Prayer-the Real beginning - Disciples Path Ministry

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Genesis
Prayer
 
Message #1-Backstory and Foundation
 
 
Every Thought We Have Takes Us on a Journey
When I recall reading the words Every Thought We Have Takes Us on a Journey I sat back and decided to really “unpack” the message. One of the first things that came to mind was a song by the Moody Blues where they sang thinking is the best way to travel. Sitting under one of my favorite trees my thinking took me on a journey. I traveled to God’s Word offered in Scripture. There it was just staring me in the face — Prayer!

How wonderful it is, how exciting it is, and what a blessing it is to know that while I pray my spirit is traveling right alongside Christ Jesus. I can “see” it — and with that seeing, I become aware of what is happening. Completely surrounded in His love He offers me a small area of His Spirit realm to walk and talk with Him in. Oh, how I love and cherish the time. It begins as I walk in His shadow; we laugh and enjoy our time together. On occasion, He has dried tears from my face. Sometimes we are walking down the shoreline of a beautiful beach, sometimes on a beautiful mountain trail, sometimes the desert, sometimes He will pick a spot! Then somehow, He and I are somewhere that is indescribable because I am incapable of comprehending where He and I are. It is indescribable because words, as we use them, do not exist there. Oh, how I love and cherish that time. I get the opportunity to go on this unbelievable journey with Christ every single time I pray! Probably from the selfish part of me, I also became aware while praying it temporarily suspends all my suffering and anguish. I hear and am able to see as well as I did as a child. I am no longer disabled. I am at and in complete peace drifting in a love that is beyond anything I can imagine. Prayer is the best way to travel. Prayer’s destination is the reason we exist and the reason for our existence. The journey while praying is an amazing blessing from God.

In his book The Pursuit of God, Dr. Tozer wrote, “Lift your heart and let it rest upon Jesus and you are instantly in a sanctuary though it be a railroad car or a factory or a kitchen. You can see God from anywhere if your mind is set to love and obey Him.” Before continuing any farther with this message, I am spiritually compelled to share that prayer demands something of each of us as an individual. Please allow me to “cherry-pick” a few verses from Scripture because of the beauty of those words but not referring to the context from whence they come. By blending Scripture with my thoughts, it will help me show the direction I am going in — hopefully. Hey! It’s a journey-have fun!
In chapter 55 from the Book of Isaiah, verses 6-9 Isaiah offers, (6) Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. (7) Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. (8) “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. (9) “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts (NKJV).”
╬ Everyone, every person on the face of this earth may come and enjoy the victory of God. However, just like with any successful relationship, there are terms, and fortunately, they are terms of endearment. God offers His desire for a relationship with us. Nevertheless, it remains an offer and for a reason known only to God — He can withdraw the offer….He is God, LORD, Master, and our Creator. Why He would ever withdraw the offer of a relationship is beyond our understanding. However, know that it could happen at any second! We can know of God but we are not capable of knowing God. Borrowing from the ESV — [It] is far above [H]is finite creatures and beyond their ability to describe [H]im or comprehend him fully, such knowledge is always partial and imperfect. Having God in your head is not the same as having God in your heart. Come to the foot of the Cross- thirty-one thousand verses in our Holy Bible cannot be wrong!
In the Book of Job, chapter 11 verses 13-18 in the Contemporary English Version (CEV), (13) Surrender your heart to God, turn to [H]im in prayer, (14) and give up your sins—even those you do in secret. (15) Then you won’t be ashamed; you will be confident and fearless. (16) Your troubles will go away like water beneath a bridge, (17) and your darkest night will be brighter than noon. (18) You will rest safe and secure, filled with hope and emptied of worry.
╬ Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. and now we add: Surrender your heart to God, turn to [H]im in prayer, and give up your sins—even those you do in secret.
From the Book of Mark — “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:24, NKJV)
.╬ Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near, Surrender your heart to God, turn to [H]im in prayer, and give up your sins—even those you do in secret — and now we add whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. I believe there are many things God will not do unless they are prayed for. Prayer is a common thread. You must know about prayer in order to engage with God. By knowing about prayer, you are equipped to start and maintain your relationship with God. Knowing about prayer reveals the fact that God will sometimes — in His infinite Wisdom and infinite Love say “No.” He and only He knows and sees the “big picture.” Our God knows without any doubt what we need. He absolutely knows the difference between need and wants too! Okay, just one more verse and then I’ll move forward and conclude. C’mon….you made it this far my friend!  It’s a journey-have fun…take a brain-break for a couple of minutes if you need to.
From the Book of Isaiah, chapter 1:15, “When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; Even though you make prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.”
╬ Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Surrender your heart to God, turn to [H]im in prayer, and give up your sins—even those you do in secret. Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Now we add even though you make prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. You must know about prayer in order to enable your relationship with God. God provides the means to communicate and have a loving relationship but there are terms.

Unfortunately, there are millions of people who think they have a relationship with God and He will hear when they make prayers. The bottom line is those millions of people believe they can manipulate God. There is only one way to have an intimate relationship with God which will make possible a fruitful prayer. You must first come to The Cross. When you have truly come to The Cross, you will know it! It is an experience (for lack of a better word) that is unmistakable, indescribable, unforgettable, which is precisely why it completely changes your life!
 
 
 
Until next time my friend in Christ — Shalom
 
 
Disciples Path Ministry - St. Augustine, Florida
 
U.S.A.
 
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