Bible League: Living His Word And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.— Ephesians 6:18 NIV True prayer to an omniscient and omnipotent God should have these qualities: be of the Spirit, be from the heart, and be about all topics. First, prayer should be of the Spirit and not of the flesh. What is the "flesh?" The word "flesh" is often used by the Apostle Paul in his letters as a metaphor for the sinful human nature. Prayers born of the flesh are selfish, self-centered prayers. They are prayers born of misdirected and sinful desires, rather than from the Spirit of God. Why would anyone want to pray that way? People that pray fleshly prayers are trying to get God to do their will, rather than trying to do the will of God. They are trying to use God's supernatural power to bring their desires into reality. Second, prayer should be by the Spirit and not by rote. What is prayer by rote? It is prayer that is mechanical and repetitious in nature. It is prayer that comes more from a habitual pattern, rather than from a heart open to the Spirit. As a result, prayer by rote is not sincere. It is done without much thought about the meaning of what is being said. It is not the cry of a heart seeking God. Why would anyone want to pray that way? People that pray by rote are trying to fulfill a legalistic requirement, rather than flowing in the power of the Spirit. Finally, prayer should be by the Spirit and "with all kinds of prayers and requests." Prayer can and should be about anything the Spirit inspires us to pray about. There should not be any arbitrary and unbiblical limits placed upon it. Some, for example, think they should only pray for other people. Some think they should only pray for "spiritual" things. And some think they should only pray for very important things. In this way, people place limits on prayer. Why would anyone limit prayer? People that limit prayer mistakenly think that prayer is a bother to God. Hence, they try to limit their requests to what they think will least bother Him. In contrast, prayer that comes from the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit and from a heart that is open to the Spirit of God, will almost automatically avoid these three misguided ways of prayer. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingProverbs 9, 10 Proverbs 9 -- Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Proverbs 10 -- A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading 1 Corinthians 15:1-32 1 Corinthians 15 -- The Resurrection of Christ, the Dead and the Body NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion The others accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go.The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.” Insight Peter and John were warned repeatedly not to preach, but they continued in spite of the threats. We, too, should live as Christ has asked us to, sharing our faith no matter what the cost. Challenge We may not be beaten or thrown in jail, but we may be ridiculed, ostracized, or slandered. To what extent are you willing to suffer for the sake of sharing the gospel with others? Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Galatians 5:18 If ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.He who looks at his own character and position from a legal point of view, will not only despair when he comes to the end of his reckoning, but if he be a wise man he will despair at the beginning; for if we are to be judged on the footing of the law, there shall no flesh living be justified. How blessed to know that we dwell in the domains of grace and not of law! When thinking of my state before God the question is not, "Am I perfect in myself before the law?" but, "Am I perfect in Christ Jesus?" That is a very different matter. We need not enquire, "Am I without sin naturally?" but, "Have I been washed in the fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness?" It is not "Am I in myself well pleasing to God?" but it is "Am I accepted in the Beloved?" The Christian views his evidences from the top of Sinai, and grows alarmed concerning his salvation; it were better far if he read his title by the light of Calvary. "Why," saith he, "my faith has unbelief in it, it is not able to save me." Suppose he had considered the object of his faith instead of his faith, then he would have said, "There is no failure in him, and therefore I am safe." He sighs over his hope: "Ah! my hope is marred and dimmed by an anxious carefulness about present things; how can I be accepted?" Had he regarded the ground of his hope, he would have seen that the promise of God standeth sure, and that whatever our doubts may be, the oath and promise never fail. Ah! believer, it is safer always for you to be led of the Spirit into gospel liberty than to wear legal fetters. Judge yourself at what Christ is rather than at what you are. Satan will try to mar your peace by reminding you of your sinfulness and imperfections: you can only meet his accusations by faithfully adhering to the gospel and refusing to wear the yoke of bondage. Daily Light on the Daily Path Isaiah 21:11 The oracle concerning Edom. One keeps calling to me from Seir, "Watchman, how far gone is the night? Watchman, how far gone is the night?"Romans 13:11,12 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. • The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Matthew 24:32,33,35 "Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; • so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. • "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. Psalm 130:5,6 I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope. • My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning. Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Matthew 25:13 "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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