“Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?” (Jeremiah 8:22)
Is prayer a weapon for us to use? Many Christians seem to think so. I don’t happen to be one of them. I think it is the “balm in Gilead” which, when used, heals our broken spirits.
Don’t get me wrong, I pray, and ask God to do things for me or others. But it is not a weapon. A weapon is a tool used by people to overcome and defeat an enemy. The bigger the weapon, the better chance of winning the battle. Prayer is not like that…at least to me. God is not waiting for me to pray long enough or hard enough to get Him to act on my behalf. Such an assumption is foolish to me. God knows what I need before I ask so prayer is not a weapon to get him to help me defeat an enemy.
“And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:7-8)
Our prayers cannot defeat the "devil's schemes", nor influence God to do something He would not otherwise do. But prayer is a way to “stand” in “faith”, putting on the “whole armor of God”. Prayer is submitting to the promise of victory contained in the “Word of God”, the promise of God to ultimately defeat our enemy and reconcile all to Himself, even the "spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms", for that is His expressed will.
"For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross." (Colossians 1:19-20)
God has created and will defeat the enemy, we are only to "stand firm", trusting and praying in the “Spirit, which is the Word of God”.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth fastened around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, divine utterance may be given me, so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should.” (Ephesians 6:10-20)
So what is prayer for?
It is a means of surrendering our will to His and trusting Him. It is a privilege He gives us to lay all our burdens upon Him in faith, and in applying that "balm" to our problems.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)
So for me, prayer is not a weapon to use to get what I want, it is the "balm in Gilead" that I may freely apply to those circumstances which seem impossible to me from time to time...enabling me to have some peace in the midst of the storms of life.
For my wife, children and grandchildren..and anyone else who may be interested!
Calling on Joe Sinner!
Prayer Warriors – Who are these folks?
The term “prayer warrior” is not used in Scripture. Nevertheless the term is often used by many well-meaning Christians. I suppose the idea is that certain people or methods have more sway with God so that their prayers and methods get more results from God than the average Joe Sinner. Really?
“Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, God, I thank You that I am not like the other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I receive. But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, God, have mercy on me, a sinner! I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)
I like to think that some folks pray for me from time to time, and I have had times in my life that I felt I needed prayer. I tend to pray for myself, but if others want to pray for me, I hope it is by Joe "sinner” rather than a “Pharisee”.
”And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their reward. But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:5-8)
Old Joe does not dwell among the "hypocrites", and is the kind of "sinner" who has been "humbled" and "justified" by God and most likely prays without "many words" in "secret"….
"Very strong is a working supplication of a righteous (justified) man." (James 5:16 YLT)
The term “prayer warrior” is not used in Scripture. Nevertheless the term is often used by many well-meaning Christians. I suppose the idea is that certain people or methods have more sway with God so that their prayers and methods get more results from God than the average Joe Sinner. Really?
“Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, God, I thank You that I am not like the other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I receive. But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, God, have mercy on me, a sinner! I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)
I like to think that some folks pray for me from time to time, and I have had times in my life that I felt I needed prayer. I tend to pray for myself, but if others want to pray for me, I hope it is by Joe "sinner” rather than a “Pharisee”.
”And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their reward. But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matthew 6:5-8)
Old Joe does not dwell among the "hypocrites", and is the kind of "sinner" who has been "humbled" and "justified" by God and most likely prays without "many words" in "secret"….
"Very strong is a working supplication of a righteous (justified) man." (James 5:16 YLT)
Paul,the Evangelist
The apostle Paul was an "evangelist" in the true meaning of the word - a bearer of the good news from God. I do not find any evidence that those who consider themselves evangelists today even know what the "evangel" (good news) is so here it is from Paul, the evangelist.
"God commends His love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His son.” (Romans 5:10)
“For the wages of sin is death,but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
“For even as in Adam ALL are dying, thus also, in Christ shall ALL be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)
“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting their sins against them.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)
“And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile ALL unto Himself.” (Colossians 1:20)
“God our Savior…will have ALL men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4)
"...there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who have himself as a ransom for all." (1 Tim. 2:5-6)
“Trust in the living God, who is the Savior of ALL men.” (1 Tim. 4:10)
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
WHAT SHOULD WE DO WITH THE EVANGEL (GOOD NEWS)
"Prescribe and teach these things." (1 Tim. 4:11)
"God commends His love for us in that while we were sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“When we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His son.” (Romans 5:10)
“For the wages of sin is death,but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
“For even as in Adam ALL are dying, thus also, in Christ shall ALL be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)
“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting their sins against them.” (2 Corinthians 5:19)
“And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile ALL unto Himself.” (Colossians 1:20)
“God our Savior…will have ALL men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4)
"...there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who have himself as a ransom for all." (1 Tim. 2:5-6)
“Trust in the living God, who is the Savior of ALL men.” (1 Tim. 4:10)
“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
WHAT SHOULD WE DO WITH THE EVANGEL (GOOD NEWS)
"Prescribe and teach these things." (1 Tim. 4:11)
The Real Good News-Without My Random Thoughts
“Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all welcome, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…” (1 Timothy 1:15)
“I am entreating, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, pleadings, thanksgiving be made for all mankind…for this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our Savior, God, who wills that all mankind be saved…”
(1 Timothy 2:1-4)
“Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome…that we rely on the living God, who is the Savior of all mankind.” (1 Timothy 4:9-10)
“For the saving grace of God made its advent to all humanity…the advent of the glory of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ…” (Titus 2:8-14)
“For there is one God, and one Mediator of God and man, a man, Christ Jesus, who is giving himself a correspondent Ransom for all, the testimony in its own eras…” (1 Timothy 2:5-7)
“For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified…that God may be All in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-28)
“And I perceived a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth pass away…God Himself will be with them. And He shall be brushing away every tear from their eyes. And death will be no more, nor mourning, nor clamor, nor misery; they will be no more, for the former things passed away…And He is saying, write, for these things are faithful and true.” (Revelation 21:1-6)
“I am entreating, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, pleadings, thanksgiving be made for all mankind…for this is ideal and welcome in the sight of our Savior, God, who wills that all mankind be saved…”
(1 Timothy 2:1-4)
“Faithful is the saying and worthy of all welcome…that we rely on the living God, who is the Savior of all mankind.” (1 Timothy 4:9-10)
“For the saving grace of God made its advent to all humanity…the advent of the glory of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ…” (Titus 2:8-14)
“For there is one God, and one Mediator of God and man, a man, Christ Jesus, who is giving himself a correspondent Ransom for all, the testimony in its own eras…” (1 Timothy 2:5-7)
“For even as, in Adam, all are dying, thus also, in Christ, shall all be vivified…that God may be All in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:22-28)
“And I perceived a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth pass away…God Himself will be with them. And He shall be brushing away every tear from their eyes. And death will be no more, nor mourning, nor clamor, nor misery; they will be no more, for the former things passed away…And He is saying, write, for these things are faithful and true.” (Revelation 21:1-6)
Death To The Wicked
“Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked declares the Sovereign LORD? Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?” (Ezekiel 18:23)
God takes no pleasure in enforcing the wages for sin – death. And the death of the sinner settles all wrongs. But in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ Jesus God demonstrated his love as only a loving omnipotent Father can do. He reveals the rest of the story, the resurrection of the sinful child to make him brand new!
“So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body….just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man…for the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. These, then, are the things you should teach.” (1 Corinthians 15:42-49; Titus 2:11-15)
Mankind has a fatal disease, sin. Not all of us are wicked, but all of us are sinners, and the prognosis for sin is death. But God is not through with us when death comes. Those in Christ will be raised to bear the "image of the heavenly man", "zealous for good deeds".
God takes no pleasure in enforcing the wages for sin – death. And the death of the sinner settles all wrongs. But in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ Jesus God demonstrated his love as only a loving omnipotent Father can do. He reveals the rest of the story, the resurrection of the sinful child to make him brand new!
“So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body….just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man…for the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. These, then, are the things you should teach.” (1 Corinthians 15:42-49; Titus 2:11-15)
Mankind has a fatal disease, sin. Not all of us are wicked, but all of us are sinners, and the prognosis for sin is death. But God is not through with us when death comes. Those in Christ will be raised to bear the "image of the heavenly man", "zealous for good deeds".
As you know from reading this blog, I believe the Scripture teaches us that all mankind are "in Christ" just as all of mankind are "in Adam". Most Christians are taught that only Christians are "in Christ" as a result of some decision they made. Nevertheless, the Scripture says all "in heaven and earth, and under the earth" will confess the Lord and be reconciled to God.
"As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive...the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord...God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their transgression to them...For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven...have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure..." (1 Corinthians 15:22; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 1:19-20;Philippians 2:4-13)
I am all for the death of the wicked, the sooner the better, yet I know it is God's "good pleasure" to make them brand new.
"As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive...the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord...God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their transgression to them...For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven...have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure..." (1 Corinthians 15:22; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Colossians 1:19-20;Philippians 2:4-13)
I am all for the death of the wicked, the sooner the better, yet I know it is God's "good pleasure" to make them brand new.
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