Video Bible Lesson - Takes time For God to answer Prayer - Streams in the Desert

1/2 Hour of God’s Power with Scott Ralls

4/28/2020

Takes time For God to answer Prayer
Streams in the Desert

And he shall bring it to pass (Ps. 37:5).
I once thought that after I prayed that it was my duty to do everything that I could do to bring the answer to pass. He taught me a better way, and showed that my self-effort always hindered His working, and that when I prayed and definitely believed Him for anything, He wanted me to wait in the spirit of praise, and only do what He bade me. It seems so unsafe to just sit still, and do nothing but trust the Lord; and the temptation to take the battle into our own hands is often tremendous.

We all know how impossible it is to rescue a drowning man who tries to help his rescuer, and it is equally impossible for the Lord to fight our battles for us when we insist upon trying to fight them ourselves. It is not that He will not, but He cannot. Our interference hinders His working.
--C.H.P.

Spiritual forces cannot work while earthly forces are active.

It takes God time to answer prayer. We often fail to give God a chance in this respect. It takes time for God to paint a rose. It takes time for God to grow an oak. It takes time for God to make bread from wheat fields. He takes the earth. He pulverizes. He softens. He enriches. He wets with showers and dews. He warms with life. He gives the blade, the stock, the amber grain, and then at last the bread for the hungry.

All this takes time. Therefore we sow, and till, and wait, and trust, until all God's purpose has been wrought out. We give God a chance in this matter of time. We need to learn this same lesson in our prayer life. It takes God time to answer prayer.
--J. H. M.

#Jesus, #Christian, #Bible, #Salvation, #Heaven, #God, #HolySpirit

God Prepares Heroes

Streams in the Desert

When the Israelites cried out for help to the Lord, he raised up a deliverer for the Israelites who rescued them. His name was Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. The Lord’s spirit empowered him and he led Israel. When he went to do battle, the Lord handed over to him King Cushan-Rishathaim of Aram and he overpowered him (Judg 3:9-10)

God is preparing His heroes; and when opportunity comes, He can fit them into their place in a moment, and the world will wonder where they came from.

Let the Holy Ghost prepare you, dear friend, by the discipline of life; and when the last finishing touch has been given to the marble, it will be easy for God to put it on the pedestal, and fit it into its niche.

There is a day coming when, like Othniel, we, too, shall judge the nations, and rule and reign with Christ on the millennial earth. But ere that glorious day can be we must let God prepare us, as He did Othniel at Kirjath-sepher, amid the trials of our present life, and the little victories, the significance of which, perhaps, we little dream. At least, let us be sure of this, and if the Holy Ghost has an Othniel ready, the Lord of Heaven and earth has a throne prepared for him.
—A. B. Simpson

“Human strength and human greatness
Spring not from life’s sunny side,
Heroes must be more than driftwood 
Floating on a waveless tide.”

“Every highway of human life dips in the dale now and then. Every man must go through the tunnel of tribulation before he can travel on the elevated road of triumph.”

Seeking Guidance: The First Step.....Dr. Charles Stanley

Seeking Guidance: The First Step

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 John 1:8-10

By forsaking the broad worldly way, believers have chosen a narrow path (Matt. 7:13). However, we’re not wandering blindly on it. The Holy Spirit is our guide. He directs our steps toward new opportunities and offers discernment so we can make wise decisions that keep us on course for God’s will.

It is the nature of this journey that we have to stop often and seek guidance. God is pleased to respond to earnest requests for direction, as He wants to keep His followers in the center of His will. But I’ve discovered that many Christians wonder how to pursue divine guidance.

Seeking God’s direction involves a pattern that begins with cleansing—in other words, the first place to look is at ourselves. Ask, “Father, do You see anything in my life that might interfere with my understanding what You are saying?” Sin shuts down the guidance process: it strangles the power flowing from the Holy Spirit and thereby clouds our judgment (1 Thess. 5:19). First John 1:9 tells us that God cleanses unrighteousness when we confess our sins. The Bible also contains a clear warning for those who refuse to relinquish a rebellious habit or attitude—the Lord does not hear their cries (Ps. 66:18). As He brings to mind problem areas, lay them before the cross.

Cleansing is actually woven into the entire process of gaining divine guidance. God brings sin to our attention as we’re equipped to deal with it. So on the way to receiving His clear direction, we may revisit this “first” step often and in that way can experience a time of rich spiritual growth and renewal.

For When You Don’t Feel or Look Victorious

For When You Don’t Feel or Look Victorious
MADI VINCENT

QUESTION TO CONSIDER: How can I believe I’m victorious when I feel so defeated?

We used to say, “Vicki: 1, Cancer: 0” when my mom went into remission the first time. After that, she relapsed and went into remission again, so we’d say, “Vicki: 2, Cancer: 0.” But then she relapsed a third time … and this time, she didn’t go into remission.

My mom passed away, and it looked like cancer had won.

It’s been five years, and the scorecard that was once a rallying cry for my family has become a reminder of defeat. Death stings, cancer stings, and the thought of cancer having any amount of victory … stings.

How can we stand in victory when pain and hardship around us are so evident? 

When death does sting …

When what the worship songs say doesn’t feel true… 

When stories of miraculous healing are also met with stories of horrendous loss …?

When I look at the scoreboards around us — not just of my mom’s battle, but the world’s — we are getting beaten down. Life feels crushing. Tragedy, pain and hardship are everywhere. Plans we thought were secure suddenly crumble. Families are left with gaps once filled by loved ones, and the news each night feels heavy and unsolvable.

I’m not sure how we’re supposed to claim victory when we’re standing in what feels like defeat.

We see stories of worldly defeat even in Scripture, especially in the lives of Jesus’ own disciples. It seems after seeing the greatest victory of all time — Christ literally defeating death — they’d be living a life of victory while walking out the commission to go and tell the glorious news. Yet, most of the disciples died as martyrs. The human in me thinks … if this is what living from victory looks like, I’m not sure I want it.

Paul confirms life is hard in 2 Corinthians 4. He says we’re afflicted, perplexed, persecuted and struck down. Jesus even says, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33b, NIV). But neither of these verses ends without hope.

Paul meets each affliction with a promise that it will not take us out: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9, ESV).

Jesus tells us to “take heart!” because we have victory through Him: “I have overcome the world” (John 16:33c, NIV).

In each moment of defeat, we still have hope. Even during the worst of my mom’s cancer battle, there was hope. It didn’t lie in the treatments or doctors — the hope was only ever in Christ.

If I look at my mom’s battle from this side of eternity, it looks like cancer won. But if I choose to look at it from Jesus’ perspective, I see hope, knowing He won the battle long before she was ever diagnosed with cancer. I can live with the hope of knowing my mom is spending eternity with Him.

It’s complicated to understand this and even more complicated to live out. I want to tell you following Christ will be easy. That you won’t experience tragedy or heartache. But I can’t, because even Jesus doesn’t tell you that.

“In this world you will have trouble,” He said. This life will be difficult, and if we only consider what is happening on earth, we won’t have any hope. Sometimes cancer will win … for a moment. There will be heartache … for a moment.

But this life you live? It’s also over in just a moment. It might feel like we’re losing, but sister, Jesus has the eternal victory. He’s won the biggest battle: He defeated death. We'll always have momentary struggles, but we can live in the promise of eternal victory.

That battle you’re facing? I know it’s difficult. I know it feels impossible and heart-wrenching, but I also know from Jesus’ perspective, it’s finished; it’s overcome. Consider believing Jesus’ perspective and claiming a victory even when you don’t feel or look victorious. If you do, I know you’ll be able to walk today with more hope than yesterday. And tomorrow, you’ll walk with even more hope than today.

Sharing the Good News....🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Sharing the Good News
by Sarah Phillips

I have not hid thy saving help within my heart, I have spoken of thy faithfulness and thy salvation.
 Psalms 40:10

Rule number one of polite conversation: Never talk about religion or politics.

I was on a train from New York to Richmond when a young man took the seat next to me. At first, we kept to ourselves, I immersed in St. Therese's Story of a Soul and he flipping through a magazine. At some point in the 7-hour journey, he glanced at the cover of my book, and observing the black-and-white picture of a nun on the cover, inquired about my faith.

I affirmed, that yes, I was Christian. He looked at my youthful features and back at the old-fashioned book.

"Interesting. I don't know much about your religion."

"What's your background?"

"I'm Muslim."

I eyed his American clothing, short hair, and clean-shaven face. Now I was intrigued.

"Really? How did 9-11 affect you?"

The question slipped out before I had time to think. But what unfolded was one of the most fascinating conversations I've ever been a part of. I learned this young American was unsure of his beliefs, and that back at college he was dating a girl from a Christian background who also struggled. He had many questions about why a young person like me would, with such calm certainty, decide to commit my life to Christ - even when it meant living differently than my peers.

Looking back on that conversation, I see it was the work of the Holy Spirit that allowed me, an introvert, to delve into those tough topics with such ease and clarity with a complete stranger. I also marvel at the fact that he seemed just as comfortable as I was. We parted ways upon the train's arrival to Richmond, wishing each other the best in life.

As believers, we're called to share the Gospel with those who have not embraced Christ (Mt 28: 18-20). But in today's cultural climate, opening up about issues of faith can feel intimidating. I know at times I've struggled to speak up, but the conversation on that train proved to me that it doesn't require a Ph.D. in apologetics or an ordination from an impressive seminary to effectively discuss matters of faith. In fact, lay people like you and me can have a powerful impact on many.

Here are a few lessons I've learned in the past several years that may be of help to you:

Respect. I am increasingly seeing that true evangelizing is more about relationship than "rightness." Few people respond well to pushy preaching or pride-filled debates. Show a genuine interest in and respect for others' ideas and beliefs - even if you don't agree with them.

Be yourself. Share your faith in a way that is natural to you and to the other person. Don't feel pressured to throw around fancy words or tell miraculous tales if that's not how you normally talk. God loves to work through our gifts - I have one friend whose beautiful singing voice has inspired many to seek a closer relationship with God.

Be knowledgeable. While we don't need to be scholars, I find the more I know about key tenets of my faith, the more I have to offer when a door opens for discussion. Don't know the answer to something? Find it. Constantly expand your knowledge so that you will "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you." (1 Pe 3: 15)

Remember that Christ is the only Savior. While it is our job to share what God has done for us, it's not our job to convince a person to become Christian. Conversion is an individual's free will response to God's grace, not a product of coercion.

And lastly, for those of us who are really shy about speaking up about the faith, you may appreciate St. Francis of Assisi's approach:

"Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words."

If you and I seek to live godly lives, who knows how many people could come to know Christ through our actions alone?

Intersecting Faith & Life: Learn one new thing about your faith this week - perhaps a tidbit of Church history or a new Scripture verse - and share it with someone.

Further Reading

Matthew 5:13-16
1 Timothy 2:3-6

What Are We Looking At?....🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

What Are We Looking At?By: Anne Peterson

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.- 2 Corinthians 4:18

Jesus was here. Even though he was born as a baby and walked this earth, Jesus knew it was not his home. We are also told in 1 John 2:15-17 that we are not to love the world or the things in the world. We read that the world will pass away, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. In John 15:19, John explains that if we were of this world, then we would be loved by the world, but the world hates us, because we are not of this world.

Jesus knew when he came to Earth he would be here for just a while. God had a purpose for Jesus’ life and Jesus fulfilled that purpose, even though he only had a ministry of a few years.

But there is more going on than meets our eyes. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12 that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness. But sometimes we forget, and we try to fight in our own strength. No one better illustrated this in Jesus’ time than the Apostle Peter.

When Peter walked on the water to go to Jesus, he started out fine because his eyes were on the Lord. But when Peter looked elsewhere, noticing the wind and the waves, he immediately started to sink. I love that Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water out of obedience to Jesus’ words. It probably didn’t make any sense, but that didn’t matter to Peter. Faith means we take one step at a time. Peter never would have experienced that miracle had he not chosen to obey God’s voice.

What is so meaningful to me is when Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and he went down in the water, Jesus immediately lifted him out. Jesus didn’t chastise Peter or shame him for not keeping his eyes on him. He simply saved him.

Later in his life, Peter would write letters to other believers, encouraging them to be self-controlled and vigilant (1 Peter 5:8). We’re told that because the devil is just prowling around wanting to devour us. Each of us are fighting a spiritual battle. Satan spends his time trying to make those who follow Christ fearful. He tries to convince us that God doesn’t care about our lives.

And yet, God’s Word is full of promises that contradict what Satan says. God tells us he will not leave us. He reminds us that he is our refuge and he loves us more than anyone else ever has or ever will.

So, the question is, what are we looking at? Are our eyes on the stormy sea, or on the Son who saves?

A Prayer for Your Conscience

A Prayer for Your ConscienceBy Rick Warren

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” - Psalm 139:23-24, NLT

The first step on the path to a clear conscience is to take a personal moral inventory or a personal spiritual assessment.

You need to sit down with God in a quiet space by yourself when you’re unhurried and say, “God, I’m going to do business with you. I’m going to make a list of anything that’s between you and me that’s wrong in my life. Help me to see the things that I know are wrong and the things that I don’t know are wrong.” Ask God to clear your mind and reveal your sins.

You can pray Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life” (NLT). You’re saying, “God, turn your spotlight on my inner self. Find the stuff in me that’s entangled me and that’s holding me back.”

It’s important to take your time. Don’t rush it! Don’t say, “God, I’ve got five minutes for you to reveal every sin I’ve ever done.” Take your time. Write it all down.

Why is it important to write it down? Writing makes it specific. Thoughts disentangle themselves through the lips and the fingertips. You speak it, and you write it. If you haven’t written it down, you haven’t really thought about it.

Let me ask you a very important question. How serious are you about wanting God’s blessing on your life? Enough that you’re willing to be gut-level honest? Are you willing to be honest with God? Are you willing to be honest with yourself? Are you willing to be honest with other people? Or are you just going to live in denial? Denial and God’s blessing do not go hand-in-hand.

If you’re serious, then you’re just a step away from liberation! You are one step away from a feeling of joy and purity that you’ve never experienced. You are so close to freedom from the habits and hurts and hang-ups that are messing up your life.

Don’t procrastinate. There is nothing more important in your life than to have the blessing of God. Take time today, get alone by yourself, and do a personal spiritual assessment. It will change your life!

Lord, I want to lay before you all that weighs heavy on my heart. Reveal even the sin I am not aware of, Lord. I lay these at your feet and pray your forgiveness on me. I believe you when you say that you wash us whiter than snow. Thank you Lord for your unending love for me! Help me start fresh right now to make choices that honor you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.