Word and Me

[stanneberg]

Rupert,

Lately I too have been burdened to pray more. The word "burdened" doesn't even describe the heaviness I have experienced. In fact, I've found myself praying that others would receive similar burdens . . . because I see how this is important for the cause. I've been grieved that many don't even pray thankfully for their meal, much less for the spiritual decline of our nation.

When I continually pray for myself and personal needs, I get depressed. Lately I've been focusing so much on my physical pain and inability to work, even though I'm praying, I feel empty, selfish and needy. Over the last two days, I've been studying about God -- getting back to the basics. Simply, when I look at my own needs, wants, desires and ambitions, I'm talking to God but focusing on me. When I look at the total picture -- we were created to serve Him; we were created to love Him; we were created to worship Him -- suddenly my own needs get rather small.

Earlier this evening, you and Gerry PM'd me out of myself to pray for you. When this happened, my focused shifted to Godly things rather than selfish things. During this time, my pain has decreased.

In another thread, you mentioned that you were burdened to pray for more healers. Could it be this simple? Will my needs be met as I pray for you and vice versa? In a day and age where we don't want to be open and vulnerable -- would we all experience healing through honest communication and united prayer? This sounds like something God would do!

Count me in!

Stephen Tanneberg

 

[s_gunter]

Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. (Luke 18:1)

Whenever I read this before, I heard it as Jesus commanding me, "Pray always. Don't lose heart in praying." But I am hearing differently now.

Jesus was born with flesh and bones just like me. He had human weakness just like me. He prayed just like me. And he was downcast every once in a while, just like me. But he didn't lose heart, unlike me.

Jesus is now telling me, "How easy it is for a mortal to lose heart after praying a few times! But be persistent. I have already strengthened you." And I remember this passage:

Satan has obtained permission to sift all of you like wheat,
but I have prayed for you
that your own faith may not fail (Luke 22:31-32)

He has already prayed for me so that I will not lose heart in prayer! Amen.

The Lord has given me much understanding and gift so that I can pray strenuously. The Lord said to me, "If you do this well, you will receive life as prize."

Brothers,
I must pray, for it is my duty. If not, I will be ashamed. I ask you brothers to pray for me so that I may complete my journey. Laziness is my biggest enemy. It tells me whatever will be done will be done even if I don't pray, and whatever will not be done will not be done even though I pray. And I fall in this deception often. So help me, brothers.

Rupert

Thank you

 

[stanneberg]

I was reading today in Romans:

"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of a sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God." Romans 8:5-8

These verses caught my attention because of the reference to the mind. If we focus on ourselves, we get depressed. If we focus on God we become free. Paul told us to live by the Spirit.

Question: If the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace -- if we aren't experiencing a peaceful life dies that mean that our mind is controlled by sin?

Question: Is it a sin to focus on our problems or condition -- having our mind set on what our nature desires -- being healed?

Question: Does the Spirit desire us to be healed and functional, or does it desire us to focus on God? or both?

We talk a lot about healing, but is it really the best thing for us? If God creates everything for His purpose, did He create us this way to become healed -- or to draw us closer to Him? If we were to pray that God would wipe out the entire disease, and He did, do you think that it would bring the world closer to Him?

Stephen Tanneberg

 

[Zita123]

I can bet that there is so many of us that forget to pray or just too lazy to pray.
My problem is also church. My children know that I drill GOD in their heads since they were born and still ask them " do you still pray because you better " My youngest is 16 she has her own car and goes to church 2 times a week along with working and school. So, why can't I? What is my problem?? I don't make myself pray at night anymore and don't go to church anymore?? Why?
I do pray all day For all of you and everyone out here and my family and just talk to GOD all day, But, I can't seem to go to church and pray at night anymore ??
Zita

 

[stanneberg]

What is my problem?? I don't make myself pray at night anymore and don't go to church anymore?? Why? I do pray all day For all of you and everyone out here and my family and just talk to GOD all day, But, I can't seem to go to church and pray at night anymore ??
Zita

Rather than telling you what your problem is, let me tell you what I have observed.

I was raised in Church. I have listened to all the sermons and stories. I have searched the scriptures. Between the Bible and the Church is a great void. What's missing? God!

Now, I know and realize that His word will not come back void. I know that He can make "all things work together for good . . ." I also believe that a broken clock is right twice a day! The Bible is full of verses that say more about Him than it does about us. Only God can take our futile efforts, our few mites, and our feeble faith and make something good out of it. When I read the bible, I see God's standard. I didn't set this standard. God did. When I go to Church, listen to sermons and participate in discussions on the Forum, I don't see the standards being actualized.

In the Bible, I am moved by the stories where people came to worship Him -- and God blessed them. Every time I read one, everyone present was moved -- changed forever! When obstacles were too great, God moved them. He opened the Red Sea. He consumed Elijah's offering and alter. When He called Isaiah, in his vision of Jesus sitting on the throne of the temple, even the door posts and thresholds moved! Door posts and thresholds are the most immovable objects in a building. They are lifeless. They don't have a soul. But, in the presence of God, they have something in them that causes them to react to The Almighty. How then, can we go to Church under the guise of worshipping Him and not be moved? Either we are more stubborn than a stick of wood, more immovable than a dirt catcher -- or God isn't there.

The Bible promises that if we believers, who are called by His name will humble ourselves and pray, and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways, then He will hear from heaven, forgive our sin, and heal our land. Is our land being healed? Sparsly. Has our sin been forgiven? Of course -- through Jesus' death. Have we turned from our wicked ways? Not all of them. What about seeking His face? Maybe. Have we been called by His name. Yes. What's the problem? We aren't humble when we pray! Even if we try to be humble, our petitions are centered around ourselves and our needs rather than Him and His purpose.

In our Churches we are fighting many battles. Mega-churches may be growing, but as they grow, fewer people are involved. Smaller Churches are dying. I read somewhere that 100 churches across America are closing their doors each week. People in the Church are fighting over the style of worship -- contemporary or traditional? Pastors have prostituted themselves to life-application principles and feel-good sermons because the members don't want to hear the truth. When the truth is spoken, numbers go down. Inspirational messages plastered with positive mental attitude principles pack the house. Let me bring this home. Even if you believe that I'm wrong in my summation and are praying that I'll stop attacking the Church in this post -- my daughter isn't buying it! She has made it clear that she doesn't want anything to do with the Church. My niece just left the Church. She has had enough as well. Obviously, something isn't working! If God desires that none should perish, and desires to draw all men unto Himself, why are we driving people away?

Lately, I too have been struggling to pray. Why? Because I don't know if God is listening. I have the assurance that He is through His Word, but I can't see any result of it in my life. After awhile, what would you do? Keep praying? I do! In fact, the more I pray, the more I desperately want to see the same types of miracles, the same types of revelations and the same types of manifestations as in the Old Testement.

I think its time we started asking ourselves the hard questions. If the truth sets us free, and we are in bondage, then we don't know the truth!

Stephen Tanneberg

 

[FireOfGod]

I have also been hearing a similar word from the Lord... "Don't give up". But at the same time I'm hearing, "Give it up". Don't give up in general, rather give up what is holding you back.

Good word... Thank you, Lord.

 

[stanneberg]

Rupert, Fire of God, thank you. I beileve that I have just heard from the Lord.

God bless -- I'm going to bed!

Stephen Tanneberg

 

[vincejohn]

Count me in and please pray for me as the blessings God has shown me in visions and miracles has made me a bit cocky boastful some say. yes they are correct but people should not judge me harshly as when you are touched by God or have seen him sitting on the throne and He invited you up in vision you want to shout it to the world.
Regarding prayer we must remember what Jesus taught, if we need mercy lets show mercy, if we need healing lets go and comfort some worse than us, if we need love go out and love people. If we need some extra cash for bills do the opposite give till it hurts. Remember the poor widow who only had a pot of oil and was about to starve to death and Elijah asked her to make him a last meal from it and she did. Afterwards Elijah did the fishes and loaves miracle and filled all her house with precious valuable oil which she sold and paid her debts and had food during the famine.
Whe we dont feel like praying thats when we must pray. Holy Father Jesus help us all here, we are struggling and in pain.Please Lord open up your heart to us and release a small Grace of your love to help us and give us hope. Forgive us today of our sins and let each day bring renewal and hope of your Holy Spirit in us. Touch all members of this forum with your Holy Spirit in Holy Yeshua's Name Amen..love your servant vinny