By: Charles Darby
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Many times, when I have a problem with my computer, I will go to the help section and troubleshoot to find the solution. It will ask me have I tried this or that. Then I need to read the directions that come with the part I am having trouble with. I recently installed a microwave oven over our cook stove. The kind that acts as a vent and a microwave. I had a problem getting it installed until I read the directions again.
Many of us do God the same way. We go to Him with a problem that needs an answer. The answer is in the instruction manual, the Bible. We either haven't read the Bible or we have forgotten what it said concerning the problem.
1 Pet 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
May I say this; there are times in everyone's life when it seems the heavens are closed to our prayer. We pray and apparently nothing happens. What are we to do? Do a spiritual check up; it’s us who moved not God! The answer is within us. We may need to draw closer to God, in prayer, fasting and Bible study. Have we drifted away from God. Some repentance may be needed? Are we involved in something God is not pleased with?
At times God may be just testing our faith. Are we serving God so we can be blessed and get our desires met or do we serve Him because He is God Almighty? One thing, I know for sure is that we must keep on doing what we know is right in the sight of God and not get into rebellion to known truth. God doesn't always work in our time, but His. I have had Him answer prayers while I was praying, when the need was immediate. Other times it was much later. The answer will always be on time.
When we have a problem that needs an answer, the first thing we should do is read the Bible and find out what it says concerning the problem. Then, if we are already doing it God’s way and still need an answer, we should pray according to God’s word concerning the problem. When we don't get an answer from God, the problem is on our end, not God’s.
Sometimes there is a problem that goes like this. We are married and find someone other than our mate that we are attracted to. There is no need to ask God what to do; the answer is in the Bible. God forbids this so leave the temptation alone and walk away. When we pray about something like this, all we are doing is asking God to bless sin and He won't do it. I used this as an example and it’s that way with anything the Bible says is sin. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He won't change just for us and say it’s OK for you to go against My will, but not for others. He loves us all and His word is for all.
When we do pray for a need in our life, we should pray His word concerning the thing prayed for. What does His word say about it? That's His will for us. When we pray, we are to believe we have what we pray for and then we will receive it. (Mark 11:24) This requires that we began to act on what we prayed for. Sometimes we need to put legs on our prayers.
To give an example, when I write the devotion or teach, I always pray first that The Holy Spirit will give me what to write or teach. I began to write and He directs me as I write. If I waited till the message was all in my mind, I would probably never write! When I teach, He gives me the notes, as I write. He fills my mouth as I teach. I do the same thing when I read the bible, I pray for the understanding and believe I receive it. The answer may not come immediately but later it will. It may come from the Spirit within me or through someone else. I may hear a sermon, or be talking with someone and the answer will come. The key is, to believe you receive, before you get it and start acting on it.
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
When someone lives with you, it’s not hard to talk with him or her. You don't need to get them on the telephone or make an appointment. They live with you and are always available. For us to have that kind of relationship with our Lord, He must be living in us. Please note, Jesus, Holy Spirit and the Father for He says “us”. Also note, we must be showing our love by keeping His words. These are the ones He is abiding in. With Jesus, Holy Spirit and the Father dwelling with us, that's great company to be in! That way it's not a long distance call but local!
I wonder, when we are praying, do we sometime already know what we should do but are having trouble coming to the decision to do it? Also if we don't know what the word of God says about something, how are we going to know we are talking with God? Some think God is speaking to them and it’s the devil. God will never contradict His word. An example, if we know the word of God and a voice is telling you it’s OK to curse someone you can know that's satan.
He is an ever present help, in time of need.
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