PRAYING TO THE LORD FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS

Prayer- secret, fervent, believing prayer- lies at the root of all personal godliness. --Carey's Brotherhood

The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29

    Many people pray for things. Many people pray only in times of need. Many people pray when they have tried everything else. Many people pray for you when you have prayed for them. What are your reasons of prayer this morning? For me, I just want to talk to the Lord like Adam did, like Jacob did, like David did, like Peter did, like Jesus did… "not my will but thine be done…"

JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE

Either you’re growing closer to the Lord or you have grown stagnant.

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18

            Here are three ways to have a closer walk with the Lord; consider the Blessed Hope (Titus 2:11-14), crave the Blessed Book (2 Timothy 2:15), and call upon the Blessed Saviour (Hebrews 4:16).  Don’t starve yourself of the Word of God, saturate yourself with it!

MIA- REPENTANCE

Sin and hell are married unless repentance proclaims the divorce. -Spurgeon

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

      I believe many people make salvation harder than what scripture proclaims. I believe they read into the Word of God something that just isn’t there. I do not know why they do this other than to make themselves seem to be more intellectual but many people are going to hell because they believe they are not and cannot be part of the chosen few.

      While I do believe there will only be a few that repents and comes to Jesus, it’s not because God doesn’t offer it to them, it because many will not repent and choose to serve God. They will not accept Jesus so they choose to spend an eternity in a devils hell.

Have you repented? Have you chosen to serve the Lord? Have you cried out to Him and asked Him to forgive you of your sins? If not—why not? If not now—when? Do not put off today what you’re not guaranteed of tomorrow! “…And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31

JESUS PRAYS FOR HIS PEOPLE

Who are you praying for this morning?

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Luke 22:32

Some of the sweetest words you will ever hear is when you hear someone else praying for you. It is a humbling experience knowing someone is taking time out of their schedule to lift you up to our Saviour. Can you imagine hearing Jesus is praying for you? Well that’s exactly what He is doing every day for you and I! He is making intercession for us. “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:34

If Jesus and fellow Christians are praying for you, who are you praying for  this morning?

VICTORY IN DEATH

Satan thought Jesus was defeated but God had other plans!

And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? Luke 24:5

Many in this world are staggering around just like those women the first Easter morning; they are hopeless. Hopeless because they have never heard the Good News of the Gospel or they have rejected what they have heard because of pride. Many would rather stay right where they are at, in misery, rather than humble themselves. Many “live” defeated even though God has other plans for them, all they have to do is humble themselves.

Are you one of those people? Are you hanging on to a prayer prayed when you were young but there was never a change in your heart? Humble yourself! Do you feel unworthy of God’s salvation? He came seeking the mightiest of sinners so humble yourself!

Satan surely thinks you are defeated today just like He thought Jesus was but God has other plans for you! Would you like to remain defeated or would you like to have victory? All you have to do is humble yourself, asking God to forgive you of your sins, and trusting Jesus as Saviour!

WICKED BUT LOVED

Jesus knew Judas’ heart but yet He loved him anyway.

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10

Can you imagine knowing someone was going to betray you and yet you allowed someone to kill you for them? Yes, that is exactly what Jesus did for Judas. He knew Judas was going to betray Him, yet He loved him. All the time He was washing Judas’ feet, He loved Judas. He knew He was going to the Cross. All the time He was being beaten, He loved Judas. All the time He was hanging on the Cross, He loved Judas. When He became sin, He loved Judas. And when He got up from that grave, He loved Judas. But it was too late for Judas….he had hanged Himself.

            I can’t fathom the love Jesus showed on the Cross the day He was crucified. It is mind boggling to me that He would suffer so much for such an unworthy sinner such as... not Judas… but I. You see Judas represents me. I was the unworthy one. I betrayed Jesus. I was the one that cause Him to be beaten. I was the one that put Him on the Cross. I was the one that caused Him to be pierced. I was the one He was talking about when He said, Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” It was for me He died, for me He was crucified, but praise be to God it wasn’t too late for me… He arose for me and He saved my wicked, wretched soul!

What about you? Have you been saved or will it be too late for you one day? 

STILL SINNING?

Salvation brings with it the Holy Spirit, in which, He gives us the ability to have victory over sin!

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17!

            What sin are you still succumbing to? What sin is it that so easily besets you? If you could have victory over it today—what would you give? You don’t have to give up any time. You don’t have to give up your God- given abilities. You don’t even have to give any money. There is only one thing that you can give that will make a difference—Yourself!

            God doesn’t need your money. He doesn’t need your time. He doesn’t need your abilities! What He needs is your availability! Are you willing to be available for Him so you will have victory over your sin?

VICTORY IS IN JESUS!

Every victory that we have is because of the Lord Jesus!

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

      As I was standing by the graveside yesterday for a dear saint of God, I was thinking about the victories God has given, is giving, and will give one day. It’s all because of God’s amazing grace! No really, it is! Every victory I have in my life can be traced back to Jesus. If it had not been for Jesus, I wouldn’t have met my wife. If it wasn’t for Jesus, I wouldn’t have gotten saved. If it wasn’t for Jesus, I wouldn’t be preaching. If it wasn’t for Jesus, I wouldn’t have a home reserved for me in Heaven! If it wasn’t for Jesus, I wouldn’t be able to spend eternity with Him!

What about you, what victory has He given you?

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

When God measures a man, he puts the tape around the heart not the head. –Anonymous

            Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. John 13:1

I sure am glad Jesus loved His disciples “…unto the end.” When Judas betrayed Him… He loved Him. When Peter denied Him… He loved Him. When He was hanging on the Cross for my sin… He loved me! His love doesn’t change due to circumstances… it remains. 

JESUS, THERE’S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT THAT NAME!!!

Jesus Christ is light to the eye, honey to the taste, music to the ear, joy to the heart. –Spurgeon

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12

So what are you known for; the things you are against or the things you are for? While standards are good and necessary if that is what defines you and I in our ministry, we have missed the message of the Gospel! What is that message? Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, there’ just something about that name!

LOOKING FOR LOVE IN ALL THE WRONG PLACES

Life without Jesus is like a Doughnut, you have a hole in your heart. Accept Jesus and fill the hole with Love.—The Doughnut Man

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Proverbs 8:17

    Johnny Lee had a popular song in 1980, “Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places.” The first three verses go like this, “I spent a lifetime lookin' for you. Single bars and good time lovers were never true. Playing a fools game, hopin' to win.” The song hit the Billboard tops and has been a hit ever since. I think this is because people of all walks of life are doing this very thing—looking for love in all the wrong places.

   They’re looking for love at the beach and the mountains. They’re looking for it as they climb the corporate ladder. They’re looking for it at the bar. They are looking for it in their bank account. There are so many places one can look but until you look to Jesus— you will always come up empty.

DON’T MISS OUT!

The difference between listening to a radio sermon and going to church, someone has said, is almost like the difference between calling your girl on the telephone and spending an evening with her. -Moody

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

If you knew you would get a raise if you worked every day for the next month, you would be at work early every day. Yet, there is a 100% guarantee that God will grow your faith through the preaching of His Word and you neglect it. Paul Chappell said, “What if the sermon you deliberately missed was meant to change your entire life for the better?”

Child of God, GET UP, GET READY, and GO TO CHURCH! Not just today but every time the doors are open!

CHOSEN BY THE LORD

Your life has a God given purpose and no one else will suffice.—Jay O’Dell

“…The Lord hath need of him.” Luke 19:34

God didn’t need the colt but He chose to use it to get Him where He wanted to go! Just like that colt, He doesn’t need any of us but I sure am thankful He chooses to use us! He chose us all for salvation! He chose us all for sanctification. He chose us all to serve Him! You may not know what God wants you to do as of yet but know this— God chose you to fulfil that God given purpose.

TOO BUSY TO SERVE?

      Loyalty that will do anything, that will endure anything, that will make the whole being consecrate to Him, is what Christ wants. Anything else is not worthy of Him. --Burdett Hart

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2

      It has been said that 10% of any given church does 100% of the work. I wonder why that is. I wonder why someone can’t see the need to give of their time, talents, and treasures. I wonder why we hoard up what God has given so freely. Maybe if we were to follow His example we would see others follow suit.

WHY DO YOU DOUBT?

The very word murmur, how simple it is, made up to two infantile sounds- mur mur. No sense in it, no wit in it, no thought in it.  It is the cry rather of a brute than of a man. Murmur-just a double groan. – Spurgeon

Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. John 6:43

Jesus was explaining to the Jews who He was yet they didn’t believe. They went even further, they murmured amongst themselves against Him. They tried to explain Him away,

They said He was just another boy: “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph…”

They said He was not the Son of God: “… whose father and mother we know?”

They said he was not sent from Heaven: “… how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?”

    When you hear about what the Bible says who Jesus is, what do you think? Do you doubt He is who He says He is? Do you doubt He is the Son of God? Do you doubt He was sent from Heaven? Your response will determine where you will spend eternity. Are you prepared to live or perish with your response?

GO OUT AND TELL THE WORLD!

      You will never make a missionary of the person who does no good at home. He that will not serve the Lord in the Sunday school at home will not win children to Christ in China. –Spurgeon

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

       As the colt carried Jesus into Jerusalem, you and I need to carry Him into the world! We need to carry Him across the Street, across the State, and across the Sea. There should not be any place He is not shared… your next door neighbor needs to hear along with the nation down under!

STAND UP IN THE STORM

            Give us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand for, because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything. --Peter Marshall

            Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Ephesians 6:13-16

            Thunderstorms are something to wake up to. The patter of rain on the roof has a magical sound that is hypnotic in a sense. If we are not careful, we will all turn the alarm clock off and just go back to sleep!

            Friend, during the storms of your life don’t hit the snooze button or turn the clock off, there isn’t any time for that. There is a spiritual war going on and if you are going to have victory over your flesh, you’re going to wake up and get busy. Get busy preparing for the battles of the day by:

1. Getting into God’s Word. (Psalm 119:11)

2. Confessing known sin. (Proverbs 28:13)

3. Praising the Lord for past, present, and future victories. (Psalm 33:1)

4. Having faith! (Hebrews 11:6)

How prepared are you for today’s battles?

JESUS SAVES! JESUS SAVES!

The greatest of all miracles is the salvation of a soul. –Spurgeon

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

It still amazes me when a wretched soul receives Jesus as Saviour. There is no greater joy than to see the Lord transform a helpless, hopeless soul into a victorious message of redemption. It brings me to a question this morning; “Where will you spend eternity?”

YES, HELL IS REAL!

   It is shocking to reflect that a change in the weather has more effect on some men's lives than the dread alternative of heaven or hell. –Spurgeon

And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Luke 16:23

    One question that lingers in everyone’s mind is, “What’s after this life?” But those same people don’t believe it when you tell them about Heaven or Hell. They don’t believe God would send someone to a place of everlasting punishment. They don’t believe there is only One way to Heaven. Well, when the rich man lifted his eyes in Hell…he began to believe. Don’t be like the rich man—“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

NEVER QUIT!

Cumberland said, “Better to wear out than to rust out.”

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Ephesians 4:28

     Paul challenges the church at Ephesus to serve the Lord daily in their Christian walk; to put off the old man, to speak truth, to hate sin, to not give place the devil, then I see in verse 28 a help to do it all—“but rather let him labour”. When we work for the Lord with the right heart attitude it’s hard to be doing the things we shouldn’t.

     So on this Saturday morning get up and do something for the Lord! Go visit some shut-ins. Go visit someone in the hospital. Go help an elderly person around their house. Go on visitation with your pastor. Go invite someone to church tomorrow! Never quit, don't rust out because you're not doing anything, just wear out for the Lord!