PRAYER, BS October 26, 2007 Attendance - 15

PRAYER

Why do so many people avoid prayer?
Perhaps it is because the human spirit hates failure and disappointments. It is like putting money into a vendo machine that doesn’t give a can of soft drink. You stand in front of it becoming increasingly frustrated, until you finally kick it and walk away. You also never attempt to use it again.
This is how many people feel about prayer. They have put in too many prayers and have received too few satisfying answers or non at all.

We need to answer the following questions:
What is prayer?
Why doesn’t prayer seem to work?
Why is prayer necessary?
How should we pray?
Why pray to GOD in the name of Jesus?
Why is prayer not always answered the way we expect it?
When should we stop praying?
What role does faith have in the prayer process?
Do we have to “qualify” to pray?
If GOD is sovereign and can do whatever He wishes, then why pray?
Does prayer affect or change destiny?

All of us struggle with prayer..

THE FOUNDATION OF PRAYER

To understand the principle of prayer, it is necessary to UNDERSTAND THE MIND AND PURPOSE OF THE CREATOR HIMSELF.

Prayer is a result of GOD’s established authority structure between heaven and earth, as well as a product of his faithfulness to His word.

Prayer is as simple as respecting GOD’s authority.

Prayer was born out of GOD’s arrangements for man’s assignment on earth, it happened when the Creator spoke two words during the creation process: “LET THEM”. Read Genesis 1:26-27

Important things to note in these verses:

The creator defined the boundaries of HIS right to legally influence and interfere in the earth realm.
This is based on the principle of God’s integrity and His commitment to His word.
Define the relationship the Creator intended and desired with man and the planet earth.

Why are these so important? Because of the 4 principles:

God’s purpose is more important than our plans.
God has placed His Word even above Himself.
God will never violate or break His word.
God’s holiness is the foundation of His integrity and faithfulness.

These principles are essential to understanding the nature and purpose of prayer. Thus, this makes prayer necessary.

The 1st principle establishes the truth that the Creator’s commitment to His original intent for creation is a priority for HIM and motivates and regulates all His actions. In essence, everything He does is driven by His purposed desire, which never changes. Read following scriptures:

Proverbs 19:21-22
Isaiah 46:10-11
Isaiah 55:11-12
Ephesians 1:11
Hebrew 6:17

Finally, His commitment to his purpose is expressed in these words, Matthew 5:18-19.

a.This means that GOD has eternal uncompromising commitment to His purpose and plans.
b. His commitment to fulfill His purpose will never be at the expense of violating His spoken or written word.
c. It is the commitment to His word that is the basis of the prayer principle.
d. The word of GOD is not just the law for man, for it also called “The Law of GOD”. This means that every word GOD speaks is also a law to Himself. He will subject Himself to His promises and decrees because of His integrity. Read Psalm 119:89-90, Psalm 138:2

Therefore, we can conclude that any Law of GOD is a Law to GOD. He is faithful to His word at all costs. This being clear and understood by us, we can appreciate the implications and impact of these initial words spoken by the Creator at man’s creation:

LET THEM HAVE DOMINION OVER…THE EARTH Gen 1:26. Please take note, He did not say LET US but rather, LET THEM. With this statement, GOD created seven primary laws:

The legal authority to dominate earth was given to mankind only.
God did not include Himself in the legal authority structure over the earth.
Man became the legal steward of the earth domain.
Man is a spirit with a physical body; therefore, only spirits with physical bodies can legally function in the earth realm.
Any spirit without a body is illegal on earth.
Any influence or interference from the supernatural realm on earth is only legal through mankind.
God Himself, who is a Spirit without a physical body, made Himself subject to this law.

The following are the results of these laws, which were established by GOD Himself:

The legal authority on earth is in the hands of humankind.
The Creator, because of His integrity, will not violate the law of His Word.
Nothing will happen in the earth realm without the active or passive permission of man, who is its legal authority.
The Creator and the heavenly beings cannot interfere in the earth realm without the cooperation or permission of mankind.
God must obtain the agreement and cooperation of a person for whatever He desires to do in the earth.

These principles are critical for understanding the nature, power and purpose of prayer. It is from these that we get our definition of prayer.

What is Prayer?
Prayer is man giving God the legal right and permission to interfere in earth’s affairs.
Prayer is a man giving heaven earthly license to influence earth.
Prayer is a terrestrial license for celestial interference.
Prayer is man exercising his legal authority on earth to invoke heaven’s influence on the planet.
Read 2 Chron. 7:14; Luke 18:1-2; Eph 6:17-18; 1 Thess 5:16-19; Matt 16:19-20; Matt 18:18-20

Prayer is therefore not an option for mankind but a necessity. If we don’t pray, heaven cannot interfere in earth’s affair. It is imperative that we take responsibility for the earth and determine what happens here by our prayer lives.

I invite you to discover your power, authority and rights in the earth and to position yourself to become a faith channel for heavenly influence in earth’s affairs.

Remember the Lord’s prayer, Matt 6:9-11.

Heaven needs you.
We need also to study and seek the word. Read proverbs 2

Assignment: Each cell member to memorize, recite and study at least one verses every cell meeting.
Make a covenant with GOD.

Bible Study led by Elmer, October 26, 2007 Attendance 15
Reference: PRAYER, Dr. Myles Munroe

BIRTHDAY NA NI KAPUSONG ROMY!

Men's Fellowship Na Po!

Knowledge and Trust, September 28, 2007 Attendance - 12

KNOWLEDGE AND TRUST

DO WE REALLY TRUST GOD?

Habakkuk tells of how he traveled the road from WHY to WONDER then finally to WORSHIP.
As GOD began speaking to Habakkuk, the change in the prophet was dramatic. He began to see with new eyes. Habakkuk 3:17-19
Habakkuk recognizes that times may be good or bad, and circumstances may change but none of these has anything to do with our praise and worship. Our adoration remains constant because GOD is constant.

The Secret of Inner Strength

The story of the trees in the forest: Some are uprooted during the storm and some trees draw on a deep strength from the very foundation and they continue to stand firm. Their roots only dig deeper, their bark only grows thicker.

What is the difference that other people keep praising GOD even when life becomes harsh and cruel? What is the secret?

Consider Habakkuk who passed from tragedy to triumph, from worry to worship, from preoccupation to praise.

WE WORSHIP WHOM WE TRUST, AND WE TRUST WHOM WE KNOW

Worship is only validated through constancy. We worship and praise GOD even when we are in the valley, when we are in the worst circumstances.
We reach this level of faith when we worship whom we trust and we trust whom we worship.
We can build trust by spending time with GOD. When we spend time with GOD we come to fully know HIM. When we fully know him, the trust gets stronger and stronger. This is the time that you are able to worship GOD in spirit and in truth.

It’s Not What You Know, But Whom You Know

We intensely focus on gaining knowledge about GOD that we miss the knowledge of GOD.

It’s the difference between reading about the vitamins and the taste of beef, than biting into a thick sirloin steak hot off the grill. It’s the difference between knowing facts about GOD and experiencing HIS powerful presence.
To trust GOD, we must know HIM. But to come to know GOD, we must first trust HIM, at least a little bit. Right?
To experience the fullness of worship, we must trust the ONE we worship. And to trust HIM, we must know him.

-Have you felt as if you knew all the facts about GOD but your prayers never passed the ceiling? -Have you ever realized that your quiet time/morning devotion has become a dry bible study rather than a warm visit to your heavenly father.

We need truth and theology. The right information is essential. But above all else, we need relationship.

Reading between the lines

The story of a young lady who loved to read.
-A friend gave her a book, a must read book.
-Initially she found it the worst boring book she read in her life time.
-She attended a party and fell in love with the host
-She later found out that the book was about making a conversation at the party
-The author of the book was the host
- She read the book again and this time, she found it to be the greatest book she has ever read.

It makes a great deal of difference to know someone rather than simply to know his words.

Why would you care reading Habakkuk, Corinthians, the four gospels, the letters of Paul?
You read them because you’ve fallen in love with the ONE responsible for those writings, and it makes all the difference, HIS loving inscription is in our hearts.

Get the Picture

The story of Count Von Zinzendorf, the greatest missionary who ever lived:
- One day he visited a museum of fine art.
- He remained in one spot for 5 hours looking at one artpiece.
- The curator of the museum got concerned and wanted to find out why the man has been staring on one particular piece of art.
- The curator found out that it was a painting of The Holy lamb of God. But what surprised him was that tears were rolling down the man’s cheeks.
- Underneath the painting was this inscription : IF HE CARED THAT MUCH FOR YOU, WHAT SHOULD YOUR CONCERN BE FOR HIM?

He was contemplating on that question for 5 hours. He was lost in the greatness and the love of Christ, who had given His all for him. He was worshipping deeply, profoundly and emotionally.

Count VON was moved because the subject of the canvas/art was already the dearest to him, his Lord, his Master, his great love and his closest friend.

The count knew how to connect with GOD and to praise Him wherever he might be.

Your worship hat must always be worn on your head. A beautiful sky, a friend's smile or a completed task could be all the reason you would need to take a moment in your day for the WONDER OF WORSHIP.

This might be a struggle right now. But trust HIM and you will Know that he is GOD who will not forsake you. Psalm 9:10

- Elmer, September 28, 2007 Attendance -12