them, let Jesus help you get more familiar with the way He talks. 

 

 

The Seven Faith-Building Questions

Jesus is asking you: What, then, shall you say in response to this (Rom 8:31a)?  He is getting you involved in saying those things He is saying.  When He says it, you are to say it. 

 

Jesus, help me talk like You talk; help me listen carefully to the content and tone of Your voice and pray for it to become the way I talk.  When people are talking with me, help me sound more and more like You, because I am yielding to the way You talk. 

 

Jesus is asking you: If God is for you, who can be against you (Rom 8:31b)?  He is saying: “No one!” 

 

Jesus, You are saying that, since God is for me, no one can be against me.  Help me see that everything You say is based on this fact.  Speak faith into me so I can believe that since God is for me, no matter what happen to me or my circumstance, You are saying it will work out for my good.  Help me hear that in every conversation You have with me. 

 

Jesus is asking you: He (God) Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for you all--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give you all things (Rom 8:32)?  Jesus is saying that it isn’t possible for God to not also, along with Him, graciously give you all things. 

 

Jesus, when You speak, You are saying that, since our heavenly Father didn’t withhold You from me, then You are always saying the You won’t withhold any good thing from me.  Help me hear this in Your voice tone, as I listen to You talk to me. 

 

Jesus is asking you: Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God Who justifies (Rom 8:33). 

 

Jesus, You are saying that, I have a perfect record with You.  So, no charge can be brought against me.  When I bring criticisms, accusations, charges, and attacks against myself, help me hear this in Your voice.  Help me see that these negative things don’t set me free from mistakes, failures, misunderstandings, and sins.  Help me see that, as long as I didn’t want to fail, my perfect record keeps me protected from charges.  Help me repent, ask for forgiveness, ask for You to empower me to never do it again, and go make it right with those I hurt. 

 

Jesus is asking you: Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, Who died--more than that, Who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for you (Rom 8:34). 

 

Jesus, You are saying that, since You are arguing my case, I know I can’t lose.  Help me see that You are constantly interceding for me, while You and I are talking together.  Help me see that no matter what I, other people, or Satan is saying against me, You are standing in between those condemning words and me.  Help me here this attitude, as we discuss things that seem to have separated me from God. 

 

Jesus is asking you: Who shall separate you from the love of Christ (Rom 8:35a)? 

 

Jesus, You are saying that, No one can separate me from Your love!  Speak faith into me so that I never doubt this fact.  Show me that as long as I want to do the right things and hate doing the wrong things, we are inseparable.  Help me hear this truth all during our conversations together.  Help me base my life on this fact. 

 

Jesus is asking you: Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword (Rom 8:35b)? 

Jesus, You are saying that, nothing can separate me from Your love!  Help me not come to You worrying that something has gone against my want and hate and separated me from You.  Help me be receptive to You when You speak assurance into me that nothing can go against me for as long as I desire to remain in You. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Twelve

Moving Into The Impossibilities Of Separation

 

Week Three Day Four

 

 

The Results Of The Seven Faith-Building Questions

These Questions Cause You To See The Magnitude Of Your Weakness

Rom 8:36 (NIV) As it is written: “For Your sake you face death all day long; you are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 

 

Jesus, help me to be willing for You to tell me how vulnerable, fragile, susceptible, and endangered I am.  Help me see that I have been in this condition all my life.  Show me that the only reason I have made it this far, is because of your protection.  Even before I was born again, You were protecting me, so I would have time to become born again.  So, help me see why I need a powerful Shepherd. 

 

These Questions Cause You To See The Magnitude Of Jesus’ Power

Rom 8:37 (NIV) No, in all these things you are more than conquerors through Him Who loved you.

 

Jesus, help me see that You aren’t leaving me as a sheep, You are just protecting me, as a sheep, for as long as I am a new or untrained Christian.  Help me see that Your real plan for me is to teach and empower me to be more than conquerors through You Who loved me.  As You talk to me with these faith-building questions, help me see that You are preparing me to become a trained, experienced, talented, skilled, and mature child of God. 

 

Ultimately, Jesus is using these seven questions to make you secure in the fact that He is your all-powerful Shepherd.  Then He wants to transform you into an under-shepherd yourself.  He wants to work together with you so as to make you more than conquerors through Him. 

 

These Questions Cause You To See The Magnitude Of Jesus’ Assurance

Rom 8:38-39 (NIV) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus your Lord. 

 

Jesus, help me be convinced, by You constantly speaking faith into me.  When I am confronted by death, life, angels, demons, the present or the future, any powers, height or depth, or anything else in all creation, help me so connected to You and Your voice that I remain convinced that none of it will be able to separate me from the love of God that is in You, Christ Jesus my Lord. 

 

 

Confessing The Seven Faith-Building Questions

The Power Of Confession

Rom 10:8 (NIV) But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming.  This is a very powerful spiritual procedure.  You, as a child of God, will be using this in eternity like you are using arms and legs now.  Your thoughts and words will accomplish dynamic things then.  So, Jesus is teaching you how to start using them with the verses in Romans 8:31-39.  But, before He takes you there, see how you have already used the confession of your mouth and the believing in your heart. 

 

Rom 10:9 (NIV) That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  You did this and instantaneously were born again.  You immediately became a child of God, a member of His family, and a citizen of His Kingdom.  Now, that is power! 

 

Rom 10:10a (NIV) For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified:  This explains why you have a perfect record with God.  You believed in your heart and it was done.  Rom 10:10b (NIV) And it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved: This explains how all your past and current sins were forgiven.  You confessed with your mouth and it was done.  This is what you are about to do with Romans 8:31-39. 

 

Jesus Is leading You Through

What, then, shall you say in response to this (Rom 8:31a)?  Say these confessions out loud: Confess that: The word is near me; it is in my mouth and in my heart,” that is, the word of faith in am proclaiming. 

 

Jesus, help me learn how to confess with my mouth and believe with my heart what I confess.  But, help me make sure everything I confess is straight out of Your Bible.  Help me make sure that You have spoken faith into me that, that Scripture is true of me. 

 

Jesus is asking you: If God is for you, who can be against you (Rom 8:31b)?  He is saying: “No one!”  Therefore I confess with my mouth and believe in my heart: If God is for me, no one can be against me.   

 

Jesus, help me confess that which I believe in my heart.  Help me read this Scripture and believe in my heart that it is true of me.  Continue to speak faith into me so I can believe it.  Help me believe that, when I confess this with my mouth, it happens in the spirit realm and in my life. 

 

Jesus is asking you: He (God) Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for you all--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give you all things (Rom 8:32)?  Jesus is saying that it isn’t possible for God to not also, along with Him, graciously give you all things.  Therefore, I confess what I believe in my heart that it isn’t possible for God to not also, along with Him, graciously give me all things. 

 

Jesus, help me realize that this is the procedure I am to use for the rest of my life.  When I just confessed this, help me know that God is graciously giving me all things that are good for me and those around me.  Help me understand that all things are only good things, because that is all God gives. 

 

Jesus is asking you: Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God Who justifies (Rom 8:33).  Jesus is saying that no one can bring any charge against those whom God has chosen.  Therefore, I confess that no one can bring any charge against me because God has chosen me. 

 

Jesus, help me realize that as I confess this, I am establishing powerful spiritual principles in my life.  I am blocking off all charges that anyone or Satan tries to bring against me.  Help me realize that they can express charges against me; but, it won’t do any good.  Teach me that, as I make this confession that I believe in my heart, it will cause all charges brought against me to be thrown out of God’s court.   

 

Jesus is asking you: Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, Who died--more than that, Who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for you (Rom 8:34).  Jesus is saying that if anyone tries to prove that I am separated from God through condemnation, it isn’t possible.  Therefore, I confess with my mouth and believe in my heart that no one can bring condemnation against me that will separate me from God. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that when I confessed this Scripture, I accepted You as my Intercessor.  I confessed that I believe that when You intercede for me no one can win against Your intercession.  I believe that You are more than enough to argue my case and win.  Thank You Jesus for being my advocate in God’s court. 

 

Jesus is asking you: Who shall separate you from the love of Christ (Rom 8:35a)? 

 

Jesus is saying that no one can shall separate me from the love of Christ that He has for me.  Therefore, I confess and believe in my heart that because of Jesus’ love, no one can separate me from His love. 

 

Jesus, help me accept this Scripture as being final for me.  Since I never want out, let this confession and belief in my heart seal the deal.  Help me know that I am secure in Your love.  I thank You for the perfect record You purchased for me with my heavenly Father.  I thank You that You are now involving me in sanctification and helping me start living it.   

 

Jesus is asking you: Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword (Rom 8:35b)? 

 

Jesus is saying that when I go through trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword, it is not any indication whatsoever that He is separating His love from me.  Therefore, I confess with my mouth and believe in my heart that trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword will never indicate that I am separated from God. 

 

Jesus, help me realize that I will be going through some tough things from time to time.  Help me embrace this belief and confession.  Help me use this confession of faith as a weapon against any who try to use the situations I am going through, to convince me that I have been separated from Your love. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Thirteen

Moving Into The Possibilities Of God

 

Week Three Day Five

 

 

Now That You Have Confessed

Romans 8:38-39 is what happens to a person who listens to Jesus’ voice in Romans 8:31-37.  He speaks faith into them as they read verses like this in the Bible.  They become convinced that nothing or no one will be able to separate them from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus their Lord.  Their heart and mind are filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

 

Jesus, when Satan tries to create doubt, fear, worry, or negative thoughts about death or life, angels or demons, the present or the future, any powers, height or depth, or anything else in all creation, help me recognize that his voice tone and content doesn’t have Your qualities in it.  Since obviously You aren’t speaking to me, help me use The Seven Biblical Principles to redirect my attention to You.  Help me know that You gave me the desire, helped me study the Bible, guided my prayers, spoke faith into me to believe, made sure I had Your love in my heart, helped me take faith-action, and have empowered me with great thankfulness. 

 

 

Changing Your Perspective

Luke 18:27 (NIV) Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

 

I Know This Isn’t Possible

What is impossible with men: You have been positive about certain things; you have tried them, proven them, tested them, and established the facts about them.  But, you did it all outside the realm of God.  When you add the God factor to your life, you need to be open and receptive to a whole new way of life.  Prior to the God factor, your mind and heart get convinced, trained, established, and sure of things.  But after you include God, these things are no longer true.  It is true that it is impossible; but, only with men.  For you to change in the way you look at things, Jesus is going to need to speak a lot of God-truths into your heart and mind. 

 

Jesus, help me be changed concerning the way things are now.  Teach me about life with You.  Let me see this world, circumstances, my needs, and the problems I face through Your eyes.  Set me free from the experiences I have had with the impossibilities of you humans.  Help me not limit You because my faith is limited.  Speak Your faith into me so I can be set free from seeing things from a human perspective.  Help me realize that what was impossible is now no longer impossible.  I now have the God-factor added to my life 

 

God Can Do Anything

What is impossible with men is possible with God: You know God can do supernatural things; you just don’t know what all of them are.  It isn’t clear to you how powerful and capable God is.  Your mind isn’t capable of thinking things that are normal, natural, routine-things God does all the time.  As you move into the spirit realm, you are in a place where the supernatural is natural.  The miraculous things God wants to do in your life are simple things that He does routinely.  But, you must have faith for them or you close the doors to them.  

 

Jesus, help me realize how important it is for me to learn how great God is.  Heal my limited heart and mind; raise my level of faith and training so I am receptive to all my heavenly Father wants to do in and through me.  Give me a whole new view of what is normal and natural for God.  Let me be able to believe in Him and all He wants to do for me and for those around me.  Let God’s greatness melt away the limitations my faith is putting on Him. 

 

 

Entering Into God’s World

Mark 10:27 (NIV) Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

 

I Can’t Do That

With man this is impossible: You have a standard set for what you, as a human, can do.  You live within this human standard most of the days of your life.  You usually only get exposed to those things that are a part of that set of limitations.  This causes you to be used to “the way things are.”  But, there is a reason why God put you in this limited condition. 

 

Rather than God giving you too much power, authority, and responsibility too soon, He starts you out with the right amount of these things.  But, it isn’t His intentions to leave you there.  He put you in this condition until you allow Him to provide you with the attitudes and character you need.  They help you handle more power, authority, and responsibility.  You now need Jesus to speak a greater faith for greater things. 

 

Jesus, let me allow You to be God in my life.  Help me yield to You and all You are capable of doing.  Speak God-sized faith into me so I can believe for those things You want to do in, for, with, and through me.  Heal my heart and mind from these human limitations.  Help me see that You have made me a child of God.  Teach me what it means in relationship to the way I live and what I believe.  Help me live far above human limitations. 

 

Now, What Are You Going To Do?

With man this is impossible, but not with God: You try to keep bad things from happening; because, once it happens, it has happened.  Once it happens, the bad thing is in your life; and, you can’t undo the fact that it did happen.  Jesus came into the lives of people who had diseases, handicaps, death in the family, financial problems, and relationship failures.  When He came into their life, the bad “thing” had already happened; it couldn’t be prevented.  But, Jesus undid diseases, death, addictions, a bad lifestyle, handicaps, bad weather, and a sinful life.  It had happened to these people; but, Jesus didn’t have any problem undoing it. 

 

Jesus, I am used to the finality of crisis, problems, disease, accidents, and bad circumstances.  I have a tendency to accept things once they happen.  I can see this as faith in the permanence of events, diseases, problems, circumstances, and crises.  Help me see things the way You see them; help me realize that nothing is bigger than my God.  Help me believe for the prevention of bad things; but, also help me believe in the solutions to them, when they happen. 

 

Are They Possible Or Probable?

With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God: You have situations where it is “possible” things will work out okay, but, not probable.  You hope they will “somehow” turn out good; but, you really don’t think they will.  Sure, most of you can believe that all things are “possible” with God; but, shouldn’t you have a plan “B” just in case He doesn’t come through?  What if the solution, answer, or miracle isn’t something He is willing to give you?  You know it was something He could do; power, abilities, and authority are not a problem for you to believe about God.  You just aren’t sure He will! 

 

Jesus, I have had situations where I have prayed for help with something and God didn’t answer my prayer the way I wanted Him to.  When these times come, I have a real battle with the devil over God’s honesty, faithfulness, willingness, and love for me.  Satan tries to convince me that this is evidence that I should put my faith in human effort, human resources, and worldly systems.  Help me know that the way my heavenly Father responded was the perfect solution to my problem or need.  Speak a powerful relational faith into me.  Let me always know that He is working everything together for my good. 

 

Jesus’ Voice And Content Sounds Like This

Luke 1:37 (NIV)  For nothing is impossible with God.  A lot of thoughts and feelings pass through your heart and mind that contradict this truth; none of them are coming from Jesus.  Since none are Jesus speaking to you, you must apply The Seven Biblical Principles to combat them; but it must be done the right way.  When things happen that you are sure are bad, you desire them to work out for your good.  You go to the Bible and study all about how to yield to God’s working them out for your good.  Then you pray and ask Him to do that for you. After that you come to Jesus and ask Him to give you the faith to believe everything is working out for your good....

 

Jesus, this is where it sometimes gets confusing.  I desire a situation to work out for my good; I study the Bible and see that Romans 8:28 says: And you know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.  I pray for everything to work out for my good; which, to me is a totally Biblical prayer.  Then I come to You for the faith to believe it and it feels like You refuse to give me the faith for it. 

 

Jesus, sometimes I fail to realize that I am trying to get You to apply provisional faith to an issue that requires relational faith.  Help me realize that I don’t have to pray for everything to work out for my good; my heavenly Father is already doing that.  You have already tried to give me faith to simply trust Him, His attitudes, and His character during these times. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Fourteen

Adam And Eve With Human Effort – When To Ask God

 

Week Four Day One

 

A Biblical Example

Let Jesus show you two Biblical examples of people who used certain techniques to handle His voice and Satan’s voice.  Adam and Eve used the human reasoning and human effort technique.  Jesus used the godly, Biblical technique.  You will see a very good set of examples for the kind of results these two different techniques produce. 

 

Gen 3:1 (NIV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

 

Gen 3:2-3 (NIV) The woman said to the serpent, “You may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

 

Gen 3:4-5 (NIV) “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman.  “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

 

Gen 3:6-7 (NIV) When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.  Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

 

Gen 3:8-10 (NIV) Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.  But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”  He answered, “I heard You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

 

Where Did They Go Wrong?

Consulting Your And Other People’s Minds

As you go about your day, you think of various solutions to the problems you face.  Most of you have a standard approach to the way you handle them.  When you first start out in Christianity, you are used to consulting your mind for solutions.  You also consult other humans for solutions.  Once you arrive at what you think is a good one, you put it into action.  After the decision has been made and the action taken, you find out whether or not you came up with one that works. 

 

Choosing What To Eat

Gen 3:1 (NIV)  Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 

 

Jesus, there are a lot of things in life that I assume God doesn’t really care which choice I make.  Why would God care what I fix for dinner?  Do I “really” need to pray and ask God about everything?  Can’t I just make the generic, neutral, nonspiritual, decisions on my own?  Does God care about simple, little things that don’t seem to have any real significance? 

 

Jesus, help me take a look at some questions I need to consider: Why wouldn’t I want to consult God concerning everything?  Am I too busy?  Do I feel it would make my relationship with Him too complicated?  Would it be too much trouble for me to include Him in on everything?  Are there things I don’t need His input on?  Show me that these questions are pointing to something very important about my attitudes and character. 

 

The Voice Of Satan

He said to the woman: You can’t see Satan; he doesn’t come in the form of a snake; but, he does come in the form of a human.  He tries to speak to you during lectures, speeches, TV, internet, articles, and groups sitting around a table.  He tries to speak to you through friends, relatives, spouses, bosses, employees, and all kinds of other people.  And, when they speak, it may seem like it is something God doesn’t really care about; but, it isn’t like Jesus’ voice. 

 

The Question Of Satan

He said to the woman, “Did God really say: Jesus, I hear things like, you don’t really believe that, do you?  You believe there’s a God?  You believe the Bible?  Sometimes I feel a bit of social pressure about discussing things about Christianity, the Bible, You, God, and right and wrong.  I’m not being threatened to be killed, if I don’t give up my faith in You.  It’s just a simple matter of not saying something You want said to the person or group.  “Did God really say” is like Satan asking me if I should really consult God on simple things. 

 

The Challenge Of Satan

He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden: Does God care if you “stretch the truth” because your job position or your finances depends on it?  Does God care what you look at during internet searches, movies, magazines, or TV?  When you are with your friends or associates, did God really say you can’t think like, talk like, or act like some of the things they are doing or saying? 

 

Jesus, God really did say I’m not supposed to lie, cheat, mislead, run down, gossip against, or hurt other people.  Help always know what the answer to, what did God really say?  Help me understand that if I want to know what God really said, if I want to tell others what God really said, then I have to go to God and the Bible for that answer.  Will I answer Satan’s questions, that come through these sources, with my mind or with God and His Bible? 

 

The World’s Biggest Mistake

The woman said to the serpent, “You may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die: When you think you know the answer to a question about God, that is the moment when you have made one of the biggest mistakes of your life. 

 

Jesus, I have desired to know all about God and the things of God.  I have studied the Bible and listened to the Holy Spirit about God.  I have prayed and asked God to show me and make real, all He is and all He provides.  I have looked to You to give me the faith so I can believe I have all this wonderful and powerful information.  I have yielded to God’s love by being loved and loving others.  And now, I feel I am ready to speak out and tell someone Who and what God is all about.  But, what did God really say? 

 

Well, Let’s Ask Him

It is so easy for you to get to the place where you are ready to speak for God.  You have learned Scriptures, memorized them, learned their meaning, learned how to apply them to your life, and have had many of them transform you. So, now you feel ready to tell someone what God really said.  But, even the Holy Spirit doesn’t do that. 

 

Following The Voice Of The Holy Spirit

John 16:13 (NIV) But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. 

 

Jesus, when do I finally get to the place where I have received enough from God that I don’t need His input?  When have I learned so much from the Bible that I don’t need God to tell me what to say to someone?  How long should I be a Christian before I can start advising people on what I think they should do?  When have I grown enough spiritually where I am ready to tell Satan what God really said?  Help me see that the answer is—never!

 

Following The Voice Of Jesus

John 7:16-18 (NIV) Jesus answered, “My teaching is not My own.  It comes from Him Who sent Me.  If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether My teaching comes from God or whether I speak on My own.  He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but He Who works for the honor of the One Who sent Him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about Him. 

 

Jesus, it’s easy to see where Adam and Eve went wrong; God told them what to do; and, they went about trying to do it.  God told them what was right and wrong; and, they went about trying to explain it to others.  Help me constantly ask You for everything I think, feel, say and do.  Help me realize that You are supernatural and I am not.  Help me seek Your voice. 

 

Having The Attitude For Hearing Jesus’ Voice

Mat 18:3 (NIV)  And He said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 

 

The reason so much time is spent presenting the Scriptures in the Bible is because they are what God really said.  There are a lot of verses in the Bible; but, you have to go to God and find out which one He wants you to use.  Then you have to ask Him how He wants it used.  You have to find out exactly where He wants the emphasis placed.  You have to know what He wants you to say; and what He doesn’t want said. 

 

Jesus, help me see that Adam and Eve felt they were ready to tell Satan exactly what God said.  They also believed they knew why He said it.  And, they believed it could be discussed.  Help me see that they thought, sure, God said it, but, what does He know?  What were His motives for saying it?  Who does He think He is, telling me what I can and cannot do?  Is what He said something I believe is right for me? 

 

Jesus, there are a lot of thoughts, opinions, beliefs, philosophies, and schools of thought.  Help me see why I should just accept what He says as being truth.  Help me understand that if God’s words are open for discussion rather than my final authority, then I am on the same path as Adam and Eve.  They heard God’s voice; but, they didn’t respect it. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Fifteen

Adam And Eve With Human Effort – Why Ask God?

 

Week Four Day Two

 

 

Choosing What To Eat

Gen 3:1 (NIV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”  Desiring to know what God really said, causes you to go to the Bible and study with an open heart and mind.  If you sincerely want to only know what God really said, what He really meant, and how He really wanted it applied to your life, you will go to Him and pray and ask Him.  If you honestly want applied to your life those things He really, you will go to Jesus and ask Him to speak faith into you, so you can believe you have it. 

 

Once you find out what God really said, you will discover He said it out of love for you and for all those around you. Adam and Eve weren’t ready to have the knowledge of good and evil.  God would have trained them and prepared them for that responsibility; but, they made that decision for themselves.  If you sincerely want to know what God really said, you will wait to take faith-action until you have been told that truth straight from God. 

 

Jesus, I want to know what You really said.  Help me not get filled with pride and start speaking for You.  Even when I know a Scripture that I think represents what You really said, help me realize that You have a meaning that You put on those words.  Even when You have explained what You meant for it to say, help me realize You may have a lot more explanations about its meaning.  Help me constantly have a poor in spirit attitude so You can speak for Yourself to me and through me to others. 

 

The World’s Biggest Mistake

Gen 3:2-3 (NIV) The woman said to the serpent, “You may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”  How did Eve feel about what God said; who did Eve see God as being; was He someone who created the universe and planet she was living in and on? 

 

Your attitudes toward God effect how you read, study, and apply God’s Word to your life.  She didn’t just quote God, she added the words, “you must not touch it” to what God said.  She even left out the word “surely” and only said you will die.  Eve lacked respect, a healthy fear, and a faith relationship with God.  She didn’t see Him as being the One Who knew what He was talking about.  So, when the voice of God came to her, she disrespected it.  

 

Heavenly Father, help me realize Who You are; help me see Your greatness, Your awesomeness, and Your holiness.  Keep me from getting close to You but with a familiarity that lacks love, respect, honor, appreciation, and reverence.  Give me a close relationship with You; but, let it be a respectful one.  Help me get to know You better; and, give me that knowledge to increase my love and honor for You.  Let me see You and Your grace and mercy; but, let me see them as things to appreciate rather than take for granted. 

 

Following The Voice Of The Holy Spirit

John 16:13 (NIV)  But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. 

 

When you see the Holy Spirit, Who is God, speak only what He hears, it helps you understand the importance of not speaking freely about God.  Listening to Jesus’ and the Holy Spirit’s voice inside you, must be through ears that respect them.  You must listen and learn all the time.  What you say to others must come straight from Jesus, as of that moment.  What Jesus said prior to that was for then; what He has to say now is for now. 

 

You need Jesus’ voice flowing like a river.  To take what you have learned from Him and “run with it,” is to leave Him and go use it; in that case you are trying to work for Him.  If you stay or remain (John 15:1-17) in constant communication with Him, then you are working together with Him. 

 

Jesus, help me never leave You; help me not take what You have told me so far and try to use it on my own.  Help me not know something and then try to decide what to do with it.  Be in charge of me every moment of the day.  Help me stay in a close and intimate relationship with You.  Help me stop feeling like I know what to do or say.  Empower me look to You for every issue.  I know You will be adding, enhancing, and changing the way You want the Bible applied to my and other people’s lives; help me be open to it. 

 

Following The Voice Of Jesus

John 7:16-18 (NIV)  Jesus answered, “My teaching is not My own.  It comes from Him Who sent Me.  If anyone chooses to do God’s will, he will find out whether My teaching comes from God or whether I speak on My own.  He who speaks on his own does so to gain honor for himself, but He Who works for the honor of the One Who sent Him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about Him. 

 

When you see Jesus, Who is God, only doing and saying those things He is receiving from the Father, you see where Adam and Eve went wrong.  You can’t face the devil alone; you can’t live the Christian life alone; and you can’t face the challenges of life alone.  You need the constant communication of Jesus’ voice speaking guidance, training, instructions, faith, and power into you. There is never a moment when you can be successful without Jesus’ input. 

 

When you make a decision based on something you learned yesterday, is the moment you are making your decision based on inadequate information, wisdom, and power.  What Jesus said yesterday was brilliant, perfect, and applicable for that issue.  However, there are a lot of different circumstances, influences, and issues involved in today’s assignments.  Each one possesses unique aspects that may or may not have needed to be addressed yesterday.  Only Jesus can speak to you and tell you what needs to be applied to today’s situations. 

 

Jesus, help me hear Your voice clearly.  Remove other people’s opinions, Satan’s thoughts, and world training from my mind and heart.  Help me be able to hear You constantly so I can make decisions based on Your incredible power and abilities.  I want to be successful in life; but, I know that isn’t going to happen if I can’t hear You clearly and constantly.  Heal my spiritual ears so they are able to hear You; heal my heart so it doesn’t contaminate what I hear; and heal my mind so I don’t mix world philosophies with Your voice. 

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Sixteen

Adam And Eve With Human Effort – Did They Get By With It?

 

Week Four Day Three

 

Gen 3:1 (NIV)  Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

 

Gen 3:2-3 (NIV)  The woman said to the serpent, “You may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

 

Gen 3:4-5 (NIV)  “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman.  “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

 

Gen 3:6-7 (NIV)  When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.  Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

 

Gen 3:8-10 (NIV)  Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.  But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”  He answered, “I heard You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

 

Where Did They Go Wrong?

Gen 3:4-5 (NIV)  “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman.  “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

 

The Fake Voice Of Authority

You will not surely die: Jesus, many people have said things to me with great authority and confidence, but were in direct opposition to God and His Word.  I have heard many lectures, speeches, conversations, and discussions with people that said things God is against.  They seem so sure; they seem to know what they are talking about; they seem to have the truth on the subject. 

 

Help me always know that it doesn’t matter what any of them say; it only matters whether or not God says it.  Help me know God is the truth; God knows the truth; and, God speaks the truth.  Let that be all that matters to me.  Help me base my life on the true facts, not on someone who is confidently wrong.  Let Your voice be the only voice I trust. 

 

Voice Tone And Content

“You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman: What made Satan be the authority on the subject?  What gave him the right to be instructing Adam and Eve?  Who was he? 

 

Gen 2:16-17 (NIV)  And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”  What made God be the authority on the subject?  What gave Him the right to be instructing Adam and Eve?  Who was He? 

 

Jesus, help me understand that this was the voice of the One Who created the universe, the garden, and Adam and Eve.  Show me that all Adam and Eve had to do was look around them and see all that God had done for them—everything!  All they had to do was look around and see what Satan had done for them--nothing!  Why should I listen to those who have done nothing good for me rather than listening to the One Who has? 

 

God’s Voice Tone

And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die: When you know what God said, you have the criteria for evaluating all other information.  So, when the Bible tells you something and you hear something to the contrary, you know you are being exposed to a voice and content that isn’t from God.  Once you know you are hearing something that isn’t from God, what do you do?  Do you discuss it, reason with it, debate it, consider it, or listen to it?  You leave Satan and talk to God about it. 

 

Rom 5:8 (NIV)  But God demonstrates His own love for you in this: While you were still sinners, Christ died for you. Jesus, help me consider, what has all these sources of opposing opinions done for me?  How have they earned a right to influence my life?  How have they proven that they love me, care for me, and have my best interests in mind?  Why would I even listen to someone who hasn’t earned the right to speak into my life?  Show me that “You will not surely die” came from someone who didn’t have the right to have his voice heard. 

 

Satan’s Voice Tone

For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil:

 

Jesus, teach me that the being who hadn’t done anything good for Adam and Eve was saying God was trying to hold back something good from them.  I have had that voice come to me.    I have heard: If nothing is impossible for God, why doesn’t He do this simple thing for you?  Help me give this answer: Because it wouldn’t be the very best for me.  Let relational faith help me know why something is or isn’t happening.  Help me know the One Who is allowing it or isn’t giving it to me. I trust Him because He has demonstrated His love for me. 

 

What Happens When You Listen

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.  Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

 

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it: Jesus, teach me that bait, traps, sins, and addictions come through conversations and voices.  Things that hurt me, damage me, cause me to fail, and head me in wrong directions come through non-Biblical reasoning.  I gave it some thought; I took it into consideration; I weighed my options; and I took it under advisement.  Show me that I may do research, examine all the possibilities, and put it to the test, but, without the One Who loves me providing me with His input, I am missing very important information. 

 

Look Adam, I Didn’t Die From Eating It!

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it: To Adam and Eve, it looked like Satan was right.  Both of them ate the forbidden fruit and didn’t die a physical death.  They listened to another voice and it looked like they got away with it.  The same is with you; you can fail to invite God into a situation; you can go ahead and do it; and, it looks like you did okay; but, did you? 

 

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

 

Jesus, something changed; at the moment, it looked like it was for the good.  When I fail to listen to God’s voice and it ends up looking like I escaped any bad consequences from it, I can assume I did the right thing.  But, help me see that if I send a missile into space and its guidance system is only off by a very small degree, by the time it has travelled a thousand miles, it will be way off target.  Help me see that, that is the way listening to the wrong voice is for me. It starts out looking okay; but, on the long term, it ends up way off.  I now see a world suffering from one bad decision that Adam and Eve made; that happens in my life. 

 

Something Is Wrong

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.  But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”  He answered, “I heard You in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”  They died!  They didn’t understand what death meant; they didn’t understand all the long-term consequences; they didn’t know what it was going to do to humanity.  There were millions of things they didn’t understand.  But, they felt qualified to discuss it, debate it, and reason it out, with Satan.  Sometimes you can feel these same qualifications. 

 

What Should They Have Done?

Jesus, Adam and Eve were discussing what God said; they were trying to decide whether or not God knew what He was talking about.  They were talking with Satan and not with God.  If I have a life-question, help me always discuss it with the One Who created life.  If I have a Biblical question, help me discuss it with the One Who caused it to be written.  If I have a question about what is best for me, help me discuss it with the One Who loves me more than I love myself.  If you have a technical question, help me discuss it with the One Who knows everything.  Help me identify Your voice and only listen to what You have to say. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Seventeen

Adam And Eve With Human Effort – Contaminated Truth

 

Week Four Day Four

 

Changing God’s Words

Gen 3:4-5 (NIV)  “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman.  “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 

 

You will not surely die: Eve added the words, “and you must not touch it” and left out the word “surely” and only said, or you will die.  Satan quoted God’s exact words except he added “not” to “you will surely die.”  The reason you read and study the Bible is so you can find out exactly what God said.  And, the reason you want to know exactly what God said is because His words are vital for your life and future.  That’s why you want to hear Him clearly. 

 

Heavenly Father, help me not try to evaluate Your Word; help me realize that it is me that needs evaluation.  Help me know that Your words are true, accurate, loving, and life-giving.  I am not trying to see if You know what You are talking about; I am trying to get Your truths operating in my life.  You set the rules; You have the facts; and You provide the truth.  Let me come to You and Your Word as a little child.  Let me have Your power-attitude of being poor in spirit.  Help me have the attitudes that empower me to succeed in life. 

 

The Purpose Of Checking Voice Tone

You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman: You can have one of your closest friends accidently listen to Satan and say things to you that aren’t God’s will for your life.  Here is an example of this: Mark 8:31 (NIV) He (Jesus) then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again. 

 

Mark 8:32-33 (NIV) He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.  But when Jesus turned and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter.  “Get behind Me, Satan!” He said.  “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”  Peter thinks he is showing his love for Jesus; but, he is actually listening to the voice of the devil.  He isn’t doing this on purpose; he isn’t trying to trick Jesus into disobeying God.  He is really trying to be Jesus’ friend; but, he is being used as a source for the voice of Satan. 

 

Jesus, first of all, help me not allow myself to be used to carry the message of the devil.  Empower me to identify and only yield to Your voice before I speak to people.  There are a lot of things I think of to say to people.  Help me know which thought is from You and only express it.  Secondly, help me not listen to ideas, opinions, and suggestions from people who don’t check who is talking to them.  Even if someone closest to me tells me something, help me check it out with You before I allow it to influence my life. 

 

It’s An Attack On The Honesty And Integrity Of God

You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman.  “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened: Faith is to believe God is telling you the truth; it is a faith in His honesty and integrity.  When you believe you can’t rely on Him, can’t believe in Him, and can’t trust His motives, that is when the gifts of God are cut off.  That is when you can hear God’s voice; but, you won’t listen to God’s voice. 

 

So, Satan spends a lot of time trying to get you to doubt God and His motives.  The thing that sets the trap of Satan, the thing that baits the hook, is the truth.  That doesn’t sound right; but it is.  You may hear information, get a thought, come to a conclusion about something that is based on truth.  But, if that truth contains a flaw, a lie, a deception, is misleading, then that “truth” can draw you in and trap you.

 

Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.  See!  Satan was telling Adam and Eve “the truth;” but, he went on and combined it with a lie.  God did know that when they ate that fruit their eyes would be opened.  But Satan was saying that God was trying to keep a good thing from them; that was a lie!  God was trying to keep them from being hurt and hurting mankind.  Satan was trying to steal a good thing from them, which was their innocence and the wonderful garden they were living in.  He was trying to introduce them into a bad thing of the knowledge of good and evil that they weren’t ready to be responsible for. 

 

Jesus, it is difficult to be exposed to a truth that is being used as bait.  This is an area where I am going to need to identify the source rather than just the content of that voice.  It is a matter that is too great for me, as a human; I lack the wisdom and power to detect a truth being used to support a lie.  It would be easy for me to be fooled and deceived.  Help me keep my faith, trust, reliance, and dependency on You.  Protect me from allowing Satan to cause me to doubt Your integrity and honesty.  You are the One Who loves me and cares what happens to me.  You are the One Who is providing me with all good.  Help me identify, recognize, and yield to Your voice and Your voice alone. 

 

God wants Us To Be Like Him

You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman.  “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God: There are at least two ways into most things; the honest way and the dishonest way.  There is a good way to be like God and a bad way.  You have seen how generous God is; Rom 8:32 (NIV)  He Who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for you all--how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give you all things?

 

Will having their eyes opened cause them to be like God?  Like in all traps and bait, the answer is yes and no.  They would be like God in that His eyes are open and their eyes would be open.  But Satan lied; they would still be a long way off from being like God.  There were so many things God has that keep Him from being damaged by having His eyes open. 

 

Jesus, I want to be like You; I want to be open to You putting Who You are in me.  But, I don’t want to have this happen through humanistic or satanic means.  I don’t want to pursue You and all You have to offer so I can use You or Your provisions.  I don’t want Your provisions to be separate from you having a close and loving relationship.  I want You to speak faith into me so I can trust You to give me Your provisions at the right time.  Protect me from using other methods to get what You have to offer.  You alone know when I am ready to have each provision You have for me.  I trust You to give them to me in Your timing and after You have trained and prepared me for them. 

 

You Know Because God Told Us So

You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman.  “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil:

 

Without looking at the end results of what knowing good and evil did to Adam and Eve and what it did to all of mankind, how do you know that it isn’t a good thing?  Long before you see the end results, relational faith helps you know what is a good thing and what isn’t.  Your lives have been based on trial-and-error techniques.  Some things turned out good and other didn’t; but, you didn’t find out until after you tried them.  There were also things you looked back on and realized they were things you should have done.  As you see how wonderful they would have been, you wish you would have known then what you know now. 

 

Jesus, help me take advantage of this example of Adam and Eve.  Help me see where they went wrong and allow You to change it in me.  Give me a total relational faith in You so I can know in advance what is a good thing and what is a bad thing.  Let me know in advance who to listen to and what to listen to.  Teach me Your truths so I can know when something is trying to lead me away from You and Your great plan for my life.  And, help me always check everything out with You before I make a decision. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Eighteen

Jesus’ Use Of Spiritual Power

 

Week Four Day Five

 

 

Jesus is showing you why you need to make sure and how to make sure whose voice you are listening to.  Jesus will now show you the way He approached His life when He was here in His physical form.  He showed you how Adam and Eve handled their issue with listening to God and Satan’s voices.  Now He will show you what He did, when He was confronted with Satan and Satan’s efforts to speak into His life and decisions. 

 

Mat 4:1-2 (NIV) Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.  After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.

 

Mat 4:3 (NIV) The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

 

Identifying Satan’s Voice

The tempter came to Him and said: The devil doesn’t come to you in a physical form like he did with Jesus.  So, it isn’t like you can know you are being tempted by seeing that it is Satan talking to you. You have to recognize the devil’s voice when you read various world materials, when people are talking to you, and when you get certain thoughts and feelings.  But, once you have identified the source as being Satan, you have an approach you always need to take. 

 

Jesus, if I am reading an article and things are being presented that are unbiblical, help me see that You didn’t reason, argue, discuss, or debate it.  You went straight to the Bible and quoted it as the final authority; that was the end of the discussion.  Help me always do that; help me go to the Bible and use it as my final authority for all philosophies, beliefs, principles, and relationships.  Help me hear clearly whose voice the magazine article was speaking from. 

 

The Voice Tone Of Doubt

The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God: Satan just wants to create a little bit of doubt in your heart.  Whether it is a matter of God taking care of your finances, emotional issues, a relationship, or a physical or spiritual condition, he wants to cause you to have a small doubt concerning God’s faithfulness to you. He knows you won’t get anything from God, if you doubt.  But, if you move your attention away from Satan and fix your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of your faith (Heb 12:2a), then Jesus will give you His faith that never doubts.  The voice of Jesus speaks unwavering faith into you. 

 

Trying To Prove It

The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread: Jesus, the same challenge comes to me; Satan says: “If you are a child of God, you should be living like this.”  Sometimes I try prove I am by some benevolent deed, always being generous, helping someone in need, or trying to always talk in kind tones.  But, help me see that, that isn’t my proof that I am a child of God.  Help me do what Jesus did, help me quote what the Bible says.  Romans 10:9-10 told me how to be born again, saved, and justified.  When I did that, You spoke faith into me that I was saved and justified.  That’s my proof.  So, when any voice challenges me concerning anything, help me always go to the Bible. 

 

The Bible Settles It

The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: This is why it is so important to study the Bible.  It contains all the proof you need for everything you face.  There is always a verse that makes it clear what is the right thing to do.  But, if you don’t know that verse is in the Bible, Jesus won’t use it and its wonderful truth to set you free.  It is your responsibility to make sure you expose yourself to all of the Bible’s truths.  That is why you are going through all of these Scriptures in these studies.  Then, rather than trying to convince yourself or others, you will use the Bible. 

 

Food For Your Spirit

The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone: When your physical needs come in conflict with your spiritual needs, you must put your spiritual needs first.  Jesus hadn’t eaten in forty days; He needed food right away.  But, Satan was trying to get Him to prove He was the Son of God by working a miracle for Himself.  God wants you to let Him take care of your needs and be used by His power for other’s needs.  The Bible makes sure you know this principle so you won’t use God’s power selfishly. 

 

Jesus, if I use Biblical principles, so only I succeed, I have abused God’s provisions.  Help me be involved in win/win methods.  Help me be ready for these temptations and tests of Satan.  Help me desire to be ready, to study to be ready, to pray to be ready, to look to You for the faith to believe I am ready, to yield to God’s love to be ready to help others, to take faith-action based on the fact that you are ready.  And then spend time praising and thanking You for making me ready.  Show me that this feeds my spirit, so it will be strong in You.  

 

The Spiritual Controls The Physical

The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God: You don’t get your needs met by working on a job, earning money, and being able to buy those things you need.  All your abilities, opportunities, health, and skills are made possible by God giving them to you. You are only as intelligent, healthy, talented, and have opportunities come your way through the provisions of God.  You have seen that without the knowledge, foreknowledge, understanding, and wisdom of Jesus, you will make a lot of decisions with inadequate information; that is why you need to hear His voice.  But, that isn’t all there is to it; you need to hear it and benefit from it. 

 

Jesus, since I lack the abilities to use the provisions of God, since I don’t have the intelligence, the skills, the talents, and the opportunities, I will not be able to get my needs met.  Help me recognize, understand, and know how to yield to Your voice.  Let it speak blessings, miracles, opportunities, abilities, skills, talents, health, and supernatural power into me. Since You are making all these things available, help me hear, identify, believe and obey Your voice.  Help me use The Seven Biblical Principles to check my spiritual hearing, identifying, believing and obeying abilities.  Give me total clarity in my spiritual ears. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Nineteen

Jesus With Spiritual Power Through The Word

 

Week Five Day One

 

 

Identifying Satan’s Voice

The tempter came to Him and said: All day long, ideas and feelings will come into your heart and mind.  It is easy to evaluate all of them, you let Jesus teach you how.  Just like you can tell when you touch something hot or cold, you can tell when something is negative or positive.  You can tell by the voice tone.  Some ideas cause fear; some ideas aren’t win/win; some ideas cause depression, helplessness or hopelessness.  Others cause you to feel faith, love, peace, and patience.  You can feel the difference. 

 

Jesus helps you respond to problems, issues, difficulties, failures, and challenges.  He gives you confidence in the fact that He will make it all work out for your good.  He speaks faith into you that assures you that He will give you the perfect answer or solution.  When you have a negative voice trying to cause you to move forward because you are afraid something bad is going to happen to you, you wait and listen for Jesus to speak positive motivations for moving forward. 

 

Jesus, I have made decisions based on fear; I have moved on things because I was afraid I was going to miss out on a great opportunity.  I have taken action on things out of selfishness and greed.  I have done things because I had self-confidence and self-esteem rather than God-confidence and God-esteem.  I could feel the difference.  I could feel it when it was a negative motivation and when it was a blessing.  Empower me to wait until loving, joyous, peaceful ideas and feelings fill my heart with solutions to those things that are trying to scare or pressure me into making the wrong decisions.  Help me not respond to the voice of fear but to Your voice of love. 

 

The Voice Tone Of Doubt

The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God: Satan asks questions like, are you sure you are born again; are you sure you haven’t done something disqualifying you from being God’s child?  When he does, how do you deal with things you aren’t sure of?  Here’s how: Satan says things that contradict the Bible; Jesus says things that agree with it.  Not only can you tell when an evil voice or Jesus’ voice is speaking to you by feelings, you can tell by whether or not the Bible says it is Jesus.  Jesus always speaks Bible. 

 

Jesus, help me know who is talking to my thoughts and feelings by the content of what is being said.  Teach me that You and the Holy Spirit sound like this: “The Spirit Himself testifies with your spirit that you are God’s children (Rom 8:16).”  I don’t have to battle with the issue; I don’t have to worry, wonder, doubt, or get confused. I don’t have to prove anything, discuss it in my mind, or argue with fears in my heart.  If I have done something I am not sure of, or, just have this strange feeling in my heart, show me that it is simple to solve. 

 

1 John 2:1 (NIV) My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.  But if anybody does sin, you have One Who speaks to the Father in your defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  If you think there is “something” you did, confess it and go on. 

 

1 John 1:9 (NIV) If you confess your sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive you your sins and purify you from all unrighteousness.  The Bible gives you help, solutions, answers, and faith, Jesus speaks faith and powerful guidance right into your heart and mind.  No arguing, debating, worrying, doubting, or fearing.  You take it to Jesus and the Bible and then move on. 

 

Jesus, help me stop trying to prove or justify who I am and what I have done.  Keep me from talking to Satan in my mind or with others; remind me the moment I start arguing, reasoning, justifying, and explaining why I did what I did.  Empower me to get proof through You and the Bible.  If Satan accuses me, then I simply want to take them to You and do what You want me to do with them.  If You want me to confess something, make something right, repent of something, or accept Your forgiveness for something, then that is what I want to do.  Help me immediately run to You with any doubts, fears, accusations, or temptations that come my way. 

 

Trying To Prove It

The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread: Everything you get from God is a gift; it all comes through grace, mercy, and faith.  When you are put in a place where you are trying to prove your value, worth, righteousness, kindness, goodness, or relationship with God, you are in the wrong place.  The moment you find yourself having to prove something to yourself or someone else, you are being tempted to do the wrong thing.  John 8:54 (NIV)  Jesus replied, “If I glorify Myself, my glory means nothing.  My Father, Whom you claim as your God, is the  One Who glorifies Me.

 

Jesus, rather than me trying to lift up and prove who I am, help me spend my time telling others who You are.  Help me not fall into the trap of trying to bring credit, glory, or fame to myself.  Help me let everyone know that I am who I am because You made me that way. 

 

The Bible Settles It

The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: Don’t spend time talking to the devil or dealing with the thoughts and feelings he sends you.  When someone or a thought tries to accuse you, you don’t owe them or it time.  Immediately ask Jesus to give you a Scripture that answers the accusation.  Don’t trying to prove how great, worthy, qualified, wonderful, or righteous you are. 

 

Jesus, I try to handle some accusation that pops up in my mind or that comes from some person.  This isn’t something I want to continue to do.  Help me come to You for a Scripture from Your Word that answers the accusation.  Let me come up with one that explains what You are doing in and through me.  I am a product of Your mighty work; You have purchased me with a great price.  I belong to You and that is where I get my confidence and esteem.  Help me stay in the realm where I am telling of Your greatness and kindness to me. 

 

Food For Your Spirit

The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone: Your life can consist of spending most, if not all, of your time trying to make sure your physical needs are met.  Satan has a job, an opportunity, a career, a marriage, a friendship, a business, a house, a car, or a life that he wants you to have and live.  They will probably look really good to you; but, in the long run, they will trap and ensnare you with major time issues.  Satan and the world have expensive clothes, shoes, cars, houses, entertainment, vacations, retirement plans, insurance policies, and many other things that will consume all your time, effort, and money. 

 

Jesus, I feel pressure, desires, excitement, and happiness toward things that have, are, or will trap me and enslave me to the cares of this world.  I find myself wanting things I think will make me happy.  I can’t trust my desires; I have been wrong too many times.  Help me come to You and allow You to guide me into those things that will help me have true success now and great success in eternity. 

 

The Spiritual Controls The Physical

The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God: There is no thing in all this world that actually brings joy and happiness to you. You have all felt happiness when you bought some thing special.  And, it seemed like this happiness came for the thing you purchased or obtained.  But, it wasn’t the thing that brought that happiness; it was your feeling of what you believed it would do for you. Soon the happiness goes away even though you still have that thing. 

 

Jesus, I have a lot of things that I felt happy about buying or getting.  But, I still have a lot of them and they aren’t providing me with happiness anymore.  Help me see that the words that come from Your mouth are the only things that give me true and lasting happiness and joy. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Twenty

The Path To Obedience

 

Week Five Day Two

 

 

Rom 5:17 (NIV) For if, by the trespass of the one man [Adam], death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One Man, Jesus Christ.

 

Rom 5:18 (NIV) Consequently, just as the result of one trespass [Adam] was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness [Jesus] was justification that brings life for all men.

 

Rom 5:19 (NIV) For just as through the disobedience of the one man [Adam] the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the One Man [Jesus] the many will be made righteous.

 

It Hurts You And Those Around You

For if, by the trespass of the one man [Adam], death reigned through that one man: You don’t have Adam’s influence; but, your decisions do influence those around you. If you provide win/win situations, lives get blessed that wouldn’t have otherwise been blessed.  It all started with Adam and Eve listening to the voice of Satan and believing and doing things against the voice of God.  They could have run to God and got His input on it.  You can run to the Bible, to God in prayer, and to Jesus for faith.  If there is ever a thought, feeling, or statement you aren’t sure about, it is best to do nothing until you know you have God’s word on the matter. 

 

Jesus, help me see that the more I listen to Your voice and the less I listen to the devil’s, the more I and those around me will be blessed by the relationship and provisions of God.  Show me that my thoughts, feelings, philosophies, beliefs, training, and principles all influence what I do.  And, what I do influences how my life turns out and how I have an effect on those around you. Help me identify the voice tones and content of those things coming my way. 

 

It Blesses Us And Those Around Us

So also through the obedience of the One Man (Jesus) the many will be made righteous: Obedience is the process of you doing what the Holy Spirit speaks into your conscience and what the Bible says.  But, you have seen that you cannot carry out this obedience without getting Jesus’ help.  And, you have seen that The Seven Biblical Principles get you that power to obey.  Once you have the power to obey a particular thing, you set your life and the lives of those around you on a course of blessings from God.  God helps you be an example of what He is capable of doing for everyone.  The more He blesses you, the more people can see the love and grace of God.  These blessing, however, come out of obedience. 

 

Jesus, teach me that once I can hear, identify, listen to, and obey Your voice, I bring God’s will into my life.  Help me not just seek God’s will on major decisions.  I have seen that every decision I make has long term effects on me and those around me. Show me that I and others experience You through who I am and what I do.  Teach me that once I learn how to identify the voice and content of all influences coming my way, I can teach others how.  They can learn The Seven Biblical Principles.  They can get Your life in their life. 

 

Success Relationships

Consequently, just as the result of one trespass [Adam] was condemnation for all men: Jesus’ voice of grace, mercy, forgiveness, justification, and gifts teaches you how to be accepted in spite of your mistakes, misdeeds, and sins.  Jesus’ voice gives you a relationship of being a good person who does some wrong, bad, and evil things.  But, listening to Jesus’ voice is to join Him in resisting, changing, and attacking these wrong, bad, and evil deeds.  He can tell you that you aren’t what you do; He can tell you that you are who He says you are.  His voice can separate you from your deeds and help you see them as wrong, bad, and evil without them making you wrong, bad, or evil people.  But, only if you listen. 

 

Jesus, help me see that main reason people can’t improve is because they listen to a voice that says they are what they do.  If they do something bad, they are only going to feel good about themselves, if they explain, justify, ignore, or forgive themselves for all their failures, mistakes, and sins.  Help me be able to improve, because I can face all of my failures, mistakes, and sins.  Help me have God esteem and confidence that will make all this possible. 

 

Rules That Open Doors Of Success

So also the result of one act of righteousness (Jesus) was justification that brings life for all men: It doesn’t seem right that Adam’s sin brought condemnation for all men.  But, it is wonderful that through the one Man, Jesus, He brings life for all men.  Without the rule that Adam could bring condemnation on everyone, there couldn’t be the rule that Jesus could bring justification for everyone.  Jesus is telling those who listen to His voice that Adam and Eve’s sin brought condemnation for all men.  But, He is telling you that He brings life for all men. 

 

Jesus, teach me that listening to Your voice of justification makes me a good person even though I do wrong, bad, and sometimes evil things.  Your voice teaches me about intent.  Did I do what I did on purpose or accidently?  As You speak to me through Romans 7:15-25, I see a person making a lot of mistakes but wanting to do right things.  Show me that the road to success is for me to listen to You and be able to identify a person’s motives.  You point out dishonest people, reveal motives, and tell me how to deal with all sincere relationships. 

 

Human Weakness

For just as through the disobedience of the one man [Adam] the many were made sinners: Having to deal with the weaknesses, failures, and problems of humans presents quite a challenge.  Those who can navigate through all the pitfalls of human relationships are well on the road to success.  One person can do a lot of damage to a company, marriage, friendship, or association.  The important issue is, why is this person causing all these problems?  What are their motives; what kind of character and attitudes do they have; what are their goals?   Listening to Jesus’ voice helps you see what voice a person is listening to. 

 

Jesus, Adam and Eve listening to Satan’s voice created an incredible problem for all of mankind.  You devised a way to bring me back to a place of salvation and eternal life.  The solution had to be one where my problem was fixed; it had to work for me.  If the solution was inadequate, then I would go on hurting myself and others. 

 

Solutions Don’t Help Everyone

So also through the obedience of the One Man (Jesus) the many will be made righteous: The solution to the problem Adam and Eve’s sin caused was perfect.  It made it possible for a person to be totally set free from the penalty and power of sin.  But, as you can see, it didn’t help everyone.  “The many” means that not everyone will be willing to listen to Jesus. 

 

Jesus teach me that part of solving problems is to isolate where the problems are coming from.  When people listen to the devil a lot of the time, a lot of their investment in a relationship is satanic.  Help me see that they constantly do damage because of who they listen to.  Show me whether or not they are doing this on purpose or they can be Biblically trained on how to only listen to Your voice.  Teach me that desire decides who can be helped and who can’t. 

 

Jesus’ Solutions Help In Two Ways

Rom 1:28 (NIV) Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.  It is a choice of who you want to listen to; but, it is also a choice as to whether or not God helps you with who you listen to.  You know that nothing good lives in you, that is, in your sinful nature.  For you have the desire to do what is good, but you cannot carry it out (Rom 7:18).  That is what The Seven Biblical Principles are all about.  They go over the major spiritual issues that Jesus looks at for deciding how to respond to you. 

 

Jesus, teach me that the problem with those living in the Romans 7:15-25 life is, they are still listening to the voice of their human capabilities, world training, and Satan.  Since they don’t know how to let Your voice speak knowledge, foreknowledge of the future, understanding, wisdom, faith, power, and love into them, they cannot to do what is good.  You don’t just speak information, You also speak all of God’s supernatural provisions through Your voice; when I listen, I get these two thing from You. 

 

Jesus’ Voice Speaks Seven Things Into Us

Even though the Romans 7:15-25 Christian has a great desire, their studies in the Bible haven’t yet led them into how to listen to Jesus’ voice.  Since they haven’t learned Scriptures telling them to pray to hear Jesus’ voice, since they aren’t looking to Jesus for faith to believe they have what they need in order to hear His voice, since they don’t know the Holy Spirit has given them God’s love, and since they don’t know how to take faith-action and start listening to Jesus’ voice, that leaves them with nothing to be thankful for. 

 

Jesus, I thank You for empowering me to listen to You through all seven areas of The Seven Biblical Principles.  You are empowering me to hear You speak to me and create these seven mandatory things in me, so I can do what is good.  You spoke desire, the ability to study, the right kind of prayers, faith to believe I have the power to do what is good, the ability to yield to God’s love, the power to take faith-action, and to help me be thankful that You empowered me to do what is good. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Twenty-One

The Path To Obedience

 

Week Five Day Three

 

 

It Hurts You And Those Around You

For if, by the trespass of the one man [Adam], death reigned through that one man: Have you ever worked at a place where a person there made you miserable?  Have you ever been around someone who was always causing problems?  One person can make your life difficult even when most everything else is going great.  What causes these people to be such trouble makers; why do they treat people the way they do?  There are people who can take the most positive situation and say something critical about it.  There are people who can come up with ways of damaging relationships that would typically be very successful. 

 

Adam and Eve’s willingness to listen to Satan brought great damage to those of us living thousands of years later.  Billions of people are suffering from a couple of people’s decisions to listen to the wrong voice input.  Many a war has been started by just a few people in strong positions of leadership.  Governmental oppression has come from a few people who devised a plan for how they wanted to lead the lives of the people under them.  Many a business has been structured where money was more important than people. 

 

Jesus, I have seen individuals, marriages, families, businesses, and nations who listen to Satan rather than to You.  It is obvious what happens to those under these people’s influence.  Help me learn how to resist Satan’s influence in my life by crowding it out by listening to You.  Let me be so busy listening to You that Satan can’t get his comments in.  Teach me how to allow my mind and heart to only be tuned into what You have to say.  Empower me to recognize Your voice tone and content so I can be one of those people in relationships that bring blessings and healing to all involved with me. 

 

It Blesses You And Those Around You

So, also through the obedience of the One Man (Jesus) the many will be made righteous: Where were you headed before Jesus came into your life?  Where would you be right now if Jesus hadn’t changed the course of your future.  What would your eternity look like, if Jesus hadn’t done what it takes to provide you with salvation, justification, sanctification, and glorification?  Now, what will the lives of the people around you look like if you allow Jesus to keep speaking into and through you into their lives?  The more you listen to Jesus, the more your life changes.  The more Jesus and His voice change you, the more you influence the lives of others positively.  What would their life have been like, if Jesus hadn’t influenced them through you? 

 

Jesus, I am realizing more and more that my individual decisions aren’t just for me.  I associate with a lot of other people; I say and do things based on who I listen to.  I treat those around me the way You and the Bible are being allowed to impact me.  Help me start things rolling in the direction that Your voice will take me and those around me.  Let me be an example of Your love, principles, and righteousness.  Give me great breakthroughs in my life, character, and attitudes so I and others can be blessed by You. 

 

Success Relationships

Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men: Things were bad when Jesus arrived on this planet; but, He came to make a huge difference in that situation.  Rather than you trying to find some place where things are great, wonderful, and perfect for you. Jesus is wanting you to be a solution to the problems around you. You can go around trying to get people to do what you want and need; or, you can go around helping them get what they want and need.  If you listen to Jesus, He will show you how to have a positive impact on some very bad situations.  You may come into places and relationships that are horrible; but, Jesus can tell you how to bring love and healing into many of them. 

 

Jesus, help me get to the place where I realize my life isn’t all about me.  Redirect my goals so I am looking for opportunities to receive instructions and plans from You for others.  I know You are aware of places where they need Your input.  And, I am sure You could use me to listen to You and then be a source of blessings and help to these people.  Guide me into jobs, careers, opportunities, events, groups, clients, customers, and relationships that will best be helped by the relationship You and I have together. 

 

Rules That Open Doors Of Success

So, also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men: An attention to the needs of others can be for the purpose of exploiting them or for the purpose of loving and helping people.  The voice of Satan and the world give great attention to all the weaknesses, needs, hurts, and problems of people.  They come up with all kinds of ways for making people feel like they care about them.  But, when people present these needs, Satan and the world find ways to exploit them.  People are enslaved to all kinds of financial obligations because of Satan and the world “meeting their needs.” 

 

Jesus, I always felt like I was a caring and loving person.  I found myself being aware of what people needed and tried to meet those needs with products and services that seemed to help them.  But, I can see now that it was motivated by my own needs.  I needed them to do business with and work with me so I could get what I wanted.  Help me see the difference between Your voice that meets needs and Satan’s voice that exploits needs. 

 

Human Weakness

For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners: It isn’t just a matter that your life is damaged by listening to Satan and the world, it is also a matter of how much you are missing out on from not hearing the voice of Jesus.  It’s true that wrong, bad, and evil hurt you and those around you. But, not obeying Jesus’ voice cheats you and others out of the blessings and miracles of God.  Also, it isn’t just a matter of identifying and hearing the voice of Jesus, it is a matter of you being empowered to do it.  Disobedience consists of knowing what God said and not doing it or not “doing what it takes” to be able to do it.  

 

Jesus, it is true that I cannot carry out Your righteousness; but, that isn’t the end of the issue.  You have provided Your Holy Spirit to empower me to carry it all out.  Help me hear, isolate, and identify Your voice; then, give me Your faith and power to carry it out.  There is nothing You provide that I don’t need.  Everything You are trying to tell me are important issues.  Help me take full advantage of everything You have to say to me. 

 

Solutions Don’t Help Everyone

So, also through the obedience of the One Man the many will be made righteous: It is sad that such great provisions could be made available through such an incredible sacrifice and some still not take advantage of them.  There’s a way for every person to be fed, every person to be clothed, every person to be sheltered, every person to be befriended, and every person to be visited.  But, even though Jesus is telling all of you humans how to go about accomplishing this, many turn a deaf ear to Him. 

 

Jesus, it isn’t a matter of some socialist government trying to equally distribute the resources.  That always fails because of the corruption of the government and their lack of good attitudes and character.  It is a matter of every person listening to You.  You know where the true, real, and sincere needs are.  Help me be filled with resources so I can go to the right places with the right supplies.  Help me have the kind attitudes and character that You can speak into. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Twenty-Two

Simon The Sorcerer-Trying To Add Jesus

 

Week Five Day Four

 

 

Acts 8:9-10 (NIV) Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria.  He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is the divine power known as the Great Power.”

 

Acts 8:11-12 (NIV) They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic.  But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

 

Acts 8:13 (NIV) Simon himself believed and was baptized.  And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

 

Making Listening To Satan A Common Practice

Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria.  He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is the divine power known as the Great Power.”  You might assume that it is only people like Simon who make it a practice to listen to Satan most of the time.  However, there are people who devote themselves to gossiping, backbiting, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy (Gal 5:20-21). 

 

Jesus, I know that sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery (excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures); idolatry and witchcraft (Gal 5:19-20) and drunkenness, orgies, and the like come through listening to Satan.  But, help me realize that Satan is the one telling me all kinds of negative things about those around me. When I think or feel something negative about someone, help me get it checked out with You immediately.  

 

Getting An Opportunity To Listen To Jesus

They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic.  But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.  Salvation and justification opened the door for you to get into constant communication with Jesus; but, you might not know that.  You have been “dead” or separated from Jesus most of your life.  You are used to listening to yourself, other people, and Satan.  You didn’t know that a lot of the things coming your way were satanic.  You didn’t realize that some of your “best ideas” were going to lead you away from God’s wonderful plan for your life. 

 

Jesus help me keep in mind that salvation and justification made it possible for me to get open communication with You.  It provided the possibility; but, it didn’t force me into an open relationship with You.  I came into this relationship where a lot of things were forced on me.   I wasn’t ready for Your and Christianity’s gentleness. 

 

Mixing Jesus’ Voice With All The Rest

Acts 8:13 (NIV) Simon himself believed and was baptized.  And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.  Simon accepted Jesus as His Savior; but, He was still thinking like a sorcerer.  He didn’t realize he needed to close the door on all he was hearing from Satan.  He was looking at the great power of God and wondering how he could add it to all his other powers and skills.  He thought he would be able to “take the best of both worlds” and really impress people.  This is normal for new and untrained Christians; they don’t realize the old has to be given up in trade for the new. 

 

2 Cor 5:17 (NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  Jesus, it was strange for me, as a new Christian to have possibilities, opportunities, benefits, miracles, and blessings that are optional.  I wasn’t used to things being available but not mandatory.  It was my opportunity to be mightily blessed by God as a Christian; but, I had to “do what it takes” to get them.  When I did, I found out I was inviting God to bless and help me.  It didn’t just automatically pour into my life without my permission.  Show me that the same is true of Your voice.  I have to start actively rejecting all other thoughts, feelings, opinions, and words from other sources.  Help see that I have to actively accept Your voice and content through the Bible into my mind and heart.  

 

A Closed Heart And Mind

Acts 8:18-19 (NIV) When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”  Simon was still thinking like a sorcerer; he was approaching God and the things of God just like he did with Satan and the world.  Simon allowed Satan to entice him to want to use the power of God to impress people with his greatness.  He wasn’t being trained by Jesus through the Holy Spirit to help people see the love, grace, mercy, and gifts of God.  If Simon failed allow the voice of Jesus to start speaking to him, he would only know those things he learned from the world and the devil. 

 

Jesus, teach me that Simon reached a place where he had to make a choice.  He had to choose whether he was going to keep the doors open to Satan and the world, or, whether he was going to allow You to close them so he could only hear Your voice.  Show me that something had to happen to Simon to help him see the importance of only listening to You.  Since Simon had been listening to Satan and the world for a long time, help me see that it was going to take quite a “bomb shell” to wake him up to the urgency of the matter.  Help me see what it took to wake him up. 

 

This Is Eternally Important

Acts 8:20-23 (NIV) Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!  You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.  Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord.  Perhaps He will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.  For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”  Listening to Satan’s voice had brought Simon into a horrible spiritual condition; Simon was enjoying being so popular and powerful.  He had no idea how much all these things of Satan were destroying him.  So, Jesus spoke to him through Peter and gave him a chance to see the dangerous situation he was in. 

 

Jesus, help me see that Your voice, through Peter, was vital for Simon.  If Simon listened to Your voice through Peter, it would change him for time and eternity.  It is like a sign warning me that I am heading toward a steep cliff.  Help me see that Your voice is not only vital for warning and helping me avoid danger, it is also for leading me into the wonderful blessings, miracles, healing, and transformations of God.  But, make it clear to me that I have to choose to listen to Your voice before this help comes into my life.  Show me that when I, like Simon, am “enjoying” popularity, power, positions, and pleasure, it can make the choice difficult. 

 

It’s A Start

Acts 8:24 (NIV) Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”  You hope Simon was sincere; you hope Simon took advantage of Jesus’ warning through Peter; you hope Simon used the power of Peter’s prayer and closed the door to Satan and the world; and, you hope Simon made Jesus’ voice his only source of input.  But, all you can do is hope for the best for Simon.  However, you can do a lot more than hope for yourself.  You can take The Seven Biblical Principles and start on a path of closing all other doors as you only listen to Jesus’ voice for your life. 

 

 

You Must Be Prayed For

A Prayer Prayed By Ministers, Mentors, And Friends

Eph 1:17 (NIV) I keep asking that the God of your Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.  Christians are praying this special prayer for you, so you can have the power to make Jesus’ voice the only influence on your life.  Jesus will speak through the Spirit of wisdom and revelation.  He will reveal great wisdom and great truths to you.  He, through the Spirit, gives you your ability to not only hear His voice, He gives you power to understand what He’s saying.  He also takes that knowledge and understanding and gives you faith to believe you have what He’s saying.  Then, He gives you the power to take faith-action and live on the basis of these truths.  So, be sure to take out the time to thank Him for doing these things for you. 

 

It Starts With Power

Eph 1:18-19a (NIV) I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for you who believe.  You can’t make yourself only hear Jesus’ voice.  You can’t use your abilities to understand what He means.  You can’t fill your own heart with faith so you can believe you have the truths coming from His voice.  And, you can’t produce the power to live the life His voice is leading you into.  But, Christians are praying for you that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened. 

 

Jesus, teach me that when the eyes of my heart are enlightened, Your voice fills me with truth and faith.  You make me able to get the full benefits of all You are saying to me.  Show me that it takes the greatness of Your voice to produce the results Your voice was intended to accomplish.  Christians are praying for me so I will have these miracles worked in my heart and mind.  Let their prayers makes it possible for me to have all I need to get started into a life with You.  Let their prayers be answered by You in me.  Help me believe that their prayers are being answered in me. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Twenty-Three

Simon The Sorcerer And Mixture

 

Week Five Day Five

 

 

Making Listening To Satan A Common Practice

Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria.  He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is the divine power known as the Great Power.” 

 

Why do people listen to Satan?  It’s because he and the world really help people with their self-esteem and self-confidence.  All the credit, glory, and praise go to those who accomplish those things Satan and the world direct them into.  Like with Adam and Eve, Satan “helps” you get your and everyone else’s eyes on you. Satan told them: “You will be like God, knowing good and evil.”  You have to understand why Satan would “help” you get money, possessions, power, prestige, positions, popularity, pleasure, and accomplishments.  You have to see how you are cheating yourself and other people by this system of self-esteem and self-confidence.  It has to become clear to you that it redirects your and other people’s attention away from God. 

 

Jesus, I realize that the more I take credit for successes I have, the more eyes are distracted off of You.  If people think I’m their answer, they will look to someone who can’t help them like You can.  Help me reject the voice of Satan and the world.  Free me from all pride, arrogance, self-centeredness, and self-seeking.  Help me realize that my greatness isn’t what you are trying to accomplish.  You are all the answers that all the people need.  Let me help people look to You for all their needs.  Help me listen to Your voice that leads me in this direction. 

 

Getting An Opportunity To Listen To Jesus

They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic.  But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 

 

In the midst of the message of Satan and the world, there is a voice that represents the only message of truth.  Jesus came with concepts and principles that were totally different from what Satan and the world were presenting.  He provided you with an opportunity for you to hear something that would clear up all your confusion, disappointments, and failures.  Jesus is still representing these concepts; but, they can only be heard by those who have ears that can hear them. 

 

Jesus, the world and Satan made sense to me prior to Your gospel message.  Your message was a foreign idea to me prior to Your Holy Spirit explaining it to me.  I thought I was the only one who would represent me and my needs.  I felt I had to make sure I got all those things I needed.  Then I found out that You were a much better representative for me being blessed and taken care of.  Help me keep listening to You because You are the only One Who has this message.  Guide every moment of my life into the benefits of this message. 

 

Mixing Jesus’ Voice With All The Rest

Acts 8:13 (NIV)  Simon himself believed and was baptized.  And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. 

 

You all come to Jesus with your agenda; you come with your goals, plans, and dreams.  So, when you come, you hope Jesus will provide His supernatural provisions so you can reach all these things.  But, as you learn more about Him, you find He wants you to give up a lot of those things you hold dear.  That isn’t why you came to Jesus; Jesus isn’t cooperating with your purpose.  He isn’t fitting into your goals, plans, and dreams.  This can drive you back into listening to Satan and the world.  They want to promote those things that make you great.  They teach you how to get the money, possessions, positions, power, prestige, popularity, pleasure, and accomplishments you want.  They write books, give seminars, have networking, and provide companies that promote all these things. 

 

Jesus, Your message was so different; it was wonderful and confusing at the same time.  Now that I am growing through the voice of Your guidance, sometimes I feel good about it and other times I struggle with it.  Help me be healed from this struggle by giving up my satanic and world training.  I can feel the conflict between Your teachings and their teaching.  Let me give You my complete trust so I can join You in learning a whole new way of life.  Help me trust that You know what You are doing and believe You are doing the right things for me. 

 

A Closed Heart And Mind

Acts 8:18-19 (NIV) When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”  You picked the books you read, the programs you watched, the articles you read, the things you wanted to hear, and the information you wanted to learn.  If you were forced into a training session that you didn’t want to be in, you tuned it out as much as was possible.  But now, you are being exposed to vital, life-giving, eternal truths.  If you miss one of the smallest principles, it can really hurt you. Like Simon, you can be so focused on what you want that you aren’t open to what you have to have. 

 

Jesus, I don’t know what I need; I don’t know what information I have to have; I don’t know what I am going to face next; but, You do.  Help me with my focus, my attention, and my receptivity.  Help me accept the fact that nothing You teach is expendable.  I need those things that seem trivial and unimportant to me.  Help me not miss even the smallest concept that You are presenting.  Open my ears so I can concentrate on every word that comes out of Your mouth.  Let me receive them with great anticipation and receptivity. 

 

This Is Eternally Important

Acts 8:20-23 (NIV) Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!  You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.  Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord.  Perhaps He will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.  For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”  How would you respond, if someone talked to you this way.  Would you get mad and offended; or, would you realize that Jesus was trying to show you how eternally important this was.  He knows how to get your attention; He doesn’t follow your social graces.  When He says something, it is always vital to you; but, you can easily miss the magnitude of it. 

 

Jesus, I had no idea what salvation saved me from.  I was heading into an eternally destructive future without a clue.  You are dealing with eternal issues that I fail to understand the gravity of the situation.  Speak to me in terms that express how important each thing is.  Help me not only hear Your voice but to get the full understanding of its impact on me and my life. 

 

It’s A Start

Acts 8:24 (NIV) Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”  Prayer isn’t just a wish, a hope, or a chance; when you tell people you will pray for them, it may be like having a positive thought, saying good luck, or you putting in a good word for them before God.  Prayer is a direct line to the One Who has all power and authority in heaven and earth; it’s more powerful and effective than you can imagine. 

 

Jesus, change my attitude about prayer; help me see it as standing before the all-powerful and dynamic God Who is above all other power and authority.  When I pray, give me faith that I am talking to the One Who is going to bring the very best answer to that prayer. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for the week.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Twenty-Four

The Holy Spirit In You

 

Week Six Day One

 

 

Praying To Receive The Holy Spirit

Acts 8:14 (NIV) When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.

 

Acts 8:15-16 (NIV) When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

 

Acts 8:17 (NIV) Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 

 

The Holy Spirit is the One Who makes it possible for you to be able to hear Jesus’ voice.  He is your connection to Jesus and all He has to offer.  It isn’t enough for you to receive salvation and justification; you need to grow in Jesus and all His training and provisions.  Acts 8:12-13 (NIV) But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.  Simon himself believed and was baptized.  And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.  These people were saved through Philip and got the Holy Spirit inside them.  But now, they need to be submerged into the Holy Spirit from the outside. 

 

Hearing The Voice Of Jesus

John 16:13-15 (NIV) But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.  He will bring glory to Me by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you.  All that belongs to the Father is Mine.  That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is Mine and make it known to you. 

 

Jesus, help me see that the Holy Spirit empowers me to hear Your voice.  Help me see that receiving the Holy Spirit is vital.  Help me see that I must grow beyond fulfilling Romans 10:9-10, by being baptized into the Holy Spirit.  Acts 8:14 (NIV) When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.  Help me see that believing and being baptized in water takes me into trying out Christianity.  I moved into Romans 7:15-24 and learned that I need the Holy Spirit’s training, power, and leadership into the Jesus-life. 

 

The Romans 7:15-24 Life

Simon was living the Romans 7:15-24 life; he was still looking to himself, world training and philosophies, and to satanic influence.  For him to exclusively hear Jesus’ voice, there was an experience he was going to have to have.  You may not have had someone like Peter and John pray for you, after you obeyed Romans 10:9-10 and received salvation and justification.  This can hurt your spiritual growth.  Acts 8:17 (NIV) Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.  So, if someone can’t come to you, like Peter and John did for Samaria, then the issue can still be solved through prayer. 

 

Moving Into The Romans 8:1-30 Life

Acts 8:15-16 (NIV) When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

 

Jesus, teach me that it isn’t enough to simply be baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.  Help me see that I have to have someone pray for me that I might receive the Holy Spirit.  Help me understand that I need the Holy Spirit to come upon me.  Teach me that He is the One Who will be taking me from trying Christianity out to making it a permanent part of my life and eternity.  Show me that He will be making Your voice a normal part of the way I live. 

 

Receiving The Power To Hear Jesus

Acts 1:8 (NIV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  You can’t have a successful life in Jesus, if you can’t hear His voice.  You can’t properly cooperate with Jesus, if you can’t hear what it is He wants you to do together with Him.  You can’t live in power, if Jesus can’t speak faith and power into you through His Word.  It is like trying to communicate with someone long distance without a phone or other device.  The Holy Spirit is your connection to Jesus and your relationship and communication with Him.

 

Someone Needs To Pray For You

Eph 1:15-16 (NIV) For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.  Jesus, help me accept this responsibility for the new and untrained Christians.  When I hear about people coming to You, help me realize they need my prayers.  Help me understand that, like Simon, they are going to try to live this Christian life through human effort, world training, and satanic influence.  I know they need to have the Holy Spirit come on them.  I know they aren’t going to be able to be fully led by the Spirit into the truths of Jesus until this happens to them.  I know their life is going to be the Romans 7:15-24 life. 

 

You Need Someone To Keep Praying For You

Eph 1:17 (NIV) I keep asking that the God of your Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.  This is one of the most important prayers you can pray for new and untrained Christians.  Without the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, they struggle with hearing the voice of Jesus.  They can’t understand why they aren’t living a better Christian life.  Rom 7:15 (NIV) I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.

 

Jesus, help me understand that new and untrained Christians can’t be led into all truths because they need the Holy Spirit to come upon them.  If they don’t, they have to rely heavily on justification because the Spirit of wisdom and revelation isn’t there to help them live a life led by Him.  Help me devote my time to praying Ephesians 1:17-21 for them.  Help me keep asking that the God of my Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that they may know Him better. 

 

Power For Your Mind And Heart

Eph 1:18 (NIV) I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for you who believe.  Ephesians 1:17 is for you and your friends to receive the wisdom and revelation of the Holy Spirit in your mind.  Ephesians 1:18 is for you and your friends to receive enlightenment into your heart.  This opens your mind and heart to the words and feelings that come from Jesus.  Your mind and heart are opened by the Holy Spirit so you can know what Jesus is saying and feel what He is feeling. 

 

Jesus, if someone isn’t praying this prayer for me, or, I don’t start praying it for myself and others, help me understand that we will wander around in the Romans 7:15-24 life.  But, help me see that once I have someone pray this for me, or, I pray it for myself and my friends, Your things start coming alive inside me. Teach me that the words in the Bible are information that make me and my friends responsible without the Holy Spirit opening Your voice to us.

 

Reading Just Words

2 Cor 3:6 (NIV) He has made you competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.  The voice of Jesus speaks faith into you; it speaks power and transformation into you; it makes those things written in the Bible flow through you as creative life.  The voice of Jesus creates all those things in you that you read about and then apply The Seven Biblical Principles to.  Christianity is all about power, transformation, creation, supernatural manifestations, miracles, and God-sized results. 

 

Hearing Jesus’ Words Of Spirit And Life

John 6:63 (NIV) The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.  The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life. 

 

Jesus, the flesh counts for nothing.  My human understanding, my human abilities, my human skills, and my human accomplishments can’t produce or perform the aspects of Christianity.  Help me get a direct line of communication to You so that the Bible becomes living words, commandments, rules, instructions, information, and explanations that I get the power to live by.  Let Your Holy Spirit come on me and baptize me and my friends. 

 

When Jesus Speaks To Your Heart And Mind

The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life: The voice of Jesus is your lifeline to all you are reading about in the Bible, all you are hearing in your conscience from the Holy Spirit, and all you are trying to live in your temporary and eternal life.  If you just read words, the supernatural demands of the Bible will be letters that kill you. But, if the Holy Spirit comes on you and you allow Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, to lead you, control you, speak to your spirit, and teach and empower you, then Jesus will speak Spirit and life into you.

 

2 Cor 3:17 (NIV)  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  Jesus, help me see that You and the Holy Spirit are one; You work as one; You have one purpose; and You are doing a singular work in me. Help me not complicate the differences between You and the Holy Spirit.  Help me see that You have different jobs; but for me, You are doing one work in me. So, help me simply yield to the Holy Spirit Who empowers me to hear from You directly. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Twenty-Five

The Holy Spirit On You

 

Week Six Day Two

 

 

Hearing The Voice Of Jesus

John 16:13-15 (NIV) But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.  He will bring glory to Me by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you.  All that belongs to the Father is Mine.  That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is Mine and make it known to you. 

 

Your vital relationship with the Holy Spirit is expressed in this passage; He is listening to Jesus and then making sure you hear what He wants to say to you. This process happens automatically for you; you don’t have to totally understand how this all works; it just works.  But, there is something you do have to understand and do something about. 

 

Moving Into The Romans 8:1-30 Life

Acts 8:15-16 (NIV) When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.  Just like there was a time when you didn’t know you needed salvation, there’s a time when you don’t realize you need to invite the Holy Spirit into the fabric of your body.  The Holy Spirit is currently living inside it with your spirit; but, there are some real issues with your body.  This problem was covered in the book called, “Victorious Christian Living.”  It covered the Romans 7:15-25 verses. 

 

Jesus, I want to learn about the Holy Spirit coming on me.  I know He is living inside me with my spirit; but, I want what Peter and John provided through their prayers for the people in Samaria.  I too have believed and been baptized; and, I am now ready for You to teach me how to move on into being submerged or baptized into the Holy Spirit.  Prepare my heart for this training so I can understand what my responsibility is to the process. 

 

Receiving The Power To Hear Jesus

Acts 1:8 (NIV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  You don’t get power you can control; it’s a power-relationship with Jesus.  This power-relationship is Jesus and you working together doing things as He directs.  The way you win at life is to be guided by Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit.  And, the way to be guided by Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit is for Him to tell you those things you need to know.  He is teaching you how to have supernatural power without it contaminating you. He is teaching you how to live a life with great attitudes and character.  Through the Holy Spirit, Jesus and you will be helping a lot of people.

 

Jesus, this type of relationship is what I want; help me hear You so clearly that I am able to know it is You talking to me, know what it is You are saying, know what You want me to do, and be empowered by the Holy Spirit to do it.  Help me yield to His power so I can work together with You to help people around me.  I want them to love You like I love You.  I want them to experience You like I am experiencing You. 

 

Someone Needs To Pray For You

Eph 1:15-16 (NIV) For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.  There is a special attention you get from Jesus when two or three of you pray together about something.  Jesus said in Matthew 18:18-20 (NIV)  “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in My name, there am I with them.” 

 

Jesus, I need people praying for me; I know I lack the ability to pray for everything I need and am going to need.  There are those who have already gone through where I am now.  They know what I need and what I need to ask from You.  Speak to mature Christian’s hearts and help them pray those important prayers for me.  Also, help me do the same for those new and untrained Christians I come in contact with and hear about. 

 

You Need Someone To Keep Praying For You

Eph 1:17 (NIV) I keep asking that the God of your Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. 

 

You are going to be doing so many things through the power of the Holy Spirit.  It is true that He came inside you at salvation; but, He needs to help you take control over your body.  Even when you hear something from Jesus, you still need to be empowered to join Him in doing it. 

 

Romans 7:15-25 taught you clearly that you can’t overcome your body and make it live the Christian life.  It is a life where the Holy Spirit hasn’t come on you.  It is a life where you, as a Christian, haven’t been submerged into the Holy Spirit.  Or, it is a life where you don’t remain submerged in the Holy Spirit.  You must be submerged and stay submerged, so you can absorb and be saturated with Him and all He is offering you.  This submerging and absorbing gradually saturates all the fabric of your body and puts life in it so you can force it to do what Jesus is asking you to do. 

 

Jesus, I want this to happen to me; let my body be submerged by You into the Holy Spirit.  Empower me to leave it submerged in Him so my body can absorb all of the Holy Spirit’s influence on it.  Help my body absorb the life of the Holy Spirit so You and I can make it obey everything You want me to do together with You. 

 

Power For Your Mind And Heart

Eph 1:18 (NIV) I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for you who believe.  Ephesians 1:17 is for you to receive the wisdom and revelation of the Holy Spirit in your mind.  Ephesians 1:18 is for you to receive enlightenment into your heart.  This opens your mind and heart to the words and feelings that come from Jesus.  Your mind and heart are opened by the Holy Spirit so you can know what Jesus is saying and feel what He is feeling. 

 

Ephesians 1:17-18 is showing you how to start getting the voice of Jesus coming into your heart and mind.  This prayer brings this experience into you; it empowers you to hear and feel the voice of Jesus in your mind and heart.  As this prayer gets answered by your heavenly Father, it transforms your ability to receive Jesus’ thoughts and feelings.  When the Spirit of wisdom and revelation comes on you, and when the eyes of your heart are enlightened, it opens a whole new world to you.  But, you can only have this happen to you through faith and prayer.   

 

Jesus, empower me to keep my eyes fixed on You.  Help me keep looking to You to give me the faith to believe I have received the Spirit of wisdom and revelation.  Give me the faith to believe that the eyes of my heart have been enlightened.  I desire this; I am studying about this; I am praying and asking for this; I am looking to You for the faith to believe I have this; I am opening my heart so You can make sure I am pursuing this out of motivations of love; I am ready to join You in faith-action so I can live my life based on the fact that I have these two things for my mind and heart.  And I am ready to express my thankfulness as I live it. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Twenty-Six

Allowing The Holy Spirit To Come On You

 

Week Six Day Three

 

Receiving Power

Gal 3:2-3 (NIV) I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?  Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?  The difference between a Christian who has received the Holy Spirit and the one who hasn’t is, they lack the power to live the new life they have received.  That is what Romans 7:15-24 are all about. 

 

I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard: Jesus, teach me that, as in everything else with God, receiving the Holy Spirit comes through faith.  Others can pray for me; but, help me apply The Seven Biblical Principles to allowing the Holy Spirit to come on me. 

 

Starting With The Holy Spirit

Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort: Faith always involves a finished work; hope is always looking into the future of what will be.  Faith deals with what God has done; and, hope deals with what God is going to do.  You can’t hope your way into allowing the Holy Spirit to come on you. There has to already be a work of God where the Holy Spirit is in you before you can take your next step of Him coming on you.

 

Jesus, it can get confusing having the Holy Spirit inside me and me inside Him.  You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.  And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ (Rom 8:9).  Help me understand that God always gives me everything I need so I can do everything He requires me to do.  Prepare my heart, so He can do what needs to be done. 

 

Jesus, show me that the Holy Spirit living in me is different from Him coming on me. Teach me that being saved and justified is the Holy Spirit in me.  But, being baptized into the Holy Spirit is me in Him.  Help me see that Him in me gives me Spirit-to-spirit communication with Him.  Show me that I need both; I need to have Him in me; and, I need to be in Him.  Teach me this concept: Remain in Me, and I will remain in you (John 15:4a). 

 

Submerged And Saturated

John 1:32-33 (NIV) Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on Him.  I would not have known Him, except that the One Who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The Man on Whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 

 

The voice of Jesus is speaking to you so as to help you with your behavior.  But, as you learned in Romans 7:15-25, your body is exerting a great force against you. So, you need to be able to not only hear but also cooperate with the voice of Jesus.  This is being accomplished in two ways; one comes from inside you and the other comes from a submerging into the Holy Spirit.  The baptism in the Holy Spirit is more like putting a towel into a tub of water.  When you get in a tub of water, you are “waterproof.”  You don’t become saturated like a towel does.  But, when you get baptized into the Holy Spirit, your body gets saturated throughout its fabric. 

 

Two Steps Into Results

STEP ONE: Rom 8:10 (NIV) But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.  Jesus, teach me that this is the Romans 7:15-25 life where I am empowered to want to do the right things and hate doing the wrong things.   But I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members (Rom 7:23).  So, help me cooperate with the Holy Spirit so I can not only hear Your voice, I can obey it by using my body to obey it.  Teach me that I can’t remain a prisoner and do that. 

 

STEP TWO: Rom 8:11 (NIV) And if the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He Who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, Who lives in you.  Jesus, teach me that this is the Romans 8:1-30 life where I am empowered to do the right things and quit doing the wrong things.  When You speak to my body, something happens to it that makes it possible for me to physically obey what You are telling me to do; I am no longer a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.  I thank You for doing this miraculous work in me and my body. 

 

A Prisoner Of The Law Of Sin

Rom 8:13-14 (NIV) For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  Baptism into the Holy Spirit brings a saturation of the Holy Spirit into the very fabric of your body, giving it life (Romans 8:11).  Acts 11:15-16 (NIV) As I [Peter] began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as He had come on you at the beginning.  Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

 

Jesus, help me see that without this, I will remain a prisoner to my body, living the Romans 7:15-24 life; it will always be winning over me just like Romans 7:23 says.  That would make me hearing Your voice a useless matter.  You would speak to me, I would hear You, but I wouldn’t be able to physically respond to You.  I wouldn’t be able to obey because I would remain a prisoner to my body that I needed to use to obey You. 

 

This Spirit Baptism Is For Everyone

Acts 2:38-39 (NIV) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord your God will call.”

 

Acts 19:5-6 (NIV) On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.  When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.  Jesus, help me not make a big deal out of the tongues and prophesying.  Show me that, that isn’t what being baptized into the Holy Spirit is about.  Help me see that it is about being able to hear Your voice and content and then be able to obey everything You tell me to do.  Teach me that it is about being set free from being a prisoner to my body of death.  It’s about by the Spirit me putting to death the misdeeds of the body. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Twenty-Seven

Allowing Yourself To Be Submerged Into The Holy Spirit

 

Week Six Day Four

 

Starting With The Holy Spirit

Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort: How are you going to try to live the Christian life; what procedures will WE decide to use to follow the directions of Jesus through the Bible?  Just as soon as you become a Christian you are faced with what you will start doing from there.  Now that you are born again, what are you supposed to do about it? 

 

You couldn’t save yourself, so you looked to Jesus to do that.  You couldn’t put the Holy Spirit inside you, so you had to just allow it to happen.  But, you have to plan your day; you have to interact with yourself, people, and God; and, you have to decide how you are going to behave.  Will that be by the Spirit; or, will it be by human effort? 

 

Jesus, I have decided to live by the power of the Holy Spirit and not by human effort.  However, my decisions only establish my desire; they don’t give me the power to fulfill these decisions.  I know what I want; but, I am asking You to help me “do what it takes” to get this desire fulfilled.  Teach me, lead me, and empower me to live my life by the Holy Spirit.  Show me when I am using human effort, warn me when I mistake living in human effort to be living in the Spirit.  Empower me to know the difference and live based on that difference. 

 

Submerged And Saturated

John 1:32-33 (NIV)  Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on Him.  I would not have known Him, except that the One Who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The Man on Whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 

 

You knew God had a supernatural answer to your problems with your Romans 7:15-25 life.  You knew He wouldn’t just leave you there with that dilemma; but, what was that solution going to be?  The solution was illustrated for you when you got baptized in water.  You were brought to a place where there was enough water to submerge you. Someone took you and put you down in the water until you were completely covered.  But then, they brought you back up out of the water. 

 

Water baptism illustrates you dying with Jesus, being buried with Jesus, and then being raise up into a whole new life with Jesus.  The major difference between this water baptism and being baptized into the Holy Spirit is, you don’t want to be raised up out of Him.  You want to stay submerged and keep being infused or saturated by Him.  You are leaving your body inside the Holy Spirit for the rest of your life here on earth. 

 

Jesus, I can see why I have had so much trouble with my body.  It needs to be submerged and saturated by the Holy Spirit.  Give me this training, explanations, and experiences so I can allow my body to be submerged, saturated, and left inside the Holy Spirit.  I am glad You have provided me with this solution so I will no longer be a prisoner to this body of death. 

 

Two Steps Into Results

STEP ONE: Rom 8:10 (NIV) But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.  When you were submerged into the water baptism, your body was buried in that baptism grave.  But, you can’t go around doing things on this planet without a body.  As you were raised up out of the baptism water, it illustrated a new life.  But, an old body came up with your new spirit. 

 

Water baptism wasn’t illustrating a new body; it was illustrating a transformed spirit.  You need a much more powerful baptism that is able to deal with that old body.  So, Jesus baptizes you with a much more powerful baptism.  He baptizes you into the Holy Spirit and leaves you there. 

 

Jesus, I now understand that You are my baptizer; You are taking my body and submerging it into Your Holy Spirit.  I am now giving my body to You so You can submerge it.  I also am asking You to help me allow it to stay there.  Help me not remove it and start trying to control it with human effort.  Teach me how to leave my body under the control of the Holy Spirit. 

 

STEP TWO: Rom 8:11 (NIV)  And if the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He Who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, Who lives in you.  If you didn’t have the Holy Spirit inside you, you wouldn’t be able to understand any of these things you are studying.  1 Cor 2:14 (NIV) The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 

 

The thing you have been learning through all of your studies is that there is a big difference between the life of salvation and justification and the life of sanctification.  Justification gives you a clean record with God; but, sanctification starts you on the road to actual clean living with yourself and those around you. This is only going to be possible by God giving life to [our] mortal bodies through His Spirit, Who lives in you.

 

Jesus, I am excited about treating myself and those around me with better behavior.  I know a life is available that I can live that will be exciting, successful, victorious, and supernatural.  I want this life; and, I want to have the Holy Spirit help me get it.  Teach me all I need to know so I can give the Holy Spirit my full cooperation as He saturates my body with His presence. 

 

A Prisoner Of The Law Of Sin

Rom 8:13-14 (NIV)  For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  Your body is submerged and being saturated; this gives you more and more knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and power.  You get it so you can use the training for learning how to control your body.  From being baptized into the Holy Spirit on, the training by the Holy Spirit will be combined with more and more power.  Issue-by-issue you will find yourself having more and more breakthroughs.  You will be working together with Jesus and the Holy Spirit practicing faith-action.  The justification provision will protect you as you learn how to: “By the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body.”

 

Jesus, I am looking forward to the power that comes out of this Holy Spirit baptism.  I am looking forward to being able to hear Your voice better and being empowered to do what You are telling me to do.  Help me see how wonderful this is going to be so I can give my whole desires to this process.  Lead me into all the Scriptures that help me cooperate with You. 

 

This Baptism Is For Everyone

Acts 2:38-39 (NIV)  Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord your God will call.” 

 

There have been people who have done a lot of damage to the principle of the baptism into the Holy Spirit.  God worked out a whole chapter in 1 Corinthians 14 dealing with people who hurt people by abusing speaking in tongues.  Many denominations have been split over abusive people using these spiritual gifts to further their own agenda.  These are evil people who are causing Christians to reject being baptized into the Holy Spirit.  But, true Christians need the Holy Spirit to saturate their bodies with power and love.   This is so they can hear, understand, and obey the voice of Jesus with their bodies. 

 

Jesus, help me be so transformed in my heart and mind by Your attitudes and character that I don’t abuse Your baptism into the Holy Spirit.  Help me stay under Your leadership and training so I can learn how to live this new life in a living body.  Show me what Your purpose is for doing these great things in me.  Help me be totally cooperative with You. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Twenty-Eight

Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

 

Week Six Day Five

 

 

Your Prayer For Receiving The Baptism Into The Holy Spirit

Please pray this prayer from your heart:

Jesus, I keep asking that the God of You, my Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that I may know Him better.  I pray also that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened in order that I may know the hope to which He has called me, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for me who believes.  Jesus, help me see and understand this power. 

 

Jesus, this power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in You, the Christ, when He raised You from the dead and seated You at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  And God placed all things under Your feet and appointed You to be head over everything for the church, which is Your body, the fullness of Him Who fills everything in every way.  Jesus, I ask that I would receive a full revelation and vision into all this power that is available to me.  I ask this in Your name.   

 

Finished But Continuing

I keep asking: The Holy Spirit has a lot of wisdom and revelations to reveal to you. But, this first prayer is for an one-time experience that you receive and keep.  You will want to keep asking for more wisdom and revelations.  But, you won’t need to keep asking for being baptized into the Holy Spirit.  You are now ready to apply The Seven Biblical Principles to this request.  Since you received your baptism into the Holy Spirit, it is a finished result.  You are able to take faith-action and base your life on the fact that you are submerged into the Holy Spirit and your body is being saturated with Him.  Now, go over it again to establish it in your mind and heart. 

 

Applying The Seven Biblical Principles To Being Baptized

DESIRE: I keep asking that the God of my Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation: Jesus, now that I am baptized into the Holy Spirit, help me see that it was like being submerged in water; but, unlike water baptism, You won’t lift me up again.  I believe You took my body and submerge it into the Holy Spirit and left me and it there. 

 

STUDY: I pray also that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened in order that I may know the hope to which He has called me, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for me who believes.  Jesus, You have already been speaking great truths into me to get me ready for this moment. 

 

The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life (John 6:63b).   Jesus, I apply them to this moment.  They have guided me into a prayer that gives me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation.  I know what this prayer says; I know it is real; and I know You have spoken it into my heart and mind.  I now am in Your Holy Spirit Who is my life. 

 

PRAY: That power is like the working of His mighty strength: Jesus, I am praying to You, the Creator of the universe; I am praying to You, the One Who died for me; I am praying to You, One Who loves me more than I love myself.  And, I am praying to You, the One Who provided this gift for me before I was born.  Thank You for baptizing me into Your Holy Spirit.  I now ask that the God of my Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may keep filling me with the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. 

 

BELIEVE: That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come: Jesus, I am looking to You, Who gave me the faith to believe that I and my body have been baptized and submerged into the Holy Spirit.  I receive faith that my body is saturated continuously by the Holy Spirit.  You are the One Who is speaking Spirit and life into me and my body.  I now fix my eyes on You and let You give birth to and author my faith in this baptism.  I now allow You to keep perfecting my faith so I can keep believing for the rest of my life. 

 

Mark 11:24 (NIV) Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.  Jesus, help me keep my eyes on You, the risen Christ.  Help me see You seated at my heavenly Father’s right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  Speak this faith into me so I can always believe I have been baptized into the Holy Spirit.  I believe the Holy Spirit came on me and took control over my body.  John 20:22 (NIV) And with that He (Jesus) breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”  Jesus, I see You breathing on me right now and I know I have received the Holy Spirit baptism as a gift from You. 

 

LOVE: 1 Cor 14:1-3 (NIV) Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.  For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God.  Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.  But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.  Jesus, empower me to allow the Holy Spirit to take me into this power-relationship with You.  Help me know that this isn’t for me to use, it is a baptism so I can obey Your voice.  Help me understand that You are wanting me to have the power to hear, understand, and then obey Your voice.  This is for a relationship with You so I can work together with You.  You are in charge; I am being trained on how to live in the spirit realm.  Teach me that love is what this baptism and relationship is all about. 

 

Eph 4:3-6 (NIV)  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one Body and one Spirit-- just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, Who is over all and through all and in all.  Jesus, teach me that this is all about bringing unity into all Your believers.  Help me that it has nothing to do with my greatness, my spiritual accomplishments, my spiritual growth, or my holiness.  Help me see that I have nothing to brag about concerning these things; it is a gift from God.  Teach me that the Holy Spirit is empowering me to do those things You are speaking and asking me to do with You. 

 

FAITH-ACTION: I keep asking that the God of your Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.  I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for you who believe.  Jesus, help me get the full understanding for why You submerged me into this baptism inside Your Holy Spirit.  Show me why You are causing my body to be saturated with Your Holy Spirit. 

 

THANKFUL: Eph 2:4-5 (NIV) But because of His great love for you, God, Who is rich in mercy, made you alive with Christ even when you were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.  Jesus, help me realize and thank You for all the great things that I am experiencing.  Help me see that they are coming through God’s grace and mercy.  Thank You for allowing me to get to this place so I can experience all You have to offer.  So, reveal to me all the things I need to be thankful for.  Help me thank You for all they did for me.  Help me especially be thankful for You saturating my body with the Holy Spirit. 

 

You Got The Spirit Of Wisdom And Revelation

So that you may know Him better: What can you now do that you could not do before?  You can cause your body to read, study, and memorize more of the Bible for a longer time.  You can spend more time in prayer and fellowship with Jesus.  You can cause it to take you to places Jesus wants you to go.  You can make it honor relationships and say and do those things Jesus wants you to say and do.  It still has its desires, weaknesses, and problems.  But you, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus will be able to force it to obey the voice and content of what Jesus says to you. 

 

You Got Your Heart Enlightened

In order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for you who believe: All this is waiting for you, as you take faith-action and base your behavior on the fact that you have been baptized by Jesus into His Holy Spirit.  Allow the hope for your eternal future to grow into a goal, a plan, and a strategy for preparing for eternity.  Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the riches that are ready for Jesus and you to co-inherit and use for now and in eternity.  Allow Jesus to take you and teach you how to properly yield to this incomparably great power that He wants to work together with you on. 

 

Jesus, help me live on the basis of the fact that I now have my body completely submerged and being saturated in the Holy Spirit.  Help me allow Him to pray through me in the language of His choice so I can speak in a tongue that does not speak to men but to God.  Help me allow Him to empower me to utter mysteries with my spirit (1 Cor 14:2).  Help me allow Him to intercede for me with groans that words cannot express (Rom 8:26). 

 

Jesus teach me that in the same way, the Spirit helps me in my weakness.  I do not know what I ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for me with groans that words cannot express.  And He Who searches my heart knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will (Rom 8:26-27 NIV).

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Twenty-Nine

Staying Baptized In The Holy Spirit

 

Week Seven Day One

 

 

Continuing To Ask For The Holy Spirit To Come On You

Acts 19:5-6 (NIV) On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.  When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.  You need to make the first part of Ephesians 1:17-21 your prayer for receiving the Holy Spirit of wisdom and revelation.  Keep asking for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation until you get some kind of evidence that it happened to you. 

 

Jesus, I want to keep asking that the God of my Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that I may know Him better.  Let Your Holy Spirit stay on me because You baptized me into Your Holy Spirit.  Let me stay submerged into Him so my body becomes completely saturated with Him. 

 

Hands Placed On You

When Paul placed his hands on them: The ideal situation is for someone who has already been baptized into the Holy Spirit to lay hands on you and ask Jesus to baptize you into Him.  But in Acts 2:1-4 the Holy Spirit came on them without someone laying hands on them.  Also in Acts 10:44-47, the Holy Spirit came on the Gentiles without anyone laying hands on them.  So, if someone isn’t available to lay hands on you and pray for you, then you will need to apply The Seven Biblical Principles to being baptized into the Holy Spirit for yourself. 

 

Jesus, I don’t have anyone who has already been baptized into the Holy Spirit to lay hands on me.  So, I am asking You to lay Your hands on me and baptize me into Your Holy Spirit.  I believe You are interceding for me to receive Your Holy Spirit, so my body can receive life.  I need to not only be able to hear Your voice, I need to be able to make my body do those things You are asking me to do.  So, please baptize me right now into Your Holy Spirit. 

 

The Holy Spirit Coming On You

When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them: This is the moment when power enters into your body to enable it to start cooperating with you.  Before this happens, you will continue to see another law at work in the members of your body, waging war against the law of your mind and making you a prisoner of the law of sin at work within your members (Rom 7:23).   The reason for this is because your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness (Rom 8:10).

 

Then when the Holy Spirit comes on you, your body will receive life.  And if the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He Who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, Who lives in you (Rom 8:11). 

 

Jesus, I believe that this will make it possible for me to take control over my body and start obeying all those things Your voice in my heart and mind tell me to do.  I yield to You baptizing me into Your Spirit so I and my body can cooperate with You as You speak through the Bible.  Give life to my body by the Holy Spirit Who lives in me and has come on me. 

 

Speaking In Tongues And Prophesying

When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied: This is a power-gift of the Holy Spirit starting to flow through you.  You must yield to the attitudes and character you have receive from God’s Word.  Your eyes can move into impressing people rather than staying in the purpose God has for you.  But, you will need to yield to this power-gift so you will be able to fulfill Romans 8:26-27.  

 

Rom 8:26-27 (NIV) In the same way, the Spirit helps you in your weakness.  You do not know what you ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for you with groans that words cannot express.  And He Who searches your heart knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. 

 

Jesus, teach me that this is the Holy Spirit using my physical mouth, in my body, to pray prayers that I lack the ability to pray for with my mind.  Show me that my problem is, I do not know what I ought to pray for.  So, the Holy Spirit speaks through my mouth with a language I don’t know or understand.  Let the Spirit Himself intercede for me with groans that words cannot express. 

 

Jesus, I give the Holy Spirit my mouth so He can pray prayers that go far beyond anything I can express.  I yield to speaking in a language that He chooses to use.  Let this language or tongue flow out of me through the control and purpose of the Holy Spirit right now. 

 

Speaking In Tongues And Prophesying With Godly Attitudes And Character

1 Cor 13:1-2 (NIV) If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  1 Corinthians 13:1-3 makes it clear that the gifts of being able to speak in tongues and prophecy have to be controlled through the power of God’s love.  As you enter into this realm of supernatural power, it is vital that you apply The Seven Biblical Principles to it.  Jesus will use them to make sure you use this power with motivations of love. 

 

Jesus, if I struggle with this power effecting my attitudes and character in a bad way, help me be ready for the next book titled, “Spiritual Power” that studies and prays over 1 Corinthians 13:1-8.  Let it help me allow You to lead me into Your purpose and motivations.  Help me allow this special language, in the Holy Spirit, to pray for me and through me. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that the Holy Spirit’s prayers through me, speaking in tongues, are prayers helping and healing me.  Show me when I move from love motivations to selfish, prideful reasons.  Help me stay in Your love, so Your power-gifts help others. 

 

Desiring Spiritual Gifts

1 Cor 14:1-2 (NIV) Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.  For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God.  Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with His Spirit.  Speaking in tongues is a way for you to speak directly to God straight from your spirit.  You won’t know what the Holy Spirit is praying in your behalf; but, He will be praying very important prayers through you, for you.  He will use your mouth to utter mysteries with your spirit. 

 

Jesus, teach me that speaking in tongues is actually the Holy Spirit praying prayers through me to my heavenly Father.  Rom 8:27 (NIV) And He (my Father) Who searches my heart knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.  Teach me that this is one of the main things speaking in tongues is about.  It is me, the Holy Spirit, and my heavenly Father getting me answers to needs I lack the ability to pray for myself.  Since it is mandatory that I ask, He solves this problem. 

 

Regulating Spiritual Gifts

In the next chapter, you will look at the issue of prophecy and speaking in tongues during a group meeting.  Speaking in tongues is important for your private devotions.  You see people receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit in special group meetings.  There they speak in tongues and prophesy right out in front of other people.  This happened in most cases in the book of Acts.  But, after these people experienced this gift of speaking in tongues, 1 Corinthians chapter 14 makes it clear that speaking in tongues is mostly for you during times when you are alone. 

 

Jesus, help me learn how to be in control of speaking in tongues and all other things I do.  Help all I do be out of love and not selfishness and pride.  Empower me to have Your wisdom to be able to have the power-gifts of the Holy Spirit.  But, help me use them while under Your control.  Guide me into living in such a way that You can use them for Your purposes. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Thirty

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

Praying In Tongues

 

Week Seven Day Two

 

 

Eagerly Desiring Spiritual Gifts

1 Cor 14:1 (NIV) Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 

 

You are moving into life after being baptized into the Holy Spirit.  You have spoken in tongues and prophesied, you should pray in tongues during your private devotions.  And you are now ready to learn the rules for how to take advantage of these new gifts.  There are character gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 and there are power-gifts from the Holy Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11.  The power-gifts must be controlled by the character-gifts. 

 

Jesus, You have been working on my attitudes by teaching me the purpose and meaning of the Your power-attitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 in the “Vital Spiritual Attitudes” book.  You have also been working on my character by teaching me the purpose and meaning of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.  You have been getting my character and attitudes ready so I can experience the power-gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Help me love myself, others, and God so much that I don’t abuse these power-gifts.  Take me through the rules for the power-gifts, so I can cooperate with Your voice, as You speak to me. 

 

 

Private Devotions

1 Cor 14:2 (NIV) For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God.  Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 

 

Getting Unknown Needs Met

For anyone who speaks in a tongue: Your main problem is, you have to ask God for something or He won’t give it to you. You do not have, because you do not ask God (James 4:2).  Your other main problem is, you do not know what you ought to pray for (Rom 8:26).  Without the power gift of praying in tongues, these two requirements would put you in an impossible situation.  So, one of the first things God does when the Holy Spirit comes on you through Jesus baptizing you into the Holy Spirit is, He empowers you to pray in tongues, which is a language you don’t know or understand it meaning. 

 

1 Cor 2:9-10 (NIV) However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him”--but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit.  The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.  Jesus, when I speak or pray in tongues, the Holy Spirit is saying things in a language that is foreign to me, so He can express things that are way over my head. Since I don’t know what is being said, it gives the Holy Spirit full freedom to say things to my heavenly Father that are complicated and spiritually advanced.

 

Removing The Human Factor

For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men: The main purpose of you speaking or praying in tongues is for the Holy Spirit to pray in your behalf.  Since He is praying about things that you don’t have the knowledge or ability to pray, God chose to do it in a language that you can’t interfere with.  This keeps you from contaminating this process.  Because the Holy Spirit is using your mouth, you are credited with asking God for everything the Holy Spirit prays.  This gets miracles worked for you that you didn’t know you needed. 

 

Direct Communication

For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God: Jesus, make it clear to me that praying in tongues is a very important part of my prayer life.  And He Who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.  Help me see that this means everything the Holy Spirit prays, by empowering me to pray in tongues, gets answered positively.  This is because He always prays in accordance with God’s will.  And, my heavenly Father knows that He is praying these prayers, because He searches my heart and knows the mind of the Spirit. 

 

A Private Conversation

For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God.  Indeed, no one understands him: You and others don’t understand what the Holy Spirit is praying through you.  The main issue here is, you and others don’t need to understand what He is praying.  This is because it is a prayer that is too advanced and too important.  But, you praying in tongues only helps you; it doesn’t help anyone who might be hearing you pray.  That means you are the only person receiving any benefit from it. 

 

Jesus, teach me that if I am praying in tongues during private devotions, then I am not doing anything that is confusing or unbeneficial to other people.  I am not dominating a meeting by praying in a tongue that is only benefiting me. Help me understand that the only time I am allowed to pray in tongues for myself while being in a group meeting, is when I first get baptized into the Holy Spirit.  I have to be with those who are laying their hands on me praying for me to receive the Holy Spirit baptism.  But, from that point on, help me only pray in tongues when I pray quietly to myself in a group or during private devotions alone. 

 

Communicating Emotions

For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God.  Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit: Your heart contains mysteries, because it is inaccessible to you. It doesn’t allow you to pull information from it; it only gives you feelings from emotions you don’t have access to.  The Holy Spirit takes the emotional things in your heart and expresses them with groans that words cannot express (Rom 8:26).  

 

Jesus, help me see that this is vital for my heart to be healed.  The Holy Spirit is the only One Who can take my emotions, that are too mystical, too complex for words, and are influencing me in a powerful way, and express them in behalf of me and my heart.  Show me that even if I understood what was going on in my heart, the emotions would be too involved and complicated for me to be able to tell God what I needed.  So, help me let the power of the Holy Spirit express these emotions with complete clarity to God. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Thirty-One

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

Spiritual Gifts

 

Week Seven Day Three

 

 

Eagerly Desiring Spiritual Gifts

1 Cor 14:1 (NIV) Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.  As you move out of the life of Romans 7:15-25, your relationship with people will start to improve.  You will always need your perfect record through justification, because “no one’s perfect.”  But, the Holy Spirit coming on you, your relationship with yourself and other people is going to be greatly improved.  Since Jesus submerged or baptized you into the Holy Spirit, this gave life to your mortal body (Rom 8:11).  At first, all you were able to do through this new Romans chapter 8 life was deal with not doing wrong, bad, and evil things to yourself and other people. 

 

If by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God (Rom 8:13b-14).  Jesus, help the emphasis of my life to change; help me deal less and less with misdeeds of the body, and more and more with loving, caring, and doing good things through my body.  Lead me into concentrating more on being a blessing to those around me.  Since I have been baptized into the Holy Spirit, help me with my attitudes and character, so You can use me with the power-gifts.  Let them be a tremendous blessing to those around me.  Set me free from the things that would contaminate Your Holy Spirit gifts.

 

A Private Prayer-Life

1 Cor 14:2 (NIV) For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God.  Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. 

 

Getting Unknown Needs Met

For anyone who speaks in a tongue: Since, “you do not have, because you do not ask God (James 4:2),” and since “you do not know what you ought to pray for (Rom 8:26),” you must have a way to ask for things you don’t even know you should be praying for.  Giving the Holy Spirit control over your mouth during private times in your day, allows Him to use a language He needs.  He then takes care of these prayers you need prayed for, in your behalf.      

 

Jesus, empower me to give the Holy Spirit control over my mouth, so He can pray the prayers I need Him to pray.  Let me speak in a language He can use to express concepts and emotions that will change my attitudes and character.  Since this is a very new experience for me, I need Your help learning how to respond and cooperate with the Holy Spirit on this matter.  Show me that praying in the Spirit is a part of me taking faith-action through the power of the Spirit. 

 

Learning How To Yield To The Spirit

Rom 8:26-27 (NIV) In the same way, the Spirit helps you in your weakness.  You do not know what you ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for you with groans that words cannot express.  And He Who searches your hearts (the Father) knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.

 

Jesus, show me that this is introducing me into the supernatural realm.  I am getting some of my first experiences with the way things are in You.  Help me not shy away from learning and experiencing things that You want me involved in.  Help me not resist the newness of it all.  Empower me to relax and trust You to take me into the power-gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Let me become so familiar with praying in tongues that it becomes a natural part of my life. 

 

Jesus, I knew things were going to be different; I knew I wouldn’t know what to expect.  But, now that I am getting involved in them, I realize I am going to have to embrace them in faith.  I trust and believe in You; I know You are doing these things because they are the very best for me.  Teach and train me in them so I can be in complete unity with You. 

 

Removing The Human Factor

James 3:2 (NIV) We all stumble in many ways.  If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.  Since these things are so supernatural and spiritual, you are allowing the Holy Spirit to do things your mind can’t understand, interfere with, or even cooperate with.  It is actually left out of the process.  This takes a total trust and yielding to God, the Holy Spirit.  If you are going to successfully walk in the Spirit, then you must learn how to trust Him with your mouth. 

 

Jesus, I realize that most things You want to do in and through my life are presented to me for me to decide whether or not I am willing to do them.  You don’t force me to obey, yield, or cooperate with You.  I can see that speaking in tongues is going to be somewhat different.  I am entering into a place where I need to give You a general permission to pray things that aren’t going to come to me on an issue-by-issue basis.  Help me give You this permission so Your Holy Spirit can pray things that I don’t know what they are.  And since I don’t know what they are, I am not getting an opportunity to decide whether or not I agree with them. 

 

You and I have had a quality relationship that has helped me trust and believe in You enough where I am willing to give the Holy Spirit permission to take control of my mouth and voice.  I give Him permission to pray anything He wants to pray through me.  I yield to Him and trust Him with interceding in my behalf.  Help me give Him time during my private devotions so He has plenty of time to express everything that needs His intercession. 

 

Direct Communication

We all stumble in many ways: The main issue with having the Holy Spirit come on you has to do with your body.  Jesus baptized you or submerged you into the Holy Spirit.  This saturated and permeated your body with the Holy Spirit.  Unlike your body being “waterproof,” when being submerged in water in water baptism, it just got wet on the outside.  The baptism in the Holy Spirit infused Him into your body like a sponge.  This effected your body in a powerful way.  This helped you miraculously with your body stumbling in many ways. 

 

Jesus, I give You my complete trust; help me grow, mature, and be trained in ways I never thought of.  I am glad You are taking me way past the limitations of my human abilities.  Let me excel in those things You are wanting to provide.  Help me yield to this supernatural plan You have for me.  Let Your power-gifts meet the needs of me and all the people around me. 

 

A Private Conversation

If anyone is never at fault in what he says: You are learning how to yield your mouth and your tongue over to the Holy Spirit.  Yielding them to the Holy Spirit is vital for you to learn how to steer your body.  If you are never at fault in what you say, your battle is over with your body.  As the Holy Spirit is allowed to pray through you in tongues, He is able to pray for those things that change what you say with your mouth and tongue. 

 

Jesus, it has been a struggle with steering my life.  I felt like I was in a car without a steering wheel.  It seemed like Romans 7:15: “I do not understand what I do.  For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” was going to be my life for the rest of my life.  I thank You for helping me see that my mouth and tongue are the spiritual steering wheel or steering device for empowering me to take control over where I go or don’t go. 

 

Communicating Emotions

If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man: This is very encouraging!  This is saying that you would go from just having a perfect record with God to also having a perfect record with yourself and other people.  It is saying that your behavior would be perfectly good for you, others, and God’s plan.  All your words and deeds would be perfect.  All you would have to do is just always say the right things. 

 

Jesus, I know I am never going to be perfect; but, this does help me see what the Holy Spirit is trying to do.  Help me learn to yield my mouth and tongue to Him so He can intercede for me concerning my mouth and tongue.  Let praying in the Spirit be an experience that teaches me to totally trust Him for not only controlling me mouth when praying in tongues, but everything I say. 

 

Living A Righteous Life

If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check: Here is how to keep your whole body in check.  Here is how to be a perfect man.  All you have to do is never be at fault in what you say.  And, as you know, that is an impossible assignment without Jesus working a miracle on your mouth and tongue. 

 

Jesus, help me see that You baptizing me into Your Holy Spirit and Him wanting to pray through my mouth with a language I never learned is doing special things.  Help me understand that I am learning how to yield my mouth and tongue to Him as a very important exercise in submission.  He is teaching me how to give Him complete control over the steering mechanism of my body.  He is helping me learn how to keep my whole body in check. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Thirty-Two

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

Prophecy

 

Week Seven Day Four

 

 

The Purpose Of Group Meetings

1 Cor 14:3 (NIV) But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.  First, you have to learn to just simply yield to the Holy Spirit and let Him do things with your mouth and tongue that you and your mind are left out of.  Praying in the Spirit isn’t something that you have no control over.  You decide whether or not you will allow the Holy Spirit to pray through you.  But, once you decide to allow Him to pray, He decides what will be said, as you pray in the Spirit.  Second, you learn how to prophecy. 

 

Jesus, help me learn this first lesson on how to trust Your Holy Spirit with my mouth and tongue.  Help me see that a huge amount of things are being accomplished during this prayer time.  I am learning how to yield to the Spirit.  I am learning how to turn my mouth and tongue over to His control.  And, He is praying things that are vital to my spiritual growth. 

 

The Purpose Of Prophecy

But everyone: This second training process involves your mouth and tongue, but, in your native language.  Once you leave your private devotions, praying in tongues has some strict rules.  Once you encounter your first experience of speaking in tongues, praying in tongues must be a personal matter.  Now Jesus is discussing the purpose of spiritual gifts while being together with other people.  Prophecy is a power-gift from the Holy Spirit that enables you to know things about others that was revealed to you by the Holy Spirit. 

 

Jesus, teach me that my mouth and tongue are going to be used, by the Holy Spirit, to help others.  Since You searches everyone’s heart, You know everything there is to know about everyone.  Show me that if there is something You want me to know about someone else, You will reveal it to me.  If my attitudes and character are in a righteous condition, I will take that private information about them, and with love, respect, and compassion use it to help bring healing to them. 

 

The Function Of Prophecy

But everyone who prophesies: Prophecy is a verbal expression of a revelation about a person or group.  It’s Jesus speaking through someone having that gift.  The person prophesying may not know in advance what they are to say.  They will speak strengthening, encouragement and comfort.  These words are exactly what that another person or group needs to hear.  But, because you don’t know or understand what other people are going through, it takes a special revelation from God to be placed in your mind.  This makes it possible for you to prophesy and say things through your mouth and tongue that are the perfect things needing to be said. 

 

Jesus, help me see how prophets in the Old Testament spoke to a whole nation.  Show me how God would speak to the prophet in advance and give them a message He wanted to express to those people.  Rather than God speaking to individuals about their personal problems and failures, He would speak to the group about their condition as a whole.  Help me understand that God would also use prophecy to guide a nation or group back to the spiritual condition they needed.  Since they didn’t have the Holy Spirit living inside them back then, show me that God used this method to help them know what they needed to know. 

 

The Specific Uniqueness Of Prophecy

But everyone who prophesies speaks to men: This power-gift uses your mouth and tongue to speak to an individual or to a whole group.  You would say it in a language that all present could understand and benefit from.  You would be giving a message from God, as a human to other humans.  It would be a specific message that addresses an issue unique to that person or group.  Your message, from God, would help with a personal or group issue that God wanted to address.  You wouldn’t be presenting a general message that applies to everyone or all groups.  It would be something He wanted to say just to them, just for that time, and just for that issue. 

 

Jesus, make it clear to me that the Bible speaks words that are for everyone, everywhere, for all issues.  It presents a broad approach to truth that everyone is responsible to accept and live by.  Help me always realize that its words are not optional or open to debate.  It is the final authority that governs prophecy and all other words from any other method or source.  Help me always keep in mind that prophecy is very time, place, and person specific.  It can not be used as if it is a Scripture from the Bible. 

 

Rebuke And Warning For Healing And Help

2 Pet 1:21 (NIV) For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.  These were prophecies that were to be written down as Scriptures.  They were prophecies that came before there was a Bible. 

 

2 Tim 3:16-17 (NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  These are the prophecies that gave birth to the Bible; they became the Bible.  Their purpose was to produce the Bible, as the final authority for everything. 

 

But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort: Jesus, help my mouth and tongue submit to Your words of strengthening, encouragement and comfort.  Even if You give me a prophecy that isn’t positive and pleasant to hear.  Teach me that there are times when I and others need to hear a very powerful, direct, and pointed rebuke or correction.  But, let the motivation of my heart be that the rebuke or correction would strengthening, encouraging, and comforting.

 

Teaching, Rebuking, Correcting And Training In Righteousness

When Peter prophesied over Simon, who had been a sorcerer, and said: “You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.  Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord.  Perhaps He will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.  For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin (Acts 8:21-23).”, he was giving Simon the information he needed to repent.  If Simon heeded the warning, it would have brought strengthening, encouragement and comfort to him. 

 

Mat 12:34 (NIV) You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.  Jesus, I can see how You using me to prophesy things like You gave Peter, I need to allow the Holy Spirit to pray through me in tongues that I don’t understand.  Help me allow Him to get my mouth, tongue, attitudes, and character into righteousness, so I can help people like Simon the sorcerer without any contaminants in my prophecy.  Help me let Him pray through me often enough for me to get the kind of healing in my heart that purifies my mouth. 

 

Judgment For Protecting The Group

In Acts 5:1-14, Ananias and his wife Sapphira contrived a scheme to lie to the church and claim they were donating the full amount of money they got from the sale of a property.  If this kind of procedure started contaminating the people, it would have destroyed the community and their love for one another.  So, God gave Peter a prophecy that revealed the conspiracy and stopped this kind of deceit before it got started.  It caused death to Ananias and Sapphira; but, it brought strengthening, encouragement and comfort to the rest of the church. 

 

Jesus, I see how Peter had to have all Your teaching and work done on his life, so he could be used for such a serious issue.  Help me yield to the Holy Spirit, so He can get me ready. 

 

Prophecy For Preparing Christians

John 16:13 (NIV) But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.  In the Book of Revelation, God gave John a prophecy telling you what is going to be happening in the future.  It is so you will have strengthening, encouragement and comfort even when things look really bad.  It allows you to read about some very scary things while knowing that God is going to make it all turn out wonderful. 

 

Rev 21:1-4 (NIV) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them.  They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Thirty-Three

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

Group Meetings

 

Week Seven Day Five

 

 

The Purpose Of Group Meetings

1 Cor 14:3 (NIV) But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.  As the Holy Spirit prays through you, He prepares you for being able to be used by Jesus to help people in supernatural ways.  He is moving you into the spirit realm where things are very different from the way your natural life has been. 

 

Why Prophecy?

But everyone: You can get in a situation where your spiritual condition either keeps you from hearing something very important from God.  Or, you are being resistive and need a warning from Him.  Rather than being cut off from that very important information, God sends a prophecy your way from another Christian.  He will give them a special message for you.  Christian groups can get into one of these two conditions; and, God does the same with them. 

 

Jesus, help me be receptive to those times when You send someone to encourage me or warn me.  Also, help me be available for You to send me with a message of encouragement or warning to any of those who need it.  Let this power-gift be a dynamic work in and through me to all those around me, as I yield to the Holy Spirit and His provisions. 

 

What Does Prophecy Do?

But everyone who prophesies: In addition to the Holy Spirit speaking directly to you Spirit-to-spirit, He gives you prophecies through other people; this provides you with two special things.  You get information from Jesus that you aren’t in the spiritual condition to hear for yourself.  It also gives you a chance to be used by the Holy Spirit to help others when they are in that condition.  This enables you to hear Jesus’ voice of truth through each other. 

 

Jesus, help me be in the spiritual condition I need to be in.  And, let me help others do the same.  Help me yield to the Holy Spirit’s prayers concerning my attitudes and character so I will be open to all prophecies that are given for me.  And, let me get prophecies for others without me contaminating them with flawed attitudes and character. 

 

Who Benefits From Prophecy?

But everyone who prophesies speaks to men: Speaking in tongues during your private devotions is your spirit speaking to God.  Prophecy is God speaking through you to others and through others to you.  These gifts give you a two-way communication to and from God, but, on a supernatural level.  The power-gifts are Jesus speaking to you and through you with wisdom, knowledge, foreknowledge of the future, faith, healing, miracles, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.  The Holy Spirit is empowering you to do and say things that are coming from Jesus.  And, you are also receiving His wisdom, knowledge, foreknowledge of the future, faith, healing, miracles, tongues, and interpretation of tongues through other people for you.

 

Jesus, I see how Christians are going to be able to be a tremendous blessing to each other.  Your supernatural voice will be speaking all kinds of power answers to all my needs.  And, I will be able to be used by You to do the same for others.  Lead me into all of these things so I can be a valuable part of all You are doing among Your Christians.  Help me be actively involved in being a channel through which You do Your supernatural ministry to Your people. 

 

Rebuke And Warning For Healing And Help

But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort: Jesus prophesied this to Peter: Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know Me (Luke 22:34).”  This wasn’t Jesus speaking faith into Peter, so as to cause him to believe this was going to happen.  This was Jesus prophesying to him so he could watch and pray.  Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping.  “Could you men not keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.  The spirit is willing, but the body is weak (Mat 26:40-41).” 

 

Jesus, I can see how prophecy will be helping me and the Christians around me to be ready for things we don’t know are about to happen.  Help me heed these warnings and watch and pray for myself.  Empower me to be able to help others be prepared for future events that they need to get ready for.  Let us work together in Your Spirit so we will all be strengthened, encouraged, and comforted.  

 

Prophecy For Preparing Christians

John 16:13 (NIV) But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth.  He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come: Prophecy often deals with the future.  God said, in 2 Timothy 4:3: “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.  Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” 

 

Acts 11:27-29 (NIV) During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.  One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world.  (This happened during the reign of Claudius.)  The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea.

 

Jesus, help me see that the Bible is giving me general information about things that are coming in the future.  But, also help me be ready, like Agabus, for the more specific things that are coming.  Help me be so receptive to Your voice that You are able to get me prepared and ready for those specific prophecies about things that are coming to me personally, as a group, and even for a larger scope of people. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Thirty-Four

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

A Group Meeting

 

Week Eight Day One

 

Two Purposes For Edification

1 Cor 14:4 (NIV) He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 

 

You Need This Edification

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself: This can sound like a bad, selfish thing; but, it isn’t self-edification.  It is God edifying you through the personal gift of praying in tongues.  As you learn to yield to the control of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit Himself intercedes for you with groans that words cannot express (Rom 8:26).  As you get edified or built up, you get training for the present and the future.  And, you become a mature Christian, who can be used in a mighty way by Jesus. 

 

Jesus, help me allow the Holy Spirit to bring God’s edification, instruction, and improvement to me in private devotions; let that help me be better able to help others.  Teach me that if I just involve myself in other people’s edification and not my own, I will do so out of weakness and failure.  Help me see that my edification by the Holy Spirit is vital to my spiritual growth.  Only in maturity can I help others.  1 Cor 12:11 (NIV)  All these spiritual gifts are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines.

 

You Need This Edification Too

But he who prophesies edifies the church: If you are in a church or Christian group, that is a time to only speak in languages known to all present.  But, prophecy isn’t just you speaking in a known tongue or language.  It is you yielding to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to speak through you to those present.  Whether there is just two of you or a whole crowd, it is a time of only speaking in a language know to all.  And, it is to be under the influence of the Spirit. 

 

Jesus, the reason I leave my private times with You and go to a Christian group meeting is to be blessed and be a blessing.  And, that is also the reason why all those other people came to that meeting.  So, help me study the Bible; show me that it has laid out some very important instructions so I will be cooperative with the Holy Spirit and a blessing during those meetings. 

 

Getting Both Benefits

1 Cor 14:2 (NIV) For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God.  Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit: This is a powerful and wonderful gift; you can see how great it is for bringing edification to the person.  But, what if that person abuses this gift and uses it to interrupt, interfere with, and create confusion in a meeting?  That would not be good! 

 

Jesus, help me see that, if I am motivated by selfishness, I will be with others only for the purpose of my own edification.  Help my attitude to change the moment I am no longer alone.  Help me to immediately stop just thinking about me and think about us.  Let my heart so yield to Your love that I am with others so we can all be edified or blessed by You.  Help me be open to being blessed by You; but, let it be through the group. 

 

The Rules For Both Types Of Worship

1 Cor 14:4 (NIV) He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.  If you don’t listen to all the words carefully in 1 Corinthians chapter 14 and understand where and how praying in tongues are to be used, you will miss God’s purpose for these rules.  Tongues in private devotions are encouraged.  But, speaking in tongues in a group meeting is discouraged unless it is used to bring edification to the whole group.  The main purpose for 1 Corinthians chapter 14 is to help you see that your personal prayers in tongues are not to be used to interfere with the unified flow of the Holy Spirit in a meeting. 

 

Jesus, help me not join those who use 1 Corinthians chapter 14 to criticize speaking in tongues during private devotions or where people are being baptized into the Holy Spirit.  Teach me that resistance to the baptism into the Holy Spirit is misusing these rules.  Show me that speaking in tongues in personal, private worship is positively spoken of in this chapter.  It is only saying that group meetings are not to be used as a distraction or for a selfish purpose.   

 

Rules During Church Meetings

First, let Jesus show you what the rules are for speaking in tongues with others present:

1 Cor 14:4 (NIV) He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.  Jesus, help me see that this gives me the purpose of tongues and prophesies. 

 

1 Cor 14:5 (NIV) I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy.  He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.  Jesus, help me see that this whole statement is about a church meeting where others are present.  Help me see that the reason You would rather I prophesy than speak in tongues, is because people are there.  Help me see that this is talking about a church service. 

 

1 Cor 14:6 (NIV) Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?  Jesus, help me understand that this whole point is based on “if I come to you.”  Once again, help me see that praying in tongues is not to be used with someone else present.  Unless it is a service where new Christians are being baptized into the Holy Spirit.  Then help me see all the various places where people spoke in tongues in a group during those times.

 

1 Cor 14:9 (NIV) So it is with you.  Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.  Jesus, help me see that the word “anyone” demonstrates that, once again, another person is present.  Help me not use this or any other of these verses to speak against praying in another language that I do not understand.  Help me only listen to those verses that address praying in tongues as a private prayer language for my edification.   

 

1 Cor 14:12 (NIV) So it is with you.  Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.  Jesus, show me that “build up the church” are the basis for this whole statement.  Help me understand that any comments against someone speaking in tongues is always in regards to a situation where others are present. 

 

1 Cor 14:16 (NIV) If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?  Jesus, help me realize that the words, “one who finds himself among” is the basis of this whole issue.  This is a case where someone is speaking in tongues and is one who finds himself among those who do not understand. 

1 Cor 14:17 (NIV) You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.  Jesus, help me be clear that “the other man” is the main reason for this statement.  It is a case where someone is giving thanks in tongues with someone else present. 

 

1 Cor 14:19 (NIV) But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.  Jesus, help me accept that this is talking about in the church.  As I read over these verses, help me see that the big issue with these rules has to do with disruptions rather than edification or spiritual growth.  Speaking in tongues in the group has to be done where it brings edification to the whole group.  If I don’t, I have just done damage to the meeting. 

 

The Biblical Attitude Toward Tongues In Private Devotions

1 Cor 14:18-19 (NIV) I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.  Jesus, help me see the truth in the statement, I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.  Show me that God is being thanked for a lot of speaking in tongues in private.  But in the church even five words in tongues isn’t helpful. 

 

1 Cor 14:39 (NIV) Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.  Jesus, teach me that in the church You want me to be eager to prophesy.  But, for private times with You and in times where people are being baptized in the Holy Spirit, I am instructed: “Do not forbid speaking in tongues.”  

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Thirty-Five

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

Edification

 

Week Eight Day Two

 

The Bible’s Stance On Tongues

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you: You must not misunderstand the Biblical attitude toward tongues.  There are very strong rules for how tongues are to be demonstrated.  But, the only reason is because some people use this gift as a weapon to prove their spiritual superiority.  Or, they use it as a trophy to try to prove they have arrived to a special height in spiritual growth. 

 

Jesus, help me speak in tongues for its true purpose, so I can establish and maintain a close and intimate relationship with God.  Show me that the Holy Spirit will pray through me for personal needs.  And, He will address needs of others through my prayer language.  Help me believe that praying in the Spirit is a powerful way for God to get prayers prayed, that no human would be able to express on their own (Rom 8:26-28). 

 

Hurting A Great And Powerful Gift

But in the church: There has been so much abuse within the realm of speaking in tongues that a lot of ministers and churches have tried to prove it isn’t available for you today.  There have been church splits, arguments, disunity, and disruption over this power-gift.  It could have helped, healed, and blessed a lot of individuals.  But, it was abused during church and group meetings.  A lot of effort needed to be put into bringing it under the control of the Bible.  Many were not willing; so they decided it just wasn’t worth the trouble.

 

Jesus, train me in the truths of 1 Corinthians chapter 14 so I can help disgruntled spiritual leaders, who try to prove speaking in tongues is a bad thing.  Let me show them that they are ignoring the truth that it is trying to protect the integrity of Christian meetings.  They see how speaking in tongues can do a lot of damage to a meeting.  But, let me help them not to use this chapter to ban all use.  Help me show them that speaking in tongues is something that is presented as being available to all believers.  It just isn’t for times where two or more people get together for worship and study. 

 

Learning The Importance Of Both Places Of Worship

1 Cor 14:18 (NIV) I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you: Before you jump into the damage tongues can do during meetings where confusion, disruption, and abuse can occur, keep in mind that this verse is first and foremost for private devotions.  But, you will need to have meetings where people can be baptized into the Holy Spirit.  They have to be held where the new and untrained Christians are prayed for by mature Christians only.  No one who is unbelievers should be allowed to attend these meetings or they may be damaged. 

 

Two Purposes For Edification

1 Cor 14:4 (NIV) He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.  Many have resisted edifying themselves.  They have tried to edify others without being edified.  It is so easy to misunderstand this issue of speaking in tongues.  You can’t afford to let your body try to help others without it being saturated and infused with the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.  You need praying in the Spirit to help you with a dangerous body. 

 

You Need This Edification

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself: Jesus, teach me that the edification that takes place during personal, private devotions has to do with my own relationship with You.  There are no distractions, interruptions, responsibilities to other people, or inhibiters; it is just You and me.  I am free to do whatever it takes to establish and maintain an intimate and personal relationship with You.  Help me let the Holy Spirit have some time to do some praying through me in tongues.

 

Jesus, help me be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s desires; help me know when He wants to pray through me in tongues.  Help me give Him the time He needs during my devotions.  Help me yield to His intercessory help in my behalf and for the needs of others. 

 

You Need This Edification Too

 1 Cor 14:15 (NIV) So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.

 

So what shall I do: It really becomes clear that once you are alone with Jesus, this verse draws out what you should do.  There can be little misunderstanding what should be your procedures during private times of prayer, praise, thanksgiving, and worship.  You are very specifically instructed as to the place praying in tongues has.  Letting your spirit pray and sing is a vital part of your spiritual growth. 

 

Jesus, help me embrace praying and singing in the Spirit with my spirit.  Help me see that this statement, “So what shall I do” is laying me out a plan for allowing the Holy Spirit to be a part of my time alone with You.  Help me not get so busy saying and doing those things that I want to do during my private time with You that I dominate the time.  Help me honor the Holy Spirit’s wishes.  Help me appreciate His power and abilities so that I respect His time during my devotions. 

 

Giving Your Spirit A Chance To Pray

So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit: This is a time of laying down your logic, your opinions, your plans, your purposes for meeting with Jesus, and your control.  This is an opportunity for your spirit to communicate with God on a spirit-to-Spirit level.  No interference from your body, the world, or the devil.  Your spirit is able to just allow the Holy Spirit to connect you with your heavenly Father on an intimate spiritual level. 

 

Jesus, I have been bound and held back by my body, the world influence, and the devil for most of my life.  I have been limited in my communication so that my spirit had to try to express itself through the limitations of human though, feelings, and words.  Help me allow my spirit to soars in the spirit realm with no restrictions or limitations.  Help me allow it to express itself in the freedom to God.  Give me prayers through the Holy Spirit that set it free. 

 

Giving Your Mind A Chance To Pray

But I will also pray with my mind: You have concerns, issues, questions, and wants.  After you have given your spirit a chance to pray through the Holy Spirit, by means of an unknown language, you allow your mind to spend time with God.  As you are praying in the Spirit, your mind gets left out.  It can quickly get bored with not being actively involved in the prayer process.  It will wander, try to examine your prayer language, and, if you are not careful, will even listen to things from the devil.  He will try to give you doubts about the validity of whether or not you really are praying to God in an unknown tongue. 

 

Jesus, help me know when to allow my mind to get involved in praying things to You that are concerns, issues, and problems in the human realm.  Help me keep it from trying to get involved or trying to understand what is going on in the time of my spirit praying.  Help me not wander off and start thinking things that are spiritual thoughts.  Help me not allow the devil to interject his doubts, fears, or lies.  Help me know when it is time for me to give my mind a turn.  Let this be a natural flow in the Holy Spirit that moves back and forth naturally. 

 

A Time Of Worship In The Spirit

I will sing with my spirit: This is a time where you heart can get involved.  Singing and music can influence the emotions of your heart.  If you allow the Holy Spirit to give you songs of praise and worship in tongues, it can heal your heart.  It can give your heart a chance to express itself to God with love, appreciation, and praise.  This can be a very powerful time of growing in your love relationship with your heavenly Father. 

 

Jesus, help me learn how to sing songs that my mind does not know.  Help me release my spirit and allow the Holy Spirit to give it a song to sing to God.  Let my heart get involved and let go of all pressure, hurt, negative feelings, and emotional damage.  Help me allow my heart to join in with singing in the Spirit.  Let it be able to rejoice, worship, praise, and feel the wonderful influence of the songs in the Spirit. 

 

Singing Memorized Songs

But I will also sing with my mind: There are songs you have learned that are meaningful to you.  They express the way you are thinking and feeling.  This is a time for you to start singing one of them to allow your mind and heart to say things to God that others have written.  The Psalms, songs from writers in the past, and current song writers have skills and talents for putting words and music together that are beautiful and meaningful.  This gives your mind a chance to get involved with praising and worshiping God. 

 

Jesus, help me learn good Christian songs that help me express myself through the skills and gifts of various song writers.  Help me use recordings and lyrics that are meaningful to me.  Help me give my mind a chance to get involved with the emotions of my heart.  Let them work together in unity, so they can express my love to You.  Give my thoughts that help express the feelings of my heart.  Give me memorized songs that say what my heart is feeling.  Help it be a time of real praise, appreciation, and thanksgiving to You. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Thirty-Six

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

Getting Needs Met

 

Week Eight Day Three

 

 

Getting Both Benefits

1 Cor 14:2 (NIV) For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God.  Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit: There are things that need to happen to you spiritually before you get together with other people.  There are spiritual needs that you can only get taken care of alone with Jesus.  And, there are needs that can only be met while with other people.  You need to be ministered to, prayed for, experience fellowship and friendship, and agree together in prayer.  There are things you need to do alone, so you can settle things with God, talk to Him about, repent, make requests, praise, pray in tongues, and sing in tongues. 

 

Jesus, help me not go to Christian meetings just so I can get my needs met.  Help me get a lot of them met during private times with You.  Empower me to be blessed and healed in group meetings as well; but, help me go while already being changed in many ways.  Make those changes so I can be a blessing to the group.  Help me; heal me; change me; transform me; and get me ready to receive and give all those things You want to do during every meeting. 

 

The Rules For Both Types Of Worship

1 Cor 14:4 (NIV) He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 

 

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself: Why do you need to do daily devotions?  You are there to be blessed, edified, and matured by Jesus.  If this work isn’t accomplished, you won’t be ready to give a prophesy in Christian meetings.  You will be weak spiritually. 

 

But he who prophesies edifies the church: Why do you go to church?  You are there to get certain needs met and to meet certain needs in others.  If some of your needs don’t get met during private times, you won’t be ready to get other needs met.  If you aren’t properly prepared during private times, you will fail to be able to minster to other.  A prophesy that is spiritually contaminated will not edify the church.  The assumption here is, you are giving this prophecy directly and only from God. 

 

Jesus, other Christians need to hear directly from You through prophecy.  We will all be mightily blessed, if we hear a pure word straight from You.  Help me be so transformed and sanctified that I can be used to give a pure word straight from You.  Do every kind of work in me so others can get the words they need through prophecies that You want given. 

 

Prophecy

Prophecy is a serious and yet wonderful thing available to most Christians.  When Jesus wants to say something through you to a person or group, you may want to tell them something too.  It would be a real danger for you to add or mix your opinions in with a prophecy.  A prophecy is to be a message directly from God through a person to others.  When someone speaks with this kind of power and authority, any contaminates may be accepted as being words directly from God; and, that could hurt them.  And, it will get the one who contaminated it in a lot of trouble. 

 

Jesus, help me be able to be used by You to prophesy; but, let it be real and pure.  Keep working on my attitudes and character; help me give up anything that might contaminate the message You want to give to people who desperately need to hear from You. 

 

The Biblical Attitude Toward Tongues In Private Worship

1 Cor 14:18-19 (NIV) I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.  But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.  It is easy to see that there was a place where Paul spent a lot of time speaking in tongues.  It is also clear that none of his speaking in tongues took place in the church.  But, just because it didn’t take place in the church didn’t interfere with Paul speaking in tongues more than all of you. 

 

Jesus, speaking in tongues is to help me move into the first aspects of Your spirit realm.  It starts me out by experiencing a supernatural work You are doing in and through me.  Help me get the full benefits of this work.  Show me how to fully yield to it in such a way that I learn how to live and operate in the spirit realm.  Help me grow as a child of God in my Father’s realm.  Let me cooperate with the lessons I am to learn through speaking in tongues. 

 

Eager To Prophesy

1 Cor 14:39 (NIV) Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.  There are churches who don’t believe this is for today.  And by doing so, they are forbidding speaking in tongues.  There are churches who are not against speaking in tongues; but, they don’t offer opportunities for people to be baptized into the Holy Spirit.  And, by neglecting this, they are forbidding speaking in tongues.  If there is no opportunity to be taught, prepared, and led into the baptism into the Holy Spirit, you remain outside looking in.  It is the responsibility of the leaders and mature Christians to make sure everyone gets that chance to decide whether or not they want this experience. 

 

Jesus, help me read Your Word and see what it says is to be believed and acted on.  Help me base my life on what the Bible says.  Help me ignore and resist teachings and practices that aren’t in line with what You say.  Give me what is the right way for me to live.  Set me free from all fears, so I can relax in Your hands and submit to Your way of living the Christian life.  Let the power that comes through the baptism into the Holy Spirit flood my body and give life to it.  This then empowers me to make it start doing all those things I couldn’t do before.  Let it move me from the Romans 7:15-25 life into the Romans chapter 8 life. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Thirty-Seven

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

The Church Edified

 

Week Eight Day Four

 

 

1 Cor 14:5 (NIV) I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy.  He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

 

Why?

I would like every one of you to speak in tongues: Romans 8:26-27 can only be fulfilled to its greatest degree by those who speak in tongues.  Those who can’t speak in tongues can be guided by the Holy Spirit into all kinds of wonderful prayers.  They can be very powerful and supernatural.  But, the one thing they can’t do, is have the Holy Spirit intercede for them with groans that words cannot express.  The church is edified by those who have been healed and blessed by this process.  The more work the Holy Spirit does in your private time with God, brings more spiritual growth and maturity through you during church meetings. 

 

Jesus, help me solve the issue of speaking in tongues.  Show me the importance of allowing the Holy Spirit to intercede for me with groans that words cannot express.  Show me how praying in tongues fulfills Romans 8:26-27, which brings healing to my heart.  Show me that praying in tongues during the privacy of my time with You won’t create any confusion, stress, misunderstanding, or embarrassment.  Help me see the incredible benefits I will get because anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God (1 Cor 14:2 NIV). 

 

Desire Starts Off The Seven Principles

I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy: If a person only excels in speaking in tongues during their personal, private time, then they won’t be ready to be used in other power-gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Speaking in tongues is vial; but, so are the other gifts of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is in charge of all these gifts; you can’t decide what He will give you. But, you can obey 1 Corinthians 14:1: Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.

 

Jesus, help me not just be happy with only speaking in tongues.  Help me see that God will not force me to receive other power-gifts.  Help me understand that He wants me to receive others; but, I have to desire them.  Help me not forget that my God-given free will is always honored by God.  Help me not think that the Holy Spirit hasn’t added gifts to me because He doesn’t want to.  Show me that prophecy is a gift that I am instructed by the Bible to especially desire.  It doesn’t mean I will get it; but, help me be obedient to the Bible.

 

Where?

He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues: Obviously this isn’t talking about when you are alone with God.  Except for practice, prophecy wouldn’t be much help during private times with God.  This is talking about a meeting of two or more people.  However, during your private, personal times you need to learn how to prophesy.  If the one who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, then you need to allow the Holy Spirit to work with you privately.  You shouldn’t be practicing during main church times. 

 

Jesus, help me during private times with You, to improve in spiritual gifts.  Also, let me start off during some small meetings; but, help me make mistakes while alone with You.  Show me that I can make mistakes even though it’s the Holy Spirit moving through me.  Teach me that the Holy Spirit is influenced and even controlled by me.  Show me that I only control what He does in and through me; but, that effects what kind of success I have in meetings.  And, the success I have in meetings effect how much people are helped by God through me.

 

Order Through Obedience

1 Cor 14:31 (NIV) For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.  Many have assumed that when a prophecy came to them, they were obligated to speak it out immediately.  So, when the Holy Spirit gave several prophecies to several individuals at the same time, they all started speaking immediately; this caused confusion, distractions, and abuse.  However, these rules in 1 Corinthians chapter 14 clarified something about the relationship of the Holy Spirit and the spirit of the prophet. 

 

1 Cor 14:32 (NIV) The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.  Jesus, help me realize that God may speak to me days before it is His time for me to present it.  Plus, I can decide not to yield to the prophecy at all.  Teach me that the gifts of the Spirit are subject to me.  I can’t create them; but, I can decide whether or not and when I will yield to them.  Help me understand that I am responsible to not speak them at a time when they cause confusion or distractions. 

 

Practice Under Supervision

If you eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy like the Bible instructs you, then you will allow the Holy Spirit to prepare, train, and instruct you during personal, private times.  He will help you yield more and more to Him during these times.  It is damaging to spiritual meetings when unpracticed, untrained, and uninstructed beginners try to be used in these spiritual gifts. 

 

1 Cor 14:20 (NIV) Brothers, stop thinking like children.  In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.  Jesus, help me realize how much I can contaminate the work of God.  With my God-given free will, I can change, restrict, and manipulate things that started out to be a mighty revelation of God.  Let the Holy Spirit spend time with me in places where I can learn without hurting or damaging others. 

 

Jesus, help me start with the proper desire; help me spend time with You studying the Bible; help me pray over every mistake and failure I make, as I practice; help me look to You for the faith for empowering me to believe I can respond to the gifts the Holy Spirit gives me; help me allow the Holy Spirit to make sure I am doing it all in love; when the Holy Spirit says I am ready, help me take faith-action during a Christian meeting.  Then, as You use me to help others, help me express my appreciation by being thankful for it all. 

 

Tongues And Interpretation

1 Cor 14:5 (NIV) I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy.  He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified: There are times when the Holy Spirit will speak through an individual in tongues first.  Then He will give the interpretation to what was said in a foreign or unknown tongue.  When this happens, it is the equivalent of a prophecy.  The interpretation is in the language of the people in the meeting.  The tongue, used to present the message at first, is typically in a language that no one in the meeting understands.  Since the interpretation is in the common language that everyone understands, it makes it possible for the whole church to be edified. 

 

Later, Jesus will show you that the message in tongues, in a group meeting, was for a sign to unbelievers who are in the meeting.  The message in tongues was to reveal the supernatural power of God.  Typically, God will just give a prophecy, if there are no unbelievers present. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Thirty-Eight

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

The Church Edified

 

Week Eight Day Five

 

 

1 Cor 14:5 (NIV) I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy.  He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

 

Why?

I would like every one of you to speak in tongues: When you first start out working with Jesus on the power-gifts of the Holy Spirit, you are a beginner, a novice, and are inexperienced.  The first thing that must happen to you, is for you to learn how to be used with these power-gifts.  Speaking in tongues during your private devotions gives you your first experiences and training with them.  Plus, it edifies you and creates spiritual growth in you.

The baptism in the Holy Spirit brought life to your mortal body (Rom 8:11).  It got you ready to learn how to present your body as a living sacrifice before God so you could properly worship Him.  Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship (Rom 12:1 NIV).

 

Jesus, let the Holy Spirit’s power-gifts flow in and through me.  But, I know I am a beginner that needs to learn how to properly be used with them.  Give me ways of practicing them in places where no one can be hurt by my mistakes and misunderstandings.  Take me into Your places of training and practice, so You can give me the experiences I need.  Let me so yield to You that You are able to lead me, teach me, supervise me, and transform me.  Make me a mature, adult child of God in my involvement in the power-gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

 

Desire Starts Off The Seven Principles

I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy: You can be so afraid that you will make a mistake or fail that you don’t want to be involved in the power-gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Here is your assignment from God through 1 Corinthians 14:1: Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.

 

Jesus, take my body and use it to show me how to yield to the power-gifts of the Holy Spirit.  If the only place where I can safely practice is during my private devotions, then help me follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.  Help me pray with my mind and pray in tongues with my spirit.  And, also help me practice any other spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit wants to give me.  Be my trainer so I can grow in being used in them. 

 

Where?

He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues: When you are alone during your personal, private devotions, it may not make sense to prophesy.  Speaking in tongues edifies you; prophecy edifies others through you. So, why would you prophesy during private devotions?  This is because it is very good place to learn how to prophesy where you won’t be damaging someone with your mistakes.  Plus, speaking in a public meeting for the first time can be very scary.  So, you need to yield to Jesus’ training in places where you can get over your fears and gain experiences with prophecy or any of the other power-gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

 

Jesus, help me learn how to be used in the power-gifts of the Holy Spirit without fear or pride.  Let me practice being used by them during times when it doesn’t scare me and where I can learn to do it with love.  Help me submit to Your leadership and begin moving in this direction under complete submission to You and Your training.  Guide me in how to best spend my time during my private times with You.  Also lead me into those times when You want me to practice in small meetings designed for people like me to practice. 

 

Order Through Obedience

1 Cor 14:31 (NIV) For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged: Learning how to work together with other people is also a training experience.  Practicing during private worship can only help you with your attitudes, character, and for gaining experiences.  These will more likely help you conduct yourself in a loving, trained, and obedient manner during your first experiences of working together with others. 

You may think of prophecy as something that exists so that everyone else may be instructed and encouraged.  But, those who are practicing during these meetings can also be instructed and encouraged.  If you maintain a student, learning attitude, you will prophesy and be open to instruction and help from other mature Christians. 

 

Jesus, help me not just prophesy with others in mind; help me be open to correction, training, and even rebuke, if I need it.  Set me free from self-esteem and self-confidence that gets offended when corrected or rebuked.  Help me join the mature Christians and go to work on all my mistakes and failures together with them.  Help me not be offended; help me appreciate their love and maturity.  Let me grow and learn as fast as I can.  Make me be humble and loving so I can be helped and help others. 

 

Practice Under Supervision

Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy: Your greatest need is to be guided by Jesus.  Being trained by Him, in this area, takes time, requires you to advance in your attitudes and character, and have an adequate amount of experience and maturity.  Since the Holy Spirit controls who gets the gifts, you may not have certain power-gifts to use on yourself.  And, since God’s objective is to give others opportunities to help you, serve you, and be a blessing to you, God doesn’t typically allow you to use these gifts for personal reasons anyway, except for times of practice. 

 

Jesus, help me accept the fact that I am not ready to go around telling people what You are saying to them.  Help me realize that You will only be using me in the beginnings to carry smaller, simpler, and less authoritative messages to people.  Keep me locked into Your authority over me, rather than me feeling like I am over others because of Your gifts.  Pride could cause me to feel superior, authoritative, and important.  Protect me from these novice temptations; help me stay under Your supervision at all times. 

 

In Your Thinking

1 Cor 14:20 (NIV) Brothers, stop thinking like children.  In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults: Jesus is helping you be a spiritual adult with the power-gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially prophecy.  How do you start thinking like a spiritual adult?  When do you mature enough to stop thinking like children?  Is it by learning a bunch of Scriptures?  Is it by going through all these studies?  Or, is it by being a Christian for a long time?  All of these things help; but, they only help if you learn how to recognize, listen to, and obey Jesus’ voice.  Adult thoughts only come through Jesus.  They come through His knowledge, foreknowledge of the future, understanding, and wisdom, so that, in your thinking you can be an adult. 

 

Jesus, I want to be able to start thinking like a spiritual adult.  Help me not think that I will get to the place where I have such growth that I can go out with my own maturity.  Let me not have the objective to get to the place of maturity where I don’t need constant communication with You.  Keep me from pride that would separate me from You. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for the week.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Thirty-Nine

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

Intelligible Words

 

Week Nine Day One

 

Tongues In A Public Meeting

1 Cor 14:6-9 (NIV) Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction?  Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?  Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?  So it is with you.  Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 

 

What Good Will I Be To You?

It all comes down to spiritual gifts resulting in a benefit.  Jesus has shown you how speaking in tongues during personal, private devotions brings individual benefit.  He also showed you that tongues, that others don’t understand, if spoken to two or more people, bring no benefit.  In 1 Corinthians 14:6-9 you get further explanations that show there is no benefit to others, if you try to help them by speaking in an unknown tongue. 

 

Jesus, teach me that when I speak in tongues outside personal, private devotions, they lose their purpose, benefit, edification, and value.  Help me not do those things that seem spiritual but aren’t.  Help me open my heart to the true meaning of getting together with other people.  Teach me that love makes it vital that everything I do be under the guidance of whether or not everyone involved is getting mutual benefit from it.  Let it be a win/win situation. 

 

A Rule For Why You Meet

Unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction: Here is the measure of benefit.  Are you helping someone get a revelation from God?  Are they being helped to take the first step in being set free by getting to know a truth?  Is God speaking specifically to them and giving them a personal message from Him about them through prophecy?  Are they getting a word of instruction so they can “do what it takes” to grow in God?  If these things aren’t being accomplished, then it is a failed relationship or meeting. 

 

Unless there is a distinction in the notes: Jesus, teach me that it isn’t just tongues that can have indistinct meaning and purpose.  What does a song I sing, a term I use, an example I present, or a concept I take for granted that everyone knows, mean to the people in the group?  Help me speak, sing, and share things in such a way that they come in familiar terms the people around me understand.  Am I communicating; or, am I speaking in a foreign language to them?  Let the Holy Spirit speak through me to everyone I talk to.  Let Him guide me in how I present myself and what I need to share. 

 

What Are You Trying To Accomplish?

Who will get ready for battle: Everyone isn’t on the same level with you spiritually.  Everyone doesn’t have the same experiences as you do with the Bible, God, and spiritual growth.  Everyone doesn’t have the same problems, experiences, goals, plans, or strategies, as you do.  If you don’t allow love to help you get to know the people around you, you will make a lot of assumptions. 

 

Jesus, help me not talk to people as if they are just like me. Show me that things that are very meaningful to me may have no special interest for those around me.  Let me allow love to help me ask them questions about themselves, so I can get to know them.  Then let the Holy Spirit guide me into saying things that have meaning and benefit to them. 

 

Love Brings Meaning And Purpose

Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying: The reason people speak in tongues in meetings, where no one understands what they say, is because they are struggling with love.  If you get great benefit from praying in tongues but your prayers aren’t helping those around you, you are currently being benefited outside love.  It seems impossible to get spiritual blessings and breakthroughs outside love.  But, being loved by God and you loving others are two different things. 

 

Jesus, it is true that I and everyone else need to first be loved by God.  1 John 4:19 (NIV) We love because He first loved us.  However, if I don’t let this being loved turn into me loving others, help me see that I am missing the purpose for why I am loved.  Teach me that if God didn’t share His love with me, He would be filled with love; but, I would never be benefitted by it; it would all stop at Him. 

 

Jesus, teach me that I am loved by God because He is doing more than just being a loving God; He is sharing His love.  And, help me realize that He is sharing His love with me, so I will share His love with others.  Once that happens, help me understand that I stop doing things that only benefit me.  Help me always have the attitude of giving every breakthrough, every blessing, and every miracle I get with those around me.

 

Love Brings Generosity

Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air.  This is dealing with your love for others. 

 

Speaking in tongues during your devotions has some incredibly powerful potential in it.  But, there is a principle of God that keeps you from being selfish with His gifts.  Luke 6:38 (NIV) Give, and it will be given to you.  A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.  For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” 

 

Jesus, set me free from attitudes of: “I want to make sure I get mine.”  “That’s not my problem.”  “Am I my brother’s keeper?”  “You have your problems; I have mine.”  “I don’t have time for that.” “Every person for themselves.”  “Don’t take this personal; it’s just business.”  Help me not just get together with other Christians to be blessed; help me also be there to be a blessing.  Let Luke 6:38 always be there influencing and governing all of the blessings of God in my life.  Help me yield to Your love and make me a generous person. 

 

Getting Good So As To Give Good

Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you: When you leave your personal devotions, you typically go interact with people.  From then on, you cease to just be looking to be blessed, benefited, and get your needs met.  From that point on, you become responsible for being a blessing, a benefit, and a supplier of resources for others. 

 

Jesus, prepare me for each day; let Your Holy Spirit bless me, heal me, and empower me so that, as I leave my time with You, I am ready to be a blessing and help to those around me. 

 

Types Of Good To Give

Now, brothers, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction:

 

·        A revelation is a power-manifestation that comes from the Holy Spirit.  John 6:63 (NIV) The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.  The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life.  A revelation doesn’t just give you the meaning of a Scripture, it gives you the Spirit and life out of that meaning. 

·        This knowledge is much more than world knowledge; it is a truth that revelation will use to set you free.  John 8:32 (NIV)  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  Knowledge or knowing a spiritual fact is the first step into spiritual and personal freedom. 

·        Prophecy is a personal direction or guidance from Jesus through one person to another person.  It is Jesus letting a person, with that spiritual gift, know something that another person needs to know from Jesus, but for some reason, hasn’t been able to receive it. 

·        A word of instruction is a specific set of guidelines, commandments, steps, or procedures that a person needs to be aware of.  That is so they can properly move forward in that particular area of their life.  It isn’t just general instructions; it is specific instructions that, that person needs at that moment or period of their life. 

 

Jesus, when I leave my time of personal devotions, let me not only leave with those things You want to do and say in my life, let me have revelations, knowledge, prophecy, and a word of instruction that will help those I will be coming in contact with that day.  Empower me to be so blessed by You that I am ready to be a blessing and a great help to others. 

 

Communication Must Have Purpose And Meaning

Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes: You can’t throw notes together; there must be a specific pattern to music tone.  If it is just a bunch of random notes, it isn’t a song.  God made you where music has to have a harmony and established pattern or you won’t enjoy it. 

 

Jesus, reveal to me that life has to have harmony, unity, and synchronization or I won’t enjoy it.  You have some very specific things You want said to the people I come in contact with during my day.  Help me listen to You, so You can say things through me to them that will really be meaningful and harmonious.  Let it be that perfect thing they were needing to hear. 

 

Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?  So it is with you: You can’t help others until you hear, identify, understand, and yield to Jesus’ message.  If your opinions, philosophies, and criteria mix in with Jesus’ words, or, if you mix in the world’s styles, guidelines, and systems, they are constantly changing and being restructured.  They are uncertain sounds that don’t have a pattern, purpose, or meaning.  God’s principles stay the same for time and eternity.  Those will be the words Jesus will give you for others. 

 

Jesus, You bring harmony, unity, structure, and purpose into my life.  There’s a distinct pattern to Your revelations, knowledge, prophecies, and instructions.  Christians around the world are getting much the same things as You have been speaking to me.  You melt me together with other Christians; You unite my relationships; and, You are heading us all into the same eternal objectives.  Help me only submit to Your voice and way of life. 

 

Intelligible Words

Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying: There are a lot of people all around you who are speaking the same language you speak.  But, they aren’t intelligible words.  The content of their message can be foreign to you. If you accept their words, you will be misled, uninformed, lied to, and blocked off.  So, if you speak intelligible words with your tongue, it won’t just be the same language others speak, it will be the words of Jesus.  Jesus’ voice will give you words people can understand and benefit from. 

 

Jesus, I am learning how to hear, recognize, listen to, and obey Your voice.  This gives me an input of information, revelations, understanding, and wisdom I didn’t have before.  Help me take full advantage of You and Your words.  Change what I say to others; change the content of my speech; help me not only say things in a language they understand, help me use that language for helping people get to know You better. 

 

Words Without Any Benefit

Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air: You can say things that help people; you can say things that hurt people; but, you can also say things that don’t do anything except waste people’s time.  It is good that they are neutral enough that they don’t hurt people; but, it isn’t good that they lack enough content and depth that they end up just…speaking into the air. 

 

Jesus, when You talked to people, You said things that were meaningful, helpful, and powerful.  Help me realize that You do the same things when You speak to me through the Bible and in my thoughts and feelings.  As I hear, identify, understand, and yield to Your voice, let my conversations do the same things for the people I talk to. 

 

Jesus, I know that sometimes just talking about the weather is a process of being friendly.  I realize that friendship doesn’t have to always be on some deep spiritual issue.  But, help me talk with the motivation of love.  Help me be sensitive to the needs in these people’s lives.  You have things You want me to talk to them about.  In the process of being friendly, help me have input from Your power-gifts that keep me from just speaking into the air. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Forty

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

A Purpose

 

Week Nine Day Two

 

 

Beneficial Spiritual Relationships With Others

1 Cor 14:10-14 (NIV) Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.  If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.  So it is with you.  Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.  For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says.

 

Communication

Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning: The big issue is for you to communicate with people.  If for some reason you aren’t getting the meaning across, you are talking but not communicating.  The question isn’t, are you talking to people?  It is, are you helping them?

 

John 6:63 (NIV)  The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing.  The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life. 

Yielding to Jesus’ voice gives you more than information; He speaks faith; He speaks Spirit and life.  So, when you yield to and share His voice, you speak the same things into others.  That is what these power-gifts of the Holy Spirit are all about--communication. 

 

Jesus, teach me that tongues and their interpretation and prophecy in a meeting, aren’t just me yielding to the words.  Help me yield to all the provisions and power passing through me, as well.  When a message from You comes to me, help me be in a condition where the power of the message is still intact.  Show me that, that is why I have to spend so much time studying and being trained in the issues of attitudes and character. 

 

Jesus, if I am struggling with righteousness or faith, then Your message gets contaminated or the power gets filtered out, as it passes through me. Teach me that the power gets filtered out, if I struggle with faith.  And, the message gets contaminated if I struggle with righteousness.  Your words have Spirit and life in them; help them pass unchanged through me.

 

Comprehension

If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me: The listener is a major issue; they have to be receptive to the message and its power.  The person speaking isn’t the only one who has to be strong in righteousness and faith.  A very powerful and miraculous message may come to the listener through tongues and interpretation or prophecy, but, if their heart and mind aren’t prepared by Jesus and His Word, it will fail to fulfill its potential and purpose. 

 

Jesus, help me use the knock key, so the hearts of the people You send me to will be prepared when I get to them.  Let the people listening to me have spiritual desire, have done some Biblical study, have prayed for help, have Your faith helping them believe, have experienced Your love, are ready to take faith-action in the direction You want them to go, and be thankful for the message coming to them. 

 

Jesus, prepare the people I talk to with good attitudes and character, so Your words through me to them can be beneficial.  If they aren’t prepared and therefore do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, then show me that they can’t be helped.  Teach me the principles of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12.  Help me lead them into them so they will be empowered to comprehend.  Help me lead them into The Seven Biblical Principles, so as the power-gifts flow through me, they will be helped. 

 

No Communication Or Comprehension

Mark 6:4-6 (NIV) Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.”  He could not do any miracles there, except lay His hands on a few sick people and heal them.  And He was amazed at their lack of faith.  Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.  The power-gifts of the Holy Spirit don’t automatically work; there has to be a relationship and openness to God.  As great as these power-gifts are, they are still dependent on the condition of the leader and the needy. 

 

Jesus, You were unable to do any miracles there, except lay Your hands on a few sick people and heal them.  That helps me see that I can’t either.  If all the requirements aren’t met by those being used and those being helped, help me see that the power-gifts are cut off.  Show me that, that is why 1 Corinthians chapter 14 has been provided to me.  You are trying to get me into a condition where all the power-gifts of the Holy Spirit are flowing in and through me properly and received properly by others. 

 

Faith, Hope, And Love

So it is with you.  Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church: There are two verses that lay out some very important concepts.  They are the last verse of 1 Corinthians chapter thirteen and the first verse of chapter fourteen.  1 Cor 13:13 (NIV) And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.  This lays out the three things that open the doors to God’s provisions.  If these three qualities are in your life and in the lives to those you are trying to help, then the power-gifts flow freely. 

 

1 Cor 14:1 (NIV) Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.  Jesus, You are telling me to eagerly desire spiritual gifts which the Corinthian church was doing.  But, show me why they were eagerly desiring spiritual gifts.  Help me see that they missed the first part of Your instructions.  Your Word said it was to follow the way of love.  If I and those I am working with are following the way of love, we will try to excel in gifts that build up the church.  Why?  Show me that it is because that is the kind of activity I am taken into if I am yielding to God’s love and Your voice. 

 

Group Meetings Or Private Devotions

For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says: If you read this with your private devotions in mind, you will misunderstand.  But, if you are able to know when Jesus is talking to you about private devotions and when He is talking about group meetings, you will learn and grow. 

 

You wouldn’t be praying for the interpretation if the Spirit Himself is interceding for you with groans that words cannot express.  This verse is what 1 Corinthians 14:2 is all about: For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God.  Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit.

 

Jesus, help me understand that 1 Corinthians 14:4 is telling me what I am doing in my private devotions: He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself.  Then in the last part it tells me what I should be doing in group meetings: but he who prophesies edifies the church.  Teach me that I am trying to edify the church when I am in group meetings; and, I am trying to get myself edified, when I am doing my private devotions.  Teach me that I can’t give what I don’t have; I must be edified, if I am going to be used by You to edify the church.  But, help me see that I must be in an edified condition, so I can edify. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Forty-One

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

Meaningful

 

Week Nine Day Three

 

Beneficial Spiritual Relationships With Others

1 Cor 14:10-14 (NIV) Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning.  If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.  So it is with you.  Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.  For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says.

 

Communication Is Vital

Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning: People all over the world are talking to each other in languages that they mutually understand.  However, they aren’t meaningful to other people.  God speaks a language that is meaningful to all humans and nations.  His language is love; it flows through these power-gifts for meeting needs and blessing lives.  But, these power-gifts can be used to make you look good, seem important, or benefit your agenda.  That is when a meaningful language gets translated into one that is meaningless.  It’s a known tongue but without the language of love. 

 

Jesus, help me not block, contaminate, filter out the power, or reinterpret Your voice to those around me.  Help me and those around me hear Your voice clearly.  When You decide to give me a message, a miracle, a healing, or a blessing, help me allow it to pass through me unchanged.  Heal my attitudes, character, faith, and love.  Help me be the person I need to be so You can flow through me to help those who need Your help. 

 

Comprehension Is Required

If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me: Love empowers you keep from being a foreigner to others and them to you. It helps you notice how they are responding to what you are saying and doing.  Love helps you see how much others need to be trained and prepared for Jesus’ voice.  Love helps you get joy out of making sure people are ready and receptive to what He has to say.  It empowers you to find ways to help them with their attitudes and character.  So, whether it is something relational, financial, emotional, physical, or spiritual, you find ways to help them look to Jesus for His help.  If what you are doing is foreign to others, love helps you change your approach.  If they are foreign to you, love helps you prepare their hearts and minds. 

 

Jesus, if I am a foreigner in any way to anyone around me, help me “do whatever it takes” to bring healing to that relationship.  Help me care about those around me and how I am affecting them.  Empower me to train and prepare them; help me get them ready to receive all You have to offer them.  Let me share with them all those things You are sharing with me.  Teach me how to develop mutually beneficial relationships and events that bring glory and honor to You.  Give me the power-gifts that will bring healing to their attitudes and character. 

 

When There Is No Communication Or Comprehension

Mark 6:4-6 (NIV) Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.”  He could not do any miracles there, except lay His hands on a few sick people and heal them.  And He was amazed at their lack of faith.  Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village. 

 

Faith is like a door into the great things of God; when you fail to fix your eyes on Jesus for your faith, you close that door.  Because Jesus had lived there among them, they felt He was just a human like them.  Their mind and heart had closed their desires for His help.  They didn’t bother to study the Scriptures to find out about Jesus the Messiah.  They didn’t take out the time to pray and ask God about Jesus.  And, since Jesus was their Author and Perfecter of faith, their rejection of Him cost them the chance to believe and receive the provisions of God.  He could not do any miracles there, except lay His hands on a few sick people and heal them.  Many went on with their lives without the miracles and healings that Jesus would have given them. 

 

Jesus, help me not use my human reasoning to cut myself off from You and Your provisions.  You have all those things I need; but, I can get my eyes off of You and cheat myself out of all those things You want to provide.  Strengthen my focus so I look to You to speak faith into me and I am able to hear Your voice and receive it into my heart and mind. 

 

Faith, Hope, And Love

So it is with you.  Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church: Why do you get together with other people?  Is it for business purposes?  Is it for sports or entertainment?  Or, is it to bring about spiritual edification?  When the Holy Spirit gives you a power gift, if your typical approach to relationships are everything but edification, it isn’t likely you will change your relationship procedures after the Holy Spirit gives you these spiritual gifts.  Faith, hope, and love must change your approach to life before you can help people.  They must be the motivating factors for everything you do. 

 

Jesus, most of my life has been making, spending, saving, and investing money.  My focus on life has been trying to get myself set up where I can have fun, be happy, and enjoy my life.  I need You to help me see what it is I should have been doing.  Teach me this new way of life; show me how to live on the basis of faith, hope, and love. 

 

Group Meetings Or Private Devotions

For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says: It is a matter of learning what faith, hope, love, and edification are all about.  You can live a lot of your life with individualistic concepts, plans, and motivations.  You can evaluate careers, relationships, goals, and life in general on the basis of how it would affect you. You can ask, would this plan or decision be good for me?  Is this something I want?  How would this help me get what I like?  And, with many such questions you can evaluate people, ideas, plans, and decisions.  If they don’t appear to “fit into” your criteria, you can ignore, reject, or adjust them.  You may need to allow faith, hope, love, and edification change your approach. 

 

Jesus, I can see how a person speaking out loud in tongues in a group meeting could be selfish.  That person would only be thinking about themselves and what they are getting out of that experience.  Help me enter into group meetings with a different attitude than what I have in my private devotions.  Help me care about others as I meet with them in groups.  Empower me with motivations of faith, hope, love, and a desire to bring edification to all. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Forty-Two

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

Spirit Prayer

 

Week Nine Day Four

 

Personal, Private Devotions

1 Cor 14:14-15 (NIV) For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.  So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 

 

Praying In The Spirit

For if I pray in a tongue: Praying in tongues is the first experience you have with the power-gifts.  Praying in tongues removes you from the process in some ways, in that it isn’t done with your brain, mind, or heart.  You are speaking under the power and influence of the Holy Spirit in a language you don’t know or understand.  The words aren’t coming from you; the Holy Spirit is speaking through you in a language of His choosing.  You are giving Him the freedom to use your voice and mouth for His purposes.  This is the type of relationship you will be having with Him, as He works with you through the power-gifts. 

 

Jesus, help me see that praying in the Spirit trains me on how to trust and yield to the Holy Spirit.  By removing my brain, mind, and heart from the process, I have to trust that He knows what is best for me.  As the Holy Spirit is speaking through my spirit and using my mouth to say things, I have to believe they are vital to my spiritual growth and temporary life. 

 

Jesus, help me believe that all the knowledge, foreknowledge of the future, understanding, and wisdom of God are being applied to my needs.  Show me that even though my free will isn’t being circumvented, I have to choose to yield my mouth to the Holy Spirit.  This teaches me how the other power-gifts work.  This is an opportunity for me to learn how to be used. 

 

Praying In Private

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays: This is a private time when you are allowing Jesus to meet your needs.  This is a time when you don’t have to be concerned with anyone else.  You are alone with Jesus; and, He is only addressing you and what you need.  If others were present, you wouldn’t have the freedom to relax and let Jesus do what was needed just for you. You are alone, so you don’t have to make sure you don’t confuse, frighten, or cheat other people.  You aren’t being selfish while you are being built and grown in your own personal relationship with God.  It’s a time for you and Jesus to work on things He wants to address with you personally. 

 

Jesus, show me that the Holy Spirit is teaching me how to be used in the power-gifts.  He’s using my body, mouth, and will doing things I don’t understand.  He is showing me how to trust Him to use me in such a way that I allow Him to do what He needs to do.  He is helping me build a relationship with Him that is all about trust.  He is meeting my needs through love just like He will use me through the power-gifts to meet other people’s needs through love. 

 

Jesus, help me give up any fear of what the Holy Spirit is doing, any uneasiness about spiritual things, any discomfort about new spiritual procedures, and any resistance to allowing Him to use my body and mouth without my control.  Help me let Him use me to help others. 

 

Rom 7:22-23 (NIV) For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.  You have learned that your body is beyond your control; but, you have also learned that by it being baptized into the Holy Spirit, it can be brought to life.  However, it still has desires, drives, urges, and tendencies that are contrary to the desires of your spirit and the Holy Spirit. 

 

Jesus, if by speaking in tongues all influence is removed from my brain, located in my body, this gives my spirit or inner being, that delights in God’s law, the opportunity to join the Holy Spirit and pray things that it delights in.  Help me cooperate with this process, so I can experience these special spiritual blessings.  Help me see that this will give me experiences of blessings, healings, miracles, and breakthroughs that I can tell others about. 

 

Your Mind

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful: Your mind is a part of your spirit; it is a part of you that is delighting in the law of God.  For in my inner being I delight in God’s law;  But I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind. 

Praying in tongues bypasses your mind, it isn’t trying to keep it from worshipping God.  Your mind will need a time to express itself to God; but, all during your times of praying in the Spirit, it will be left out of the process. 

 

Jesus, since my mind, that is in my spirit, and my brain, that is in my body, are constantly interacting, help me understand that my mind gets contaminated by my brain.  I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.  Show me that my mind was losing the battle against my brain.  But, help me see that this has been handled through the baptism into the Holy Spirit; He gave my body life. 

 

Rom 8:11 (NIV) And if the Spirit of Him Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He Who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, Who lives in you.  Jesus, now that my body has been given life, so I can do spiritual things, help me learn how to use it to yield to the Holy Spirit’s power-gifts.  Help me learn how to benefit from of this new life in my body.  Help me yield my mouth and voice to praying in tongues in the Spirit, so my body and my spirit learn how to work together on spiritual issues, procedures, and activities.   

 

Things To Do During Devotions

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.  So what shall I do: The Holy Spirit is intentionally excluding your intellect from the process of praying in tongues.  During this time, your mind isn’t able to contribute anything; and, it can’t grow in information, truth, or instructions.  It’s not able to get or give anything during this spiritual process.  It has to learn to stay out of the Holy Spirit’s way. This goes against its nature. 

 

Jesus, my mind being unfruitful, while praying in the Spirit, can leave it idle; it isn’t used to that.  But, my mind doesn’t remain idle during waking hours.  It is moving along with all kinds of thoughts while my spirit is praying.  It gets bored, curious, start trying to figure out what’s going on, start listening to the language and noticing patterns, and all kinds of other things.  If I let it meddle in the process, it can interfere with what the Holy Spirit is trying to express.  Help me learn how to keep it under my control, so I can yield to You. 

 

Taking Turns

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.  So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind: Your mind needs a turn; it needs you to switch back and forth.  You must give your spirit a time of praying; and, you must allow your mind time to pray some things it has concerns about.  If you just pray with your mind, you will only pray for all those things you know about.  If you just pray in tongues, your mind will get bored, curious, distracted, or start meddling.  Plus, there are some things you do know you need to pray about that the Bible, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have pointed out to you.

 

Jesus, help me see that my mind can interfere with the other power-gifts of the Holy Spirit.  So, help me give my mind a turn to do other things, when being used in the power-gifts. When it starts getting uneasy, help me keep a good balance between praying with my spirit and praying with my mind.  And, help me do that with ministry that requires my mind and things that are just the business of the Holy Spirit.  Let this help me grow spiritually two ways.  Help me grow through the power of the Holy Spirit, as He minister to others.  And, help me grow through the power of the Bible, as I minister to others with my mind. 

 

Singing With Your Spirit

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.  So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit: While you are alone in a place where you can’t disturb anyone else, you are free to not only pray in tongues, you can sing in tongues. 

 

The Holy Spirit not only needs to address issues that are way over your heads, He needs to give your heart a time to express itself.  While your body, your brain, and your mind are removed from the process, it is a good time to give your heart a turn.  It is empowered with a great opportunity to express its emotions when you sing.  But, there are things it isn’t able to get out because it can’t use language.  There are painful issues; and, there are praise, worship, thanksgiving, and gratitude emotions it feels. 

 

Jesus, help me yield to singing in the spirit, so I can allow the Holy Spirit to give my heart a “language” that fulfills its need to express itself.  Show me that for the first time, it can “say” some words through song that aren’t just feelings.  Let the spiritual songs gives my heart a language that puts into words things it has always wanted to present to God. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that feelings only arise and are expressed to the spirit of the person having them.  When I try to tell other people how I feel, I find words to be so inadequate.  But, help me understand that singing in the Spirit gives my heart a way to tell God exactly how it feels.  Help me see that this is a great experience for me as a whole person.  My heart is released; and, then my mind gets a turn to sing. 

 

Singing With Your Mind

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.  So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind: If you aren’t much of a song writer, there are a lot of praise and worship words written and put to music.  As you give your mind a turn, you might want to play some of this music.  Once you have learned the words, you can sing along with the music.  It will be up to you to pick the style and type of worship music.  But, the main objective is to worship, praise, and give thanks to God from your mind. 

 

Jesus, help me find the type of music that is most meaningful to me.  Since worship songs tend to be very repetitive, help me understand that this is so I don’t get caught in concepts, principles, doctrines, or systems.  Since they are for worshipping God and allowing my mind and heart express their love and appreciation to You, help me see if that is what I need. 

 

Jesus, hymns tend to be deeper, wordier, and usually have some Biblical principle they are expressing about God.  Worship songs are usually to God; and hymns are typically about God.  Help me see that hymns can be more to my mind than to my heart.  But, it is dependent on what You are trying to accomplish during my personal, private devotions.  Guide me into the music and the style that You want me to be involved in. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Forty-Three

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

Your Mind

 

Week Nine Day Five

 

 

Personal, Private Devotions

1 Cor 14:14-15 (NIV) For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.  So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 

 

Operating In The Spirit

For if I pray in a tongue: When God, the Holy Spirit, prays in your behalf, it is easy to see one of the great ways the baptism into the Holy Spirit transforms your life.  It is worth it to be willing to learn the rules for when, where, and how to use praying in tongues.  It is especially worth it, since it is your introduction into the power-gifts of the Holy Spirit.  It is also worth it because it is teaching you important principles about living in God’s spirit realm.  Even though it looks like physical effort and physical manipulation are what controls the physical world, the spirit realm actually is the main source of control over this temporary world and life. 

 

It takes large earth-moving equipment to dig a tunnel through a mountain and years to do it.  However, Jesus explains the power and simplicity of moving a mountain and more through spiritual procedures.  Mat 17:19-20 (NIV) Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”  He replied, “Because you have so little faith.  I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you.”

 

Jesus, we humans work so hard trying to accomplish things that would be so much easier if done through You and the spirit realm.  You cured diseases, healed relationships, delivered people from addictions, and transformed lives without all the time, effort, money, and side-effects that human effort require.  Help me learn and be trained in the realm of the spirit, so I can bring Your solutions to suffering people.  

 

Praying In Private

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays: The training you get, once baptized into the Holy Spirit, is incredible.  Praying in the Spirit, by speaking in tongues, means you are using a language without learning it.  As you join Jesus, His life, His message, His ministry, and His methods, there is a relationship, where you do supernatural things with Him; but, it isn’t clear how it is working.  As you cooperate with Him, you will be there; but, Jesus is doing the work.  Praying in the Spirit is the beginnings of you being a part, but the Holy Spirit is doing the work.   

 

Jesus, help me learn how our relationship works, as I read these rules in 1 Corinthians chapter 14.  Help me see how much control I have over whether or not, how much, and when I speak in tongues.  Then help me see that this is the same kind of control I have over my relationship with You.  Help me see how much I have been keeping You from being able to work with me.  Let this praying in the Spirit procedure teach me how to cooperate with You, so we can work together without me constantly interfering with what You are trying to do. 

 

Your Mind

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful: When Jesus is trying to work with you, He establishes the same type of control-relationship as is being described in 1 Corinthians chapter 14.  1 Cor 14:32 (NIV) The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.  This is also true in your relationship with Jesus, His life, His message, His ministry, and His methods.  The same type of mishandling that was occurring in the Corinthian church with the power-gifts of the Holy Spirit can also occur in you working with Jesus. 

 

Jesus, teach me that when You work in and through me, my spirit is in direct contact with You.  It is getting a pure message and indication of what You are wanting me to do; but, my mind is unfruitful.  I don’t know exactly where I am going, what I will be saying, and what You will be doing through me.  If I want to, I can get fearful, resistive, and controlling.  I can stop it, contaminate it; or, I can completely yield to it in faith. 

 

Jesus, this is so helpful in teaching me about my relationship with You.  As I read these instructions in Corinthians, I am learning a lot about how You want to work in and through me.  Help me grow in praying in the Spirit and the power-gifts; and, help me grow in yielding to them in the right way.  Use them to teach me more about my relationship with You.  I want to learn through tongues and the power-gifts, how my relationship is to work with You. 

 

Things To Do During Devotions

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.  So what shall I do: Just like you can decide what you are going to do during your devotion times, you decide how your day goes with Jesus.  He has plans for your day; He has desires during the various moments during your day.  However, you have plans and desires too.  As you go through chapter fourteen, you see that the power-gifts put certain responsibilities on you. 1 Cor 14:30-31 (NIV) And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.  For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 

 

Jesus, I see that You will give me assignments, messages, and special gifts.  And, I see that I am responsible for making sure I yield to them with rules from this chapter.  But, I have learned that I am not very good at following rules.  I misinterpret them, resist them, and lack the power to carry them out properly.  Give me Your power and guidance in accepting this responsibility.  As You speak to my spirit, I ask You to also speak to my mind.  Tell me when, where, how, why, and to whom I am to do and say those things You want to do through me. 

 

Taking Turns

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.  so what shall I do?

I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind: This is a decision that is under your control; you decide what you will do during your devotions.  The Bible is telling you what you should do; but, the decision remains in your control.  It’s the same in your relationship with Jesus; as your spirit gets a message from Jesus, your mind needs to hear Jesus’ voice as well.  If you yield to the message that your mind gets, your spirit will yield to Jesus in a pure and un-constricted way.  As Jesus flows through your spirit in a pure way, your mind gets instructions for when, where, how, and to whom this flow of Jesus’ message and ministry is to go. 

 

Jesus, it is my desire to yield my spirit to You, Your life, Your message, Your ministry, and Your methods.  But, I need a lot of help with my mind and my heart.  Help me not add my plans, thoughts, and opinions to when, where, how, and to whom I will release my spirit to Your work.  Help me yield to a pure flow of Your work with my mind and heart as well.  Teach me how to hear Your voice in my spirit, in my mind, and in my heart.  Then empower me to obey it without any interference from me. 

 

Singing With Your Spirit And Mind

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.  So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind: Jesus, help me yield my spirit and my mind when You want to heal my heart; it controls me in a very powerful way.  As You give me messages and assignments, it can cause fear, doubt, worry, frustration, and feelings of confusion to enter into me.  It can keep me from responding properly to Your wishes and plans.  Empower me to sing with my spirit and with my mind.  Guide me into this process so my heart can get the healing it needs.  Help me totally obey everything You are wanting to do in and through me. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this week.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Forty-Four

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

Intelligible Words

 

Week Ten Day One

 

 

Back To Times With People

1 Cor 14:16-19 (NIV) If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?  You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.  I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.  But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 

 

Trying To Ignore Other People

If you are praising God with your spirit: When you are with another person or in a group of believers, there can be music being played and songs being sung that inspire worship and praying in tongues.  You can get caught up in the moment with God and forget what your responsibility is for love to those around you. Jesus wants to minister through you; but, you are busy doing private devotions at church.  The Holy Spirit wants to use you for a power-gift, but you are thinking about yourself. 

 

Jesus, teach me that the moment someone joins me, 1 Corinthians chapter 14’s rules apply to what I do.  This chapter lays out the ways I am to demonstrate love for those around me.  Show me that these rules apply to every aspect of Christianity.  Help me not just limit them to speaking in tongues and prophecy.  Help me understand that I am to take these principles and apply them to the whole of my relationship with You and everything else. 

 

Things Have Changed

If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand: It is obvious that you have a person nearby.  You are no longer in private devotions.  You have one who finds himself among those who do not understand who has now joined you. Your responsibility to yourself, God, and this person has changed immediately.  Your brain, your mind, your heart, your body, and your spirit’s needs have become intertwined with another person.  You are now responsible for a win/win relationship to be formed. 

 

Jesus, if my personal devotions are successful, I will be ready to include another person in my relationship with You.  If I have a spiritual need that can only be met by confusing, hurting, or distracting someone nearby, I need to either leave that person or group and go to a private place and get it met; or, postpone it until I can be alone with God.  Show me that, as long as another person is present, I have a love-obligation to not do anything they aren’t ready for.

 

Speaking In Tongues

If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying: Jesus has made it clear, in this chapter, that praying in tongues, singing in tongues, or speaking in tongues is only for that individual’s spirit and God.  Even their own mind is unfruitful during these times.  Love does not excuse them presenting thanksgiving to God while hurting someone around them. God doesn’t accept any “love” prayers, songs, or worship that are simultaneously hurting other people. 

 

Jesus, this is where it can get confusing; help me see that a good thing like praising and thanking You can be negated by a bad thing like confusing, scaring, or distracting others.  Help me not be concentrating on the good thing while ignoring the bad thing.  Show me that if any bad is mixed in with the good, then the good is contaminated and ceases to be good. 

 

Back To Communication

Since he does not know what you are saying: If you do anything that excludes other people from your knowledge, understanding, wisdom, or spiritual growth, God doesn’t join you in the exercise.  God is love; and, He is all about you being loved and loving others.  Speaking in tongues around those who don’t understand isn’t the only communication problem.  If a couple of mature Christians are in the presences of new or untrained Christians and discussing advanced spiritual concepts, they are breaking this same rule.  Love causes those mature Christians to postpone such conversations until they are alone with each other.  You are responsible to love everyone around you enough to always be aware of what they understand and don’t understand yet. 

 

Back To Comprehension

Since he does not know what you are saying: Jesus, when I am in a group, if I am the only one talking, then there can be people who are hearing what I am saying but not understanding it.  Teach me that it is my responsibility to either allow them to ask questions without fear or intimidation, or, I must get together with them at a different time and find out what they understand.  Help me see that pride can cause me to be glad I know things others don’t know and show off.  Selfishness can cause me to only talk about things I like talking about.  Love opens the door for everyone to grow in God.  Let my conversations be based on love. 

 

Individuality In A Group

If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?  You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified: It all has to do with the loudness of your voice; if you are whispering to yourself, then it is possible you aren’t interrupting, distracting, or confusing those around you. There may be times when you need something personal from a church service.  You may need to lower your voice and speak quietly to God.  It is possible to even speak in tongues quietly to yourself, as long as you know you aren’t being heard by someone close by who does not understand.  

 

1 Cor 14:27-28 (NIV)  If anyone speaks in a tongue, two--or at the most three--should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.  If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.  Jesus, help me see that praying quietly in tongues, while with others, is dealt with in this verse.  In this case, someone gave a message out loud in tongues; but, no one interpretated it.  That meant it wasn’t a message to the church; it was a person praying in the Spirit, who thought it was a message in tongues.  But, an interpretation not coming forth, demonstrated that it wasn’t.  So, the person was to speak in tongues quietly to themselves and God.  Help me take this information and see that I can pray in tongues quietly, if it is quiet enough that others can’t hear me. 

 

Your Top Priority In A Group

You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified: You can see what God’s priority is for group meetings; if everyone isn’t getting an opportunity to be helped, healed, transformed, saved, blessed, or edified, then God doesn’t see the person or group as being loving.  Not everyone will get edified in a meeting; but, it must not be because you did something or didn’t do something that gave them the opportunity.  If through love, you give everyone the opportunity, then the rest is between them and God. 

 

Jesus, help me see what my responsibility is in group or one-on-one meetings.  Teach me how important my personal, private meetings with You are.  They get me ready to live a loving, godly life, when I am with others.  Set me free from selfishness, ignorance of Biblical rules, and pride.  Help me grow in You by making sure I have exposed myself to the Bible, prayer, these books, other good Christian books, good Christian music and small groups just for me.  Let that prepare me for getting together with others who need my help and ministry. 

 

God’s Will

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.  But in the church, I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 

 

During Personal, Private Devotions

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you: Jesus, Paul made it clear that when he was in his private, personal devotions, he did a lot of speaking in tongues.  He allowed his spirit to express itself; and, he allowed his heart to be given a spoken language that the Holy Spirit could use to help it express its emotions to God.  Help me see that Paul puts a premium on this power-gift.  He is saying that he speaks in tongues more than anyone in Corinth.  Show me that, that was quite an accomplishment because they were even doing it during church meetings.  Help me heed his example and pray in the Spirit frequently. 

 

When With Someone Else

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.  But in the church: This makes it clear that Paul isn’t telling you that speaking in tongues isn’t for you today.  God is using chapter 14 to help you know what you can and cannot do with tongues during times when you are with other people.  The baptism into the Holy Spirit is for everyone.

 

Acts 2:39 (NIV) The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call.”  Jesus, help me see that the baptism into the Holy Spirit is for everyone.  But, help me also see that these power-gifts come with responsibilities and rules.  The church in Corinth was using tongues to hurt people during their meetings.  But, show me that their errors let me have an opportunity to get some important concepts from You.  With 1 Corinthian chapter 14’s rules and regulations, I can yield to the baptism into the Holy Spirit.  And then I can learn from it how to exercise all the power-gifts out of love. 

 

Your Responsibility To The Church

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.  But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue: Except for those meetings where new and untrained Christians are being baptized into the Holy Spirit, speaking tongues out loud in a service are not to be done without an interpretation.  If this rule is broken by new or untrained Christians after the Spirit baptism meeting, then they are to be taken aside and taught the things in this chapter. 

 

Jesus, You are telling me that You would rather me speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue, in the church.  Help me be motivated by love and be trained by the Bible concerning the importance of edification, so I won’t have any misunderstanding of this verse.  Help me understand that “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you” has to do with private devotions; and, help me understand that, “But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue” has to do with the rules about tongues in the church.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Forty-Five

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

Loving New People

 

Week Ten Day Two

 

 

Back To Times With People

1 Cor 14:16-19 (NIV) If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?  You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.  I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.  But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue. 

 

Trying To Ignore Other People

If you are praising God with your spirit: Many Christians have felt like there is no way this procedure could be wrong or bad.  How can it ever be wrong to be praising God with your spirit?  They have assumed that God would appreciate and encourage this no matter where they are.  This has caused a lot of people to reject speaking in tongues.  But, that concept is a misunderstanding about God.  Mat 25:40 (NIV) “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’ 

 

Jesus, teach me that God isn’t all about Himself.  He doesn’t need my praise and worship.  He is perfect; and that means He doesn’t need anything.  Help me appreciate His motives for why I may be giving thanks well enough, but be doing something God doesn’t like.  Since God is love (1 John 4:8), He only appreciates acts of love. 

 

Jesus, show me that You want me to do to others what I would have them do to me.  Teach me that You don’t want me trying to show my love to You while neglecting or damaging someone else.  Help me show how much I love You by exhibiting love to those around me.  Let me show my gratitude and appreciation by living a life of love with those around me. 

 

Things Have Changed

If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand: A lot of group meetings have those who do not understand present.  And, there are meetings where everyone does understand what is going on.  However, just because there is no one present who would misunderstand, doesn’t mean you can all start speaking in tongues.  The purpose of all group meetings is for you to bring edification to one another.  You aren’t a group of individuals getting your own needs met.  Everyone must be edified.

 

Phil 2:3-4 (NIV) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Jesus, help me focus on the purpose of all Christian relationships.  Help me drop the purpose of personal devotions and embrace mutual edification during these times.  Set me free from selfish procedures, when I am with others.  Let me yield to Your desires for me to share, help, be a blessing, and a channel through with the Holy Spirit’s power-gifts flow to others.  Let it be a win/win relationship. 

 

Speaking In Tongues

If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying: Leading others into worshipping God is a wonderful thing.  Your appreciation and praise to God builds a very beneficial relationship with Him.  The more you praise Him, thank Him, worship Him, and sing songs to Him, the more you are blessed, healed, transformed, and feel loved.  It just must be done in a way where everyone involved understands.  You know how great an experience it is; but, others may not know what it’s for.  As new people join you, you shouldn’t just start leading them into worship.  You need to help them understand why and how. 

 

Jesus, Thank You for teaching me why I need to worship and sing to You; Thank You for teaching me how.  Now, teach me how to help others do the same thing.  Everyone needs to be familiar with how to worship You and why.  Make me sensitive to their lack of experience and knowledge.  Help me lead them into purposeful, meaningful worship, so they can be edified. 

 

Back To Communication

Since he does not know what you are saying: The longer you are a Christian, the more you tend to assume everyone knows what you know.  You get so familiar with it that it seems obvious to you.  But, there was a time when you were as confused, unfamiliar, and untrained as new people are.  The longer you are together with your friends, the more you get into a routine.  The words, methods, and programs, can all be foreign to new people coming in.  Allow God to help you remember how it was for you, when you first came into these spiritual things. 

 

Jesus, it takes yielding to Your love for me to be able to identify with the things others are experiencing.  Help me feel the confusion and uncertainty of those around me.  Give me words and ideas that pop up in my mind that help me notice and respond to these people’s needs.  Help me care about their unfamiliarity with these things they are coming into.  Help me treat them with respect and love, and not act like I am superior to them. 

 

Back To Comprehension

Since he does not know what you are saying: Love helps you want to know more about the people around you.  Pride and selfishness cause you to want to talk and think about yourself.  You are either trying to show people how much you know, or, you are humbling yourself and showing them how great Jesus is.  Leading and teaching people the things of God through humility keeps you from making others feel like they are too inferior.  Making things clear and simple without offending people takes God’s love.  Jesus broke things down, illustrated them, and helped people be able to apply them to their lives. 

 

Jesus, You are the Creator of the universe and yet You made people feel comfortable and relaxed around You.  You know everything and yet You helped me feel Your love and acceptance.  You have all authority in heaven and earth, and yet You welcomed me into all You have to offer.  Make me into this type of person; help me join You and cooperate with You as you work together to help people be blessed, healed, transformed, and edified. 

 

Your Responsibility To The Church

I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.  But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue: The difference is pretty drastic with speaking in tongues alone with God and when others are around.  In the private venue it sounds vital; but, in the church and around other people it almost sounds evil.  This contrast can cause real conflict in your heart and in the doctrines of churches and denominations.  If you don’t provide meetings where people can be baptized into the Holy Spirit and start speaking in tongues and prophesying, then no one has the Holy Spirit come on them.  Soon you have a large group of people who are powerless and defeated. 

 

Jesus, help me be able to lead people into being baptized into Your Holy Spirit.  Help me not over react to the group problem with speaking in tongues.  Empower me to be able to lay my hands on people and the Holy Spirit come on them, so they can be filled with His power. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Forty-Six

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

Infantile Thinking

 

Week Ten Day Three

 

Who Needs These Things?

1 Cor 14:20 (NIV) Brothers, stop thinking like children.  In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.

 

1 Cor 14:21-22 (NIV) In the Law it is written: “Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me,” says the Lord.  Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.

 

1 Cor 14:23-25 (NIV) So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?  But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare.  So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!” 

 

Spiritual Growth

Brothers, stop thinking like children.  In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults: Salvation and justification are why God sees all those things in your record as being perfect.  But, you have been baptized into the Holy Spirit, so you can make those things in your record start flowing out of your behavior.  You start making your body do those things the Bible, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are asking you to do.  You are learning how to hear, identify, understand, and do those things credited on your perfect record.  This happens by you first getting the Holy Spirit in you through salvation, and then, being baptized into Him. 

 

Jesus, teach me that thinking like children is a problem that new and untrained Christians have.  Then You take them into desiring, studying, praying, receiving faith from You to believe, yielding to Your love, taking faith-action on the basis of the fact that You have baptized them into the Holy Spirit, which gave them the power to live it.  From there, they start thanking You for making it possible.  

 

Jesus, Your power is demonstrated through giving these new and untrained Christians’ bodies,  life (Rom 8:11).   It is the power to make their body start doing adult Christian things.  As they continue to apply The Three Keys and The Seven Biblical Principles to their lives, their thinking becomes as adults.  This moves them into a life of love, where they are involved in win/win activities.  In church, in meetings, in marriage, in family, in friendships, in business, and with strangers, they seek to do everything they do for edification for all involved. 

 

Trying To Get The Unbeliever’s Attention

In the Law it is written: “Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me,” says the Lord: God is doing everything possible to help the unsaved to become who they need to be.  He is making sure He gives them every opportunity; but, not all will respond.  Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers.  Tongues in a church service are to show unbelievers the supernatural power of God.  But, you will have to explain to them what is happening. 

 

Jesus, help me not need to see your supernatural manifestations, so I can believe.  Mat 16:4 (NIV) A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.  Help me, as a believer, to not believe because I see the power-gifts, such as speaking in tongues.  Let my relationship with You produce faith rather than power-proofs.  Help speaking in tongues get unbeliever’s attention; but, help me understand that it won’t minister to them.  After they have seen the sign, they will need prophecy to minister to them. 

 

Using Believers To Help Unbelievers

Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers: Unbelievers can’t prophesy; but, they can get the information that comes from it.  Only believers are able to prophesy to unbelievers.  However, the gift of prophecy isn’t a sign to unbelievers, it is the message that the prophecy contains that will minister to them.  Tongues that a person hasn’t learned but is speaking is obviously a power-gift and a sign to unbelievers.  Prophecy doesn’t at first appear to be supernatural; the unsaved aren’t impressed until the words of the prophecy reveal information about them that other people should not have access to. 

 

Jesus, help me be able to help unbelievers by being able to give a message in tongues, so they can see Your power.  Then help me be able to interpret it, so the message can reveal the secrets of their life.  Help me know things about the unbeliever through the interpretation of the message in tongues.  Let their deeds be uncovered, so they will know that You see everything they do.  Help them repent of their secret deeds and become a believer. 

 

Here’s What Was Happening

So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues: At the church in Corinth, they didn’t understand these rules about private devotions and being together with other people.  If only Christians meet and no unbelievers can get in, then no one would be offended or confused, if all the people there prayed in tongues all at once.  But, why did they get together, if they are only going to be edifying themselves rather than the whole church?  They could have just stayed home and done that. 

 

So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in: Jesus, show me that this has to just be happening in meetings where new people are being baptized into the Holy Spirit.  Help me understand that, once they are all baptized into the Holy Spirit, they must be taught to do this during their private time.  Once they are all gifted to speak in tongues through being baptized, help me teach them how to be edified in private.  Help me teach them that they are all to have their own individual time of allowing their spirit pray and sing to God.  If some do this in church, empower me to go to them and teach them to not do it.  

 

Jesus, help me not be afraid or intimidated; help me love these new and untrained Christians enough to teach them that, even though they are in a group, nothing is being done as a group, if they all speak in togues at the same time.  Help me show them that no teaching, no preaching, no sharing, and no praying for anyone is being done.  They were all having private devotions in the church meeting.  Help me do it with wisdom and love, so they aren’t damaged by this correction and training.  But, help me not neglect this issue.  Help me see that this will damage the whole church, if 1 Corinthians chapter 14 isn’t taught. 

 

Helping People Become Adult Christians

There were a lot of things wrong with the behavior in the Corinthian church meetings; but, it all got worse when people came in that weren’t introduced into these things.  Because the meeting was open to all, some people who didn’t understand and some unbelievers came in and weren’t edified.  You can see why you need God’s input into these issues.  Because you don’t always act out of love, God has to lay out some rules that demonstrate what love looks like.  It is always best for us to yield to God’s love and it empower us to do the adult things.  But unfortunately, we often have to be pushed into the way of love through rules. 

 

Isn’t It Obvious?

So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind: The sign to get the unbeliever’s attention that something supernatural was going on , was abused and was hurting and damaging them.  If Biblical teaching isn’t incorporated into church and small group services, then the mighty work of God gets contaminated and damaged.

 

Jesus, show me that things that should be obvious to believers, aren’t always obvious.  When their behavior is obviously hurting those who don’t understand, they don’t see it.  Help me see that the Corinth church had a greater priority on the power-gifts than on the fruit of the Spirit.  They were behaving outside the realm of love.  So, they had to be told: 1 Cor 14:27 (NIV) If anyone speaks in a tongue, two--or at the most three--should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.  Even though it shouldn’t have to be a rule; help me see that the new and untrained Christians’ lack of love causes them to have to have a rule placed on them. 

 

Edification For Unbelievers

But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare.  So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you. 

 

Jesus, help me be used by this power-gift, so that when I do, it touches the hearts of the unsaved.  Make my priority the fruit of the Spirit.  Help me be motivated by it, so that the power-gifts of the Spirit are operating through me and the church in love.  Let me and the new and untrained Christians be taught to follow these rules into great blessings. 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Forty-Seven

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

Jesus’ Body

 

Week Ten Day Four

 

Who Needs These Things?

Please read 1 Corinthians 14:20-25 in the New International Version before starting today’s study. They are in the beginning of Chapter Forty-Six, if you want to read them from there.    

 

Spiritual Growth

Brothers, stop thinking like children.  In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults: Through being baptized into the Holy Spirit, two things happened to you. You got the power to be innocent as infants concerning evil, and, got the power to be mature, adult children of God.  Those things your perfect record credits to you, can now be lived out in your behavior. 

 

Jesus, as I learn how to hear, identify, understand, and respond to Your voice, speak faith into me through my spirit.  Let that faith take advantage of the new life in my body and make it do what You say.  Teach me that hearing and doing are the two things You require.  If I can’t hear, I can’t do it; if I can’t identify who it is speaking to me, I won’t do it; if I don’t understand what You mean, I can’t do it; and if my body doesn’t have new life in it, I can’t make it do it.  Show me that the baptism into the Holy Spirit makes all this possible for me.

 

Jesus, help me take advantage of all the provisions that come through the baptism into the

Holy Spirit.  Help me learn all I have received from it.  Help me yield to the power I got through it; and, help me be an infant in regards to evil and an adult in my thinking. 

 

Trying To Get Your Attention

In the Law it is written: “Through men of strange tongues and through the lips of foreigners I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to me,” says the Lord: Why would the Holy Spirit cause you to speak out in a group meeting in a tongue that needs to be interpreted?  If a tongue with an interpretation it is the same as a prophecy, why not just use prophecy and forget a message in tongues that requires an interpretation? 

 

Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers.  Learn these two concepts: This is a message in tongues not praying in tongues.  Praying in tongues is for a believer during their personal, private devotions.  A message in tongues is for unbelievers so they can see the supernatural power of God.  You must explain to those who don’t understand, why a message in tongues is presented in the meeting.  You must explain that the person is speaking in a language they haven’t learned and that it is the supernatural power of God giving them this ability.  Then when the interpretation is given, you must explain that this is God giving the interpretation of that message that was presented in tongues.  

 

Jesus, help me be trained in all these things, so I can help those Christians who do not understand or are unbelievers.  Train me, so I can bring people into these meetings and show them the supernatural manifestations of God.  Help me see the difference between a message in tongues and praying in tongues.  Help me to understand the difference so I won’t speak out in a group when You are trying to pray through me for my edification.  Also, help me speak out in a group when You are giving me a message in tongues that is to be interpreted. 

 

Using Believers To Help Unbelievers

Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers: A prophecy rather than a message in tongues with an interpretation is primarily for the Christians.  They don’t need to see the supernatural power of God manifest through a message in tongues.  God can go right to the interpretation without the message in tongues.  So, rather than using tongues and an interpretation in a believers-only meeting, God will usually just give prophecies. 

 

Jesus, without this training through 1 Corinthians chapter 14, I would be completely lost and confused about spiritual gifts.  Help me learn all of these things, so I can be a mature, adult Christian.  Help me be ready and available to share these wonderful truths with others.  We need these power-gifts; but we need them to be presented with the unity, edification, and love explained in these Scriptures.  Bring me into the training and maturity of all You have to offer. 

 

Here’s What Was Happening

So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues: The Corinthian church didn’t know the difference between a prayer in tongues and a message in tongues.  And, they didn’t know the difference between tongues in personal, private devotions and tongues when someone else is present; so, God gave them His rules and explanations. 

 

Jesus, if I don’t understand the plan, purpose, and rules for all the power-gifts, I will create confusion, distractions, and harm to those around me.  Rather than them being a supernatural blessing to me and others, people will fear them and resist them.  You and Your disciples used these gifts in such a beautiful way that people were drawn in great crowds.  Help me yield to You and Your ministry so the people alive today can get the same opportunities and blessings. 

 

Here’s Also What Was Happening

So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in: The prayers were just for them; the pray in tongues wasn’t for interpretation.  And, even if it was message in tongues, no one waited for an interpretation.  They just kept speaking out loud in tongues at the same time without stopping.  Praying in tongues is for the believer only; a message in tongues is for the unbeliever only.  Praying in tongues is for private devotions; a message in tongues is for meetings where those who don’t understand or are unbelievers are present. 

 

Jesus, these things are way over my head without Your training.  You are moving me into the spirit realm where it is all new to me.  Help me cooperate with You and allow You to train me in those things that are so vital to me and everyone else.  Help me realize that learning how to live and operate in the spirit realm is one of the major reasons I am alive.  Your purpose for putting me here on earth was to give me a safe, supervised place where I can learn how to get involved with such supernatural power.  Help me cooperate with this purpose and training. 

 

Edification For Unbelievers

But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare.  So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you: If the message in tongues has an interpretation then it is the same as a prophecy.  It becomes a prophecy that helps an unbeliever be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare.  So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you. 

 

Jesus, this is a wonderful work on a supernatural level.  For You to help an unbeliever be convinced by all that he is a sinner, and for the secrets of his heart to be laid bare, is a wonderful and powerful work.  For the unsaved to fall down and worship You, exclaiming, “God is really among you.” is the kind of thing I want to be involved in.  Help me be a part of this work; empower and train me so my attitudes and character are transformed.  Let me get to that place where I can join You in such a beautiful and mighty work. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Forty-Eight

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

Jesus’ Universal Church

 

Week Ten Day Five

 

Laying Out The Pattern For Unity

1 Cor 14:26 (NIV) What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation.  All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 

 

New And Untrained Christians With Power-Gifts

What then shall we say, brothers: What is going on in Jesus’ churches?  Are they doing what He designed them to do?  What if you went to a doctor’s office and they had a medical “service” for you?  You came in with a physical malady, and for a song service they had musical commercials singing the benefits of various medicines.  For a sermon, the doctor got up and gave a rousing presentation on the greatness of some new medication. 

 

Jesus, help me see that You know every need that comes into a church service.  You have a plan that You want implemented in that service that will meet all those needs.  You have been sending Your people through life classes and Biblical training, so they will be trained and ready to meet those needs.  You have equipped Your people with special, supernatural diagnostic equipment and abilities for meeting those needs.  Help me see how You went about using all these things to meet all these needs.  Help me be ready to follow Your example. 

 

Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the Father are creating specialists: 

·        1 Cor 12:4 (NIV) There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

·        1 Cor 12:5 (NIV) There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

·        1 Cor 12:6 (NIV) There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

 

The Power-Gifts Of The Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:4 (NIV) There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit: Here are these different kinds of gifts: Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.  To one there is given, through the Spirit, the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues 1 Cor 12:7-10 (NIV). 

 

Jesus, teach me these things, so I can be trained, experienced, and mature in them for now and in eternity.  Help me not just be involved in those things that are human capabilities.  As a child of God, I want to learn how to live like one.  Since I am going to spend eternity in the spirit realm, help me allow You to teach me these things, as I minister to Your people. 

 

The Service Or Ministry Gifts Of Jesus

1 Corinthians 12:5 (NIV) There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord: Here are these different kinds of serves.  They are listed in Ephesians 4:11-13: It was He (Jesus) Who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until you all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 

 

Jesus, show me that, if I don’t understand these things, I won’t know what is going on in Your Church and in Your Body.  I also won’t understand what is going on in me.  And, I won’t know how I fit into Your Body or Your Church.  Help me become skilled in cooperating with You and with all the Christians that I am supposed to be working together with. 

 

The Supernatural Works Of The Father

1 Corinthians 12:6 (NIV) There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men: The Father takes the power-gifts of the Holy Spirit and the ministry (service) gifts of Jesus and melts them together in a person to produce a mentor, minister, or World Changer, who fits into His plan in a certain place.  The Holy Spirit decides which power-gifts to give a person; Jesus decided which service-gift to give them; and then, the Father decides where to put this person in His plan.  This person has special abilities that empowers them to do supernatural things. 

 

Jesus, help me see that my heavenly Father is doing special things in me.  Show me that these Scriptures and this study/prayer time is helping me understand what has been going on in my life.  Make it clear to me that my heavenly Father has been putting me through various life classes to teach me how to be an asset to those around me.  Help me realize that none of my life has been experiencing random events.  He has been strategically sending them my way. 

 

Attitudes And Character

When you come together: Suppose you have a church full of people with selfishness and pride.  When the power-gifts are given to them, some are only going to care that they get a chance to be used with their gifts.  This is because they are only thinking about themselves.  Others will be wanting to show off and try to use their power-gifts to let everyone see how great and wonderful they are.  This was what was happening in the Corinthian church.  Rather than the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and the Father being able to shape them into special, unified ministries as a part of Jesus’ Body, they remained individual body-parts living for themselves. 

 

When you come together, everyone: Jesus, once I see that we are coming together as a body, it gives me a whole new meaning and purpose.  We aren’t just a bunch of Christians in a meeting; we are a unit that is to function as a body with many parts.  Help me see the comparison with my body parts and how it works in unity, so I can function as a human.  Teach me this incredible truth, so I can cooperate and unify with You and Your people.   

 

Everyone Gets A Gift

When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation: When the Holy Spirit starts giving you His gifts, they are supernatural, miraculous, and powerful.  God is giving one Christian a special hymn.  Why?  There is a need for that particular hymn within the group.  And, there is a special person who has been chosen to suggest that hymn.  He is giving others a word of instruction.  Why?  There is a person in the group who needs it.  And, the person who is giving the word of instruction is mature enough to be used by God to give it.  God is giving someone else a revelation for the same reasons.  And, He is giving a tongue or an interpretation for that same purpose.  Everyone is being used and blessed in unity and harmony. 

 

Jesus, show me that if new and untrained Christians get to a place where their attitudes and character are exhibiting love, it will all be obvious as to how they are to function in unity.  If they are taught about the power-gifts of the Spirit, the service or ministry gifts of Jesus, and the special working of our heavenly Father, they can start being a part of Your Body and a functioning part of You Church.  Help me learn these things myself; and, help me use these rules You provided 1 Corinthians chapter 14 to help these Christian novices and beginners. 

 

New And Untrained Christian Love-Rules

What then shall you say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation.  All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church: This is the love-rule; it can be stated like all the other love-rules in the Bible.  Here’s one, for example: Mat 7:12 (NIV) So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. 

 

Jesus, help me see that all the books of the Old Testament are summed up in this little love-rule.  If love is dominating my heart, then I will automatically say and do those things that fulfill all the written requirements of the Old and New Testaments.  Teach me that the same is true with this love-rule: All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church.  Show me that 1 Corinthians chapter 14 won’t have to always be referred to, if I and new and untrained Christians are helped to allow our hearts and minds be motivated by love.  This one love-rule will automatically govern and control our yielding to the power-gifts, the service-gifts, and the plan from our heavenly Father. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for the week.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Forty-Nine

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

Beginner Training

 

Week Eleven Day One

 

 

Laying Out The Pattern For Unity

1 Cor 14:26 (NIV) What then shall you say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation.  All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. 

 

New And Untrained Christians With Power-Gifts

What then shall you say, brothers: Being baptized into the Holy Spirit is similar to giving a teenager a driver’s license.  It is like giving a marriage license to a young couple.  It is like a newly married couple having their first child.  It is amazing what these people don’t know but have tremendous power and authority placed in their hands. 

 

The reason you are limited to only being able to have an effect on this one planet is, so that as you get more and more authority, power, and influence, you can only do so much damage.  But, Jesus wants you, through His supervision, to get enough opportunities, so you can mature and grow.  He has given you the power, now He wants to give you the training for using that power. 

 

Jesus, I can see why I need to submit my life to You.  Mentor, minister, and train me in the use and sharing of such supernatural, God-sized things.  Help me totally submit to You so You can transform me into the person I need to be in being involved in such power. 

 

Attitudes And Character

When you come together: The Corinthian church was filled with new and untrained Christians.  It was more like a kindergarten class of young children.  They all had their new “toys” and were exhibiting the immaturity that was in their hearts and lives.  All their weaknesses and lack of training were showing up in places where unsaved people were being hurt.  They had received all the opportunities for the training and guidance that could have transformed them.  But, their infatuation with the power-gifts went to their heads.  It seemed to them that these power-gifts were indicating that they were special, advanced, mature people. 

 

Jesus, help me not get the wrong impression as to why You are allowing me to get involved in the power-gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Help me realize that they are placed in my life so You can teach me how to work together with You.  Help me see the difference between power and attitudes and character.  Show me that You want Your Church to meet the needs of people. 

 

Everyone Gets A Gift

When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation: All of a sudden opinions, impressions, ideas, and revelations start pouring into all Jesus’ people’s hearts and minds.  Before, they would have come into a group meeting and just sit there waiting to see what had been prepared for them.  They wouldn’t feel any responsibility, see themselves as having any authority, or think that they were to make any contributions to the meeting.  They just went about their everyday lives and left the planning, preparing, and presentation of the meeting to those who were “in charge.”  

 

Jesus, all of a sudden, I feel like I know how to best run a meeting.  As I go into a group, I have ideas, opinions, and messages that I think should be presented.  But, when I am not given an opportunity to express them, I feel desires to complain, criticize, gossip, and backbite those in charge of the meeting.  Help me realize that You aren’t ready to put me in charge of these meetings.  You are giving me these ideas, opinions, and messages so I can learn how You will be using me in the future.  Those You have leading the group are being guided by You to lead in a different manner than how You will use me.  Help me see that they aren’t doing wrong; they are just being used differently. 

 

New And Untrained Christian’s Love-Rules

What then shall you say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation.  All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church: We all start as novices and beginners, as it relates to the service or ministry gifts from Jesus, the power-gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the unique ministry our Father produces.  We start from a place of not knowing anything about these gifts.  Just like you have to be given the opportunity to put your hands on the controls of a car, so you can learn to drive, you have to be given the opportunity to experience the service and power-gifts.  But, this opportunity isn’t an indication that you are ready to take them and run with them. 

 

Jesus, I thank You for the opportunity to experience these gifts from You, the Holy Spirit, and my heavenly Father.  Help me see them as my chance to learn how to work together with You.  They are defining how we will work together.  They are the tools You will be teaching me how to use as we minister together.  Help me always realize I am not ready to use them on my own.  They aren’t any indication of who I am or how great I am.  They are gifts; I don’t deserve them; I need attitudes and character so as to respect them; and I need Your training on how to yield to them.  You are my Lord, my Instructor, my Tutor, and my Boss.  Help me surrender all my ignorance, weakness, inexperience, and inadequacies to Your training.  

 

The Love-Rule

All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church: It isn’t until you get to the place where you allow the love of God to control your heart and mind that you are able to obey any laws, commandments, or rules from God.  You may see them as guidelines, you may see their importance, you may even give them your best efforts to obey, but, without yielding to God’s love, you will fall far short of living the potential of these gifts. 

 

Jesus, these gifts are very exciting, as they start influencing my life.  Information and power, from Your voice, start flowing into my heart and mind.  Your presence and power come into me and make things that were impossible before, be possible.  The things in the spirit realm start moving into me.  They help me start getting familiar with them.  For the first time, I really see some of the things the children of God were born again for.  These gifts show me a little bit about what my future is going to look like.  I get a chance to get some of the tools You and I will be working together with.  At this point, help me lay them before You and let You train me when, where, how, why, and to whom they will be used. 

 

Jesus, thank You for making these gifts available; I need to have access to them, so I learn how to yield to them.  Teach me why You let me experience them; I don’t know what to do with them.  Help me desire to be used through them.  As I study the Bible, teach them to me; As I pray, show me what to asking for.  Fill my heart with Your faith, so I can believe in them and their potential.  Help me yield to Your love, so we are doing all these things for the same reasons.  Help me take faith-action with You, so we can help hurting people together.  And, help me express my thanks to You for doing these things to me, for me, in me, with me, and through me. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Fifty

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

Jesus’ Universal Church

 

Week Eleven Day Two

 

 

The Power-Gift Rules

1 Cor 14:27-28 (NIV) If anyone speaks in a tongue, two--or at the most three--should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.  If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.

 

1 Cor 14:29-31 (NIV) Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.  And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.  For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 

 

Rules Like Laws Have A Weakness

Many churches and Christian organizations have tried this and failed.  You are faced with the same problem with these power-gift rules as you were with the written laws of the Old Testament.  What is the difference between a speed limit sign and a speed limit sign with a police car parked beside it?  Without law enforcement, laws often get bent or broken. 

 

Just because you have 1 Corinthians chapter 14 doesn’t mean there won’t be people who ignore or break them.  If these people don’t have attitude and character training, spiritual growth (sanctification), and faith-action, they will find ways around these power-gift rules. 

 

Jesus, I can’t just see this church system and organize and install it.  This is a spiritual miracle that has to be implemented by You.  If I don’t allow You to put this all together at the right time, with the right people, it will be a human organization.  Many churches have abandoned this; they aren’t in a spiritual condition to be trained.  So, they create a human church, with a human organization, and have human services, structured, led, and controlled by humans. 

 

The Gift Is Only As Beneficial As The Prophet Is Loving

Rom 8:3-4 (NIV)  For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His Own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.  And so He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. 

 

1 Cor 14:32 (NIV)  The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.  Jesus, help me see that this is a three-aspect issue.  Because of my God-given free will, I can keep the Holy Spirit from flowing through my spirit, and, can keep the Holy Spirit from speaking to me.  In addition to that, I have the responsibility to not take the things the Holy Spirit is doing in and through me and allowing them to cause confusion or disunity. 

 

The Prophet Is Only As Loving As Their Training

1 Cor 14:33a (NIV) For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.  If you have a group of true Christians like the ones in Romans 7:15-25, they have good attitudes and desires; but, don’t yet know how to yield to the power of the Holy Spirit.  They are still having a lot of accidents and making a lot of mistakes.  So, the answer is to have places where these new achievers can exercise their power-gifts without hurting others.  These meetings would be a place where new and untrained Christians could practice being empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Once they have been baptized into the Holy Spirit, they need a place to learn how to properly yield to Him. 

 

Jesus, if there are any areas where I need to practice without being concerned about making mistakes, help me practice during my private times and if available, in meetings designed for new or untrained Christians.  Help me know when I am qualified to be used by You with one of the power-gifts.  Protect me and those around me, as I start to be used with the power-gifts.  Help me not fear making mistakes; just help me know when I am ready. 

 

A Different Study

1 Cor 14:33b-35 (NIV) As in all the congregations of the saints, women should remain silent in the churches.  They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the Law says.  If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.  This is a matter that would need to be covered at a different time.  What is being concentrated on is to be able to hear Jesus’ voice and obey all that He is saying to you. So, this passage will be skipped for now. 

 

Jesus, help me see where gender issues fit in with my life.  Guide me in being obedient to more than this one passage.  Help me keep it in context by interpreting it from the perspective of the whole Bible and not just from verses above and below this passage.  Also, help me not just try to accumulate a few verses that I think apply.  Let my interpretation of this passage be based on every verse in the Bible. 

 

God’s Word

1 Cor 14:36 (NIV) Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?  The number one voice you hear from Jesus is the Bible; it is the final authority for everything you hear.  You must check all other sources of information with it.  Jesus will never speak anything into your mind or heart that disagrees with the Bible.  If a prophecy or tongue and interpretation says something contrary to it, you are to reject it. 

 

Jesus, You handpicked the people who wrote the Old and New Testaments.  You chose them because they were people who could hear and would obey Your voice.  They had attitudes and character to only write what You told them to write.  Help me see that some people will quote a verse from one of the books Paul wrote and say, “Paul said, in 1 Corinthians….”  And then give the quote.  Make it clear to me that this is an incorrect statement.  Help me always keep in mind that the Bible is God’s Word.  In it You said a lot of things through a lot of people.  But, it was You saying it through them.  So, the Bible is Your voice! 

 

The Lord’s Command

1 Cor 14:37-38 (NIV) If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.  If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored.  These handpicked people from God are different from all other people.  The gift and ministry they did in writing these words was under very strict supervision of Jesus.  There were times when they were just regular people doing the ministry; but, when these things were written, they did not have the right or opportunity to exercise their own free will.  If they hadn’t been willing to totally submit to Jesus during these writings, He would have rejected them.  What they wrote to you is the Lord’s command. 

 

If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted: Jesus, these power-gifts of the Holy Spirit are Your voice; but, help me see that not all prophets or spiritually gifted people have purified attitudes and character.  Show me that the gifts have the potential of being pure words from You; but, if they flow through someone who hasn’t given themselves over to Your will, some of their opinions and feelings will contaminate the message.  1 John 4:1 (NIV) Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.  Help me heed this warning. 

 

1 Cor 14:29 (NIV) Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.  The mature, adult Christians are responsible for making sure all prophecies fit with the Word of God.  This is especially true in training and practice meetings with the new and untrained Christians.  This is vital to their spiritual and ministerial training. 

 

Words That Supersede Prophecy

If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command: This is a clear concept, Paul is writing; but, what he is writing isn’t just a human letter.  There are no contaminations, personal opinions, human thoughts or feelings, or mistakes.  This is a message directly from Jesus.  This letter or book to the Corinthians was preserved by God, so as to become a part of His Bible.  He has protected it; multiplied it; and empowered it to speak with Spirit and life.  When submission is combined with it, Jesus’ voice speaks faith and transformation through it. 

 

Jesus, like all the other verses in the Bible, help me always accept the fact that these verses are Your pure voice.  You make them superior to all prophesies and other forms of spiritual communication.  Plus, these words are under the authority of the Holy Spirit.  Help me understand that I am not allowed to take these words and give them my interpretation.  Help me allow You to tell me, through the Holy Spirit, what they mean, so they will be Spirit and life for me or others.  Help me present the Bible uncontaminated, so it will be useful for healing, transforming, blessing, and creating the great provisions of God. 

 

Some Last Commands Of The Lord

1 Cor 14:39 (NIV) Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.  If you are eager to prophesy, then you are eager to hear Jesus’ voice.  You are eager to get His exact words; you are eager to get His exact meaning; and you are eager to make sure you express it to others exactly the way Jesus wants it presented.  Prophecy is a vital part of the Christian life; it gives specific, personal information about things that the general information in the Bible does not give.  The information in the Bible sets the overall standard and foundational requirements.  Prophecy gives you the specific, individual ways each person would go about fulfilling these standards. 

 

Jesus, help me be eager to prophesy, and…not forbid speaking in tongues.  Help me be willing to allow You to teach me these principles and not ignore them, resist them, or be ignorant of them.  Help me desire them, study them, pray for them, seek Your faith, so I can believe I have them, live on the basis of love in exercising them, take faith-action because they are available to me, and then express my thankfulness, as they flow through me. 

 

Vital But Orderly

1 Cor 14:40 (NIV) But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.  Ten people may be telling you very important things; but, if they all tell them to you at the same time, then you don’t get benefits from any of them.  If those ten people aren’t willing to wait their turn, then they will cancel each other’s message out. 

 

The power-gifts of the Holy Spirit are very meaningful, helpful, and important.  Physical healing, miracles, personal guidance, protection from satanic things, vital instructions, and individual assistance come from these power-gifts.  But, they must be presented in such a way that they are unified, organized, and prioritized. 

 

Jesus, teach me that You and The Holy Spirit don’t control when I deliver those things I have been empowered to provide.  You will tell me who You want me to say or do them to.  You will give me that specific provision to be given to that specific individual or group.  And, You will empower me based on the gift or gifts You have given me. But, make it clear to me that You won’t force me to do it, force when I do it, force how I do it, or force why I am doing it.  You have poured God’s love into me; and it is my responsibility to yield to it.  Help me see that if I do, I will be at the right place, at right time, doing and saying the right things, to the right person or group.  And, I will do it in a way that it brings glory to You rather than me.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Fifty-One

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

Jesus’ Universal Church

 

Week Eleven Day Three

 

The Power-Gift Rules

1 Cor 14:27-28 (NIV) If anyone speaks in a tongue, two--or at the most three--should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret.  If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.

 

1 Cor 14:29-31 (NIV) Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.  And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.  For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 

 

Rules Like Laws Have A Weakness

For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His Own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering.  And so He condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in you, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. 

 

Every Christian is fighting the sinful nature in their body.  These power-gift rules are weakened by the sinful nature.  If new and untrained Christians aren’t given this vital study and prayer time for assisting their training after being baptized into the Holy Spirit, there will be chaos in the group meetings.  If they haven’t had attitude and character training, these rules will be ignored or misunderstood by them.  

 

Jesus, train and make me into a person who has attitudes and character that are yielded to You.  Let me be a person who can be used with the power-gifts without contaminating or misusing them.  Help me learn how to function in a group meeting in a loving and caring way.  Help me grow to such a place where I can help train new and untrained Christians with their attitudes and character.  And, let me teach them how to properly use these power-gifts. 

 

The Gift Is Only As Beneficial As The Prophet Is Loving

1 Cor 14:32 (NIV) The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.  The main objective of God for having you on this planet is to teach you how to have a free will and choose to use it to get His type of attitudes and character.  If you die or are taken from this planet with the attitudes and character of God, then you have successfully fulfilled God’s plan and purpose for your life here. 

 

Rather than the power-gifts taking control of you and making you use them properly, you have to have love that empowers You to learn the rules for exercising them.  You control them from the moment the Holy Spirit tries to give them to you, to the moment you accept them, to the moment they start functioning in your life. 

 

Jesus, help me accept the fact that You have put me in control over my life.  Help me realize that if I don’t yield to You and the Holy Spirit’s purpose, I will never behave the way I should.  Teach me how to have a God-given free will that yields to these power-gifts with love.  Help me accept the responsibility of looking to You for guidance and training for how to use them.  Let me be used in such a way that it brings great glory to You and my heavenly Father. 

 

The Prophet Is Only As Loving As Their Training

1 Cor 14:33a (NIV) For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.  All aspects of faith-action involve practice; the moment you go from desire to study, to praying, to believing, to loving, to faith-action, and then to thankfulness, you are at the point of behavior.  You are faced with doing something in the spirit realm that is new to you.

 

Practice involves a person getting good at something they are new or untrained in.  The more you practice something, the better you get at it.  If you refuse to practice, you will never be good at it.  Even if you get good at something, if you stop practicing, you will gradually deteriorate in your abilities.  This is also true of faith-action in everything you learn and get empowered with in Jesus. 

 

Jesus, help me never feel like I have arrived at perfection in anything; help me always see myself practicing with You.  Let me always be a trainee, who is being led by You into all of life.  Teach me how to move into the life of the power-gifts; but, help me spend the rest of my life practicing with You.  Give me Your power-attitudes of being poor in spirit, mourning, meek, and hungering and thirsting after Your righteousness. 

 

God’s Word

1 Cor 14:36 (NIV) Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?  When you get to the place where you feel you have special insight into the things of God, you are in danger.  If you get to the place where you think you know something, you cease to hear from Jesus in that area.  Only if you stay open and teachable are you able to learn and constantly be in training by Him.  You will only be growing if you are willing to keep growing.  If you are grown, you stop growing; you close that door and just live on the basis of what you have.  Jesus is no longer being listened to; He is no longer training you because of your bad attitudes. 

 

Jesus, help me not have faith in my knowledge; help me have faith in You.  I thank You for all You are teaching me; but, I want to stay open in all areas.  Help me never trust what I know; help me always consult You on everything.  You alone have all knowledge, foreknowledge of the future, understanding, and wisdom.  Plus, You know which knowledge, foreknowledge, understanding, and wisdom should be applied to each situation. 

 

The Lord’s Command

1 Cor 14:37-38 (NIV) If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.  If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored.  Paul wasn’t perfect; yet when he was writing this and the other Books in the Bible, they were perfect.  In going about his normal life, he was an advanced, mature, adult Christian, but, wasn’t perfect.  But, when he dictated things God wanted in His Bible, it fell under the category of: What I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 

 

Jesus, help me not get confused about the authorship of the Books in the Bible.  You used humans to write them; but, it was You causing them to be written.  So, help me read these words as being Your words; help me understand that they have Your authority, power, knowledge, foreknowledge of the future, understanding, and wisdom.  Humans aren’t speaking or writing these words, they are just instruments who were used to write them down.  Let me read them and hear them as Your pure voice to me.  

 

Some Last Commands Of The Lord

1 Cor 14:39-40 (NIV) Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.  But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.  You aren’t perfect; but, when Jesus wants to prophesy through you, if you yield like Paul yielded to writing the Bible, Jesus’ pure words will flow through you.  This final sentence says it all; if you are motivated by love, you will follow the rules.  You won’t be looking for loopholes; you won’t try to see what you can get by with; you won’t stretch them, bend them, distort them, or break them.  Love will help you live them with purpose, obedience, and with the Spirit and life. 

 

Jesus, help me live my life and yield to the power-gifts of the Holy Spirit with love.  Help me fulfill these rules by submitting to the love-rules that sum them up.  Motivate me to love myself, others, and You with Your love that has the power to produce righteousness. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Fifty-Two

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

The Power-Gifts

 

Week Eleven Day Four

 

The Power-Gifts List

1 Cor 12:7-10 (NIV) Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.  To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.

 

Moving Into The Spirit Realm

1 Cor 12:11 (NIV) All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines.  Like with all the power-gifts, these people can’t produce these feats of power on demand, you can’t just go to them and get wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, or a message in tongues with an interpretation on request.  Jesus will use them in these specific areas; but, it only comes through them at specific moments for specific people and groups; it stays under God’s control. 

 

Providing Jesus’ Wisdom

The message of wisdom: Here’s one way Jesus’ voice will speak wisdom to you on a matter.  Jesus tells a person, who has this gift, a message of wisdom for another individual, so they can make a wise decision.  But, if you try to get wisdom from them during other times, you will probably just get their opinion on the matter.  It doesn’t make them a wise person; they are just being used when a message of wisdom is given to them.  And, it is limited only to a specific person for a specific time. 

 

Jesus, help me see that if I am being used or someone else is being used with this gift, it is not the same kind of truth as is in the Bible.  It is only for the person You send them to.  It is only to be applied by that person on that specific situation.  And, it is only to be applied that one time.  Help me not try to use a message of wisdom like it is a truth from the Bible. 

 

Providing Jesus’ Knowledge And Foreknowledge

The message of knowledge: The Holy Spirit gives some people the gift of the message of knowledge.  This empowers them to be able to share Jesus’ knowledge about the present and foreknowledge about the future with the people Jesus directs them to.  He will give this person a specific message of knowledge for a specific person or group at a specific time for a specific issue.  It is information that a person or group needs so as to be able to make a certain decision about something.  Jesus will use this person, under His leadership, to do this.

 

Jesus, help me be open to hear, understand, and share a specific message of knowledge.  Help me not try to use it for myself, add anything to it, or delay giving it to the person You want it shared with.  Help me not share it with anyone else.  Help me always receive such messages of knowledge as messages I have to submit to You.  Help me give them to You, so You can tell me how to use it, when to use it, who to use it with, why to use it, and where to use it.  Help me stay totally under Your Lordship. 

 

Providing A Faith Partner From Jesus

Faith: Sometimes you need a special partner in faith; Jesus speaks faith into you; but, you can feel alone and need human support.  The Holy Spirit gives the gift of faith to certain people.  Jesus goes with them on assignments to support someone who needs a friend of faith.  Together they will tackle the issue, assignment, or problem as a team.  Once the assignment is over, Jesus will speak faith into them for someone else.  But, these people only have faith for others, as Jesus decides to use them.  They don’t have this specific kind of faith at their own disposal. 

 

Jesus, help me experience this kind of faith from others.  And, let me be available to be a faith partner for others.  Help me be in such a faith relationship with You that is comes easy for me to join others in believing for those things they need.  Help me love them enough to be willing to be a part of any difficult issues they may be facing. 

 

Providing Jesus’ Healing Power

Gifts of healing: Jesus gives a gift of healing to a specific person from a specific person with this gift.  He will connect them through this power-gift of healing, so a suffering person can be healed.  Sometimes he will only use them once to give a gift of healing.  With other people, He will give them gifts of healing, as a typical part of their ministry. 

 

Jesus, help me know if or when You want me to be available through the Holy Spirit to bring healing to someone.  Help me see that it would be because You wanted that specific person healed of that specific malady.  Help me understand that You may not use me in that way ever again; but, let me be ready for whatever Your will is for me and for others. 

 

Providing A Miracle From Jesus

Miraculous powers: Sometimes you need a special miracle in a certain situation.  Often God gives you these miracles directly from Him to you. But, other times the miracle must come through one of these people who have this gift of miraculous powers.  This gives this person an opportunity to work together with Jesus in a mighty way.  It gives them a chance to show His love to you through them.  And, it helps tie all of you together as one body of Jesus. 

 

Jesus, it would be a privilege to be used by the Holy Spirit to take a miracle to someone.  Help me see that miraculous powers cover a lot of supernatural provisions.  Give me compassion for those who need these miracles, so I can be used without me feeling like I am special.  Help me be sensitive to such intense, severe needs that take miraculous powers to solve them. 

 

Providing A Message From Jesus

Prophecy: The main objective of this study has been for you to learn how to hear and obey Jesus’ voice for yourself.  You have been learning how to identify the character, attitudes, and personality of Jesus.  But, here you are seeing that Jesus wants to join you in getting involved in one another’s issues and needs.  So, He works together with people having the gift of prophecy.  This gives you and others an opportunity to deliver Jesus’ words to each other. 

 

Jesus, it is great to hear from You directly.  It would be impossible for me to go about my day without being able to communicate with You.  But, help me see that there are times when I am not receptive to something You are wanting to say.  Help me be able and willing to receive a prophecy for someone bearing Your message.  And, help me be open, so You can use me to give someone a special message to them. 

 

Identifying People’s Internal Spiritual Condition Through Jesus

Distinguishing between spirits: Satan comes as an angel of light; false prophets come as wolves in sheep’s clothing; thoughts pop up in your mind that sound very reasonable.  They may even come with a Scripture and may have the skin of a very good thing.  But, when it is unpacked and the internal contents are revealed, there is a lie, something wrong, bad, or evil, or a temptation within it.  Jesus and the person with this gift will come to you to help you see the source of the “opportunity.”  Or, Jesus will use you to go to someone else and warn them. 

 

These people are also used to identify people who have given themselves over to Satan.  There are people who try to infiltrate the Christian group but are satanic.  Everything about them can come across as being Biblical, godly, and righteous.  But, their motives are not the motives of love; they have a hidden agenda.  Jesus and the person with the gift of distinguishing between spirits address these situations as they arise. 

 

Jesus, I need You to be constantly revealing to me who people are that come across my path.  However, if there is a situation where I am so taken in by someone, help me be warned by one of Your people with this gift.  And, if You need to use me, help me be able to see the internal condition of someone who is about to deceive one of Your people.  Help me warn them. 

 

Providing Languages That Are Unknown Through Jesus

Speaking in different kinds of tongues: The Holy Spirit came on the disciples in Acts chapter two; these Christians were actually speaking languages they hadn’t learned but were languages that people in the crowd spoke.  We don’t have another instance where this happed in the Bible; but, we know it did happen.  For the most part speaking in different kinds of tongues has to do with either private devotions or is coupled with the interpretation of tongues.  It is typically an unknown tongue that the Holy Spirit picks for that situation. 

 

There are people who spend a lot of time in prayer alone with Jesus and are speaking in different kinds of tongues about other people.  This gift consists of a person praying for others in this Holy-Spirit-chosen language.  The Holy Spirit gives them this gift so Jesus can use them to pray for people they may not know, about things they aren’t aware of.  This happens during private times alone with Jesus.  They are able to pray in these tongues for others about things that are too complex for them to be able to express in their own language.  These can be issues so complex that it involves matters way over their heads; but, this prayer gets the job done. 

 

Jesus, if You want me to speak to someone in a language I have not learned, help me to believe You have the power to get it done.  Help me be willing to talk to them, even though I don’t know what I am saying.  If you need me to not only pray in other tongues for my edification but for others around the world in need, help me yield my mouth and tongue to You.  Help me be a willing and yielded person to speak in an unknown tongue for You. 

 

A Gift That Is Tied To Another Gift

The interpretation of tongues: Sometimes the Holy Spirit will give one person both gifts.  He will give them the gifts of tongues and interpretation.  He will give them the gift of giving a message through speaking in different kinds of tongues during a church service.  Then He will use them to give the interpretation to the church people.  But, there are certain people who just have one or the other of these gifts. 

 

So, if you have a person in a group meeting with the gift of speaking in different kinds of tongues.  They should only exercise that gift when there is someone with the gift of interpretation of tongues.  However, there might be one case where there would be someone in the group who knew that language.  In that case there would be no interpretation because the message was just for that person who understood it. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that speaking in different kinds of tongues is for the unbeliever.  It is a power-gift that shows them that You control all languages.  But, help me also understand that there can be times where I think I am to give a message in tongues and it is actually an intense desire to express my heart for my edification.  If I misunderstand and speak in tongues that isn’t a message in tongues because no one has this interpretation, help me not be embarrassed.  Help me just start quietly praying in the Spirit to myself and You. 

 

The Creative Voice Of Jesus

1 Cor 12:11 (NIV) All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines.  Jesus explained to you that the purpose of the Holy Spirit was just for bringing glory to Him.  These gifts are for the purpose of Jesus taking them and speaking to you through them.  You are used to human voices that just speak words.  Jesus speaks with the language of wisdom, knowledge and foreknowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, identifying spirits, tongues, and interpretations. 

 

Jesus, when I am learning how to hear, identify, understand, and obey Your voice, help me also be looking for these power-expressions; they too are Your voice.  Help me understand that I will be gaining access to these gifts because I have been baptized into the Holy Spirit.  He is orchestrating them in such a way that Your people are getting opportunities to be used by Him.  He is also doing this so that all the members in His body are getting their needs met.  Help all Your people to understand that the only way all of these gifts are going to function properly is for everyone to be listening carefully and knowledgeably to Your voice and obeying You.  Help me yield to this training in order for these gifts to operate with love and effectiveness. 

 

This concludes your reading and praying for today.

 

 

Truth/Prayer Pages Chapter Fifty-Three

Life After Being Baptized Into The Holy Spirit

The Body Of Christ

 

Week Eleven Day Five

 

 

Jesus’ New Kind Of Body

1 Cor 12:12 (NIV) The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ.

 

The Body Of Jesus

The body is a unit: You often see yourself as an individual Christian.  You have gone through the struggles of Romans 7:15-25 as a person who was trying to live the Christian life.  It was your problem; they were your failures; and it was something you had to get solved for yourself.  But, Jesus didn’t see it that way; He saw you as a part in His body.  Just like you have a whole body; so does Jesus.  But now, His body is different from His human body.  Each person who gets born again actually is united with all the other Christians around the world.  You were made a part of the body of Christ.  You are to unify and unite with all the rest of them. 

 

Jesus, I am thankful that I am not just one big blob of human tissue.  My body is made up of many parts; and every one of those parts serve a very important function.  I depend on every one of them for living a healthy, productive life.  Help me see that Your body does too.  Make it real to me that I came into Your body and am being made whole, healthy, and fully functional.  Teach me that all this desiring, studying, praying, believing, loving, taking faith-action, and being thankful has served a very important purpose for me in You and Your body. 

 

The body is a unit, though it is made up: As Jesus moves you into the spirit realm, He teaches you the unity and cooperation you already have in your human body.  If you aren’t handicapped or diseased, all your body parts and organs, function in complete unity, and, are giving you their complete cooperation.  There are times of training and practicing where you learn physical skills, emphasize certain parts of your body, and give them special attention; but, all your body parts yield to the assignment.  The legs may not know where they are going; but, they walk in the direction they are instructed.  The eyes turn to look at the objects they are led to observe.  The neck will assist, if it is needed to help the eyes be able to see that object. 

 

Jesus, You are trying to accomplish vital things in this world.  You are preparing, training, and developing me to have skills, abilities, talents, and experiences, so I can be a part of this goal.  Help me join You in being a part of Your Body that is present all over the world.  Help me give You the cooperation You need; help me yield to all this training and development, so I can be beneficial to all You are trying to do.  Empower me to have the strength, skills, and flexibility to immediately respond to everything You are trying to accomplish. 

 

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts: All your life you have only known what it is like to be encapsulated or contained in a body.  Your body creates a private barrier between you and all those around you. You were born with a personal, individual identity.  You see yourself as being a special unit that represents who you are; you see everyone else as not being you. But, your “I” is gradually exposed to places where you become a “we.”  You join a company, a team, a spouse, a friendship, or some other group.  But, you still see yourself as an “I” within that group or relationship.  You are a part of them; but, they aren’t you! 

 

Jesus, I have been praying to join You and Your life, message, ministry, and methods.  Now I see that part of joining You involves yielding to Your Body.  These power-gifts have to do with me hearing Your voice and then sharing what You spoke into me with a person You want to minister to.  This is teaching me the normal functions and unity with other members in Your Body.  Help me take a look at my body and see how dependent I am on full cooperation and health in it.  Then help me relate that to me being a member in Your Body. 

 

Individual Health

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many: Even though there are a lot of Christians around the world, they are all a part of just one Body.  They may not know, relate to that fact, or live on the basis of it; but, they are one of the many parts of Jesus’ Body.  And, just like you want all of the parts of your body to be healthy and fully functional, so does Jesus.  If one cell in your body becomes cancerous, if you know about it, it becomes a great concern to you. The average human body contains approximately 37.2 trillion cells in it.  But, you want every one of them to be healthy and fully functional; so does Jesus want this for every individual Christian. 

 

Jesus, I haven’t seen myself as a member of Your personal Body, I have been operating my life as an individual.  I have been setting my goals, making my plans, choosing my training, picking my career, and making my decisions based on individuality.  Help me see that You have a special place for me to start functioning with the other members of Your Body. 

 

Jesus, help me see that no business, company, or organization can succeed with people who aren’t willing to blend in with the other members.  Marriage, family, friendships, and associates are damaged by people who are selfish and individualistic.  Show me that even it these situations, I either unify, become a team, and learn how to care about others, or, I will hurt the group.  My body is only healthy and fully functional, if all its parts are cooperating and blending in with the rest.  Help me see that unity in my body makes success possible; any disease or damage creates handicaps.  Let me see that same principle with Your Body. 

 

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body: As you start desiring what Jesus is desiring, studying those things Jesus wants you to know, praying for those things He wants you to be given, looking to Him for the faith, so you can believe those things He wants you to believe you have, yielding to the motivations of love like He is instructing you to yield to, joining Him in full cooperation with faith-action, and always remaining thankful, you become healthy and fully functional, and become a part of accomplishing His worldwide plan. 

 

Jesus, I now see that I am a part of something much bigger than I realized.  You are making my part to be much more important than I have been able to see.  My spiritual, emotional, financial, relational, and physical health are very important to You.  I am a part of a very vital plan.  Since I am interlocked and included in all You are doing, help me gain all the abilities and skills I need.  Let me be able and empowered to immediately respond and fulfill all Your desires.  Help me not hinder Your Body in any way; help me be an enhancement to it. 

 

Placed In The Body

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ: Your arms and legs didn’t get to choose where they were placed.  Your eyes and ears don’t get to choose what their function is.  They are who they are.  And they do what they have been created to do.  If they don’t, the whole body suffers from their lack of health or functionality.  But, if they are healthy and cooperate with who they are, all the members of your body get the benefits. 

 

Jesus, this is a whole new concept for me.  I have been trying to hear, identify, understand, and respond to Your voice for me.  I am gradually starting to see that this is like the nerve system in my body.  You are speaking to me, so I will respond to the benefit of Your whole body.  My vision has been too small.  Help me see the big picture, so I can benefit everyone. 

 

So it is with Christ: Everyone came into this world for a purpose.  Every detail of their life was vital for shaping them into who they could become.  But, the final and most important shaping comes as a priority.  When they accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, they get the eternally important aspects of development, training, transformation, and shaping.

 

Jesus, help my life go in the direction that You designed me to go.  You put me here at the perfect time and place so I could be made into that perfect person for Your design.  Help me not be disappointed, resistive, or have other plans for me.  Give me a great appreciation for who You made me to be; let me excel in being the very best at it. 

 

The Way Jesus’ Body Functions

1 Cor 12:4-6 (NIV) There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.  You don’t know what is best for you; and, you sure don’t know what is best for the whole world; but, God does.  Rom 8:29-30 (NIV) For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified. 

 

Jesus, these power-gifts of the Holy Spirit and Your service or ministerial-gifts are working on a very big Body that covers many parts of the world.  It has been difficult just seeing myself as a part of my local church body.  Now I see I am connected to every Christian believer around the world.  Help me see how important it is for me to respond to Your voice like the parts of my body respond to the signals that activate them.  Help me have functionality, receptivity, and unity with the rest of Your Body, so I don’t become a diseased organ. 

 

Reaching Your Greatest Potential

For those God foreknew: The voice of Jesus to you will be somewhat different in content than what He says to others; He knows you personally.  Because He foreknew you, your function is different from those people in other places.  He has a unique, personal plan for you that He has orchestrated from the very beginning of time.  It is vital that you blend into it.  Just like you suffer, when any part of your body hurts, so does Jesus’ Body suffer with you. 

 

Jesus, make it clear to me that foreknew means, because You knew me before You made me, You picked the time, the place, the body, the gender, the experiences, the talents, the skills, the training, the spiritual gifts, and the spiritual growth I have received.  I am perfectly designed to fit into Your Body with Your people.  Nothing about me was a mistake or in need of a manufacture’s recall.  I am me, because I belong to a certain part of Your Body with everyone else.  My health, functionality, success, and spiritual growth is tied to every other member in Your body.  Show me that, that is why all these power-gifts and provisions are available to me. 

 

Jesus, help me understand that if my leg had dreams, goals, aspirations, and deep desires to be an ear, it wouldn’t be helpful.  If it tried to get training and develop a career as that body part, I wouldn’t get its cooperation.  Show me that, that is what happens when I don’t listen to Your voice.  I am like a leg that the nerves, sending the signals to it, aren’t able to cause it to respond.  I have looked around and decided who I want to be, what I want to do, and how I am going to go about becoming it.  Help me see that the problem is, I am placed into Your Body where I can best excel and be successful.  If I listen to Your voice, You will help me reach my highest potential, my greatest successes, and fulfill my greatest accomplishments, all because I allowed You to direct me to who I really am.  

 

For those God foreknew He also predestined: Each person has a destiny; there is a place where each person fits into life perfectly.  It is like one of your eyes going around trying to find where it belongs and what its purpose is.  It isn’t until it connects up to your body right where it belongs that it excels in its function.  And, it isn’t until it starts excelling in its function that you start getting all the benefits of the vision it provides. 

 

Hearing the voice of Jesus; rejecting all other voices and influences, and obeying Jesus’ instructions are when you move into that perfect, predestined place for you and for all the rest of the Body.  Just like you would suffer if you lost an eye, the Body of Jesus suffers if you aren’t healthy, fully functional, unified, trained, and obedient to the voice of Jesus.  

 

Jesus, help me be able to only listen to You; Since You predestined me, You are the only One Who knows where I belong and what I was meant to be.  Once I fully obey those things You tell me, I will fit in, reach my full potential, and really start enjoying life.  Let me join You in total obedience, so I can find my place and fulfill my purpose.  Let me totally yield to all You have for me. 

 

Accepting The Body

1 Cor 12:21a (NIV) The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” The voice of Jesus will be bringing you into unity with the rest of His body.  He will be training you for being ready for the gifts the Holy Spirit will be giving you.  You will love being who He has made you; you will excel naturally in the place He has put you; and, you will be blessed and be a blessing to yourself and a lot of other people. 

 

Jesus, help me find my place in Your body.  Tell me where You want me to connect to those You have picked for me.  Let the Holy Spirit give me special power-gifts. Give me the special gift of service or ministry that fits me; and help me yield to my heavenly Father as He gets me ready to do what I do best.  Show me what I need to yield to so I can reach my full potential in my place in Your Body. 

 

1 Cor 12:21b (NIV) And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”  A horrible disease can cause your body to reject other parts of your body.  Rather than accepting, nourishing, and unifying with all of its parts, it rejects some of it.  This can happen to you, if your attitudes and character aren’t completely developed and healed.  You feel separate from all the service or ministry gifts of Jesus, all the power-gifts of the Holy Spirit, and all the unifying works of your heavenly Father.  Jesus wants you and all other Christians to accept one another and work together in full cooperation with no parts rejecting other parts. 

 

Jesus, there is the disease of denominationalism, there are diseases of disunity, arguing, fighting, gossiping, backbiting, and factions.  Heal me of all denominationalism, all rejection, all pride, and all judgment.  Help me allow You to be in charge of who I am.  Let Your attitudes and character to be the influence on all I think, feel, say, and do.  Help me be a member of Your Body that is fully healthy, fully functional, and fully cooperative with You. 

 

 

Jesus Has Heard And Answered Your Prayers

It is time for you to take faith-action and live based on the fact that Jesus has heard and given you everything you studied and prayed for in these Study/Prayer Pages.  You can expect major changes in your behavior and lifestyle; and can spend a lot of time thanking Him for it.

 

Jesus wanted you to learn how to hear His voice and get the things you prayed for; He wants you to believe you have all these things, and are a completely healthy, fully functional, and fully unified member of His Body.  He wants you to believe you have a special service or ministry gift, and, that the Holy Spirit gave you special power-gifts to equip you with, and that your heavenly Father is moving you into His plan for your life.  Let Jesus be the Savior, Lord, and God of your life so you can reach your full potential in Him.

 

This concludes your reading and praying for this book.  CONGRATULATIONS!