A Sanctuary for Saints and Sinners in Need of a Saviour. Luke 18:9-14
A Sanctuary for Saints and Sinners in Need of a Saviour. Luke 18:9-14
James 5:16; says “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Are you righteous? Are you walking righteously before the Lord? Then your prayers avail much and there is a sure way to know that they will avail much. The Bible says that God’s word will not return void but will accomplish what it’s been sent to do. Isaiah 55:11 says; “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isn’t that powerful. God’s word will not return empty.
Number 1 – pray the word of God. Find scriptures that deal with what you’re praying about, ie; salvation, health, finances, government, work, family, marriage etc. Make a list of those verses and pray them out-loud and make them personal. The scriptures are God’s promises that you can stand on, so stand on the Word of God. Let your prayers be fervent, impassioned and ignited with the fire and power of the Holy Spirit.
Number 2 – when you don’t know how or what to to pray for, pray in tongues, pray in the Spirit. Ephesians 6:18 says; “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” Romans 8:26-27 says; “26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [a]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
The Apostle Paul talks about a man by the name of Epaphras who prayed fervently in Colossians 4:12; “Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”
Jesus not only prayed a lot but also taught that we too need to pray. If Jesus, the Son of God and Son of Man prayed...we must pray. Here are a few scriptures on Jesus and prayer.
Luke 6:12; “In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.”
Mark 1:35; “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.”
Mark 6:46; “And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray.”
Luke 11:1-54; “Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray...”
Luke 22:32; “But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail...”
The following is a powerful verse on faith that not only applied to Abraham, but applies to us today as one’s who walk by faith and not by sight.
Romans 4:16-17 says; “16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be [d]sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all 17 (as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; 18 who, contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.”
God hasn’t changed. What He spoke still exists and what He speaks, exists. That’s what faith is, speaking those things which are not as though they do exist. Abraham, by faith, received what God spoke even though it didn’t exist in the physical realm at that time. Hebrews 11:1 says; “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
This new message series we’re doing right now is based on Foxe’s Book of Martyrs and Hebrews 13:3 says; “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.”
Persecution is not new, it really started at the fall of mankind when sin entered the world. According to Mirriam-Webster Dictionary, persecution means “the punishment or harassment usually of a severe nature on the basis of race, religion, or political opinion in one’s country of origin.”
The early church knew all too well the persecution, punishment and harassment of following Jesus Christ and throughout the centuries the church has suffered from it in one form or another. In Canada, many pastors experienced it, some were hand-cuffed and put in jail for days and weeks for simply keeping their church doors open during the scamdemic lock-downs.
Many are still paying the price of this persecution, so it’s needful to continue to keep them in prayer that they would know the comfort and power of the Holy Spirit, that they’d be able to forgive their persecutors that it might go well with them.
The church must always pray for those who are in authority over them as the Apostle Paul says in I Timothy 2:1-4; “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ..”
Jesus has given us authority in His name to bind the demonic activity that would manifest through leaders towards Christians. We see the deliverance of Peter in Acts 12 where the church was offering constant prayer for him, and as a result an angel was commissioned to release him from his chains and he went free. We have that kind of authority in Jesus’ name, to bind and to loose.
In praying for the church in Canada, we prayed;
Prosperity - 3 John 1:2 which says; “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”
Church growth - Acts 2:40-47 ; “ 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added [q]to the church daily those who were being saved.”
Right people in authority - Daniel 2:21; “It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men and knowledge to men of understanding.”
Jeremiah 1:10; “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out and to pull down, to destroy and to throw down, to build and to plant.”
False teachers be exposed in the church – Acts 20:28-30; “28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.”
Here are more scriptures on prayer to meditate on and apply to your lives.
Mark 11:24 says; “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
Philippians 4:6-7 says; “ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
I Thessalonians 5:17 says; “pray without ceasing”
John 15:7 says; “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
I John 5:14-15 says; “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”
Christian, your prayers avail much when you pray according to the word of God. Use it as the sword that Ephesians 6:17 says it is. Use it to pierce the demonic real and render the devils powers null and void. Use it to speak the blessings that the Bible says you are entitled to as a child of God. Resist the lies and temptations of the devil to keep you from praying. Pray at all times and in all situations, don’t loose heart!
Pastors Richard and Marjorie
Click to read the prophecy from the church service
We’ve seen over the past years a greater falling away, backsliding of Christians, they’re not in church or going to church. Ironically though, they’re yoking themselves with the world for common causes. The world is giving them the counterfeit. Yet the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 says; “14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what [d]fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what [e]communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you[f] are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” 17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.”
James 4:4 also says; “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
This is not saying to not be friendly with the world, but not to allow the world to dictate and convince Christians that this earth is their home. Heaven is their home, this earth is temporary and we’re just passing through, but the devil would like to deceive Christians that this is a permanent residence. Christians have to stop clinging to the world and its lies that say they don’t need to congregate with other Christians. If you’re truly born again, you want to be in church fellowship.
We’re also seeing Christians getting side-tracked on social justice issues, rights and freedoms issues. There are many things globally that are getting the Christians and non-Christians up in arms about loss of freedoms, and while demonstrations and marches probably have their place, as Christians, the battle has to be waged in the spirit realm and it has to be told that this is a spiritual battle. But very few state that but just emphasize the obvious of how evil people are.
The Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; “ 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”
Jesus says in Luke 10:19; “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
How much more authority does one need except Jesus’ authority? None. We have to pray and declare the authority He has given to us.
We always reference Ephesians 6:10-18 for a reason, which says; “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [b]wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”
We must defeat the demonic realm in this way in the name of Jesus. We don’t physically fight people, politicians or enemies of the cross. Many Christians rely on their emotions, their personal thoughts or what they’re being influenced by from the media, instead of focusing on what the Bible explicitly says.
We know the antichrist spirit is already in this world as 1 John 2:18 says; “Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.”
Christians have a target on their backs simply because they bear the name of Jesus. Don’t be surprised at the fiery trials.
Jesus told us this in John 15:18-19; “18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
Jesus also says in Luke 9:23; “Then He said to them all, ’If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’’
Christian, you can’t be surprised to see more persecution coming. Jesus said it would come. If Christians want to understand the Biblical plan for God’s intervention, they must look at what happened with King Solomon. We see God specifically lays out conditions of His blessing on the Israelite's and that condition is their obedience to all of His commandments.
Solomon completed the building of the 2ndJewish temple in Jerusalem and then it says the following in 2 Chronicles 7:12-21; “12 Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. 16 For now I have chosen and [d]sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and [e]My eyes and [f]My heart will be there perpetually. 17 As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, and do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and My judgments, 18 then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, as I covenanted with David your father, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man as ruler in Israel.’ 19 “But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them, 20 then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and this house which I have [g]sanctified for My name I will cast out of My sight, and will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 21 “And as for this [h]house, which [i]is exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and this house?’ 22 Then they will answer, ‘Because they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and embraced other gods, and worshiped them and served them; therefore He has brought all this calamity on them.’’
Humility, repenting of sin and turning from wicked ways is what the church needs to stand for. As we read the scripture at the beginning from 2 Corinthians 6:14-16, what does light have to do with darkness? There is a subtle deception in the church right now that Christian’s can yoke themselves with Muslims, Sheiks, and a host of religions, all in the name of a good cause to come together and stand against injustice to children and to lay aside all differences. It’s not acceptable to God for Christians to lay aside their religious beliefs to yolk themselves with unbelievers. This is why it says, ‘what fellowship has light with darkness.” Regardless of the cause, as good as it is, our battle for the children is a spiritual battle that goes all the way back to 1988 (in Canada) and 1962 (in America), where prayer, the 10 Commandments and the Bible were outlawed. This is a slippery slope which will cause many to continue to back-slide if they’re not already backslidden.
It’s no wonder our nations – and many other nations that did the same thing – find themselves is such moral decline. Isaiah 5:20 says; “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”.
This is a spiritual war against Almighty God, His sovereignty and power being removed from society. If anything, the secular education union needs to reestablish prayer, the 10 Commandments and the distribution of Bibles to students in order for restoration and healing in our school systems.
The church has to be extremely discerning today. Every day something new is happening or coming to light which makes society upset and mad, but Christians have to have self-control to not jump on every band-wagon of social justice issues. Again, our battle is a spiritual one that has to be fought on our knees with the church body as Paul said in Ephesians 6:18; “18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”
Pray, pray, pray Christians. Praying in tongues is of utmost importance for the saints.
Click here to read the prophecies from Sunday’s church service.
Click here to read the prophecy from this service.
Pastors Richard and Marjorie
Bondslaves of Jesus Christ
Robbing God through withholding tithes and offerings together with the beauty of Christians feet who preach the gospel was at the centre of our prayers at church. The Holy Spirit revealed wonderful truths about this topic that is so sensitive to Christians.
Malachi 3:8-12 was one the verses that the Lord was speaking to His church about this Sunday, it says; “8 “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. 11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts; 12 “And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the Lord of hosts.”
Isaiah 52:7 was the other one and it says; “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
The Apostle Paul also references it in Romans 10:14-15where it says; “14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who [b]preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
The church cannot effectively do the work of the ministry without the tithes and offerings of Christians. In an article by Christian Post, a study from October 2021 states that only 13% of evangelicals in the USA tithe and half give away less than 1% of income annually! That is shocking, yet the majority of them say that tithing 10% of their income is a biblical commandment. That is a huge disconnect. One can’t help but wonder why there’s such a great falling away from the faith when ‘Christians’ can’t obey one of the simplest commandments to tithe. It’s called the love of money and Jesus rebuked especially the Pharisees for it, Luke 16:14.
We know there is controversy over tithing with varied opinions, but we always need to see what the Bible has to say about it. We must remember that when Abraham tithed to King Melchizedek, it was 400 years before the Law was written by Moses, hence, making it a practice before the Law of Moses to the Israelite's. One must remember too that everything belongs to God and as Christians, is it below us to not at least give Him 10% of our increase and watch Him bless the rest? The promises and blessings that come from tithing are clearly seen in the scripture we just read in Malachi 3:8-12
In light of that, we prayed for ministers that are preaching the gospel that need the Lord’s provision, that need His blessing, that need to pay their bills, that need to pay for all their debts, that need to pay for their church buildings, that have need of cars, have needs of plane tickets, bus tickets and tokens to travel to preach the gospel. We prayed for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on their congregations to draw them to repent for not having done right by the tithes and offerings. We prayed that they might prosper to be able to preach the gospel, free from the concerns of the world, free from debt, free to not work with their own hands and to be able to focus on the preaching of the gospel. We prayed that they would see how beautiful their feet are by the preaching of the gospel and the authority they’re walking in and the lives they’re changing that it means more than anything else, that their feet would be protected having shod them by the preparation of the gospel of peace and with the full armour of God.
We’re peacemakers, full of the Holy Ghost and power. We took authority of the devil who has been causing Christians to withhold from giving tithes and offerings to churches. We prayed that tithes would be back-tithed if they had been withheld, similar to how Zacchaeus said he would repay four-fold of what he had stolen.
We continued to pray for the backslidden Christians who not only are not tithing any longer, but are not even in church, we prayed for Holy Spirit conviction on them for being lackadaisical and lazy. We prayed for conviction on those who are worshipping money more than the love and worship of God, that they would see how out of order their priorities are.
Here are some scriptures that we prayed over the churches, the body of Christ.
Matthew 18:18; “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Ephesians 6:13-18; “13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”
Luke 10:19; “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
1 Timothy 6:10; “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
Hebrews 7:1-28; “...4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the [a]spoils. 5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; 6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. 8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives.”
Luke 6:38;“38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Click here to read the prophecyfrom this service.
Amos 6:1 says; “Woe to you who are at ease in Zion, ...”
We read from G. Wood, M.A. which says the following,
“The text practically applies to all nominal and professing Christians. I. WHAT IS MEANT BY THOSE WHO ARE AT EASE IN ZION? Lazy Christians. Christianity is more than profession, it is even something more than faith. It is carrying into practice the truths we profess. The soul that is at ease sits down very contentedly on his mere profession, and mistakes earth for heaven. II. WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF BEING AT EASE IN ZION? 1. There is ignorance of the nature of Christian life. Christianity is not ease, but labour. It is a daily struggle against unbelief and sin. The man at ease does his religion by deputy, or trusts entirely to the "mercy" of God, or relies on outward service and participation in form and ceremonies. 2. There is a dislike of the duties to be undertaken. Self-denial is not congenial to the natural heart. Labour is hateful, conflict repulsive, and therefore men sit down and dream away their opportunities. 3. Self-confidence. Disaster seems so unlikely. We fancy we are so secure that nothing can move us. Our prosperity, our privileges, our apparent tranquillity deceive the heart and lure the soul to sleep. III. THE RESULT OF BEING AT EASE IN ZION. 1. It generates sin. 2. It merits the displeasure of God. 3. It will end in entire destruction.”
We know this prophecy given by Amos was directed to Israel and Judah and it gives the understanding that both were in sin. Both were very content with their lives, livelihood, luxury with no fear of impending judgment by God. It parallels to the church today and this summary from Wood articulates it well. This is what this Sunday’s prayer service focused on.
There are many Christians who want to ‘do church’ their way, failing to understand that it is the community of believers in Jesus Christ assembling, congregating or meeting together usually on the first day of the week, Sunday. Also, a well-known term for church is the ‘body of Christ,’ in which Jesus is the head and all believers form His body. Colossians 1:18 says; “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”
Christians ‘do church’ as Jesus commanded, not as they choose to make the rules. Christians are not to live independently from each other nor abandon their congregating with each other according to Hebrews 10:24-25; “24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Christian, you cannot live your Christian life apart from other Christians by not fellowshipping together with them. You can’t get it from TV, internet or radio ministries as good as that teaching may be, you need to find a place to congregate.
The Day approaching is the rapture of the body of Christ before the seven year tribulation. We’ve seen specifically and in a targeted way since 2020, (when the plandemic hit), the anti-Christ agenda to uproot the church – Christians – to cause fear to assemble by threats from governments globally. We saw their agenda thrive on bringing division even in the body of Christ, pitting one against the other, to conform or not to conform to their proposed agenda. So we saw a great falling away from people going to church, many instead backsliding, not going to church anymore, going rouge, going woke, self-governing themselves and fear of man gripping the hearts of many Christians. The devil will try to conquer and divide however he can. Jesus specifically says that in the endtimes, lawlessness will abound and the love of many will grow cold – Matthew 24:11. We know that sin is lawlessness.
We’ve heard of such people who instead of finding a church to fellowship in, meet ‘as a church’, but with no pastoral oversight and say that they pass the pastoral role around. The giftings of God are not ‘passed around’ as if it was on a whim. Ephesians 4:11-12clearly says; “11 And He Himselfgave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the [e]edifying of the body of Christ,” We know many churches have mid-week meetings or Bible studies, but we’re talking about people who say they go to church but there is no Biblical leadership there.
These gifts listed above are given by God, not on a capricious whim that man appoints to himself. These gifts are precious to Jesus and should be looked at as such. It’s not the gift for every believer to function in these roles of leadership. At the same time, we also know that every believer is to have a function in the church and be endowed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 says;“7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by [f]the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”
We have an illiterate, uneducated, rebellious attitude in lukewarm Christians who can’t even discern the Lord’s body, let alone know what and who the body of Christ is. The writer of Hebrews rebukes the church saying this in Hebrews 5:12-14; “12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the [a]oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are [b]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [c]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
With many proclaiming they are a Christian and have been for years, yet still are drinking the milk of the word but should be – by their age – be teachers. No wonder the church finds itself in such a backslidden state and has shunned the Holy Spirit, His gifts and the gifts and callings that are to be active in the whole church, not for just a few schooled ones.
Church is not a spectacle, show or game where Christians come to observe, but is like the human body, all parts working together, functioning in their gifts as the Holy Spirit has given when they come together.
The scripture from Hebrews 10 that was mentioned earlier, shows that something is not right with the person who does not want to congregate with their brothers and sisters in Christ. 1 John 5:2-3says; “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”
The word commands us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, so going to church should not be burdensome but be done out of obedience to God’s word.
1 John 4:18-21also says; “18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love [a]Him because He first loved us. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, [b]how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.”
We see here another reason why Christians don’t want to be in Church with other Christians is because they dislike, or as John says, hates their brother or sister. This needs to be repented of because Jesus specifically commanded His disciples to forgive as Matthew 6:14-15 says; “14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
The backslidden Christian needs to get back into Church fellowship and not be isolated, to be singled out by the devil to be devoured and taken out. Also, the backslidden Christians that gather without pastoral leadership and call it church are sincerely deceived and need to repent of such lawlessness.
Woe to them that are at ease in Zion. Don’t be at ease Christian. As we mentioned earlier, the results of being at ease in Zion are;1. It generates sin2. It merits the displeasure of God3. It will end in entire destruction
Don’t allow yourself to be entirely destroyed by the adversary, satan.
Click here to read the prophecies from Sunday’s service.
Pastors Richard and Marjorie- Bondslaves of Jesus Christ
Sunday was a day of prayer. We started our church service with praise and worship, the reading of Bible scriptures that pertained to spiritual warfare and praying for the Spirit-filled saints, and we ended with communion like we do all of our services. The following scripture highlights the spiritual warfare that Christians are in, but also highlights the victory that we have by putting on the full armour of God and praying in Jesus’ name.
Ephesians 6:10-18, Amplified Bible, Classic Edition says;
“10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].
11 Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
13 Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,
15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the [a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness [b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.
16 Lift up over all the [covering] shield of [c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit [d]wields, which is the Word of God.
18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).”
It’s really important that Christians put on this armour daily. The devil is relentless in his plans and schemes to bring down the Spirit filled Christians. As Christ’s ambassadors on this earth, His delegated authority, we have a target on us by the devil to take us out. And although he fires his flaming missiles, according to the Bible – those darts will be extinguished in the authority of Jesus name. In Luke 10:19 Jesus tells us; “Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and [physical and mental strength and ability] over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.”
We focused a lot of our prayer on praying for the body of Christ, the saints. Throughout the last weeks, we sensed that there has been an unprecedented onslaught of the devil’s schemes and assaults and with that, trying to single out, divide and separate Christians – making them feel that they’re the only one left standing, or the warfare is just about themselves personally. But when you pull back and see the larger picture, the prophet Elijah felt the same way when he was running from Queen Jezebel, thinking that he was the only man of God still standing. But God reminded him that 7,000 in Israel had not bowed their knee to Baal. 1 Kings 19:18; “18 Yet I will leave Myself 7,000 in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him.” 7,000 had not bowed. So it is with us today, many have not bowed their knees, but we need to continue to pray and intercede for each other.
We interceded for the Spirit-filled saints, those who speak in tongues, who are baptized in the Holy Spirit. Many have started to wain in the faith, they no longer speak in tongues, are not in church and have bought into tradition and religion, the adversary has spiritually put them in a closet. We prayed that they would be delivered from a stubborn spirit of religion and that the scales would fall off their eyes and get back on the straight and narrow road.
Here are some scriptures regarding praying for the saints;
Colossians 1:9-11; “9 For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [[g]special] request for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the [h]full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [[i]in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things—
10 That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and [j]desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, [k]acquaintance, and recognition].
11 [We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy,”
Acts 12:5; “5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but [b]constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.”
Romans 15:30; “30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,”
Romans 8:27; “27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
Philemon 5; “5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,”
Revelation 3:7-8; “7 “And to the [e]angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, [f]and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”
We see the church at Philadelphia had little strength and yet kept Jesus’ command to persevere. So we prayed for the church that their strength would increase as they’re refreshed in the power of the Holy Spirit by speaking in tongues because that’s where rest, refreshing and power come from. As Jude 20says; “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit.”
The Bible says that the church is the restraining force on the earth and until the church is raptured, we’ve been given dominion in Jesus’ name to bind the works of the devil. So be encouraged today saints, you’re not alone, there are more for us than against us. Be filled with the Holy Ghost in a fresh way, speak, pray and sing in tongues all the time. As we said at the beginning, our spiritual warfare is not against people, but against the demonic realm. This is not to make the church back down and be afraid, but to be bold and use its God given authority in all that Jesus has done for you.
In closing, the Bible says in Mark 11:24; “24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
Jesus says in John 15:7; “7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you[a] will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
1 John 5:14 says; “14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
So we believe that those things we have asked for in prayer will be ours and will be answered. We have confidence in what God says in His Word. When you pray the Word of God, it’s like a double-edged sword coming out of your mouth, and even as the Holy Spirit was manifested on the day of Pentecost with tongues of fire, so your tongue is a fire under the power of the Holy Spirit when you pray the word of God with authority. It binds the works of the devil and thwarts his schemes. Be encouraged today, saints of Christ!
Click on this link to watch a short video about the full armour of God.
To watch the new praise and worship video with lyrics, click here.
This prayer service had an interesting theme to it, one that we discerned during the day that needed to be dealt with in prayer and that was the Jezebel spirit.
Here is a short synopsis of who Jezebel was in the Old Testament and that this spirit is still prevalent today. It’s taken from GotQuestions.org.
“Jezebel’s story is found in 1 and 2 Kings. She was the daughter of Ethbaal, king of Tyre/Sidon and priest of the cult of Baal, a cruel, sensuous and revolting false god whose worship involved sexual degradation and lewdness. Ahab, king of Israel, married Jezebel and led the nation into Baal worship (1 Kings 16:31). Ahab and Jezebel’s reign over Israel is one of the saddest chapters in the history of God’s people.
There are two incidents in the life of Jezebel that characterize her and may define what is meant by the “Jezebel spirit.” One trait is her obsessive passion for domineering and controlling others, especially in the spiritual realm. When she became queen, she began a relentless campaign to rid Israel of all evidences of Yahweh worship. She ordered the extermination of all the prophets of the Lord (1 Kings 18:4, 13) and replaced their altars with those of Baal. Her strongest enemy was Elijah, who demanded a contest on Mount Carmel between the powers of Israel’s God and the powers of Jezebel and the priests of Baal (1 Kings 18). Of course, God won, but despite hearing of the miraculous powers of the Lord, Jezebel refused to repent and swore on her gods that she would pursue Elijah relentlessly and take his life. Her stubborn refusal to see and submit to the power of the living God would lead her to a hideous end (2 Kings 9:29–37).
The second incident involves a righteous man named Naboth who refused to sell to Ahab land adjoining the palace, rightly declaring that to sell his inheritance would be against the Lord’s command (1 Kings 21:3; Leviticus 25:23). While Ahab sulked and fumed on his bed, Jezebel taunted and ridiculed him for his weakness, then proceeded to have the innocent Naboth framed and stoned to death. Naboth’s sons were also stoned to death, so there would be no heirs, and the land would revert to the possession of the king. Such a single-minded determination to have one’s way, no matter who is destroyed in the process, is a characteristic of the Jezebel spirit.
So infamous was Jezebel’s sexual immorality and idol worship that the Lord Jesus Himself refers to her in a warning to the church at Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-29). Most likely referring to a woman in the church who influenced it the same way Jezebel influenced Israel into idolatry and sexual immorality, Jesus declares to the Thyatirans that she is not to be tolerated. Whoever this woman was, like Jezebel, she refused to repent of her immorality and her false teaching, and her fate was sealed. The Lord Jesus cast her onto a sick bed, along with those who committed idolatry with her. The end for those who succumb to a Jezebel spirit is always death and destruction, both in the physical and the spiritual sense.”
There is a good amount of teaching on this which we won’t belabour, but the Jezebel spirit is neither male nor female. Because it’s a demon that was possessing Jezebel, when Jezebel died the spirit continues to find vessels to use and there is no gender so it will manifest in both men and women. These general characteristics of this demon are; deception, manipulation, control, insubordination, feigned repentance, sexual immorality and pride.
We can discern that this demon has been behind the World Economic Form leaders, wanting to take over lands like Ahab wanted to take over the property of his neighbour, (hence, you’ll own nothing and be happy). The WEF wants to take property from people, take their livelihood, take their money and source of income, take their health and even their lives to serve their purpose. They have such a lust for power and control, they will spare no one or nothing to achieve their agenda, just like Jezebel. We saw this happening during the lockdowns. They’re not happy with what they have, they want it all and like Ahab and Jezebel, they covet everything that is not theirs. It’s interesting that Ahab had everything as King, yet he wasn’t satisfied with what he had, just like these godless unelected people who won’t be happy with their share in life – they want everyone to bow to their command. They’re acting like their father the devil who comes to steal, kill and destroy – John 10:10.
Another thing we saw during the lockdown were the majority of churches closing their doors to worship – they bowed the knee to the Jezebel demon, because the WEF is godless, haters of Almighty God and they want to be gods and be worshipped. They wanted the church to be impotent, bow its knee, void of power, because the church is the restraining factor holding back the devils plans. In closing the churches worldwide – they thought they could silence Jesus, but they were wrong. Just as Elijah prevailed against Jezebel, so the church with the power of the Holy Ghost will prevail against it.
Jezebel tried her hardest to turn Israel into a godless nation to become idol worshippers of Baal. She killed many prophets and tried to kill Elijah, but couldn’t. Likewise, the WEF are even wanting to rewrite the Bible with AI to make it ‘correct’ to all mankind. In other words, they’re planning on instituting idolatry on a global scale. In an article from Charisma News the following was quoted by senior Advisor to the WEF, Yuval Noah Harari, a homosexual, Israeli author and considered by many to be one of the most influential intellectuals in the world today, says this; “During a recent interview with journalist Pedro Pinto in Lisbon, Portugal, Harari discussed the idea of using emerging technology such as artificial intelligence to create new ideas that are "correct."
"It's the first technology ever that can create new ideas. You know, the printing press, radio, television, they broadcast, they spread the ideas created by the human brain, by the human mind. They cannot create a new idea," says Harari.
"You know, [Johannes] Gutenberg printed the Bible in the middle of the 15th century; the printing press printed as many copies of the Bible as Gutenberg instructed it, but it did not create a single new page," continues Harari.
"It had no ideas of its own about the Bible: Is it good? Is it bad? How to interpret this? How to interpret that? AI can create new ideas; [it] can even write a new Bible," Harari declares. "Throughout history, religions dreamt about having a book written by a superhuman intelligence, by a non-human entity.
"In a few years, there might be religions that are actually correct ... just think about a religion whose holy book is written by an AI. That could be a reality in a few years," he states.”
It’s also interesting to note that Jezebel worshipped Baal-Melkart, a nature god. The WEF is obsessed with climate change and the worship of the earth – the nature god. You see, there is nothing new in the devil’s plans, it’s just packaged differently. Britannica says this about Baal; “As such, Baal designated the universal god of fertility, and in that capacity his title was Prince, Lord of the Earth. He was also called the Lord of Rain and Dew, the two forms of moisture that were indispensable for fertile soil in Canaan. In Ugaritic and Hebrew, Baal’s epithet as the storm god was He Who Rides on the Clouds.”
No matter what the Jezebel demons’ intentions are, the Christian with authority in Jesus’ name can bind the works of the devil. Jesus says so in Luke 10:19; “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”
The most important thing to realize is that our warfare against demons is not in the flesh, but in the Spirit realm. 2 Corinthians 10:2-5 says; “3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not [a]carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”.
Generally, demonic entities need flesh and blood to manifest and work through, that’s why we don’t fight with people, but we bind the demons that are working in and through them. Ephesians 6:10-12 says; “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [b]wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Jesus has given us power and authority in His name, and we don’t have to walk in fear of the devil’s agenda, whoever he is working through, whether it be through local, municipal, provincial, federal or global leaders. Jesus has the keys of death, hell and the grave and no weapon formed against you will prosper, Isaiah 54:17.
So like Jesus was telling the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation to the church at Thyatira in Revelation 2:18-29; “18 “And to the [h]angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: 19 “I know your works, love, [i]service, faith, and your [j]patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. 20 Nevertheless I have [k]a few things against you, because you allow [l]that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, [m]to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her time to [n]repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. 22 Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of [o]their deeds. 23 I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches[p] the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
24 “Now to you I say, [q]and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I [r]will put on you no other burden. 25 But hold fast what you have till I come. 26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— 27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
Church, don’t tolerate or permit the Jezebel demon to operate in you; repent, bind it and cast it out of your midst.
Click on this link to read the prophecies that came forward even before prayer time and it will give more clarity.
Pastors Richard and Marjorie – Bondslaves of Jesus Christ
Together with our worship and prayers, church was also a day of celebration – Pentecost Sunday. Yes, Pentecost is still celebrated by Christians around the world. For the early church, it was important to continue to celebrate Pentecost and we read in Acts 20, that it was significant even for the Apostle Paul that he wanted to be in Jerusalem for this momentous celebration, (Acts 20:16). It’s not only limited to a day in history, but continues to be celebrated and embraced every day by Spirit-filled Christians who have the baptism of Holy Ghost power in their lives and the evidence of speaking in other tongues. Acts 1:4-8; “4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be [c]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 2:1-4 continues saying; “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all [a]with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them [b]divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
This Holy Spirit power is what enables Christians to overcome and to pray with authority. There’s not a demonic weapon formed against you can prosper if you’re in Christ. Jesus defeated the devil at the cross and made a public spectacle of him, triumphing over him with His blood, (Colossians 2:15). He’s given you authority over him and his demons, to tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you, (Luke 10:19). Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, (Matthew 16:19).
These scriptures are very important to keep front and centre in prayer. We do not wrestle against people, but against demonic entities (Ephesians 6:12), so when we pray, we’re taking our Jesus given authority to bind the demonic that influences people to do the devil’s dirty work and evil schemes. John 10:10 says; “the thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
May has been a month of prayer and this Sunday we prayed specifically for Pastor Artur Pawlowski. A name very familiar with Albertan’s and Canadian’s as he’s been at the forefront of many court cases, jail time and persecution for his stand against the tyranny that reigned Alberta during the Conservative Party lockdowns for almost 3 years. An underdog in many people’s opinion yet a Holy Ghost warrior with a fight unparalleled to many pastors and leaders in this province. He formed his own party, the Solidarity Movement of Alberta. His party has taken a significant and moral stand against the unrighteous works of darkness that are plaguing our province.
We prayed over the voting systems, that all corruption and bribery would be exposed. We prayed that those who were in authority that influenced the persecution of Christians specifically during the lockdowns, would not be re-elected. Jesus loves His church and comes to the defence of those who are being persecuted. The Lord says in Romans 12:19; “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” And also Deuteronomy 32:35; “Vengeance is Mine, and recompense; Their foot shall slip in due time; For the day of their calamity is at hand, And the things to come hasten upon them.’”
Those who persecute the body of Christ, and those who targeted Christians specifically, we prayed that the Lord’s vengeance would take place and that they would be plucked up and uprooted. We prayed that whistleblowers would come forth to tell the truth of the court cases with the Pastors, that everything that is being hidden would be brought to light.
Daniel 2:20-21 says; “20 Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. 21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”
We believe we will see the Lord work to move and raise up those He wants in authority. Jeremiah 17:9-10 says; “9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And [d]desperately wicked; Who can know it? 10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the [e]mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.”
We prayed for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the body of Christ across Alberta, that even as the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost almost 2000 years ago, that same fire would fall throughout this land, on towns and cities and that this province would be known as a Pentecostal Province, full of the Holy Ghost and power. We prayed for repentance on the church for rejecting the baptism in the Holy Spirit and that they would know the true rest and refreshing in the Holy Spirit that Isaiah prophesied about in Isaiah 28:11-12;“11 For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, 12 To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing”; Yet they would not hear.”
We continued to pray for all in authority over us, specifically that the political realm would be shaken and filled with the Holy Spirit and fire. That they would govern righteously and not in the flesh, that God would send Spirit-filled Christians into their lives to pray for them, lay hands on them and see them saved, healed, delivered and baptized with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
We closed our church service with communion as we do every week. There is power in communion, the breaking of bread and the cup of wine. Mark 14:22-26 says; “22 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, [f]eat; this is My body.” 23 Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of the [g]new covenant, which is shed for many. 25 Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” 26 And when they had sung [h]a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.”
This is the new covenant that Jesus has made with His church, His body, to all who are called by His name. This covenant brings health, healing, deliverance, provision and all the blessings of heaven to each Christian.
To view Pastor Artur Pawlowski’s victory speech after the elections, click here.
As we said earlier, the month of May is a month to pray. We had a wonderful time of worship and praise to Almighty God, exalting Him and lifting Him up above all else. Praise clears the spiritual realm from all demonic activity. Psalms 68:1-3 says; “Let God arise, Let His enemies be scattered; Let those also who hate Him flee before Him. 2 As smoke is driven away, So drive them away; As wax melts before the fire, So let the wicked perish at the presence of God. 3 But let the righteous be glad; Let them rejoice before God; Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.” Psalm 22:3 also says; “But you are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.”
Our Province of Alberta and our nation, Canada, is in desperate need of a praying church that can change the tide and direction that evil men and women who are influenced by satan, have been taking it. A praying church, the body of Christ, can stay the works of darkness, hold them at bay, and yes, even confuse the enemies attempts to bring calamity on Canada. That’s the authority that Jesus has given us, Him being the Head of the Church. That is the authority of the believer. Jesus said in Matthew 16:19; “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth [a]will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Also in Matthew 18:18-19 says; “ 18Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again[d] I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
At the end of May, the province of Alberta is having elections for the new Premier. We prayed for the candidates and especially the present Premier, Danielle Smith, that the Holy Spirit would be poured out on her and her family, and that if she is not born again, that she would be and would come to know Jesus as Lord of her life and to also be filled with the baptism in the Holy Spirit. We prayed that all of her decision making during this month of May would be born out of the Spirit of God. We bound all ungodly, secular council being influenced by spiritual darkness, that would try to bring defeat and destruction.
We took authority over the demonic realm that is lying and influencing all forms of mainstream media that is wanting to see the downfall of this province, to see it fall into liberal, left-wing globalists who have the World Economic Form’s plans and agendas. We must remember that the devil’s plans are only for evil and Jesus said in John 10:10; “the thief (satan) does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
Satan is the adversary we are taking authority over in Jesus’ name, not physical people as Ephesians 6:12 says; “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
We spent a lot of time praying in tongues, in the Spirit as Ephesians 6:18 says; “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Romans 8:26-27 also says; “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [a]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
By praying in tongues, Christians pray the perfect will of God – that’s powerful. So in praying for these elections and for our Federal Government, you can’t miss it when you pray in tongues. When you read in the Book of James, James talks about the Prophet Elijah regarding prayer, likening him to be like any other man who believes and knows God personally. James 5:16-18 says; “]Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, [k]fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
This shows that God is no respecter of people who pray in faith and that our prayers avail much as Jesus says in Mark 11:24; “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
It’s no difference for Elijah than it is for us today when we pray in authority in Jesus’ name. There is power in praying the Word of God, nothing else needs to be added or taken away from the Word. The Lord will watch over His Word to perform it. Jeremiah 1:12 says; ““You have observed correctly,” said the LORD, “for I am watching over My word to accomplish it.”
We expect great and mighty things when we pray the Word of God. It is the final authority and cannot be changed as Psalm 119:89says; “Forever, O Lord, Your word [n]is settled in heaven.” The word is enough, it does not need to be dressed up or to make it more appealing to the flesh, it’s a sword and it pierces the spirit realm.
We ended the church service with communion as we do in every service. Jesus instituted communion and we read about it here in Luke 22:14-20 where it says; “14 When the hour had come, He sat down, and the [b]twelve apostles with Him. 15 Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, [c]I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.”
This is the new covenant that Jesus has made with His church, His body, to all who are called by His name. This covenant brings health, healing, deliverance, provision and all the blessings of heaven to each Christian. Communion is what we’re commanded to partake of regularly.
In it, we’re also to judge ourselves as the Apostle Paul tells the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 11:23-30; “23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, [d]“Take, eat; this is My body which is [e]broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and [f]blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks [g]in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the [h]Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many [i]sleep.”
Continue to pray church, be bold and be strong, for God is with us!
Please click here to read the prophecy from Sunday’s Service.
We are calling the month of May, a month to Pray. We actually started at the end of April and will continue this month. Many Christians like structure and format when they go to church, however, since Jesus is Head of the Church, it is incumbent for us to be obedient when Holy Spirit directs us to move with Him. It is almost like we are back in the Book of Acts days of the early church. Persecutions abound on all sides and many Christians are not standing when these persecutions arise. Like the Apostle Paul says to the Ephesian church in Ephesians 6:13; “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
As we mentioned last week, the end of May are provincial elections here in Alberta for the Premiership. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 says; “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.”
Christians who are losing heart have a helpless outlook, thinking, what good does prayer do. But as the church, we must keep on praying, taking our authority as Jesus commanded us to do and not loose heart. We’re not to be ignorant concerning the devils’ devices as it says in 2 Corinthians 2:11.
We acknowledge that many times we do not how to pray as our natural, rational mind and emotions can get the best of us, but by praying in tongues we know that our prayers are pure because the Holy Spirit prays exactly the will of God as it says in Romans 8:26-27; “26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [g]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
We would like to exhort all Christians to pray this month for these elections. Pray in tongues – pray the perfect will of God. That’s what the majority of our praying on Sunday was, in tongues – in the Spirit. We pray that the Holy Spirit quickens Christians across Canada and around the world to intercede for these elections. The Bible says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 (Amplified); “If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” We prayed for a healing of our land as the church prays and stands in the gap.
Ezekiel 22:30 says; “and I sought a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none.”
As the church, we want to be found by the Lord Jesus standing in the gap, interceding, and praying for God’s will to be done in Alberta and Canada.
The Lord God knows the thoughts and intentions of each political person and the parties they represent. We prayed against all election fraud operating through anyone to influence the election.
We also prayed against the demonic homosexual/transexual agendas and programs that are wanting to influence and coerce politicians. We prayed over our Prime Minster also. The Bible says in Proverbs 16:18; “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
It is evident that the leader of Canada walks in much overweening pride and haughtiness towards the Christian community, morals, ethics and the like. But the prophet Daniel says this in talking about King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 2:20-21; “20 Daniel answered and said:“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. 21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”
No political leader is exempt from the hand of God removing them when their ways are evil and when they act like megalomaniacs. This also goes for the World Economic Form leaders who are hell bent on crippling the world, the economy, and the well-being of mankind. As mentioned earlier, the church has been given all authority in Jesus’ name to bind the works of satan, and so we continue to bind the demonic agenda working through these worldly and godless men and women.
Here is a list of all the parties that are running for election in Alberta and their abbreviations. Not all will have representatives in each riding, but they need to be prayed for.
· Advantage Party of Alberta: APA
· Alberta Liberal Party: ALP
· Alberta New Democratic Party: NDP
· Alberta Party: AP
· Communist Party - Alberta: CPA
· Green Party of Alberta: GPA
· Pro-Life Alberta Political Association: PAPA
· Reform Party of Alberta: REF
- Solidarity Movement of Alberta - SMA
· The Buffalo Party of Alberta: BPA
· The Independence Party of Alberta: TIP
· United Conservative Party of Alberta: UCP
· Wildrose Independence Party of Alberta: WIP
We pray for God’s will to be done in Alberta’s elections. God is not willing that any perish but that all come to repentance according to 2 Peter 3:9. Pray church – pray!
Pastors Richard and Marjorie
We are seeing every week and month an escalation in the demonic attacks on Christians and also a more blatant antagonism propagated by our political leaders to suppress the voice of truth, so this Sunday, we dedicated the time to prayer.
But first, we know we do not war or fight according to the flesh or do bodily physical warfare, “for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms,” as it says in Ephesians 6:12.
We fight this spiritual warfare with the Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit – Ephesians 6:17 – declaring the victory and authority that Jesus has given to us in His Name. As Luke 10:19 says; “ I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” So in this spiritual battle, the church has already won through what Jesus did at the cross, so we stand on that authority that He’s given to us to act upon.
When we pray for people, politicians, governments etc., we are not dealing with it in a physical realm but binding the demonic assignments that are working through them, influencing them to make corrupt, demonic and anti-Christ decisions and agendas.
On Sunday, we exercised our Jesus given authority to specifically pray over the Provincial elections that will transpire at the end of May 2023 in Alberta. It’s very clear that the demonic realm wants to destroy and plunder the freedom this province has had, and many attempts over the previous decades has tried to do so. We prayed that the lies, deceptions, money laundering, briberies to influence the voters would be exposed and brought to light. That all federal influence using the media, finances, and propaganda would be exposed and brought to nothing. We prayed that every corrupt politician who has evil intent in their heart, that has sold themselves out to the globalists agenda and who have a self-seeking agenda would be voted out and that those who truly have their constituent’s well-being as their goal to be elected.
There is a global agenda, as we know, led by men and women who have evil hearts that are wanting to tear down all freedoms, but as the church, we do have authority to hold those goals and wicked schemes at bay so we can continue to live peacefully and in prosperity. The Apostle Paul tells Timothy the following in 1 Timothy 2:1-4; “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
We prayed that there would be confusion in the enemies’ camps who want to pillage this province, to those who are double agents, saying one thing but doing another, that they would turn on themselves and be destroyed.
We prayed in tongues in intercession, for when we pray in tongues, we pray the perfect will of God as it says in Romans 8:26-27; “26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”
We also prayed over recent legislation that has been passed in our Federal Government, which is Bill C-11 that intends to monitor internet content, and which most conservative voices believe will become a tool for total media control, silencing free speech. We believe it’s illegal what they’ve done and pray that any and all means would be taken to reverse the decision of making it legislation. This would in essence monitor all social media platforms as to what Canadians can and cannot see and hear. The passing of this Bill enables interference in any and all elections by silencing voices which our present federal government want to do that is in opposition to what they want, which include Alberta’s provincial elections.
We prayed that each MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly), would make every effort to do whatever it takes to reach out to their constituents – even by-passing social media, that they would see it’s a vote for righteousness, freedom, truth and justice. That they would see that they are fighting for their own personal freedoms and rights and that they would pray for God’s mercy in this province. We prayed they would go door-to-door in their ridings and exhaust every possibility to reach the communities with truth.
Mark 11:24; “therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Colossians 2:15; “and having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
To get an understanding on Bill C-11, please click on this link by Rebel News which articulates the danger of it.
Prayer Meeting – July 28th, 2019
In today's teaching on prayer, let’s start out by reading James 5:13-17; “13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 [a]Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, [b]fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
Are you suffering today? Pray. Are you cheerful today? Sing psalms. Are you sick today? You need to call for your elders in your church to pray for you. Elders need to be accountable to what the Bible says here, as it’s their duty to pray for you and anoint you with oil. Even if you have committed sins which have led to the sickness in your body, you will be forgiven as you confess them. Confession of your trespasses (sins) is required to receive your healing. A word to the elder, the righteous man, when you’re called upon to pray for the sick, make sure they repent of their sins and confess their trespasses so that when the prayer is offered, the person will be forgiven and healed.
Why is it today that the elders are not being called upon anymore in some churches? Why? Why don’t they believe in praying for the sick any more, or for operating in the gifts of the Holy Ghost? Did the word of God change? Has it? Or could it be that they’ve changed? Maybe their forefathers used to believe this scripture, but somewhere along the line, someone has convinced them that it doesn’t apply for today. If so, that would be a lying spirit in the church. Probably because someone was not willing to confess their trespasses. Probably somebody in the pulpit.
Let’s read what Jesus says in Luke 18:1-8 about prayer in the parable of the persistent widow; “18 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, 2 saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor [a]regard man. 3 Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, [b]‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’4 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 5 yet because this widow troubles me I will [c]avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’ ” 6 Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. 7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? 8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Verse 8 is the key scripture. When Jesus returns, which could be at any moment, will He find faith in you? Do you call for the elders of the Church to pray for you when your sick or have you lost faith in Jesus to heal? And if you were to call, would they show up to pray or have they lost faith in Jesus to heal? If we don’t believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are in operation today, how can we expect to be healed.
I’d like to share what Matthew Henry’s Commentarysays about this verse; “ (4.) It is foretold that, when Christ comes to plead his people’s cause, he will find but little faith in comparison with what one might expect. That is, [1.] In general, he will find but few good people, few that are really and truly good. Many that have the form and fashion of godliness, but few that have faith, that are sincere and honest: nay, he will find little fidelity among men; the faithful fail, Ps. 12:1, 2. Even to the end of time there will still be occasion for the same complaint. The world will grow no better, no, not when it is drawing towards its period. Bad it is, and bad it will be, and worst of all just before Christ’s coming; the last times will be the most perilous. [2.] In particular, he will find few that have faith concerning his coming. When he comes to avenge his own elect he looks if there be any faith to help and to uphold, and wonders that there is none, Isa. 59:16; 63:5. It intimates that Christ, both in his particular comings for the relief of his people, and in his general coming at the end of time, may, and will, delay his coming so long as that, First, Wicked people will begin to defy it, and to say, Where is the promise of his coming? 2 Pet. 3:4. They will challenge him to come (Isa. 5:10; Amos 5:19); and his delay will harden them in their wickedness, Matt. 24:48. Secondly, Even his own people will begin to despair of it, and to conclude he will never come, because he has passed their reckoning. God’s time to appear for his people is when things are brought to the last extremity, and when Zion begins to say, The Lord has forsaken me. See Isa. 49:14; Isa. 40:27. But this is our comfort, that, when the time appointed comes, it will appear that the unbelief of man has not made the promise of God of no effect.”
Regardless of how much you may be walking in unbelief, or no faith, it will not change the coming of Jesus again.
Jesus gives another parable about prayer in Luke 11:5-8 and it has to do with two friends. It says; “5 And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? 8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.”
It’s interesting that when the man got up to give him the bread, it had nothing to do with his friendship with him, but with his friends’ persistence. When praying for the needs of others above your own needs is the priority, you’re guaranteed to hear from God. This man didn’t ask bread for his own needs, but for the needs of others. So when you pray, don’t do it for your benefit but for the benefit of others. In your persistence in prayer, God will hear you.
Jesus continues talking about prayer in Luke 11:9-13; “9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 11 If a son asks for [a]bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
I’m convinced that the #1 hindrance to unanswered prayer is the rejection of the gift of the Holy Spirit. I’m not talking about being born again of the Holy Spirit, but rather Baptized in the Holy Spirit as found in Acts 2:1-4 where it says; “2 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all [a]with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them [b]divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
If you have no faith to receive the promised Gift of the Holy Spirit now, will Jesus find faith in you if he were to return today?
If your prayers are not being answered, could it be that having rejected the baptism of the Holy Spirit has been a hindrance?
It would be like you inviting me to your house for Christian fellowship and requesting that I leave my wife at home, because she’s to radical as a Christian; that wouldn’t work would it? A husband and wife are one flesh. The Holy Spirit, Jesus the Son and the Father…are one. You take them ALL, or nothing. You can’t split them up, or take one and leave the other two or take two and leave one out, can you? It’s the same in rejecting the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.
I believe that God is offended with Christians who have been born again, but have requested that the Gift of the Holy Spirit stay at home. They are willing to be born again and have fellowship in Jesus name, but as for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, they have made it very clear that it is not welcome in their lives or in their Church, and yet they can’t figure out why their prayers are not being answered, why they’re not overcoming sin, why they’re continuing in sin, why they’re not seeing healing. It’s simple, if you reject the healer, how are you going to get healed?
James 4:6 in the Amplified Bible says this; “6 But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].”
James is talking to Christians here referencing their proud and haughty heart. Those who reject the work of the Holy Spirit and His baptism, those who reject the gift of tongues. To make it clear, God resists you when in your pride and self-righteousness, when you tell the Holy Spirit to stay at home, and that you don’t need Him.
When you humble yourself, that’s when you experience grace to live an upright life. That’s when the ‘grace card’ can be used. There are many Christians who throw up the ‘grace card’, but are not living out their Christianity, because they continue to walk in pride and self-righteousness by resisting the work of the Holy Spirit who empowers them to overcome sin in their life and live an obedient life according to the Bible. So, self-righteousness is the root at resisting the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
In closing, let’s read Jude 20-21 in the Amplified Bible; “20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up on [the foundation of] your most holy faith [continually progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], pray in the Holy Spirit, 21 and keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously and looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ [which will bring you] to eternal life.”
You can’t pray in the Holy Spirit unless you’re baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Praying in the Holy Spirit IS praying in tongues.
If you know you’ve been living in pride and haughtiness towards God and man, it’s time to repent and ask for forgiveness. It’s time humble yourself and repent of self-righteousness. Remember that God opposes self-righteousness.
Here are some scriptures and insights that Pastor Richard had in today’s prayer meeting. We start out by reading a parable that Jesus gave of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC); “9 He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves and were confident that they were righteous [that they were upright and in right standing with God] and scorned and made nothing of all the rest of men: 10 Two men went up into the temple [[a]enclosure] to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.11 The Pharisee [b]took his stand ostentatiously and began to pray thus before and with himself: God, I thank You that I am not like the rest of men—extortioners (robbers), swindlers [unrighteous in heart and life], adulterers—or even like this tax collector here. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I gain. 13 But the tax collector, [merely] standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but kept striking his breast, saying, O God, be favorable (be gracious, be merciful) to me, the [c]especially wicked sinner that I am! 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified (forgiven and made upright and in right standing with God), rather than the other man; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
The contrast that Jesus gives between these two men ought to put spiritual sobriety into our hearts as Christians. Matthew Henry’s Commentarycomments on this text here; “The scope of this parable likewise is prefixed to it, and we are told (Luke 18:9) who they were whom it was levelled at, and for whom it was calculated. He designed it for the conviction of some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. They were such as had, 1. A great conceit of themselves, and of their own goodness; they thought themselves as holy as they needed to be, and holier than all their neighbours, and such as might serve for examples to them all. But that was not all; 2. They had a confidence in themselves before God, and not only had a high opinion of their own righteousness, but depended upon the merit of it, whenever they addressed God, as their plea: They trusted in themselves as being righteous; they thought they had made God their debtor, and might demand any thing from him; and, 3. They despised others, and looked upon them with contempt, as not worthy to be compared with them. Now Christ by this parable would show such their folly, and that thereby they shut themselves out from acceptance with God. This is called a parable, though there be nothing of similitude in it; but it is rather a description of the different temper and language of those that proudly justify themselves, and those that humbly condemn themselves; and their different standing before God.”
Where do you stand today when you pray? What is your spiritual posture before God? Do you pray like the pharisee or like the sinner? You know that when you’re were born again you’ve changed from sinner to saint; the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, old things have passed away and all things have become new. But does that mean that you change your spiritual posture in prayer as a result of that? You come into the throne room of God boldly, but do you change your posture because of it? Do you do it proudly now or remain humble? Do you snub your neighbours and walk around in self righteousness? Do you walk humbly before God and man? There’s a pretty good chance that God will hear your prayer when you pray humbly like the sinner, even though you’re saved; more so than if you’re walking in pride, behaving like a scribe, pharisee and self-loving, self-righteous person. A lover of self is like the church of me, myself and I.
A pharisaical person wants those around them to hear their long prayers, so they can hear themselves, so they can worship themselves, they walk in overweening spiritual pride. Probably wherever you’re reading this at, you can identify that there are the self-righteous religious people in your community who despise anyone that is not like them.
Self-righteous praying will not win though in spiritual warfare. Yes, there is warfare with the devil. But you’re defeated in prayer right from the start by having a pharisaical attitude, because you’re no threat to the kingdom of darkness. You’re only a threat to the kingdom of the devil when you humble yourself before almighty God by stepping out in the authority that He’s given you in Jesus’ name.
The Apostle Paul says this in 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC); “3 For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, 5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), 6 Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission and obedience [as a church] are fully secured and complete.”
When there is order in the church, there is spiritual authority over the kingdom of darkness. Insubordinates in the church need to be brought in line with the word of God. Read the beginning of that chapter and you’ll see that there were insubordinate, defiant and rebellious people in that congregation, but Paul wasn’t fighting against them physically because he knew the demonic force that was working in and through them. It was a spiritual warfare being fought.
In the Old Testament we read this powerful story of Daniel who also knew what spiritual warfare was. It’s in Daniel 10:11-13 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC); “11 And [the angel] said to me, O Daniel, you greatly beloved man, understand the words that I speak to you and stand upright, for to you I am now sent. And while he was saying this word to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he said to me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind and heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come as a consequence of [and in response to] your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief [of the celestial] princes, came to help me, for I remained there with the kings of Persia.”
Very sobering to see that the demonic fought with this angel for 21 days, not allowing him to get to Daniel with the answer to his prayers! Daniel was an Old Testament saint, he wasn’t born again or a spirit filled as a New Testament saint.
As a New Testament saint then, look at what the Apostle Paul says about spiritual warfare, because if there was no spiritual warfare, he would not have said this; Ephesians 6:11-13Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC); “11 Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. 13 Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].” 14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, 15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the [a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness [b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. 16 Lift up over all the [covering] shield of [c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit [d]wields, which is the Word of God. 18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).”
Pray in the Spirit, in the Holy Ghost, in tongues all the time! Pray with all prayers and entreaties, all the time! Have a disposition of prayer. When you pray in tongues you’re not going to understand, but it’s obvious you don’t need to because the Spirit and the Father knows and understands what is being prayed about. It’s the most amazing thing ever!
The Apostle Peter also says this in 1 Peter 5:6-10 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC); “6 Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, 7 Casting the [a]whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, [b]once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you [c]watchfully. 8 Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [[d]in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. 9 Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same ([e]identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.”
This posture that Peter is talking about sounds like that of the sinner tax collector that we read about at the beginning doesn’t it? Our spiritual posture in prayer has to be in humility. Peter also knew the reality of spiritual warfare with the devil. You don’t run from the devil, you use the sword of the Spirit the word of God and speak it out in Jesus authority and you’ll see him flee. We need to reiterate that Daniel did not have what you and I have as Christians today. He had the Spirit of God on him but not in him, he wasn’t born again. It was the same spiritual warfare as you and I face today, but we now have the authority in Jesus name to bind the demonic and see it cast out.
Jesus says these empowering words in Matthew 18:18-20 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC); “ 18 Truly I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on earth must be [a]what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit and declare proper and lawful on earth must be [b]what is already permitted in heaven. 19 Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and [c]everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I Am in the midst of them.”
In essence whatever your forbidding in the spirit on earth, must already be forbidden in heaven because it must line up with what the Word of God says. The same with permitting. It has to line up with the Word of God, His truth and His law. This is the authority of the born again Christian. Wherever two or three are gathered in His name, if they’re walking and praying humbly before Him, they have the assurance that He will hear them.
This Sunday we had a prayer meeting and Pastor Richard shared these insights and scriptures. We start out by reading from 2 Chronicles 7:12-22 where God appears to King Solomon for the 2nd time when he was dedicating the temple he had just completed. We know that God does not dwell in temples built by man’s hands any more as He did with the Israelites, but he dwells in the human heart to all that receive Him to be Lord of their lives. These are always parallels or types and shadows though to us as New Testament born again Christians. This a good example as to how we dedicate our bodies to Christ for His work in us.
It says this; “12 Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. 13 When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, 14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. 16 For now I have chosen and [d]sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and [e]My eyes and [f]My heart will be there perpetually.”
Do you know that the Lord also appeared to you the first time under the anointing of the Holy Spirit when you were born again? He revealed Himself to you which brought conviction that you were a sinner who needed to be saved. But to many who receive Him, there is also a second powerful appearance of the Holy Spirit when you are baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues or languages. Just as King Solomon had two clear visitations from the Lord under the old covenant, now, as a born again Christian, the Lord appeared to you once in your salvation experience, and if you’re baptized in the Holy Spirit, that’s the second time. It may not have been something visible, but very authentic just the same.
Can the Lord say that you too have been chosen as a temple or house of sacrifice unto Him? Is He pleased with you to be able to dwell in you? When there is repentance of sin, the Holy Spirit has been sent to us under the new covenant to heal us individually and the land. As we pray in the Holy Spirit, in tongues, and as we humble ourselves before God in a generation and time where the Holy Spirit is not being reverenced, respected and allowed to move in the church as He should; then we too can see the healing of the land. That healing will come by the power of the Holy Spirit.
What Solomon experienced is not even as powerful as what you and I have under the new covenant by being born again and filled with the Holy Spirit. If the glory and power was so strong and tangible in the temple then, how much greater should it be on us? Jesus says in both Matthew 13:17 and Luke 10:24 that the saints of old longed to see and hear what we have now. Those in the Old Testament experienced and had it in part, now we have the full manifestation of God’s presence with us in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Christians, as we humble ourselves and pray and receive the Holy Spirit into our temples, we too will see the healing of the land, the community and He will be poured out on all flesh. A sanctification in our lives takes place and His Holy Spirit will come and live in us also, forever, perpetually, flowing out into the lives of those around us to bring health and healing to them.
So, what King Solomon experienced in the dedication of the temple, the New Testament believers, you and me, experience when we’re born again and then receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. What Solomon experienced was a type and shadow for us. Even as Solomon had wisdom, we too have wisdom because of the Holy Spirit in us.
Jesus says this in John 14:12-13; “12 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
What a powerful and awesome inheritance we have in Jesus to be able to do what He did! Why? So the Father would be glorified. All that we do is to glorify our heavenly Father.
The Apostle John says this profound statement in 1 John 5:14-15; “14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”
When we know what the Father’s will is, we pray it and He answers us. When we’re not sure what His will is, we pray in tongues and the Holy Spirit who is praying through us and who knows what the perfect will of the Father is, prays through us that perfect will. That’s awesome!
Jesus also says this in Mark 11:24-26; “24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. 25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 [a]But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
Answers to prayers then are conditional. If you don’t forgive, God won’t hear your prayers. How many struggle with unanswered prayer because of being unforgiving? Jesus gives the clear answer right here. Forgive and your prayers will be answered.
The Apostle Paul says this in Philippians 4:5-7; “5 Let your [a]gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Anxiety, which is rooted in fear, hinders prayer. Why? Because it quenches faith. When you pray then, repent of anxiety and fear and allow faith to arise. Perfect love casts out all fear!
Finally, in Jude 20-21 it says this; “20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
This scripture is so powerful on prayer. Pray in the Holy Spirit, in tongues. It is perfect prayer as Romans 8:26-27 say; “26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [a]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
You have the advantage when you’re filled with the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues. Those tongues pray down God’s perfect will for you when you’re in prayer. You pray with authority in Jesus name.
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