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How Is Your Salvation Working Out?
How long has it been since God forgave you for your sins and you were born again into the family of God? So, how has your salvation been working out? Everything going OK, or are you having problems doing the things that you were told you should do now that you are saved?
You know, maybe just maybe you have been going about it all wrong.
Many churches will tell newborn Christians, “this is what is expected of you, and you should now follow this or that in order to keep your salvation.” After all, you do not want to lose what God gave you, do you?
Some churches might say this to you what the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians:
Php 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Sounds scary, does it not? After having lived in sin for many years, doing what you wanted, you are now expected to be perfect and do what the church tells you to do. Yeah, I know, it made me worry also when I was first saved.
However, God had mercy on me and, by His grace, He put me into a position to read the read the rest of the verses that followed. Here they are.
Php 2:13 For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Php 2:14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Php 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God…
Look at verse 13 and read, read and read it over several times until it sinks in. It is God which works in you both to will and to do of HIS good pleasure. I kept reading this verse over and over and over until suddenly in the thick skull of mine I realized what it was that God was telling me. He is working in me both to will and to do what HE wants me to do, because it pleases Him.
You see, I did not make a bunch of changes right away, but I did begin to notice how my actions were starting to be different. Here is but one example, I was really good in being quite selfish. Hardly a day would go by without insisting, “has to be this way,” without considering what my family wanted, and I was married with two kids. Good example, huh?
Then it started. One day, after proclaiming loudly on doing it my way, I saw a look in the eyes of my two kids that I had never before noticed. It bothered me to no end. Over a period of a week, I started feeling the same way with anything that I wanted, without asking what others would like. Then it dawned on me. God was working in me to change my very selfish attitude.
At first that sacred me as I realized that I was being so selfish, not taking into consideration what others of my family would like, and doing so in the presence of God. The thought of that un-nerved me to no end. Then I realized that God, in His mercy, was working His will in me to start thinking of the needs and wants of my family, in putting them first before me.
God just opened my eyes for me to see my selfish attitude, and how it was hurting other members of my family. In His way, He was letting me know that this needed to stop. God was giving me the will and desire to do as He wants. God changed me because it pleased Him.
Since then, in every part of my life, I have seen God work in me to see those things that needs to be changed, working in me to show me those wrongs and to give me the will and desire to stop; to do those things He wants of me.
When God saves someone, He does not let them go on their own to become a good Christian by themselves. God knows what we need, what He wants us to do, and He works in us His will to become willing, not only to change, but also to actually make the change as He wants.
As we work out our salvation on a daily basis, living each day doing our normal activities, God will show us those things in our life that He wants to change. We may go for days or weeks before God steps in and, in some way, puts the breaks on our activity, and then the change begins. We will never know when that will happen, but it will happen.
After God’s Grace has saved us, He does not leave us by ourselves to grow on our own, to change on our own. For by His Holy Spirit God works in each and every one of us, for whom Jesus died to secure our salvation, to show us our sins, to see how bad they really are and then to work in us His will to change us so that we become willing and do those things that He wants.
Yes, as disciples, God works in us – some like me more than others – through our whole time here on earth both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Soon the fear and trembling that we experience will become a sign to us that God is working in us once again because it pleases Him. Even discipline can be involved, as I have discovered, and we will praise Him for what He is doing.
So, as you walk with Jesus on a daily basis, if someone asks the question, “How is your salvation working out?” You can joyfully answer, “Wonderful! Just wonderful!”
Can Salvation Be Lost?
Is it true that once saved you can still lose your salvation and go to hell? Some people will say that this true, and it depends on the one given salvation.
However, numerous Scripture verses teach otherwise, and we are going to look at just a few of them; especially ones that Jesus stated. Read them for yourself and then decide if Jesus is right or if man’s religion is right. Then we will finish with a quote by Charles H. Spurgeon from his book, “All of Grace.”
All of the following verses are taken from the Gospel of John.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 1:12, 13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
John 6:39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
We see in these verses that they lay out God’s plan for salvation and why once someone is forgiven for their sins, because of the sacrifice of Jesus on their behalf, they can never die spiritually and be sent to hell.
Jesus tells us that one must be born again not only to be able to see Heaven but also to enter into Heaven. This act of being born again, as seen in John 1:13 is not done by being born into a Christian family (not of blood), nor of being born by our good works (of the will of the flesh) or of our own free will (of the will of man), but of God.
The act of being “born again”, which provides our salvation, is “All” of God and man adds nothing to his salvation.
As for whom will receive this gift of salvation it is explained quite clearly by Jesus in saying that “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:” Not only does God draws whom He wills but Jesus also said, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me”.
In addition, all whom the Father draws to Jesus not only will come and be saved but, be kept saved as Jesus says, “And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.”
As we have seen, God saves whom He wills, draws whom He wills to Jesus, makes them alive in their spirit and guarantees their salvation will never be lost and will keep them unto the end. Not because of anything that man has done or deserves, but because of what Jesus has done for them on their behalf.
The great British Preacher, C. H. Spurgeon, says this about salvation in his book, “All of Grace”…
“If you will have Jesus, He has you already, If you believe on Him, I tell you that you cannot go to hell, for that would make the sacrifice of Christ of none effect. It cannot be that a sacrifice would be accepted and yet the soul should die for whom that sacrifice has been received. If the believing soul could be condemned, then why a sacrifice? If Jesus died in my stead, why should I die also? Every believer can claim that the sacrifice was actually made for him. The Lord would not receive this offering on our behalf and then condemn us to die.”
Many other scripture verses will back up this statement that once a person is given salvation by Jesus Himself he is saved for all eternity. The true “born again” disciple of Jesus will never lose their salvation.
Salvation is provided by God, given by God as He wills, and saves for all eternity everyone for whom Jesus was sacrificed. Salvation, true God given salvation, can never be lost.
I pray that God will open your heart and your spiritual eyes to see this marvelous promise of God and receive it as your own, and have true peace in the security of your salvation. For it truly is all of God.
Have You Heard The Shepherds Voice?
The 23rd Psalm begins with “The Lord is my shepherd”. Pretty much everyone knows that but have you ever heard the Shepherd’s voice?
I am sure that if you believe you are a Christian you will most likely say that you answered a call to accept Jesus and be saved. So, now that you have “accepted” Jesus as savior, you are now saved; right?
What if I told you that unless you have heard the Shepherd call you by name the chances are that you might not be saved! Scary thought is it not.
There was a moment when Jesus was talking with some Pharisees. At one point He made this statement found in John 10:
Joh 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
Joh 10:2 But he that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
Joh 10:3 To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.
Joh 10:4 And when he puts forth his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
Read carefully what Jesus is saying, especially in verse 3. He says that being the Shepherd, His sheep will hear His voice and He calls His own sheep by name. Did you get that? Jesus states that He knows all His sheep and He calls them by name.
In verse 4, Jesus tells us that He will go before His sheep and as He calls them by their name, they will follow Him: for they know His voice. Only Jesus, the Good Shepherd, will they follow.
Later on, the Pharisees ask Jesus this question in John 10: 24.
Joh 10:24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long do you make us to doubt? If you be the Christ, tell us plainly.
Here is the response that Jesus gave:
Joh 10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and you believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.
Joh 10:26 But you believe not, because you are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Jesus tells them plainly that the reason they do not believe is that they are not of His sheep. The only way they would believe on Jesus would be if they were of His sheep and He has called them by name to follow Him.
If they are not one of His sheep, He will not call them to follow Him and they will not believe on Him no matter what He says because they are not of His sheepfold.
You see, we are to “believe” on the Lord Jesus as we hear Him call our name to follow Him, and as we hear Jesus call our name, we will believe on Him as our Lord, our Shepherd, and we will follow Him willingly.
At this point you might be wondering whom it is who gave us to Jesus to be our Shepherd and us His sheep, to follow Him. In John 10: 29, 30 we read:
Joh 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
Joh 10:30 I and my Father are one. (Jesus is God)
Christianity Is Not About Politics
Christianity is not about politics. Christians are neither Republicans nor Democrats. The job of Christians is not to directly influence the way to govern a country. It is the Christians duty to obey God.
In 2 Timothy 2 the Apostle Paul writes the following:
2Ti 2:3 You therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2Ti 2:4 No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.
Politics: Noun
The activities of the government, members of law-making organizations, or people who try to influence the way to govern a country.
God, being sovereign, has power over all things that He has created, to do what He wills, and there is no one who can question Him, change Him or stop Him from doing as He wills. God puts people and governments in power as He chooses to accomplish what He ordains.
As we read in Daniel 2: 20, 21, it is God who rules over governments and people.
Dan 2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
Dan 2:21 And he changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings, and sets up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
In addition, in Romans 13: 1 Paul says this in writing about governments…
Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
In every country, city and town, God puts in charge whomever He wishes. He does this for a reason and most likely, we will never know why. However, even though we may not like whoever it is that God has put in charge, even if we cast a vote, our faith in God’s sovereignty should be enough for us to trust that God’s will is always best.
As Christians, then, the most important thing that we are to do, that will have more influence on governments and individuals alike, than direct intervention, is to be obedient to the command that Jesus gave to His disciples:
Mar_16:15 (KJV) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.
The one thing that God wants for us to do, outside the Church universal, is to share the Good News of Jesus to all whom God directs us to meet.
God ordains governments and directs them to do His will. That is not for Christians to do. Politics is God’s business, not ours.
For it is God who rises up and takes down governments, and it is by His hands that governments do according to His will and purpose. If we do not trust in God for how to administer governments, what makes us believe that we can do better?
Only God can bring about what is to be, and it is by His power and might that governments do what He has ordained for them. Our trust is to be in Him and not in any work that we may do to influence any government.
In this world, it is God Who rules over governments and not His children.
Christians Should Not Worry About Elections – IF
If you think of yourself as being a Christian and that you are a true disciple of Jesus, then you should have no worries at all about any elections. However, this is only true “IF” you wholly believe in the sovereignty of God. Here is why.
If God is sovereign over everyone, and over all things upon the earth and in the heavens, then there is nothing or no one who can stop or keep God from bringing into our realm what He decrees to be done.
For instance, in Daniel 4: 34, 35 we read…
Dan 4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that lives forever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
Dan 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he does according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
In addition, in Ephesians 1: 11 we read…
Eph 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will:
God, being sovereign, has power over all things that He has created, to do what He wills, and there is no one who can question Him, change Him or stop Him from doing as He wills.
Therefore, with that in mind, what about putting people and governments in power as He wills to accomplish what He desires to be done.
In Daniel 2: 20, 21 we read this…
Dan 2:20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
Dan 2:21 And he changes the times and the seasons: he removes kings, and sets up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
In addition, in Romans 13: 1, 2 Paul says this in writing about governments…
Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Rom 13:2 Whosoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
In every country, city and town, God puts in charge whomever He wishes. He does this for a reason and mostly likely, we will never know why.
However, just knowing this, even though we may not like whoever it is that God has put in charge, because of our faith in God’s sovereignty our trust should be such that God’s will is always best; though we may never know the reason why He has done as He has.
This is why I state that Christians should not worry about elections, any elections, “IF” we truly believe in, and trust in, God’s sovereignty over all that He has created.
Yet He Opened Not His Mouth
Jesus, at any time in any place knew what to say at just the right time … as needed. Yet, when confronted with His own life in danger, He opened not His mouth in His defense. Why?
From Isaiah 53
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, “yet he opened not his mouth”: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
After His arrest, Jesus was brought before the chief priests and elders and, eventually, Pilate.
From Matthew 27
And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.
When Pilate heard that Jesus was from Galilee He sent Him to Herod.
From Luke 23
And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
When Herod was finished with Him he sent Jesus back to Pilate who had Him scourged and then delivered Jesus to die.
From John 19
Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
Where they crucified him.
Jesus knew His destiny, and He kept quiet to accomplish what had been given to Him.
From 1 Corinthians 15
Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
He was buried, and he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
By His obedience, Jesus became the author and finisher of our faith, to provide for us forgiveness for our sins and to give us eternal salvation.
From Hebrews 12 and 5
Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
Epilogue:
Mat 26:53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Mat 26:54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?
Mat 26:56 But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.
Yet, He opened not His mouth…
Have You Heard The Gospel Call of Your Salvation
Into the woods though dark & deep, I look for a place where I might sleep.
Through fog & wind amongst the trees, I find myself upon my knees.
A sword swings high above my head, but I awake peacefully and in my bed.
Then out of the shadows Lord Jesus came.
Your salvations’ secured for I have called you by name.
Dead in your sins you could not answer the call, so I made you alive to hear it all.
Not of your own will have you behaved, for by My Grace have you been saved.
Because of My choice do you I forgive, and with me will you eternally live.
1. Romans 8: 30
2. Ephesians 2: 1
3. Ephesians 2: 5
4. Ephesians 2: 8 – 10
5. Ephesians 1: 4, 5
5. John 10; 28, 29
From Where Comes Believing Faith?
In Chapter 11 of Hebrews, we find a very interesting verse. It is verse 6 of this chapter that we read the following:
Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Look at this verse again, read it and really give It some thought. After a few moments, ask yourself this. How can someone who is spiritually dead to God generate the faith needed to come to Him and to believe in Him?
This answer is that no one can. So, then, where does the faith come from that is needed in which to believe in Jesus? I know, enough questions already. Just give us the answer. Okay, I will.
In Ephesians we read this:
Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, He hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
God first must quicken us, make us spiritually alive, in order for Him to give us the gift of faith so that, with this faith, we can believe and receive Jesus into our lives as our Lord and Savior. The proof of this we find in two verses from John 1.
The first verse that you will read is one that many of us already know, but it is rare that the reader or teacher will follow up that verse with the next one; as it describes how what is done in the first verse is accomplished.
Here are the two verses about which I speak:
Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Joh 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
The first verse speaks of receiving Jesus and in the second verse it tells us what is needed to be done first before one can believe and receive. That is, one must first be regenerated or made alive. Not because they were born into a believing family, which gave them the right to believe, not because they did good works that gave them the ability to believe, nor was it because they, of their own will, choose to believe. It was because of God that they were first born again, made alive in the spirit, so that they could receive the gift of faith and, with that faith, they could believe on Jesus and receive Him into their life as Lord and Savior.
Basically, it is because of God, and only of God, that anyone is born again and given the gift of faith with which to believe on Jesus, and chose to come to Him and bow down to Him in humble submission of His Lordship over us because of what He has done for us as Savior. No one can claim this for himself.
We are not saved because of anything we have done. We are saved because it was God’s will to save us, even when we were dead in our sins. In fact, because we were dead in our sins, if God had not chosen any of us to be saved, none of us would be saved.
In our spiritual death we are as dead as Lazarus was physically dead and in the grave so that when Jesus called out to him to “come forth”, Lazarus first had to be made alive so that he could hear Jesus and to have the ability to respond to His command and to come forth as Jesus said.
In our spiritual death, we are the same. Only when God calls us by name, and makes us alive – “born again” – are we able to hear Jesus and be able to respond and to “come forth” as He calls us. In John 6: 37 Jesus said that, “all that the Father gives me will come to me”…
Now you know the answer. The reason, and only reason, that one, who is spiritually dead in sin, is able to believe on Jesus, and by faith receive Jesus into their lives as Lord and Savior, is because of the work of God in choosing us to be saved on behalf of Jesus Who made it possible for us to be saved.
Being born into a believing family will not do it. Doing good works will not do it. Choosing of our own free will, while spiritually dead in our sins, will not do it. Only by God choosing to make us alive and giving us the gift of faith will we be able to do it.
That is, only by the faith given to us by God will we be able to confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, and to believe in our heart that God has raised Him from the dead, will we be saved from the wrath to come.
Faith is a gift. A gift given to us by God and only by being “born again” will we receive this gift of faith. Without the new birth there is no faith given.
A Simple Example Of Election Salvation
I was looking out of my office window one afternoon and I became fascinated by this man who was standing in the middle of the sidewalk trying to hand out a drink of water to any and everyone who went by him.
No one was interested and they all kept walking by him as if he really was not there. However, every so often someone would look up at and walk slowly over to him. I could see them talking and then the person would take the water, break out in a big grin and drink the rest of it. They would hug and the person went on their way with a grin as big as the Cheshire Cat ever had.
What in the world was going on? Why would everyone walk by except for an occasional seemingly interested person? Ummm, I wondered.
Then I was shaken back to reality when the boss walked in and gave me some more work to do. I finished the afternoon, forgetting about that man with the water.
At quitting time I walked outside and boy was it hot. I then remembered about the man with the water. Was he still there handing out his water, and should I, would I dare, stop and try some. I looked and, yes, he was still there.
As I started down the street I began to feel a little uneasy just thinking about taking something that looked like water from someone I didn’t know. I then decided that no matter how hot it was I was not going to take the water. In fact, I was not even going to look over at him; just walk on by.
The sidewalk was crowded and I stayed to the outside, next to the street, so that I would not even walk close to him.
I was looking down and trying to think about anything except water when I heard, “Glenn!”
That was my name. Who was it that was calling my name? I looked around and suddenly saw this man with the water looking my way with an interesting grin on his face. “Yes,” he said. “That was me, Glenn. I was calling your name. I was calling you.”
I slowly walked over to him and he said, “Would you not like to have a cool and refreshing drink of water on such a day as this?”
At this point a drink of water sounded great. “I sure do,” I said. “How much is it?” His answer was quite a surprise. “This water costs nothing. It is a gift just for you and for those to whom my father has chosen for me with which to share.” “You are one of those who are on his list.”
I took the glass and drank some of the water. Man, it tasted better than any water I ever had. I quickly found myself drinking the rest from the glass, and just like that, my thirst was gone. Not only that, but I found myself wanting to spend time with this man.
I have never been separated from Jesus since I took that drink. That is some water.
Of course this is just a story, a simple example of how “Election Salvation” works. What I do want to get across to you, the reason for this story, is that unless Jesus calls you by name to come drink of the water that He has to offer, like everyone else who walked by, you too will walk by.
You will always refuse, of your own free (but enslaved) will not to accept the offer of salvation from Jesus.
Only those who are on God’s list, that He created before the foundation of the world, will Jesus call. In fact, in John 6:44, Jesus basically said that “no one can come to me except that the Father who sent me draws them to me, and all whom He gives me will come to me.”
So, let me challenge you. Would you like a drink of the water that Jesus offers? Keep listening for you just might hear your name being called.
Election Salvation is simple. You only need to be called and so be saved. Is that “your” name I hear Jesus calling?
Prayer – Training For Trust
Do you believe in the sovereignty of God? If you do not believe that God sits on His throne in heaven and does what ever He wills among the inhabitants of the earth you will never have a successful prayer life.
In 1st Thessalonians 5 Paul writes:
Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Prayer is not giving long winded prayers like you may hear in church, nor is it reciting something from a book, pamphlet or a sheet of paper. Prayer actually is just talking with God.
You see, God already knows what we are going to say. He knows our needs, desires and wants. He knows what problems we are going to have and what blessings we will be given.
What God wants of us is for us to trust in Him no matter what our situation may be. We know that God works all things for our good because we love Him, and when we trust Him we can be as Paul writes in Philippians 4:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
You see, from the time we wake up until we go to bed at night, we should constantly be acknowledging, and talking with, God; asking for guidance, for wisdom, patience and understanding; and more importantly asking for the faith needed to trust in God no matter what are our circumstances or the situation in which we find ourselves.
When we can learn to trust in God in all things we can have the peace that He promises, and we can learn to be content, because of our trust in Him and, as long as we are constantly talking with God in prayer, our faith will be at the level needed to hold onto that trust.
God is sovereign and He is in control of all things. Our prayers, our talking with Him and acknowledging our dependency on Him no matter what are our circumstances, will keep us strong in our faith in Him and with strong faith comes deep trust in our Lord and Savior.
Only through constantly talking with God, praying without ceasing, will we ever gain the deep trust that our Father wants for us to have in Him.
Prayer truly is the training ground for gaining the deep trust in God that we need to face any situation that life can throw our way, and be able to have the peace that God has promised to all who love and obey Him.
How about you, how deep is your trust? Maybe you should look at your own prayer life and just start talking with God yourself. I know He would love to hear from you.
Riff's Christian Journal 