Prayer Power Paul Chappell

#MorningGlory RTTBROS

Part weapon, part communication device, prayer is your lifeline to the divine. We often neglect prayer and then wonder why God feels distant to us. Prayer can move mountains, heal the sick and make a way where there is no way because God can do all of those things and prayer is how connect to Him.  Read below as Paul Chappell crystallizes our thinking on this vital subject.

The Priority of Prayer
Saturday, July 11, 2020
by Dr. Paul Chappell

"And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word."

Acts 6:1-4

There are many things that are important in life, but only a few that are essential. One of the most important but often neglected essentials is time spent in prayer. The great evangelist R.A. Torrey said, "We are too busy to pray, and so we are too busy to have power. We have a great deal of activity but accomplish little. We have many services but few conversions. We have much machinery but few results."

Continued prayer should characterize the life of every believer. Yet often we have so much going on that we "don’t have time" to pray. That is a tragedy because it cuts us off from a vital time of fellowship and communion with God and robs us of the resources that prayer is meant to provide. It is easy to set aside our time of prayer in the hurry and pressure of life, but it is a grave mistake to do so.

The disciples in the early church understood the priority of prayer. Rather than surrender their prayer time to the good and important function of caring for the needs of widows, they called the church to select the first deacons to meet that need. Nothing can substitute for the benefit of the time you spend before the throne of God in prayer.

Today's Growth Principle:
Regardless of what is on your schedule today, you have nothing more pressing than prayer.

unlimited Provision Paul Chappell ps. 50:10

#MorningGlory. RTTBROS

If you have a need in your life this mornings devotion is for you.  Hold tight to the promises of God to care for his kids. Read below as Paul Chappell as he unpacks just one of hundreds of provision promises in the Bible.

Unlimited Resources
Friday, July 10, 2020
by Dr. Paul Chappell

"For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof."

Psalm 50:10-12

The renowned teacher Harry Ironside was in a prayer meeting for a seminary at which he often lectured. The school was in critical need of $10,000 to keep the work going, and a group of men were praying together for this need. Ironside prayed, "Lord, you own the cattle on a thousand hills. Please sell come of those cattle to help us meet this need." Shortly after the prayer meeting, a check for $10,000 arrived at the school, sent days earlier by a friend who had no idea of the urgent need or of Ironside’s prayer. The man simply said the money came from the sale of some of his cattle!

The popular teaching in our day of the "prosperity Gospel" is completely false. It is not God’s will and plan for every Christian to be rich. However, it is also true that when we pray, we are making our request to Someone who has unlimited resources. None of our needs pose any challenge to His ability to meet them. You will never offer a prayer that will require God to dig into His reserves to answer. He has more than enough for every need.

Andrew Murray wrote: "Beware in your prayer, above everything, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do." The things that are impossible for us are fully possible for Him. Yet too often we pray small prayers, not expecting God to do great and mighty things. His loving nature and almighty power have not changed. God is still in the business of hearing and answering big prayers.

Today's Growth Principle:
When you pray, make sure that your requests are made in view of all that God can do—don’t settle for less than He has for you

How to know God's will for your life Luke 5:1-11 #30LifeLesssons RTTBROS

How To Know God's Will For Your Life

Charles Stsnley

#30LifeLessons

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

http://www.intouch.org/Content/1/LP090913.pdf
I. Introduction: Does God have a specific will for your life? Yes. The Father wants His children to submit to Him in small and big issues. The Lord’s commands often make sense to us. But how should we react when they seem illogical? We must obey Him no matter what. God does not require us to understand His will, just obey it, even when it seems unreasonable (Life Principle #5).

II. Peter’s Example

A. Jesus told the fisherman to move into deep water and cast his nets in broad daylight (Luke 5:1-11). The common practice on the Sea of Galilee was to fish in the middle of the night and only in shallow water. As a result of his faithfulness, Peter’s catch was so large that he needed help to haul it in.

B. The miracle proved that Jesus was not simply an itinerant preacher. Peter, Andrew, James, and John left their nets and followed Him from that point on.

III. How does the will of God work?

A. The Father has a specific plan for your life.

B. You may consider yourself unimportant, but no one is insignificant in God’s eyes.

C. The Father has equipped you to fulfill your calling. He will never call you to something and then not enable you to do it.

D. The Lord reveals His will in small areas and larger ones. When you submit to God’s will in daily choices, it’s easy to obey Him when faced with bigger decisions.

IV. Biblical Illustrations

A. God told Noah to build a huge boat. Noah may have wondered how he would pay for the building materials—or feared looking foolish to his friends and neighbors. Yet when the rain came pouring down and continued day after day, the naysayers were the ones who looked like fools (Gen. 6:13-7:24).

B. Jesus delayed traveling to the home of Mary and Martha when Lazarus was sick. Our Savior could easily have traveled to His friend’s home in time to save his life. Or He could have simply said the word and the man would have been healed. But by waiting, Jesus had the opportunity to raise Lazarus from the dead. The Son was able to glorify the Father and reveal His own power over the grave (John 11:1-46).

V. Personal Examples

A. After my third year of seminary, I spent the summer at a family lake house. I had originally decided to work with home missions but sensed that wasn’t God’s will. While I was at the vacation spot, a local church called me as pastor.

B. The congregation also wanted me to teach three courses at their Bible institute: sermon preparation, preaching, and evangelism. God led me to accept their offer despite my inexperience.

C. One time, someone wanted to build me an island house. Just before construction started, the Lord revealed to me that it wasn’t His will. I had to turn down the offer for no apparent reason. Only later did He reveal why.

VI. How can you discover the will of God?

A. Open His Word and start reading. The Spirit will lead you by bringing a passage of Scripture to your attention.

B. Ask God to speak to your heart. You may hear an answer quickly, or it might take time before you are ready to hear His voice.

C. Watch how the Lord works through circumstances.He can speak to us through opportunities as well as obstacles.

D. Listen to godly counsel. Wise people will advise you with wisdom from God’s Word.

E. Be patient. If the Father doesn’t answer you immediately, take it as a sign that you don’t need to know yet. He may be setting the stage for a future blessing.

VI. Conclusion: Has God asked you to do something that seems unreasonable? Don’t argue with Him, worry about what people will think, or rationalize that your way is better. His plans for you are the best. They often lead to tangible rewards. But more importantly, you will get a glimpse of who Jesus is—loving, merciful, and faithful. Nothing can compare to discovering and following the Father’s plan for your life.

……….

#30LifeLessons The Energizing Presence Of God.

#30LifeLessons 

Charles Stanley 

Energized by His Presence Of God

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.   Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:   Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:18‭-‬20 KJV

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.28.18-20.KJV

I. Introduction: When was the last time you felt God’s presence in a special way?

You may have experienced Him at church, while witnessing to a friend, or during a time of prayer. Or perhaps you were going through a difficult situation and had to rely totally on His strength. In moments like these, the Lord reveals His power in a unique way. Having an awareness of His presence energizes us to overcome adversity and advance His kingdom. With the Lord’s guidance and power, we can gain victory in any trial.

II. How can we describe the presence of God?

A. The Creator is everywhere, but He is not present in all places in the same way. For instance, He is in creation, but creation is not Him. And God is always with followers of Christ, but sometimes He manifests Himself to believers in special ways.

B. Can we adequately define the presence of the Lord? No. But we can describe the experience as “God revealing Himself by His Spirit to our spirit for the specific purpose of encouraging us, enabling us, energizing us, informing us or warning us.”

III. What role does the Holy Spirit play?

A. He indwells the believer from the moment of salvation (Rom. 8:9).

B. His purpose is to empower, teach, and reveal the meaning of Scripture.

C. The Spirit enables us to become more like Christ in our attitudes and actions (Rom. 8:29).

D. Apart from the Holy Spirit, we can’t fellowship with God or experience His power working through us.

IV. How did the Lord operate in the past?

A. The Father revealed His presence to Moses through the burning bush (Ex. 3:1-21).

B. Joshua saw the Lord in the form of a warrior. God revealed how to conquer Jericho with supernatural strategy rather than military tactics (Josh. 5:13-6).

C. God appeared to Gideon to encourage him. Otherwise, with only 300 men, the leader would have lacked confidence to organize an attack against the Midianites (Judg. 6:11-13; Judg. 7:1-25).

D. Isaiah saw the Lord sitting on His heavenly throne.Because he was aware of God’s presence, the prophet was willing to take on a very difficult task—warning rebellious Israel of the coming judgment (Isa. 6:1-8).

E. God met with Jeremiah. God’s presence empowered Jeremiah to proclaim Judah’s disobedience and call them to repentance (Jer.1:9, 19).

F. Peter was strengthened by Christ’s presence. When he was with Jesus, the disciple walked on water and defended the Lord against Roman soldiers (Matt. 14:26-29, 26:50-51). But away from the Savior, Peter denied knowing Him (Matt. 26:69-75).

G. Paul saw Jesus on his way to Damascus. If the apostle hadn’t known the presence of God, he would not have continued to preach the gospel in the face of beatings, imprisonment, and persecution (Acts 9:3-5).

V. How does the presence of God energize us?

A. We are motivated to live godly lives. Being in the presence of the universe’s awesome Creator inspires us to make righteous choices.

B. His presence empowers us to overcome challenges.David knew Jehovah would defend His name and give him the victory against Goliath (1 Sam. 17:45-47).

C. Experiencing His presence reminds us of how He worked in the past. As we recall biblical examples of His faithfulness, we have supernatural peace and confidence in every situation.

D. We gain His perspective. God revealed to Elisha’s servant that angelic warriors out numbered King Aram’s army (2 Kings 6:11-17). The Lord’s presence helps us see life from His viewpoint.

VI. Conclusion: Do you want to intimately experience the Lord’s presence? If so, I challenge you to pray, “Father, I want to submit to Your perfect control of my life. Reveal Yourself to me in any way You choose.” My friend, the Lord wants to satisfy you with His presence and use you in exciting ways. Don’t miss one of life’s greatest blessings—learning to live in the knowledge that He is always with you.

I Love The Old Bible

2 Timothy 2:15 King James Version (KJV)

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth

From a FB post by my friend Roger Huff

"Just finished preaching from this Bible for probably the last time. I bought it July 3, 1998, the day Tammy and I got ordained in the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. I would conservatively estimate I've preached more than 1,200 sermons out of it. Pages are falling out and it's pretty well beat up, so I think it's time to retire it. It's a good one and has served its purpose well. Now I'll find a place of honor for it with  other special belongings."

To which I wrote....

"spurgeon used to say "A person who owns a bible that is falling apart has a life that isn't. "

(isn't falling apart that isn't falling apart"

I close with an old hymn

God's Wonderful Book Divine

What light is that shining so brightly for me?

That gives me such courage, the right way to see.

What hope for my trusting soul ever shall be?

God's wonderful Book Divine.

I love the old Bible, Precious old Bible.

Light on my pathway to shine.

It keeps me so happy, always so happy.

God's wonderful Book Divine.

What hope for the traveler when strength's almost gone?

That makes him determined to keep plodding on.

What sweet consolation from Heaven's white throne?

God's wonderful Book Divine.

I love the old Bible, Blessed old Bible.

Light on my pathway to shine.

It keeps me so happy, always so happy.

God's wonderful Book Divine.

What chart can you trust as a guide for your soul?

When tempests would strand you on some treacherous shore.

What compass will point you to Heaven's bright door?

God's wonderful Book Divine.

I love the old Bible, Old King James Bible.

Light on my pathway it shines.

It keeps me so happy, always so happy.

God's wonderful Book Divine.

Kept By Gods Power

#MorningGlory. RTTBROS
Kept

F.B Meyer

KEPT FOR JESUS CHRIST Jude 1 “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:” THE WORD keep rings like a refrain throughout this letter. It suggests a power which originates in the Divine will and operates through the Holy Spirit’s energy within us. Behind our willing and working, our choosing and electing; behind all the influences that are brought to bear upon us, there is a gracious and Divine movement, in virtue of which we are being “kept for Jesus Christ.” Our spirit is being kept for His Spirit to tenant it; our soul is being kept that His mind may energize it; our heart is being kept as the bowl of a fountain that His love may flow in and out; our imagination and fancy are being kept, that He may utilize them as He did Bunyan and Rutherford; our body is being kept that He may have the use of its members--a vessel meet for the Master’s use! Let us realize how much Christ needs each one of us, and how much we shall miss if we neutralize the very purpose for which we were born and sent into the world.

Do not presume on the Divine keeping power, for there is always the dread possibility of neutralizing it. Keep yourselves therefore in the love of God! Have you the light? Follow the gleam! Are you in mid-current? Do not get turned off into a back eddy! Are you being used by God? Keep under your body and bring it into subjection, lest after having preached to others you may yourself be rejected.

There is One who is able to keep us from stumbling, not only from within, by a garrison, but from without, by sentries which keep watch and ward. We are greater than worlds or suns, greater than time or space,
greater than the universe in which we are found, as the child is greater than the royal palace, because the Lord hath need of us. We are “kept for Jesus Christ”; let us not be unmindful or ungrateful, for, throughout the ages, this prayer never ceases to rise from the heart of our Redeemer: “I pray, not that Thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldst keep them from the evil.”
PRAYER--We thank Thee, Heavenly Father, that Thou hast called us into the fellowship of Thy Son. Keep us by Thy mighty power through faith unto Thy salvation and service. AMEN

I can't Live the Christian Life Gal. 2:2£

#MorningGlory

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Galatians 2:20‭-‬21 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/gal.2.20-21.KJV

I can't Live The Christian Life
Gene Kissinger

We can't live the Christian life on our own it is impossible in the flesh the same passage Paul says if righteousness came by works of the law then Christ died in vain. So if we can't do it in our power we need another power to indwell us or fill us that can pull it off that is where the work and person of the Holy spirit come in to focus. In the early chapters of acts the apostles were filled with the spirit multiple time to pull off seemingly impossible ministry. This must be in distinction from the baptism of the spirit which I would see as a one time event. Paul would command us to be filled with the spirit in Ephesians and. The language is keep on being filled with the spirit. The glove without a hand in it represents us outside of the filling of the holy spirit and the glove with a hand in it that can accomplish anything the hand can do represents us filled with the spirit able to do what he can do. So when we get feeling life is impossible we need to put on a glove and remember the lesson and by faith experience the indwelling presence of the most misunderstood member of the Trinity.  The Holy Spirit.