Tag Archives: earthly circumstances

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Charles Stanley – The Price of Prayerlessness

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Matthew 11:28-30

Prayer was a priority in the Savior’s life—Jesus continually communed with His Father. Likewise, praying is essential for anyone today who wants to be used mightily by God. In other words, if you desire to walk in the Spirit and live a holy life, time spent with the Lord must be a regular part of your routine.

If we allow our time alone with the Lord to stop being a priority, we open ourselves up to discouragement, doubt, disillusionment, and eventually disaster. Then, if we pull away and cease to fellowship with our Father, we will begin to feel the spiritual, emotional, and physical weight of our earthly circumstances.

Prayer lifts up our burdens so that we do not have to bear their weight. Whether they are given to us by the Lord in order to teach us or are self-imposed as a result of the decisions we make, God tells us to cast our burdens upon Him (1 Peter 5:7). Bearing a load we were not intended to carry takes a spiritual toll on us. What’s more, it can leave us physically and emotionally beaten as well.

Weary believers are prime targets for the Enemy’s attacks. First, he strikes us with discouragement. Then, when we lose hope, we’re primed for his next weapon: doubt. The Devil knows that a doubting Christian can easily be pushed into disillusionment. So he whispers things like, “Where is God?” and “The Christian life doesn’t work!” Listening to him can breed disaster.

Remember, prayer isn’t just a comfort in times of need; it is essential for our survival. Like Jesus, we should depend upon prayer for guidance.

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Pursuing God’s Will – John MacArthur

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“In all wisdom and insight [God] made known to us the mystery of His will” (Eph. 1:8-9).

When God redeemed you, He not only forgave your trespasses and removed the guilt and penalty of sin, but He also gave you spiritual wisdom and insight–two essential elements for godly living. Together they speak of the ability to understand God’s will and apply it to your life in practical ways.

As a believer you understand the most sublime truths of all. For example, you know that God created the world and controls the course of history. You know that mankind’s reason for existence is to know and glorify Him. You have goals and priorities that transcend earthly circumstances and limitations.

Such wisdom and insight escapes unbelievers because they tend to view the things of God with disdain (1 Cor. 2:14). But you “have the mind of Christ” (v. 16). His Word reveals His will and His spirit gives you the desire and ability to understand and obey it.

Today is another opportunity to cultivate that desire through diligent prayer and Bible study. Let the psalmist’s commitment be yours: “O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thy commandments make me wiser than my enemies. . . . I have more insight than all my teachers. . . . I understand more than the aged . . . I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Thy word” (Ps. 119:97-101).

Suggestions for Prayer:  Thank God for the wisdom and insight He gives you through His Word.

If you have neglected the Word, ask His forgiveness and begin once again to refresh your spirit with its truths.

Ask for wisdom to respond biblically to every situation you face today.

For Further Study: Many Christians think God’s will is vague or hidden from them. But Scripture mentions several specific aspects of His will. Once you align yourself with those specifics, the Spirit will direct you in the other areas of your life.

List six elements of God’s will from these passages: 2 Peter 3:9; Ephesians 5:17-18; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Peter 2:13-15; 1 Peter 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Are you following God’s will in those areas? If not, what steps can you take today to do so?

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