PRAY WITHOUT CEASING

QUESTION: What does it mean to pray without ceasing? 

ANSWER: 

How can I pray without ceasing? Praying without ceasing is a biblical term found in the Apostle Paul's first letter to Thessalonica: "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, KJV). The Greek word "without ceasing" means continuous action. Therefore, “praying without ceasing” means to pray continuously. 

How to pray without ceasing: a heart attitude

·       How does one pray continually? We cannot always be on our knees. With the daily demands on our busy lives, we are fortunate to kneel in prayer even a few minutes each day. However, the context of this passage gives us a clue. This passage focuses on heart attitude. "Rejoice always" is an attitude of joyfulness. Giving thanks in everything also requires a mental attitude of thankfulness. How do we rejoice and give thanks? Through prayer! Therefore, effective prayer is a proper heart attitude: a mental outlook of joyful thanksgiving. It expresses itself throughout the day with silent prayers of vital communication with the LORD. 

·       Maintaining a healthy relationship requires communication. Always be "on line" with God so when the Spirit moves you to pray, you can instantly agree with Him. The Holy Spirit prays for us with inexpressible groans (Romans 8:26). When in agreement with the Spirit, we are praying continuously. The heart attitude of praying without ceasing means an ever-open heart to the Lord’s leading.

·       If we are praying without ceasing -- even while driving, changing the baby, washing dishes, or running a lawn mower -- we can be open to the leading of the Spirit when He urges us to pray for something or someone. At that time, we can agree with God and make a mental note to add that concern to our later prayer time.

·       Praying without ceasing doesn’t take the place of time alone in prayer with God. However, it is a joyful experience to unite with the LORD who lays burdens on our hearts. We can't always stop and kneel, but our heart attitude can still be "praying without ceasing."

Praying without ceasing is sometimes really difficult when it seems like God is not answering...

CONFIDENCE IN GOD

“Confidence in God” is an article found inside the NLT Study Bible—a fantastic resource for anyone in the earlier stages of Bible study.

God gave Nehemiah favor in the eyes of a mighty Persian king so that the king responded favorably to all of Nehemiah’s requests (1:11; 2:8, 18). Nehemiah then had the confidence to present his bold plan to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, and the people of Jerusalem responded positively, believing that God was able to give them success in rebuilding the walls (2:20) and to protect them from their enemies (4:4-5, 9).

THEY CONFIDENTLY CONTINUED IN THEIR WORK…

…in spite of opposition because they knew that God fights for his people and frustrates the plans of the wicked (4:14-15, 20). When the walls of Jerusalem were finished, Nehemiah recognized that the entire difficult project was completed only because of God’s help (6:16).

The book of Nehemiah vividly demonstrates that God is all-powerful and able to accomplish his will, both in individual lives and in nations. Nehemiah’s prayer in ch. 9 focuses on praising God for his sovereign and powerful acts: God created the heavens and earth (9:6), called Abram from Ur, and gave the land to Israel (9:7-8, 22-25). The miraculous signs in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, and the provision of guidance, food, and water in the wilderness all demonstrate God’s power over man and nature to provide for his people (9:9-15).

The Lord had sent the Israelites into exile after generations of persistent sin (9:26-27). Now he was fulfilling part of his promise to restore them (1:8-9).

NEHEMIAH HAD THE CONFIDENCE…

…to pray and lead because he knew that everything that happened was part of God’s sovereign plan. This same confidence in God’s sovereignty led Abram to leave Ur and by faith go to an unknown land (Gen 12:1-3; Heb 11:8-10), caused Rahab to trust in God (Josh 2:9-14; Heb 11:31), and prompted Hezekiah not to give in to the demands of the Assyrian king Sennacherib (2 Kgs 18–19).

Confidence comes when people believe that God will keep his promises and complete the work he has started in their lives(Phil 1:6).

 

APPLICATION

Where do you lack confidence? Can you think of any promises God makes that you can rely on as a source of confidence? Share some of God’s promises that have given you confidence in the comments below.

NLT STUDY BIBLE

Looking for a study Bible that is SO MUCH MORE than footnotes? The NLT Study Bible is jam-packed with articles, word studies, charts, full-color maps, and more. We highly recommend this study Bible! We especially recommend it to anyone looking to start studying the Bible a little bit more in-depth, but with easy-to-understand content.

LISTENING TO GOD

Listening to God: Preparing Your Heart to Hear Him
Listening to God is like listening to anyone-before you can hear Him, you must be ready to listen. Just as in a conversation, you cannot hear the other person if you are talking or if your mind is distracted. So it is with God. If you want to hear Him speak, you must be quiet and you must be focused on what He is saying. Regular conversation with God can transform your life! Consider identifying a place and time to meet with God everyday.

Prayer is how you begin a conversation with God. Think of it as saying "hello."

Listening to God: How Can I Hear Him?
Listening to God requires a deliberate choice to shut out the chaos around you and focus your thoughts. Is God someone you can hear? The Bible says He is, and the Bible is one of the main tools through which He speaks.

We live in a world of noise. Almost everywhere we go, we find sounds competing with our minds, keeping us from letting our thoughts get below the surface level. Hearing God's voice means not listening to the noise of the world around us. It's not easy, but it can be done.

King David, author of most of the book of Psalms, gave us a model for meeting with God, "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul" (Psalm 143:8).

He sought God's direction in the morning, at the beginning of the day. Like a general in God's army, he wanted to hear from his Commanding Officer before he entered into battle. Beginning each day fresh with God is a great reminder that, as the Scripture says, His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22, 23). You must find the time of day that works for you, but morning is the best time if that is possible.

Do you want to hear God speak to you? Listening to God requires regular Bible reading, since the Bible is the Word of God. To listen to the Bible, click here.

Listening to God: Get the Picture
Listening to God requires a heart committed to understand His message. God often speaks to us in visual images. Consider the example of the prophet Habakkuk, in Habakkuk chapter 2. The prophet longed to hear from God! He was so determined that he was willing to stand and wait as long as it took. "I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me…" (Habakkuk 2:1).

Habakkuk found that God was faithful. "Then the LORD replied, 'Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay" (Habakkuk 2:2).

Listening to God: What Now?
Listening to God requires a right attitude in our hearts. In order to listen to God and receive His instruction, we must want to do His will, much as Habakkuk did. God honors the heart that is fully surrendered to Him. If we are stubbornly clinging to our own desires, we are likely to get a garbled message that will not be God's voice at all. As a result, we are likely to continue pursuing a path that is contrary to the one God has designed for our lives.

Psalm 40:8 says, "I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."

Do you desire God's will for your life above every other desire? If you do, you can trust that He will direct your path. Listen to His message, and be quick to obey. Write down what He tells you and be ready to share it so that others may understand.

When you listen to God and obey Him, you will discover a life that is full and rich with purpose, confident you are following the Master's plan.

GOD LISTENS

There are never small miracles because every miracle is wonderful. It is always awesome when God answers prayers, whether it is healing or just Him taking our anxiety away. I am realizing that I need to stay aware of all the answered prayers that I have because every single one is an awesome miracle. It is so uplifting when our prayers are answered. In fact, Proverbs points out that a “desire fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12). Therefore, an answered prayer is life giving to our soul. This past week while my husband, Josh, was on his very far and long business trip, God answered prayers that gave me peace, took away anxiety, increased my hope, and built up my faith. The first answered prayer was on his flight over to the other side of the world. He had a very short layover in Tokyo. His plane from DFW was scheduled to land an hour before his next flight to Jakarta was to depart. Well, when the kids and I were getting ready for bed I checked his flight status and his plane was thirty minutes behind schedule. The kids and I immediately prayed for God to help the pilot make up for the lost time, and that Josh would not miss his connecting flight. Thankfully, God heard our prayer because when I got up in the middle of the night and checked the flight status it had landed only a few minutes late, not thirty minutes late. I prayed again, right then, that Josh was able to make it to his next flight, and a few minutes after my prayer he texted me saying that he was on his next flight. It was wonderful to have an immediate answer to a prayer. Another quick answered prayer was for help with the issue my husband was trying to fix. He wasn’t able to completely fix the issue that the customer was having in Indonesia, so the kids and I once again prayed. We prayed for grace and favor with the customer and that God would just miraculously fix the problem. Shortly after our prayer, my husband texted me saying, “If you are praying for grace with the customer it is working.” This text seriously gave me goose bumps because it really was just a minute after our prayer that we received it. The next day, I found out that God did miraculously fix the problem.

7 GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

•Wisdom is considered the first and the greatest of the gifts. It acts upon both the intellect and the will. According to St. Bernard, it both illumines the mind and instills an attraction to the divine. Adolphe Tanquerey OP explained the difference between the gift of wisdom and that of understanding: "The latter is a view taken by the mind, while the former is an experience undergone by the heart; one is light, the other love, and so they unite and complete one another. A wise and loving heart is the perfection of the theological virtue of charity. •Understanding helps one relate all truths to one's supernatural purpose; it further illuminates one's understanding of Sacred Scripture; and it assists us to understand the significance of religious ritual. This all gives us a profound appreciation for God’s providence. •Counsel functions as a sort of supernatural intuition, to enable a person to judge promptly and rightly, especially in difficult situations. It perfects the cardinal virtue of prudence. While prudence operates in accord with reason as enlightened by faith, the gift of counsel operates under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to illuminate the will of God. •Fortitude is often identified with courage, but Aquinas takes its meaning to also encompass endurance. Joseph J. Rickaby describes it as a willingness to stand up for what is right in the sight of God, even if it means accepting rejection, verbal abuse, or physical harm. The gift of fortitude allows people the firmness of mind that is required both in doing good and in enduring evil. It is the perfection of the cardinal virtue of the same name. •Knowledge: The gift of knowledge allows one, as far as is humanly possible, to see things from God's perspective. It “allows us to perceive the greatness of God and his love for his creatures” through creation. •Piety accords with reverence. A person with reverence recognizes his total reliance on God and comes before God with humility, trust, and love. Thomas Aquinas says that piety perfects the virtue of religion, which is an aspect of the virtue of justice, in that it accords to God that which is due to God. In a series of talks on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Pope Francis said that piety is a recognition of "our belonging to God, our deep bond with him, a relationship that gives meaning to our whole life and keeps us resolute, in communion with him, even during the most difficult and troubled moments”. Francis goes on: "Piety is not mere outward religiosity; it is that genuine religious spirit which makes us turn to the Father as his children and to grow in our love for others, seeing them as our brothers and sisters." •Fear of the Lord is akin to wonder (or awe). With the gift of fear of the Lord, one is made aware of the glory and majesty of God. At a June 2014 general audience Pope Francis said that it “is no servile fear, but rather a joyful awareness of God’s grandeur and a grateful realization that only in him do our hearts find true peace”. A person with wonder and awe knows that God is the perfection of all one desires. This gift is described by Aquinas as a fear of separating oneself from God. He describes the gift as a "filial fear," like a child's fear of offending his father, rather than a "servile fear," that is, a fear of punishment. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It is the perfection of the theological virtue of hope.

LIFE AFTER DEATH?

It’s a question that has crossed everyone’s mind, because death happens to everyone, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, or status. Death is the unconquerable foe that has taken over the likes of Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar. Postulates or theories by minds like Einstein or Stephen Hawking can never be proved upon this subject. So what does the Bible say? One of Jesus’ most significant miracles recorded in the Bible was the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead (John 11). There are other instances of people who had been raised from the dead, but unlike those mentioned before in the Bible, Lazarus had been dead for an entire period of four days. When Lazarus died, Jesus said, “‘Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.’ Then His disciples said, ‘Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.’ However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep” (John 11:11-13, NKJV). What does the Bible say about death? The Bible compares death to sleep more than fifty times. After death we are asleep, we are unconscious; we are not aware of the passing of time or of what is going on around us. That is what death is like as well. The Bible says, “for the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing… their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished” (Ecclesiastes 9:5, NKJV, see also Psalm 146:4; 115:17). It makes sense that after Lazarus was raised from the dead, he doesn’t share what he saw or experienced. He didn’t have anything to tell, except that once he was dead, and now he is alive! He didn’t experience hell or heaven. He was simply “sleeping” in his tomb. Peter on the Day of Pentecost said the same of King David. “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day…For David did not ascend into the heavens…"(Acts 2:29, 34). >> Related Topics: Are ghosts real? | What does the Bible say about cremation? What happens to your soul when you die? Many Christians think of the soul as an immortal entity within us that goes on living after death. What does the Bible say? Describing the creation of human beings in the beginning, the Bible says, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7, KJV). Other Bible translations say, “. . . and man became a living being” (NKJV; NIV). God did not put a soul into man. He formed the body from the dust of the ground, and then He breathed His life-giving spirit into the lifeless body—and the result was a soul, or a living being. When a person dies, the reverse takes place. The breath of life departs from the body, and the soul no longer exists. That’s what the Bible says. “The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7, NIV). At the resurrection, God reunites the body and His life-giving spirit—and the person lives again. If souls existed as separate entities that lived on after we died, that would mean we have immortality. However, the Bible says human beings do not have immortality. Only God is immortal (see 1 Timothy 6:15, 16). Paul says that the righteous “seek for glory, honor, and immortality” (Romans 2:7). If we had immortal souls, why would the righteous seek after something they already have? Is there life after death? Though we may die, Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25). We will receive immortality when Jesus comes again (see 1 Corinthians 15:51-54). The Bible says that all those who have died—both righteous and wicked—will be raised to life in one of two resurrections. The righteous will be raised to life at Jesus’ second coming. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, NKJV). According to this verse, the righteous do not go to heaven when they die. They remain asleep in the grave until Jesus returns and raises them to immortal life (see 1 Corinthians 15:50-57). The wicked are raised to life in a separate resurrection—the resurrection of condemnation. Jesus said, “Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28, 29, NKJV). The prophets never mention in the Bible that the righteous immediately go to heaven or the wicked go to hell when they die. Neither did Jesus and His apostles teach it. When Jesus was about to leave His disciples, He did not tell them they would soon come to Him. “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-3, NKJV). When He returns, our loved ones asleep in Christ will awake from their tombs. No matter how long the time has passed, be it long or short, will seem but a moment to them. By the voice of Jesus, they are called forth from their deep slumber they will begin to think just where they ceased, awakening to a glorious immortality. “For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible … So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’” (1 Corinthians 15:52, 54). The last sensation was the pang of death, the last thought, that they were falling beneath the power of the grave, but then, imagine, when they arise from the tomb to the shout, “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). You may wish to learn more through the Discover Bible Lessons on our Bible studies section. Share on FacebookShare on Twitter FEATURED Second Coming of Jesus Christ Why didn't God kill or destroy Satan? What does the Bible say about cremation? What is the rapture? Second Coming of Jesus Christ Why didn't God kill or destroy Satan? What does the Bible say about cremation? What is the rapture? Second Coming of Jesus Christ Why didn't God kill or destroy Satan? Request Prayer Do you have a prayer request? Submit your request and our prayer team will pray for you. REQUEST PRAYER HOME / BIBLE QUESTIONS / APOLOGETICS / Why didn't God kill or destroy Satan? Why didn’t the tragedy of sin stop with Lucifer? Why didn’t God destroy him before his sin-disease could spread? It’s important to remember that Lucifer had challenged the fairness of God’s government. He had told lies about God. The idea of telling a lie had never entered the minds of the angels. Naturally they didn’t grasp all that lay behind Lucifer’s deceptions. If God had destroyed Satan immediately, the angels would have begun to serve Him from fear rather than from love. This would have defeated the very purpose He had in creating beings with the power of choice in the first place. How did anyone really know God’s way was best? No one had dared to try an alternative. God gave Satan a chance to demonstrate his alternative system. That’s why he was given an opportunity to make his pitch to Adam and Eve. This planet has become a testing ground where the character of Satan and the nature of his kingdom are contrasted with the character of God and the nature of His kingdom. Who is right? Who can we ultimately trust? These are the issues which “the great controversy between Christ and Satan” must resolve. Satan's deceptions So deceptive was Lucifer, that before all the universe could be fully convinced, the nature of his alternative had to be fully exposed. It has taken time for everyone to really grasp how disastrous Satan’s alternative actually is. But eventually everyone will see that “the wages of sin is death” and that “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Every being in the entire universe will then agree with the declaration: “‘Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.’” —Revelation 15:3, 4. Conclusion: God's perfect plan After everyone understands the deadly nature of sin and the destructive nature of Satan’s philosophy, God can destroy Satan and sin. He will also have to destroy those who stubbornly resist His grace and cling to Satan’s alternative. God is just as anxious to resolve the problem of sin and suffering as we are to have Him do so. But He is waiting until He can do it on a permanent basis, and until He can both preserve our free will and prevent evil from ever appearing again. EXPAND ANSWER FEATURED Does God send hurricanes and earthquakes? Suffering Satan: Who is he? Does God send hurricanes and earthquakes? Suffering Satan: Who is he? Does God send hurricanes and earthquakes? Suffering Get Free Bible Study Guides Have you ever wished to better understand the Bible? Get started now... GET FREE BIBLE STUDIES HOME / BIBLE TOPICS / Apologetics An apologist should be ready to share why they believe and hope in spiritual things. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” Apologists should speak with grace and politeness. Colossians 4:5-6 says, “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Apologists should respond without quarreling and in humility. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 says, “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.” When sharing your faith, lift up Christ and not the wisdom of man. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 says, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” Humans seek signs and wisdom for proof, but Paul exhorts preaching “Christ crucified”. 1 Corinthians 1:22-24 says, “For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” Apologists must be careful to correctly interpret the scriptures. 2 Peter 3:16 says, “As also in all his [Paul’s] epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.” 2 Timothy 2:15 also says, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

7 WAYS TO OVERCOME SIN

7 ways to overcome sin as Jesus overcame
The Bible speaks about being “more than conquerors” over sin. But how?
Written by EKPO BASSEY JACOB

7 ways to overcome sin is anything that goes against God’s will and His laws. To commit sin is to transgress or disobey these laws. The lust to sin dwells in human nature. In other words, it is contaminated and motivated by the sinful tendencies that dwell in all people as a result of the fall into sin and disobedience in the garden of Eden. This... More as Jesus overcame)

The Bible says in no uncertain terms that we as Christians are to live an overcoming life in our battleAlmost all talk of battles and wars when concerning a Christian life refers to the inner battle that arises when a sinful thought tempts you. God’s Spirit and the flesh are at odds. When you have decided to only do God’s will and are being led by the Spirit, a conflict between the flesh and the Spirit arises: there is... More against sin. And that victory isn’t “by the skin of our teeth:” we are to be more than conquerors, (Romans 8:37) and God “always leads us in triumph!” (2 Corinthians 2:14)

Yet, though I want to live a life pleasing to God, it can be quite daunting to meet the reactions that come from my nature to events and situations in daily life. I think, say and do things that are not according to God’s will. Paul describes it very well in Romans 7:18-19: “For I know that in me (that is, in my fleshSin is anything that goes against God’s will and His laws. To commit sin is to transgress or disobey these laws. The lust to sin dwells in human nature. In other words, it is contaminated and motivated by the sinful tendencies that dwell in all people as a result of the fall into sin and disobedience in the garden of Eden. This... More) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” It can seem that this sin inherent in my flesh is just too strong to resist. So, how can I overcome it?

1. “As I overcame”

Jesus says something incredible in Revelation 3:21: “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” These words are so great, they can almost be hard to grasp! All Christians believe that through Jesus’ sacrifice we can get forgiveness and be reconciled to God. But here Jesus is saying that I can also overcome sin as Jesus overcame! This means there must be way more to it than forgiveness of sins.

So to find out how I can overcome sin, I need to look at Jesus, my forerunner and great example, and see how He did it.

2. “Not my will, but Yours, be done”
When Jesus came into the world, He declared, “God, You have given Me a body, and I have come to do Your will.” (Hebrews 10:5-7) Similarly, when He was facing enormous trials at the end of His life, He said, “… not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:42.

“My will” is another word for the sin in the fleshSin is anything that goes against God’s will and His laws. To commit sin is to transgress or disobey these laws. The lust to sin dwells in human nature. In other words, it is contaminated and motivated by the sinful tendencies that dwell in all people as a result of the fall into sin and disobedience in the garden of Eden. This... More that we have all inherited. It covers a myriad of areas, including pride, impatience, selfishness, unrighteousness, irritation, laziness, vanity, complaining, sexual impurity, unbelief, discouragement, envy, greed, ingratitude etc. As a man, Jesus also had this self-will, and was tempted, but His firm resolve from the very start was, “Not My will, but Yours, be done!” For me to overcome as He overcame, I need to make that same decision and faithfully stick to it, no matter what happens or how I feel.

3. Humble myself

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, … being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5-8. Jesus was in heaven with God but He voluntarily became a man for our sakes. You would have thought that this was the ultimate act of humility. But it’s written that it was as a man that He humbled Himself, and was obedient. This was because as a human being He had a self-will that was not in agreement with the Father’s. In the situations of daily life when He was tempted to impatience, irritation, envy, discouragement etc. the Father showed Him that His reaction was never because of the others or the situation, but always from the tendency to sinTo commit sin is to consciously do something that you know goes against God’s will. This can be in word, deed, or even thought. (James 1:14-15)... More in Jesus’ own flesh. In order to overcome, Jesus had to humble Himself. He had to take up a battle against the sin, and carry out His pledge: “Not My will, but Yours, be done!”

Humility is the mind of Jesus, and must be my attitude as His discipleA disciple is another word for a follower of Christ, one who is learning to be like his Master. As a disciple you follow Jesus Christ, who is the Master and by living like Him you become more like Him. (Matthew 16:24; 1 Peter 2:21-22)... More.


4. Pray with vehement cries and tears

“… who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” Hebrews 5:7-8. Jesus really was a man like us. God didn’t give Him any special privileges or make the way easier for Him, because then the whole work of salvation would have been corrupted and worthless. Jesus fought a desperate battle against the sin in His flesh, and needed help. His “vehement cries and tears” were heard because they were genuine, the result of only wanting to serve God.

God taught Him obedience, and gave Him the strength and resolve He needed to deny Himself, every single time. How desperate am I to gain the victory? How vehement are my cries to God? How willing am I to obey? Do I want to be saved from death? To overcome like He overcame, I need to follow Jesus in everything, also in how I pray to God for help. In my situation, the lustsThe desires that we experience that go against God’s will. In other words, a desire for anything sinful. See James 1:14. Also called “sin in the flesh.” Although the expression “youthful lusts” is  often thought of in connection with sinful sexual desires, lusts include anything that go against what is good and right in God’s eyes. (2 Timothy 2:22.; Galatians... More in my flesh and the pressures from outside can loom up like an enormous mountain. The battle can seem overwhelming. But I am not alone.


5. Grace to help in time of need

Jesus knows what it is like to be human. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15. Before He left the earth, Jesus promised His disciples that He would send them the Holy Spirit, the Helper, who would guide them to the truth. (John 14:16-17, 26; John 15:26)

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16. Because Jesus was tempted, yet did not sin, it is possible for us to come to Him with boldness to receive grace. This grace is so we too shall not commit sin in our... More, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16. The time of need is when I am tempted, when I see and feel the sin in my flesh, when I am struggling to keep myself pure and not to sin. If I pray for help as Jesus did, with humility and loud cries and tears, desperate to gain the victory and be saved from death, then I will get help.

The Holy Spirit will come and show me the way to go. And the way is always: “Suffer in the fleshThe Bible often mentions suffering. Though this can refer to outward, physical suffering, in the New Covenant it mostly applies to the suffering that occurs when you deny your own sinful lusts and desires and put them to death. It is an inner suffering that occurs because your lusts are not being satisfied, rather than a physical, outward one –... More, like Jesus did!” If I am humble and willing to obey, He will give me the strength and resolve I need to endure in my battle. He will give me light and understanding to see how heinous sin is, and how great my heavenly calling is. He will give Me God’s Word as a guide, help and a weapon.


6. Using the Word as a weapon

God’s Word is a sword. (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12) It is the absolute truth, and a powerful weapon against Satan’s and sin’s deceit. When Jesus was tempted by the devil, His reply always started with “It is written…!”  (Matthew 4:1-11) But Jesus didn’t only quote the Word; He had authority when He used God’s Word, because He also lived by it. In John 1:14 we read the astonishing words that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus could be described as the Word personified. His entire life was a fulfilment of God’s Word, and thereby God’s will.

When I read the Bible, I fill myself with God’s wisdom. It is the weapon He has given me; words to use against Satan’s deceit like Jesus did, words that show me what to do, words of comfort. I must do exactly what I read. Then I am wielding the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. I totally expose Satan’s lies and deceit and overcome all the sinful tendencies in my flesh. Living according to these words makes me invincible.


7. Suffer in the flesh, cease from sin

“Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” 1 Peter 4:1-2. This sufferingThe Bible often mentions suffering. Though this can refer to outward, physical suffering, in the New Covenant it mostly applies to the suffering that occurs when you deny your own sinful lusts and desires and put them to death. It is an inner suffering that occurs because your lusts are not being satisfied, rather than a physical, outward one –... More was not the physical suffering on the crossJesus was physically crucified on the cross at Calvary. Though blameless, He took upon Himself the punishment for sin, which was death, so He could pay our debts and forgive us our sin if we are willing to believe in Him and follow Him the Apostle Paul wrote: “I have been crucified with Christ…” (Galatians 2:20) This is a metaphorical... More of Calvary. It was the suffering of the cross He used daily, when He said “No” to His own will, the sin in His flesh, even when it bombarded Him incessantly with its demands and deceitful attraction. The sin in His nature had received its death sentence when He said “Your will be done, God,” and this sentence was carried out when the lusts were revealed in time of temptation.

As a disciple who follows Jesus, I must hate my own life, deny myself and take up my cross. (Luke 9:23, Luke 14:26) It costs something. It costs my will. It costs my life. I must pray and cry and my lusts have to feel the pain of being denied. On the “daily cross” they suffer and die. Then I will cease from sin.

This is the way the Master went. If I follow Him, I will end up where He is!

“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” Revelation 3:21.

SEEKING GOD'S WILL BEFORE CHOOSING A SPOUSE

The main thing concerns God's will for your life and your potential spouse. After all is said and done, just where does the will of God enter into all of this discussion? It's central, it's primary, and it's the most important aspect.

Let's consider some of the steps involved in this process. The first step is desiring the will of God for your life. In doing this it means surrendering your life to God and asking Him to be the directing agent. ...

A second step is practicing obedience to God's will in every area of life. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path" (Psalm 119:105, NIV).

The next step is developing relationships with believers, because marriages tend to develop out of existing relationships. This is a safeguard against marrying a non-Christian. "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another ... " (1 John 1:7, NIV).

A fourth guideline is to look for the Holy Spirit to lead you. Acknowledge your dependence on the Holy Spirit and be sensitive to His leading. Usually the Holy Spirit's prompting is quiet and gentle. "Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God" (Romans 8:14, NIV).

Another step is to watch what you allow into your heart as well as what you let out of your heart. If you indulge in fantasies or explicit sexual material, these can warp your perspective of what you are looking for. And developing relationships based on flirtations and shallow or physical involvements can keep you from finding the person you're seeking. "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (Proverbs 4:23, NIV).

One of the most difficSsteps is being willing to wait for God. We become impatient and take matters into our own hands. When you wait not only is your faith tested, but your motives undergo purification as well. It also builds the character quality of maturity. "The testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete ... " (James 1:3,4, NIV). Waiting overcomes the erratic distortions that can be a part of moods and emotions. This verse is our reminder: "Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him" (Isaiah 64:4, NIV).

Seek out the wisdom of other individuals, such as friends and family. Even secular research has shown the wisdom and value of doing this. "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice" (Proverbs 12:15, NIV). "A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence" (Proverbs 15:5, NIV).

Finally, remember that it is the Lord who gives the gift of a wife or husband. Approach every situation and decision with the question, "What is going to please the Lord?" The psalmist described this in Psalm 37:4: "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart." "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord" (Proverbs 18:22, NIV).

You may be asking, "But are there any other guidelines or principles that I could follow to find God's will?" Here is another way of looking at this process.

Jim Dobson has suggested some basic principles for recognizing God's will for any area of one's life. These principles should be applied to any impressions that a person might have regarding marriage.

Is the impression scriptural? Guidance from God is always in accordance with His Word. If a Christian is considering marrying a non-Christian, there is no use in praying for God's will; the Scripture is clear concerning this situation. In searching the Scriptures, verses should be taken within context, not in a random sampling.

Is is providential? Every impression ought to be considered in light of providential circumstances. Are necessary doors opening or closing? Is God speaking through events?

GROWING YOUR FAITH

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. —Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

 

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour, the Bible says we receive supernatural help from the Holy Spirit. Because of that help, we can become more like Jesus, showing nine key characteristics—the fruits of the Spirit—in our daily lives.

1. Love

It’s no coincidence that love is the first fruit listed in Galatians chapter 5. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God and love one another (Mark 12:30-31). When we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and love our neighbours as ourselves, we show the world we belong to Jesus.

·         Until you know God loves you, it will be difficult to love God and love others. Whether you’ve never heard that God loves you or you just need a reminder, watch this short, powerful video about God’s amazing love for you.

·         Our culture uses the word “love” so casually (“I love your dress!” “I love cheeseburgers!”), it can be hard to identify the kind of love Jesus spoke about in the Bible. What does it look like to love God with all we have? Like any relationship, love means setting aside time. Take time to talk with God and get to know Him through the Bible.

·         Once we love God, we can love others. But love isn’t just something to talk about; Jesus taught us to show our love through actions. Find ways to love people through acts of service. Even a simple phone call can make a difference. Then share God’s love with others. Know someone who’s hard to love? This Answer from Billy Graham may help.

2. Joy

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4). It’s easy to rejoice when things are going our way. It’s a different story when life is hard. But followers of Jesus are called to have joy all the time—not just when life is good.

·         One of the keys to being joyful is knowing why we rejoice. We don’t rejoice in our money, jobs, vacations or even our relationships. We must rejoice in the Lord.

·         Billy Graham said, “Only the forward-looking Christian remains sincerely optimistic and joyful, knowing that Christ will win in the end.” Is your focus on the problems of this world, or the eternal joy that is to come? If you find yourself focusing on negatives, redirect your thoughts to Jesus and the promise of heaven. Watch the video, Heaven.

·         If Christ followers are called to be joyful, why are some Christians so grumpy? 

3. Peace

Like the word “love,” “peace” is a word that has become casual and hard to define. But true peace comes from God, and there’s nothing like it.

·         “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus spoke those words thousands of years ago, but they’re still meant for us today. Check yourself. Does your peace come from trusting Jesus, or does it come from your circumstances?

·         It seems more people than ever suffer from anxiety. But you can have peace when you train yourself to focus on God instead of yourself or the world around you. Start with reading and memorizing Philippians 4:6-9, which explains how to replace anxiety with the peace of God.

·         Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). In this Answer, Billy Graham talks about whether world peace is possible. We should pray for peace throughout the world, but we also can’t forget about our own backyard. Is there strife within your own family or workplace? Be a peacemaker there.

4. Patience

Living in this fast-paced world can give you a short fuse. Still, impatience isn’t something you want to brush off as a minor personality flaw. If you find yourself getting annoyed, worried or intolerant while waiting on people, imagine how much more those negative emotions can escalate while you’re waiting on the Lord.

·         Don’t think you have what it takes to be a patient person? All the more reason to submit this tough area to God. See what the Bible says about patience and why you can’t develop this trait on your own.

·         In some translations, the word “long-suffering” is used in place of “peace” in Galatians 5:22. Both patience and long-suffering deal with endurance—a necessary companion for your faith walk. In this Ruth Bell Graham writing, she uses the example of windsurfing to show the importance of patience, endurance and divine guidance.

·         God exercises more patience than we ever could. No matter how many times you mess up, God won’t run out of patience with you.

·         5. Kindness

Philippians 2:3-4 says, “count others more significant than yourselves” and “look to the interests of others.” Kindness is about more than being cordial. It’s an intentional act that requires effort and genuine concern. These reminders can help you become a kinder person.

·         Make room to be kind to others. Give compliments. Talk to strangers beyond saying, “Hello.” Make extra effort this week to recognize opportunities to demonstrate kindness, and then follow through. Take note of how it impacts you and others.

·         “People take my kindness for weakness.” Sound familiar? There’s nothing weak about being kind to others. In fact, it takes a great degree of humility to consistently live this wayWhen you totally give your life to Christ, your old ways no longer matter. With the help of God, you can embody the attributes of a kind person

·         6. Goodness

To practice goodness, you must first know what God considers “good.”

·         God calls us to have true, right and pure thoughts (Philippians 4:8). Billy Graham once gave this answer on controlling bad thoughts.

·         God calls us to love everyone, including our enemies. “The Bible declares that we who follow Jesus Christ should be just as much in love with each other as God was in love with us when He sent His Son to die on the cross.”

·         God calls us to do the right thing for the right reasons. This battle starts with the heart.

7. Faithfulness

Do you have someone to turn to with the most important things in life? Someone who sticks close by through the ups and downs? A loyal friend isn’t to be taken for granted. You can be that kind of person, too.

·         God is faithful. Are you faithful back? He wants us to be good stewards with what He’s given us—time, talents, money, relationships. Can He trust you to treat or use these things wisely?

·         Being faithful to God also means not putting other things above Him. The Bible calls these idols—anything you worship or give “god-like” status to. An idol isn’t necessarily a bad thing in and of itself—it could be work, social position, entertainment, looks—but can be a distraction when God doesn’t come first. Is He at the center of all you do? Read more about idols.

·         Our relationships are important to God. Are you loyal to those around you? Can people trust that you’ll do what you say you’ll do? James 5:12 says, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No,’ lest you fall into judgment.”

8. Gentleness

Harsh. Abrasive. Overly critical. Angry. That doesn’t exactly describe the kind of person you want to be around, does it? Here are some ways to approach your own relationships with gentleness.

·         Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Build others up, don’t tear them down. Believe the best, don’t assume the worst. Distance yourself from harmful gossip.

·         Anger may be justified, but how you deal with it can make or break relationships. It can also lead to bitterness, which gets you nowhere.  Constructive criticism can be helpful, but be wary of criticizing others to the point of belittling them. Balance your feedback with compliments. Be mindful of your tone of voice and who’s around when you offer input. Have a hard time accepting criticism?.

9. Self-control

With so many day-to-day temptations and frustrations, it can be hard to maintain self-control. Whether you’re at home, at work or on the road, here are a few things to keep in mind.

·         We’re all tempted, but we don’t have to give in. Sometimes we need to distance ourselves from whatever is tempting us. Here’s how to stay strong when faced with temptation. As 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, (God) will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

·         Maybe you lack self-control when it comes to food. Maybe it’s hard to keep your cool when the kids are crying. Or maybe the issue is lust. Whatever it is, try taking a break. Count to 10 and refocus. Call a friend for encouragement. Read a Psalm to calm your heart and focus on God. Take a walk. Find tips on overcoming addiction.

·         Willpower alone might not be enough. Ask God for His power to maintain discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”