Divine Wisdom Verses Common Sense

What do you do when what you are going through doesn’t make sense? As Christians we sometimes go through situations and circumstances that doesn’t make sense to us and in most cases question God and our faith. We often reason these circumstances through our finite minds and we fail to connect the dots. Yet life doesn't always make sense, and God doesn't always give us the answers. It is during these times of total uncertainty that we can be most tempted to mistrust God. We often ask this question: "Why would God allow this to happen?"

We forget the source of all evil and always God gets the bad rap. Although God sometimes lets us in on some of His reasons for allowing things or doing things, most of the time He doesn't. "'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts'" (Is 55:8-9).  Romans 8:28 says; “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

We must realize that we are the created beings and God is the Creator. How could we understand his reasoning? "Clearly Scripture tells us we lack the capacity to grasp God's infinite mind or the way He intervenes in our lives. How arrogant of us to think otherwise. Trying to analyze His omnipotence is like an ant attempting to comprehend the behavior of man."

When disasters strike, we feel like children at God's feet, tugging at his coat with the question, "Why?" It is human nature for us to want to understand each significant event in our lives. When my precious daughter was born with medical challenges which were facts but contrary to the TRUTH, I wanted to know why? The only answer I got was from John 9:1-3, when Jesus healed a man born blind. As Jesus went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned? Jesus said, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

That gave me a window of hope and enabled me to realign my thoughts and expectation on how to approach my situation. We feel that if we could just grab hold of a reason for each painful event then we could make it through to the other side. My anchor became my relationship with God which is more experiential than text book knowledge; and not on any comforting words from friends and family. My attitude became one of a set up for God’s Glory and not a setback for the devils glory. If we always have a reason for things, we will be tempted to rely on ourselves during our pain rather than turning to God. We are not meant to understand; we are meant to trust. God's reasons are beyond our created minds. He does not promise us any explanations on earth, but one day in heaven we will understand our pain. "Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" (1 Cor 13:12). We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).  Proverbs 3:5-6 says; “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”. In other words; Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. What you are going through, though it might not make sense to you; trust in LORD – Anchor your faith in HIM and in your relationship with HIM and know that HE will make it all good.

Timely Word By Bobby Conner!

Bobby Conner:

Audience with the King

Prayer was never meant to be dry, dull or drudgery; on the contrary, it is to be a delightful audience with the KING! We have been granted a wonderful privilege: to approach God! It's almost unbelievable to think that God has invited us to approach Him to behold Him upon His throne. This is an invitation that none can afford to turn down.
The writer of the book of Hebrews states strongly, "Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]" (Hebrews 4:16 AMP).
The Spirit of Truth is, at this time, releasing insights with understanding concerning the power of prayer. We are experiencing the power of the decree; God is turning prayer from a "plea" to a "powerful proclamation"! From, "Oh, God would You?" to "God, You promised!" Remember, you have not because you ask not (see James 4:2). Jesus states: "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you will find"!
Today, take a stand and boldly make your request known to God, having total confidence that He is hearing you and will grant your request.
"And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him" (1 John 5:14-15).
Christ Jesus states: "Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea!' and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it]" (Mark 11:23-24).
I encourage you to cast all your cares upon Christ Jesus, He truly cares for you, and in Him you will find a friend that sticks closer than a brother. In Him, you will find a constant help in the time of need. Just as Queen Esther in the Book of Esther, prepare your heart to come before your King (Christ Jesus), you too will discover a warm welcome. You will find He is willing and waiting to release to you your heart's request (see Esther 5:1-3).
God has promised that this is a season of His favor. For He says, "In the time of favor (of an assured welcome) I have listened to and heeded your call, and I have helped you on the day of deliverance (the day of salvation). Behold, now is truly the time for a gracious welcome and acceptance [of you from God]; behold, now is the day of salvation!" (2 Corinthians 6:2 AMP).
God bless you as you prepare to approach your King!

Moravian Falls - August 09 3

Moravian Falls - August 09 2

Gary Oates Ministries

Series on Moving Forward - Prayer Is Key – PRAYING IN TONGUES (SPIRIT)

Acts 6:4; " We shall be persevering to THE prayer and the service of THE saying (Logos)." NT Greek Interlinear

The Early Christians understood that they could not neglect prayer. They were a praying church and how great and mighty things they achieved in prayer. Even when they became very busy in ministry, they did not allow business to get in the way of prayer. I want you to notice in the literal text it says, "We will persevere and give ourselves to the prayer..." Pay attention to the words 'the prayer' not just a prayer. It was a definite article meaning a determiner that introduces a noun phrase and implies that the thing mentioned has already been mentioned and was common knowledge. The Early church comprehended that 'praying in tongues' was the prayer. Praying in tongues was known as the prayer. There are many kinds of prayers in the Scripture but Tongues is the ultimate prayer in the New Testament. The Early Church gave much time and attention to it. This was common knowledge to the early disciples and it should be so in the modern church.

Prayer, especially praying in tongues, is a vital aspect to our spiritual growth, walking in the supernatural and being sensitive in the spirit. There is no way around it! If you want to grow in the anointing, it is imperative that you become a person of prayer. Jesus was a man of prayer as was the Apostle Paul and the early church was birthed and based on prayer. The Holy Writ shows that prayer and specially 'tongues' played a very prominent role in the life of the early church and it must play a prominent role in your life.

If you want to grow in the anointing, it is imperative that you become a person of prayer.

One of the greatest ministers who ever graced this earth was Reverend John G. Lake. Although he went through terrible hardships, he was a world shaker. What was the secret to John G. Lake’s deep revelations, extraordinary manifestations, and the success of his ministry? Here is an excerpt from his own mouth: “I want to talk with the utmost frankness and say to you, that tongues have been the making of my ministry. It is that peculiar communication with God when God reveals to my soul the truth I utter to you day by day in the ministry. Many times, I climb out of bed, take my pencil and pad, and jot down the beautiful things of God, the wonderful things of God that He talks out in my spirit and reveals to my heart.” Notice these words: “Tongues have been the making of my ministry.” Tongues will be the making of your life. Another great man who knew the power of praying in tongues was Smith Wigglesworth. Here was an uneducated plumber who, when he partook of the blessing of tongues, was transformed into the apostle of faith. The miracles, boldness, and manifestation of the supernatural became evident in his life and ministry. The church and the world are waiting for end time apostles who will be carriers of power and deliverance. You can be so as you develop the habit of praying in tongues! Apart from the obvious and common knowledge ones, let me list two benefits that you will enjoy as you partake of this marvelous blessing:-

1. Praying in tongues is strengthening your inner self with might.

Ephesians 3:16 tells us, “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man.”

The Weymouth New Testament words it like this, “To grant you—in accordance with the wealth of His glorious perfections—to be strengthened by His Spirit with power penetrating to your inmost being.” To strengthen means “to make stronger.” It also means “to increase in strength and force.” According to the apostle Paul, when you pray in tongues, you are strengthening or fortifying your spirit man with might. Obviously, he would know more about the might of tongues, as he declared to the Corinthian saints that he prayed in tongues more than them all (see 1 Cor. 14:18). The word ‘might’ is the Greek word ‘dunamis’, and it means “miracle power and explosive power.” The more you pray in the spirit, the more you are increasing in spiritual force on the inside of you. The more you pray in tongues, the more explosive power and miraculous power are growing inside of you. How can you be depressed when the strength of God is within you? Just like barbells will build up your arms, praying in tongues will build up your spirit. When your spirit is strong, it will help to keep that flesh body of yours in line. The more you pray in the spirit, the more you are increasing in spiritual force within.

2. Praying in tongues is part of the offensive of the armor of God. It is the lance that will shoot down the enemy.

Just like barbells will build up your arms, praying in tongues will build up your spirit.

Ephesians 6:13-18;”Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

“The whole armor of God”: Pay attention to the words ‘whole armor’ referring to the Greek word panoplia, meaning “whole, complete set.” It was a word used to depict the full armor of a hoplite or heavily-armed Roman soldier. Whenever the Roman soldier would put on his full armor, there were seven things that he would put on. The apostle Paul listed all the other Roman weaponries by name except for the lance. No Roman panoply would be complete without the lance. Since six is “the number of man” and seven is “the number of God,” seven stands for completion. That is why in the Old Testament we see and read of the seven feasts of Israel, seven sacrifices, seven furniture’s of the tabernacle, seven lamps of the candlestick, seven pillars of wisdom, and seven cities of refuge to name a few. The New Testament, specifically the Book of Revelation talks of the seven churches, Seven Spirits of God, seven golden candlesticks, seven stars, seven lamps of fire, seven seals, seven horns and seven trumpets to name a few.

God does things in sevens, and the seventh weaponry of the armor of God is the lance of prayer in the

spirit. The Roman lance was called a pilum. It was the typical legionary weapon together with the short

sword gladius. It was designed to penetrate the shield as well as the soldier holding it, and to bend

upon impact to make it unusable for another opponent. The pilum was used for long distances by

throwing it, and for shorter distances they would use it to charge. It was a very offensive weapon.

Praying in tongues is an aggressive and offensive weapon to put holes in the cover of the devil. The

lance of tongues is designed to paralyze the movements of the devil against your life. No wonder the

devil fights tongues so much, as it causes great harm in his kingdom. 

When Peter’s life was threatened by Herod, the church tapped into ‘the unceasing prayer of tongues’

and reversed the death sentence and demonic assignment. Tongues will make your progress

unstoppable! Pray in tongues! Jude 1:20 (Amplified Bible) But you, beloved, build yourselves up

[founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in

 the Holy Spirit;