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The year 2005 has certainly been full of trials for me. It's also been a good year, since we have had the opportunity the Lord has given us to learn, change, and grow. So, let's be fruitful the upcoming year, showing progress with what the Lord has taught us.
I could spend entire days praying for help, and then try to squeeze in worship and thanksgiving somewhere in between. Through the holidays for instance, Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving.
Seeking the Lord's help for self, and help for others, we can get burned out rather than filled up. Perhaps, burdened with guilt for our forgetfulness to pray for others.
We certainly do require help, but learn to be more specific in prayer, without being superficial. There are so many areas that we all could truly use God's help; Spiritually, physically, financially, with our families, friends, attitudes, deliverance, miracles, forgiveness, so on and so forth.
How can we use the better part of our prayer time for worship and thanksgiving, when so much help is needed?
As I open my Bible, beginning with *Acts 3:1-16. I noticed particular items about the New Testament patriarchs.
Peter and John here, seen a need and heard a plea for help.
1) *Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
The first specific requirement, is to have the faith. Believe in and on Jesus Christ our Lord. That's all, and Jesus does the rest. God does the work. We have only to be obedient to the gospel as Christians, for the work was finished at the cross. We certainly cannot perform miracles ourselves, we cannot save any soul, and so we cannot claim that we did any of these works.
2) Be quick, and specific to respond to the need.
Peter and John looked at the lame man, full of the Holy Ghost and simply prayed. There were no long winded praying until they begin to pour a sweat.
It's not necessary to yell. If we whisper a prayer from the heart...God has ears to hear. God's eyes see what is in our hearts, and his ears hear what our hearts are saying. However, we confess with our mouths, from the heart that Jesus Christ is Lord in all we do. This confession is a life long amplification of our faith.
*Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.
Uh-oh! How many times have we told someone that we will pray, and put it on a shelf, or just too tired later on to remember? The solution is, when we see a prayer request, or need...Pray instantly.
3) Peter didn't begin with, "Our Father..." Not that Peter and John weren't being obedient to the gospel, quite the contrary. The name Jesus, means Jehovah Salvation or Savior.
*Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I to you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazereth, rise up and walk."
4) They then reached out and took the lame man's right hand, and he stood leaping, and walking. The former lame man, walked with them into the temple praising God!
They received a blessing throughout the day glorifying God, giving him thanks, and in witnessing to non-believers.
All things worked to the good in these instances. God inhabits the praise of his people.
*Psalms 22:3 But You are holy, O You that inhabits the praises of Israel.
When casting out devils, baptizing, or laying hands on the sick and afflicted, the Bible shows us throughout the New Testament the same theory as shown above. Be specific, instant, and to the point through the faith in Christ Jesus our Lord, which is the gospel.
*Mathew 10:7-9
And as you go, preach saying, the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Salvation)
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils:
freely you have received, freely give.
This year 2006, Let us make it our resolution, to be a present help through Jesus Christ our Lord, having time to glorify God.
*KJV
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