“And everything you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.” Matthew 21:22 Prayer – Prayer and power. Did Jesus really mean what he said? We have learned that prayer places me in the family that serves the God of power. The reason that I can pray at all is that I am embedded in His…
“And everything you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.” Matthew 21:22 Prayer – Have you struggled with the mustard seed syndrome? Jesus makes some pretty startling claims about prayer. They’re the kind of statements that get under your spiritual skin because they seem to be impossible. Our usual response to these claims is to…
“For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name” Hebrews 6:10 Forget – God doesn’t forget. That thought used to scare me to death. God will remember all those things that I did that were disobedient, harmful and slanderous to Him and to…
“in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” 2 Corinthians 2:11 No advantage be taken – Did you notice the important opening words “in order that”? Something was said before we got here that is critical to understanding this verse. Paul tells us that…
“in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.” 2 Corinthians 2:11 Not ignorant – Can you make the same claim that Paul did? Are you acquainted with the schemes of Satan so that you recognize his handiwork before it takes hold? The Greek word…
“Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.” Acts 18:5 (KJV) In the spirit – If you read this verse in modern translations, you won’t find these words. Instead, you will read “Paul devoted himself entirely” or something like that. Why? Because this is one of those Greek…
“Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.” Acts 18:5 (KJV) Pressed – Have you ever had that feeling inside the seemed to push you toward a goal no matter what the circumstances? Have you ever experienced an inner compulsion that just wouldn’t let up? It’s like a…
“Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit to strive together with me in your prayers for me,” Romans 15:30 For me – A few days ago a believer wrote to me. “Sometimes I just feel like it’s so selfish of me to ask others to…
“Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit to strive together with me in your prayers for me,” Romans 15:30 Strive together – There is an English cognate in this Greek word that you need to know. As soon as you see it, you will understand…
Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit to strive together with me in your prayers for me,” Romans 15:30 Urge – Paul wasn’t afraid to ask for help. He knew that he needed the prayers of others. In fact, he did more than mention his…
