[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Dear Daily Message Readers,[/FONT]
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[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']READ: [/FONT][FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Jonah 2:7-10[/FONT]
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[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']BIBLEGATEWAY LINK: [/FONT][FONT='Arial','sans-serif']http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jonah%201;&version=47; [/FONT]
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[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Jonah 2:7 [/FONT][FONT='Arial','sans-serif'](ESV) [/FONT][FONT='Arial','sans-serif']When my life was ebbing away, I called out to the LORD, and my prayer came to your holy temple.[/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Have you ever wondered if God answers the prayers of unbelievers? Ask a random person on the street and you will certainly hear YES! to the answer. [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']But what does the Bible say on the issue? Obviously, God hears the prayers of all people. After all, He is all-knowing. However, perhaps the better question is if He answers such prayers. [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']The psalmist wrote, Who is allowed to ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may go up to his holy dwelling place? (Psa. 24:3). The echoes of this are found in Romans 3 and other important passages. Left alone to his own devices and nature, man is instinctively incapable of pleasing God or approaching Him. Only those that have humbled themselves before the triune God and repented of their sinstrusting completely in the merits of Jesus Christmay approach God. That is the Gospel and the truth that has overriding implications for our question.[/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']So, in short, God doesnt answer the prayers of unbelievers. One must be regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit unto salvation first. Then, when truly born-again, the same Spirit will move upon his heart to pray according to the will of God. [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']This biblical truth, like the Gospel itself, is offensive. Communicating this is to be done with humility and meekness, for you also must go through Jesus Christ for salvation and providence. Yet, it is so vitally important to refuse to be political correct and state that God answers the prayers of all unbelievers. It is time to take a stand where it is necessary.[/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Faith Lesson: [/FONT][FONT='Arial','sans-serif']The nature and character of God necessitates the avenue of salvation and answered prayer is solely through the God-man, Jesus Christ.[/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']In Christ,
Darin Smith[/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']READ: [/FONT][FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Jonah 2:7-10[/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']BIBLEGATEWAY LINK: [/FONT][FONT='Arial','sans-serif']http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=jonah%201;&version=47; [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Jonah 2:7 [/FONT][FONT='Arial','sans-serif'](ESV) [/FONT][FONT='Arial','sans-serif']When my life was ebbing away, I called out to the LORD, and my prayer came to your holy temple.[/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Have you ever wondered if God answers the prayers of unbelievers? Ask a random person on the street and you will certainly hear YES! to the answer. [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']But what does the Bible say on the issue? Obviously, God hears the prayers of all people. After all, He is all-knowing. However, perhaps the better question is if He answers such prayers. [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']The psalmist wrote, Who is allowed to ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may go up to his holy dwelling place? (Psa. 24:3). The echoes of this are found in Romans 3 and other important passages. Left alone to his own devices and nature, man is instinctively incapable of pleasing God or approaching Him. Only those that have humbled themselves before the triune God and repented of their sinstrusting completely in the merits of Jesus Christmay approach God. That is the Gospel and the truth that has overriding implications for our question.[/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']So, in short, God doesnt answer the prayers of unbelievers. One must be regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit unto salvation first. Then, when truly born-again, the same Spirit will move upon his heart to pray according to the will of God. [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']This biblical truth, like the Gospel itself, is offensive. Communicating this is to be done with humility and meekness, for you also must go through Jesus Christ for salvation and providence. Yet, it is so vitally important to refuse to be political correct and state that God answers the prayers of all unbelievers. It is time to take a stand where it is necessary.[/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']Faith Lesson: [/FONT][FONT='Arial','sans-serif']The nature and character of God necessitates the avenue of salvation and answered prayer is solely through the God-man, Jesus Christ.[/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif'] [/FONT]
[FONT='Arial','sans-serif']In Christ,
Darin Smith[/FONT]
