We are praying and seeking the Lord as to how these gatherings continue forward and what it looks like. Suffice to say that there will be alternating evenings of prayer and worship and time in the Word. For now, our focus will definitely be on prayer, and things related to prayer, to get us into a deeper place of revelation, as we begin engaging in active prayer. Part of our being Spirit-led is allowing the Spirit to guide us even in our format for meeting.<\/p>\n
I do hope these meetings have had impact on your prayer life, on how you look at prayer and how you engage in prayer, and how you appreciate the \u201cprayer opportunity\u201d. More than the \u201ccharge\u201d and the \u201cinstruction\u201d and the \u201cadmonition\u201d to pray, what is wonderful is when we get to a place of understanding that prayer is an opportunity for the Kingdom of heaven to come in and invade the kingdom of man \u2013 through our revelation of God\u2019s will, through our anointing that is imparted to us, through our ability to take before the throne of the King the issues of life.<\/p>\n
Quite importantly, in these most-shaking days, it\u2019s also critical for us to understand the URGENT REQUIREMENT for the prayer of the saints.
\nIt will be our survival and success, and in large part it could mean the survival of our society and our nation.<\/p>\n
Each and every day is demonstrating the increase in intensity and frequency of wild events.
\nMan grows in his defiance of God.<\/p>\n
I recently wrote something called: \u201cTHE EXALTATION OF WICKEDNESS\u201d.
\nPs 12 begins w the psalmist crying: \u201cHelp O Lord for the godly man ceases\u201d and then concludes w the revelation as to why things are so awful, and getting worse all the time, until the return of the Lord.<\/p>\n
The spiritual forces behind all this is not going to be withstood unless and until the church is praying as it called to pray.<\/p>\n
Isa 28 offers a prophetic promise to the warriors of the Lord who understand the battle, and also the reward to those who would engage: This is A season during which we should be prioritizing prayer, and in many way I believe it is THE season, prior to the Lord\u2019s return, when we need to be prioritizing prayer in order to finish well.<\/p>\n AND SPEAKING OF GATES \u2013 points of entry – HERE IS THE HOPE:<\/p>\n Ps 24 (we touched on this earlier) – but this time the complete psalm \u2013 to reveal our qualifications to be receivers of His presence. (The declaration of God\u2019s sovereign ownership by virtue of it being His creation) (The question of ANY PERSON\u2019S qualification) (The qualifications for attendance) (The reward for that \u201cperfect person\u201d who might possess those qualities \u2013 which in the natural would disqualify us all) (The miraculous revelation that there exists SOMETHING that can qualify even those whose fundamental spiritual DNA would disqualify them even from the womb \u2013 Jacob being referred to as \u201cthe deceiver\u201d or \u201csupplanter\u201d \u2013 AND ALSO THE REVELATION as to what would over-ride that disqualification: DESPERATE HUNGER) (NOW, with that revelation \u2013 here\u2019s the invitation to those who recognize their sincere hunger qualifies them) (THE ASSURANCE AND THE PROMISE) (THE QUESTION AND THE ANSWER: The One who reigns in sovereign authority) Here\u2019s what the Lord confirms in Isa 65 \u2013 after dealing w the majority of the ones who are NOT going after Him in spirit and in truth: THE REVELATION OF THE REMNANT THE PROMISE THE CONFIRMATION OF REWARD FOR SEEKING HIM THE CHASE needs to be on. In determining to CHASE GOD, we enter into the qualified group that is invited to lift up their heads, so the King of glory might come in. To be effective, we should pray ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES. There are assurances, when we pray accurately, w understanding.<\/p>\n A FAVORITE PLACE for me, in these days, as we see a society eroding because of its raging against God. It\u2019s good to understand this Psalm, LIKE ANY PSALM, so it can be prayed effectively. THAT IS WHY we want the Word in us, and understood by us \u2013 so that our prayers can be most effective. In fact, it has very much been to the contrary. But we know this WILL HAPPEN. So we can wait w expectation for these things to occur, and for the fullness of these verses to happen \u2013 and I believe our prayers can activate these events to happen, as we fill those bowls in heaven.<\/p>\n Understanding these intended purposes, and praying in faith, we are literally partnering w God in His word not returning void, but instead, in His word being fulfilled.<\/p>\n LOOKING AT \u201cTHE WORD OF GOD NOT RETURNING VOID\u2026.\u201d \u2013 often proclaimed, and then nothing happens. Let\u2019s see how that is explained to us:<\/p>\n ISA 55<\/strong> 6 Seek the Lord while He may be found, 8 \u201cFor My thoughts are not your thoughts, 9 \u201cFor as the heavens are higher than the earth, 10 \u201cFor as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, 11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; THAT is HOW you want to be praying \u2013 in ALIGNMENT and OBEDIENCE and LED by the Spirit of God, so that your prayers can truly be prayed in the faith that you are speaking and proclaiming the word of God \u2013 and can believe Him for success in your prayers \u2013 that your prayers do not return void.<\/p>\n If WE are praying simply what we are THINKING, we\u2019re already told WHAT God is thinking is higher than what WE are thinking.<\/p>\n And God\u2019s desire is to reveal to us what He is thinking: THERE is an ACTIVE AND ONGOING REVELATION OF THE SPIRIT that we are going after. Remember when Jesus was responding to Satan\u2019s lies, and told him this: Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 8 (a favorite chapter of mine as it led me on an amazing journey of revelation, years ago, that continues to this day). (YOU CAN READ THE FOLLOWING ON YOUR OWN \u2013 I don\u2019t want to get hung up on this cool thing, for time-sake) What would more accurately be written would be: FOR our prayer-focused purposes in this class \u2013 that is NOT what I want to focus on. I want us to consider THE TENSE of WHAT IS COMING OUT OF GOD\u2019S MOUTH.<\/p>\n We would do well to understand that the PROCESSION of the revealed will of God CONTINUES, always.<\/p>\n Jesus did NOT recite Deut 8 and tell us \u201c\u2026every (word) that proceeded (in the past) from the mouth of God\u201d.<\/p>\n The ongoing revelation of His will is revealed to us, oftentimes, as we pray. This coordinates perfectly w Romans 8 \u2013 once again \u2013 so that we recognize the critical nature of Spirit-led, Spirit-infused LIFE and PRAYER:<\/p>\n Rom 8:14-28<\/strong> 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.<\/p>\n 23-25 speak to a groaning work of waiting, w expectation, and then tells us this is God\u2019s HELPER for us during this travailing period<\/p>\n 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.<\/em><\/p>\n (HERE\u2019S THE GOOD NEWS AND GREAT RELIEF RE THE EFFECTIVENESS AND POTENTIAL OF HOLY-SPIRIT INFUSED PRAYER: We don\u2019t really need to know all the things we specifically need to be praying for, nor HOW to pray for some of them \u2013 because the Holy Spirit, IN US, is in complete harmony with the purposes of heaven, and HE KNOWS how we ought to be praying. He wants to pray FOR YOU THROUGH YOU) PAUL\u2019S DISCOURSE ON TONGUES AND HOLY SPIRIT PRAYER, leading into PROPHECY<\/p>\n He starts by saying this: Then he interrupts his 2-chapter instructional by telling us that unless we\u2019re doing everything and anything out of true love, it is simply noise, and religion. I believe, in large part, that is why Jesus said the following \u2013 THIS IS CRITICAL FOR US TO UNDERSTAND AS THE CHALLENGE APPROACH US: Luke 12<\/strong> What we see, above, is Jesus assuring us of a Spirit-directed life in the most critical of times, and those times are being resisted EVEN by the ones who ought to be understanding the things of God.<\/p>\n The greater sin is calling the spirit-active components of God \u201cunclean\u201d or \u201cdemonic\u201d or \u201cnot of God\u201d \u2013 which actually takes place more IN church than OUT of church. Preemptively, that is why Paul told us he did not want us ignorant of these things \u2013 because the church has blasphemously led many saints into that ignorance, speaking and teaching against these critical verses. And ignorance of the fullness of the Kingdom plan hamstrings saints. ONE KEY to understanding these verses in Corinthians is to recognize when it says SPEAK and when it says PRAY\/PRAYER.<\/p>\n SPEAKING is public speaking out. LALEO \u2013 g2980.<\/strong> \u03bb\u03b1\u03bb\u03ad\u03c9 lale\u014d; a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. utter words: \u2014 preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter.<\/p>\n PROSEUCHOMAI – g4336.<\/strong> \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c3\u03b5\u03cd\u03c7\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9; from 4314 and 2172; to pray to God,<\/p>\n 1 Cor 14<\/strong> Then Paul goes on to reveal to us that our obedience to opening our mouths, in the Spirit, and praying and speaking in tongues \u2013 although it does not EDIFY (build up) OTHERS, it will edify our own spirits, so that we might prophesy.<\/p>\n And he tells us that our obedience to this spiritual charge is a prophetic declaration to the unbelieving world that one kingdom has been called by God to invade and overtake another kingdom. ISA 28<\/em><\/strong> So we would do well to be filled w the Spirit of God, and to walk in all the fullness of the provisions of God, to accomplish His purposes. THAT will open the door for our infilling.<\/p>\n This is why Jesus told His disciples: ACTS 1<\/strong> LET\u2019S PRAY RIGHT NOW \u2013 for that infilling of the Spirit \u2013 be it your first time or your thousandth time.<\/p>\n BACK TO HAGGAI (which we read earlier) \u2013 the PROMISE OF GLORY around the time of the SHAKING-WORK: There is a distinct correlation between PRAYER, THE PRESENCE OF GOD, AND THE FILLING WITH GLORY: Isaiah tells us the GLORY-FILLED FINAL TEMPLE is going to be a certain kind of place \u2013 accessible to Jew and Gentile alike \u2013 this is the temple that the Lord WE NEED TO GET A VISION OF THIS END-PLAN: Isa 56:6-7<\/strong><\/em> God\u2019s great plan has ONE age<\/strong> coming to an end, and THE NEXT age<\/strong> immediately following, like DAY follows NIGHT. I believe the season we are entering, and in fact have already entered, is a season of intensified conflict. GOD, knowing that, is allowing our prayers to WORK when they are in alignment w Him and His word, and also to NOT WORK when they are out of that alignment.<\/p>\n HE IS TRAINING US TO ENGAGE IN PRAYER WARFARE, EFFECTIVELY, NOW.<\/p>\n What we are seeing in these and many other prophetic verses is an IMAGE OF THE PURPOSES OF GOD at the END of THIS AGE, and then extending into the NEXT AGE.<\/p>\n Furthermore, and critical for our understanding of the PRIORITY OF PRAYER is this amazing fact that ought to ignite our understanding of: CRITICAL NT REVELATION as to God\u2019s prophetic plan \u2013 that WILL SURELY come to pass \u2013 is the BATTLE FOR OUR WORSHIP.<\/p>\n The scriptures make it clear that Satan\u2019s ultimate goal was to get Jesus Himself to worship him. THE RESISTANCE TO OUR PRAYERS, and our PRAYING: Besides Satan\u2019s promise to Jesus \u2013 that He\u2019d get everything were He to worship Satan, it was and remains in complete opposition to the purpose of mankind. This is why WE, as redeemed creatures, consistently encounter so much opposition to prayer \u2013 opposition to wanting to pray, to engage in prayer, to remain in prayer, to stay awake in prayer, and to surrender in prayer.<\/p>\n Some Biblical Promises \u2013 and we\u2019re invited to remind the Lord of His promises: WRAPPING UP TONIGHT and looking at the amazing response and promise BY GOD, after Solomon had so powerfully and so accurately prayed at the dedication of the temple: SHORTLY THEREAFTER All scriptures NKJV<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We are praying and seeking the Lord as to how these gatherings continue forward and what it looks like. Suffice to say that there will be alternating evenings of prayer and worship and time in the Word. For now, our … Continue reading
\nIsa 28<\/strong>
\n5 In that day the Lord of hosts will be
\nFor a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty
\nTo the remnant of His people,
\n6 For a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment,
\nAnd for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nPsalm 24:<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n
\n1 The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,
\nThe world and those who dwell therein.
\n2 For He has founded it upon the seas,
\nAnd established it upon the waters.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
\nOr who may stand in His holy place?<\/em><\/p>\n
\n4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
\nWho has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
\nNor sworn deceitfully.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord,
\nAnd righteousness from the God of his salvation.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him,
\nWho seek Your face.
\nSelah<\/em><\/p>\n
\n7 Lift up your heads, O you gates!
\nAnd be lifted up, you everlasting doors!<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAnd the King of glory shall come in.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n8 Who is this King of glory?
\nThe Lord strong and mighty,
\nThe Lord mighty in battle.
\n9 Lift up your heads, O you gates!
\nLift up, you everlasting doors!
\nAnd the King of glory shall come in.
\n10 Who is this King of glory?
\nThe Lord of hosts,
\nHe is the King of glory.
\nSelah<\/em><\/p>\n
\nISA 6<\/em>5<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n8 Thus says the Lord:
\n\u201cAs the new wine is found in the cluster,
\nAnd one says, \u2018Do not destroy it,
\nFor a blessing is in it,\u2019
\nSo will I do for My servants\u2019 sake,
\nThat I may not destroy them all.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n9 I will bring forth descendants from Jacob,
\nAnd from Judah an heir of My mountains;
\nMy elect shall inherit it,
\nAnd My servants shall dwell there.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n10 Sharon shall be a fold of flocks,
\nAnd the Valley of Achor a place for herds to lie down,
\nFor My people who have sought Me.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nThat is our choice.
\nWe choose to chase God.<\/p>\n
\nAnd there is no better place for that, than the place of prayer – the intimate and personal place – even when we gather in groups – where time is spent on God and time spent with God.<\/p>\n
\nI KNOW Psalm 125 CONTAINS A PROMISE, AND I KNOW I AM NOT \u201cSTRETCHING IT\u201d FOR MY PURPOSES \u2013 SO I CAN PRAY IT W CONFIDENCE OF ITS ACCURACY.
\nPsalm 125:1-3<\/strong>
\n1 Those who trust in the Lord
\nAre like Mount Zion,
\nWhich cannot be moved, but abides forever.
\n2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
\nSo the Lord surrounds His people
\nFrom this time forth and forever.
\n3 For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest
\nOn the land allotted to the righteous,
\nLest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAt first blush, it looks like it is ABOUT Mount Zion in Jerusalem \u2013 but it is not. The promise is way broader than that. It says THOSE \u2013 any people group, anywhere, who trust in the Lord will be LIKE (equivalent to, seen by God as) Mount Zion \u2013 and that becomes unmovable.
\nThen verse assures that IN LIKE MANNER AS HOW GOD SURROUNDS JERUSALEM \u2013 He will surround that group who trust in Him \u2013 and that is a \u201cforevermore\u201d promise.
\nThen verse 3 \u2013 which is pregnant w promise, tells us that a covenant land can gain access to a place of rescue and deliverance because \u2013 if we\u2019re reading the Word \u2013 we know God is QANA over His people, all around the world – any place on earth.<\/p>\n
\nLook at these portions of Isa 55 \u2013 They are HHY \u2013 HAVEN\u2019T HAPPENED YET. We know the nations have not yet flocked to the people of God.<\/p>\n
\n5 Surely you shall call a nation you do not know,
\nAnd nations who do not know you shall run to you,
\nBecause of the Lord your God,
\nAnd the Holy One of Israel;
\nFor He has glorified you.\u201d <\/em>(HHY \u2013 so it sets the timing for fulfillment)<\/p>\n
\nCall upon Him while He is near.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nNor are your ways My ways,\u201d says the Lord.<\/p>\n
\nSo are My ways higher than your ways,
\nAnd My thoughts than your thoughts.<\/p>\n
\nAnd do not return there,
\nBut water the earth,
\nAnd make it bring forth and bud,
\nThat it may give seed to the sower
\nAnd bread to the eater,<\/p>\n
\nIt shall not return to Me void,
\nBut it shall accomplish what I please,
\nAnd it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.<\/p>\n
\n1 Cor 2:11, 12<\/strong>
\nFor what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
\n12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nAnd the church without the Spirit is a dead church.<\/p>\n
\nMATT 4:4<\/strong>
\n4 But He answered and said, \u201cIt is written, \u2018Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.\u2019 \u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\nDeut 8:3<\/strong> says:
\n3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nFIRST – The OT Hebrew word typically translated into \u201cWORD\u201d is DABAR. But that does not come up as the Hebrew word used in Deut 8 \u2013 because there is no word \u201cWORD\u201d in Deut 8:3.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cMan does not live by bread alone, but by EVERY<\/strong> (all things!) that proceed from the mouth of God\u201d
\nGOD\u2019S ENTIRE CREATION-WILL AND PLAN AND SUBSTANCE CAME FORTH – WHEN HE SPOKE. It is so much bigger than the word \u201cWORD\u201d. <\/em><\/p>\n
\nThere is a divine necessity to remain in continuous communication w God, in the Spirit.<\/p>\n
\n14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
\n15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
\n16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,<\/em><\/p>\n
\n20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope;
\n21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.<\/p>\n
\n24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?
\n25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.<\/em>
\nAND THEN WE GET THE \u201cALL THINGS….\u201d PROMISE VERSE \u2013 within this context of Holy-Spirit infused, Spirit led life:
\n28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n1 Cor 12<\/strong>
\n1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:<\/em><\/p>\n
\nThen he goes back to finish up what is so critical to a Spirit-led, Spirit-infused life \u2013 which is one huge reason why our enemy has so campaigned against our walking in this authority \u2013 and his campaign has in many ways been most successful INSIDE the church.<\/p>\n
\nMark 3<\/strong>
\n28 \u201cAssuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter;
\n29 but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation\u201d\u2014
\n30 because they said, \u201cHe has an unclean spirit.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\n10 \u201cAnd anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven.
\n11 \u201cNow when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say.
\n12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\nOUT of church, ignorant people typically bad-mouth Jesus.
\nIN church, it\u2019s the ones w the charge to humbly know God and His ways, who have been raging against the Holy Spirit. Their accountability is greater. Hence, the warning above from the mouth of our Lord.<\/p>\n
\nEPH \u2013 \u201cHaving done all, to stand\u201d becomes an impossibility.<\/p>\n
\nPRAYING is to God \u2013 but individually as well as publicly.
\nIt would clarify things to recognize where Paul is writing about SPEAKING in tongues and where is writing about PRAYING in tongues.<\/p>\n
\n13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret.
\n14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
\n15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
\n16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say \u201cAmen\u201d at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say?
\n17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.
\n18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all;
\n19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.
\n20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nTHE WORDING PAUL USED is from Isaiah 28 \u2013 and only Isaiah 28 \u2013 and refers to anointed Nebuchadnezzar who was being called to invade disobedient Israel.
\nThat was a WICKED KINGDOM being used by God to invade and conquer.
\nPAUL is telling us that the Spirit led children of God, in this age, are being called to represent a way more holy invasion \u2013 of God\u2019s kingdom into the world.<\/p>\n
\n21 In the law it is written:
\n\u201cWith men of other tongues and other lips
\nI will speak to this people;
\nAnd yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,\u201d says the Lord.
\n22 Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe.
\n23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are out of your mind?
\n24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all.
\n25 And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nLuke 24
\n49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n7 And He said to them, \u201cIt is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.
\n8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\nGod will fill His temple with glory \u2013 as we saw last week the Solomon-temple-dedication bunny trail \u2013 which we will get back to shortly, this evening.<\/p>\n
\nHag 2:7-9<\/strong>
\n7 ‘and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the LORD of hosts.
\n8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the LORD of hosts.
\n9 ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.”<\/em><\/p>\n
\nA. Is Preparing FOR US; and
\nB. Is Preparing US FOR:<\/p>\n
\nThis is yet another reason why He is \u201cdivinely working us over\u201d to get us to the place of Spirit-filled living, through Spirit-filled prayer.<\/p>\n
\n(the promise extending beyond the sons of Abraham who come to the Lord):
\n6 “Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be His servants– everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast My covenant–
\n7 Even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.”<\/em><\/p>\n
\nThat NEXT AGE is going to see a rebuilt temple, filled with people who:
\nKNOW TO PRAY; and also
\nKNOW HOW TO PRAY<\/p>\n
\nour WORTH,
\nour POSITION,
\nour CALLING and
\nour PARTNERSHIP into the CREATION PLAN OF GOD.<\/p>\n
\n(Luke 4:6-8). That is ongoing. Scriptures describing the end-of-age anti-Christ man illustrates someone so demonized that even world control will not satisfy him. He will demand worship.<\/p>\n
\nSo what we need to realize is that Satan (Hebrew: \u201cAdversary\u201d) rages against prayer and worship. It is his worst nightmare \u2013 a praying, worshipping saint.<\/p>\n
\nWe were meant for worship and prayer \u2013 only to God.
\nLUKE 8<\/strong>
\nAnd Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'”<\/em><\/p>\n
\nA FAMOUS BIGGEE \u2013 couched in the CONTEXT of the prophetic paragraph \u2013 for clarity and emphasis:
\n(LAST WEEK we concluded with the prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the temple \u2013 a doctrinally accurate and effective prayer that ushered in the presence of God.<\/p>\n
\n2 Chr 7:1-2<\/strong>
\n1 When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.
\n2 And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’S house.<\/em><\/p>\n
\n2 Chr 7:12-22<\/strong>
\n12 Then the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice.
\n13 “When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people,
\n14 “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
\n\u2026.God\u2019s dream-dialogue w Solomon continues to confirm the accuracy of Solomon\u2019s earlier temple-dedication prayer, accurately describing the cause and effect of man\u2019s sinfulness and God\u2019s righteous judgment.
\n<\/em>
\nMeanwhile, for us, let\u2019s close w a prayer that would move God and put a smile on Solomon\u2019s face – praying for our nation. <\/p>\n