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Matthew 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto
them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith and doubt not,
ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but
also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed and
cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And
all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye
shall receive. I’ve heard televangelists for years quoting
this verse. They don’t have the power to move mountains.
The Lord does. But when The Lord gave these powers unto the
Apostles, you can bet if they said for a mountain to be moved
into the sea... It would have happened...
Have you ever sent money to a TV ministry and written a letter
with a prayer request so they could put them all in a bundle
or on the floor or hold them up in front of the television (or
in the trash can) and then pray over them or mail you a prayer
cloth? Be honest. Can you ask yourself why they would have a
direct path to the Lord and you wouldn’t?
Just bear with me here. I’m doing my best to show you
some important things. I want to say to you tonight if you are
saved, you have a direct path to God. Your advocate is the Lord
Jesus Christ. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit
also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what to pray for
as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us
with groanings that cannot be uttered... If you are saved the
Holy Spirit reads your heart. We have an infirmity in the flesh...
We know NOT how to pray as we ought... The Bible did not say
except for (fill in the blank). You don’t have to go to
someone to pray for you; the Lord knows them that are His. If
you belong to a Bible Church that is of the Lord and you have
a special need then you can ask the Elders of your Church to
pray for you if you like. By all means if someone asks you to
pray for them, then do so.
I will speak about praying for healing in a future message.
I would like to point out again this passage. Luke 18:11
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank
thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust,
adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I
fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all I possess. 13
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much
as his eyes unto the heaven, but smote on his breast, saying,
God, be merciful to me a sinner. Notice the Pharisee was a man
of Religious Stature, he prayed about himself and put himself
above others. Notice also the publican, who is standing afar
off, Perhaps a very poor man and wasn’t even allowed in
the Temple or considered “clean" enough. Verse
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified
rather than the other: This publican had the right heart and
attitude. The Lord said he was Justified. This is what I am
trying to say about prayer. Everything we do should exalt the
Lord Jesus Christ and not ourselves. Our prayers should be prayed
in his will and for His Glory.
Note how Jesus prayed at Gethsemane. Mathew 26:39
And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed,
saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from
me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Verse
42 He went away the second time, and prayed, saying,
O my Father, if this cup may not pass from me, except I drink
tithe will be done. Jesus no doubt knew he would shortly be
crucified while praying here. He prayed if it be possible let
this cup pass from me. But, he still said, not my will but thine
be done. It is all for the Glory of God.
I believe God hears and Knows all things both of the saved
and the lost. All our deeds are recorded. I believe God answers
prayer. I believe that God will not give you something that
will hurt you. I don’t know why sometimes he doesn’t
answer our prayer. But let’s try to remember, God can
see the future and we can’t. Whatever you do in word or
deed, do it in the name of the Lord. I would like to make one
other point today, The preachers and teachers that are lying
to you today to take your money by false claims will someday
stand before the Judgment seat of Christ. Mathew 7:21
Not everyone that sayeth unto me, Lord, Lord; shall enter into
the Kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me
in that day, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in
thy name cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful
works? 23 And then I will profess unto them,
I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Amazing, isn’t it? Preachers, teachers, evangelists,
witnesses, Churches, that claim to be doing all these things
in the name of the Lord... And yet he will tell them I never
KNEW you. Be very careful you are in the right Church; there
are a LOT of false teachers out there. Another thing. If the
Lord never knew them, do you think he ever heard their prayers?
Just a thought. They weren’t saved. They thought they
were.
God Bless you all in the Name of The Lord Jesus Christ. Who
would have all men come to the knowledge of the truth.
No matter who you are. What religion you are, what color you
are, what your moral condition is, GOD was in Christ, reconciling
the WORLD unto himself. Just believe what he did for you at
Calvary. He will save you this instant... and no one can ever
pluck you out of his hand. Trust him...
Love you all,
Michael
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