SPIRIT AND TRUTH

RAINING TRUTH WATERING THE GARDEN

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SPIRIT AND TRUTH



In the book of John the Comforter, also called the spirit of truth, was promised to those who love Jesus and keep his commandments. Jesus said the spirit of truth will teach us all things. When Jesus spoke with the Samaritan woman at the well he explained that the true worshipers would now worship God, not in a location, but in Spirit and Truth.



Scripture:

The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what; we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:19-24)

If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:15-18)



WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

We have learned that if we love Jesus and keep his commandments he will give us the Spirit of Truth who will teach us and in this spirit we should worship him.



Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this

study of His word, Amen.

Susan

THE LORD'S PRAYER

THE LORD’S PRAYER

What is traditionally called “The Lord’s Prayer” is found in Matthew and Luke. In Luke, it mentions that the disciples asked him to teach them to pray. The entire prayer is given in Matthew. Jesus always began his prayers with Our Father or Father. He designates that Our Father is in heaven. The word Hallowed is the same word as the word used for sanctified often in the New Testament. Jesus points out that Our Father’s will is done in heaven and asks that it be done here on earth also. He tells us to ask for our daily food and then says to ask forgiveness for our sins noting that we will be forgiven in the same manner as we forgive. Another important item that he says we should ask for is to be lead away from temptation and evil.


Scripture:

And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of the disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”(Luke 11:1)



After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9-13)



WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

We are to address our prayers to Our Father. We are to request for His Kingdom to come to earth, for our daily food, for forgiveness and to be lead away from evil.



Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this

study of His word, Amen.

Susan

JESUS PRAYED

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JESUS PRAYED



Prayer was a priority in Jesus’ life. We find four examples mentioned in the gospels where Jesus went off alone to pray. Each time he went up into the mountains. We discover that there were times when he prayed all night.



A person has to wonder, what did he talk about all night and how did he manage to go without sleep? How often have we prayed all night?



Prayer needs be a valuable part of our lives also.



Scripture:

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone." (Matthew 14:23)



And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." (Mark 6:12)



And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray." (Mark 6:46)



And it came to pass in those days that he went out into a mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God." (Luke 6:12)



WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

Prayer was a significant part of Jesus’ life and he often went off alone into the mountains to pray. Sometimes praying for the entire night.



Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this

study of His word, Amen.

Susan

INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING PRAYER

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INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING PRAYER



Jesus instructs us that we are not to pray to impress others, but are to pray privately to our Father and he will openly reward us. He wants us to talk to him, not in repetitive verses or statements, but from the heart. The expression, vain repetition, doesn’t mean that we are not to be persistent on a particular request, because in another parable we were told to be persistent, but that we are not to repeat words over and over, like repeatedly chanting empty words.



Scripture:

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” (Matthew 6:5-8)



And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayers; these shall receive greater damnation. (Mark 12:38-40)



WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

We are to pray privately; not repetitiously or to impress others.



Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this

study of His word, Amen.

HUMILITY IN PRAYER

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HUMILITY IN PRAYER



Jesus stressed the importance of humility in prayer when he shared with us this parable. We see that the first man in the parable was self-centered and self-righteous. The second man was humble before God.



Another example regarding humility in prayer is brought forth in the Old Testament book of Psalms.





Scripture:

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 18:9-14)



LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:" (Psalms 10:17)



WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

God will respond to and exalt those who come humbly before him.



Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this study of His word, Amen.

Susan

DO NOT GIVE UP

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DO NOT GIVE UP



The following two parables given by Jesus encourage us not to give up, but to keep praying. He first uses the example of a neighbor who doesn’t want to be bothered, but because of the friend’s persistence, and a sense of shame, he gives the friend what he needs.



In the second parable, which encourages persistence, Jesus speaks of a widowed lady who is asking a judge to avenge her against an enemy; much in the same manner we ask God to make things right, when we have been wronged by a particular situation or person. We see the judge in this circumstance was not even a believer. Jesus gives us confidence that God will quickly make things right for us. Jesus then questions whether or not he will find faith on the earth when he returns, emphasizing the importance of faith, especially in the end times.



Scripture:

And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity (*sense of shame) he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, And it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Luke 11:5-10) (*Strong's Concordance)



And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:1-8)



WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

We have learned to be persistent in our prayers and not to give up.



Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this

study of His word, Amen.

Susan

ASK, SEEK AND KNOCK

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ASK, SEEK and KNOCK



Jesus explains to us that we are to ask and we will receive, to seek for an answer and we will find it. We are then instructed to demonstrate faith by tapping on the door and receiving the answer.



He gives us the example of how much we enjoy giving to our children, pointing out the fact that we wouldn’t consider giving them something dreadful. He continues on to say that our Father would not give us something terrible either in response to our requests. When we consider what pleasure we receive, giving to our children, we can identify more easily with him when he says how much he enjoys, in the same manner, giving to us.



Scripture:

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him.” (Matthew 7:7-11)



WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

We have learned that we need to ask, seek and knock and the answer will be given to us. Also that he doesn’t give us something bad anymore then we would give something bad to our own children.



Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this

study of His word, Amen.

Susan

PRAYING WITH OTHERS

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PRAYING WITH OTHERS



Concerning praying with another individual or in a group, the same promises are available as with individuals who pray alone.



His promised presence amoung us when we pray together is a treasure. As with our individual prayers we should not neglect to always keep in mind the, "ifs".



Scripture:

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. "If" ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. (John 14:13-14)



"If" ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:7)



Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and "bring forth fruit," and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (John 15:16)



For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)



Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)



WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

When we gather together in his name he is there with us. And, (1) IF we abide in Him and He in us (2) IF we ask according to His will (3) IF we are doing His work by believing and/or bringing in fruit, we may ask anything and He will do it



Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this

study of His word, Amen.

Susan

FAITH OVER FEAR

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FAITH OVER FEAR



The disciples were stricken with panic when a severe storm developed while they were out on a boat with Jesus. Jesus was sound asleep when, in their fright, the disciples woke him. Jesus rebuked them because of their fearfulness and then prayed. Immediately the weather became calm. The disciples were dumbfounded that the weather obeyed him as they watched the storm dissipate before their eyes?



Jesus’ words, “Why are you fearful?” brings to light the concept that having faith eliminates our fears which makes sense. If we know and believe in our heart that everything is going to be all right, then why would we be afraid?





Scripture:

And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! (Matthew 8:24-27)



WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

We have learned that faith takes away our fears.



Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this

study of His word, Amen.

Susan

FAITH AND PRAYER

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FAITH AND PRAYER



Jesus gives us two important elements concerning prayer in the book of Mark. We must have faith and believe.



From the book of Hebrews we see that faith pleases God and that a lack of faith displeases him.



Scripture:

Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (Mark 11:24)



But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)



WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

We must have faith and believe in order to have our prayers answered.



Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this

study of His word, Amen.

Susan

NATIONAL REPENTENCE

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NATIONAL REPENTENCE



What can we do if we see our nation is turning from God and heading down a road to destruction? There are actions that we Christians can take to bring about a healing for our country? The scriptures below describe actions that we can take such as, humble ourselves, pray, seek and do God’s will and turn from wickedness.



Note that 2nd Chronicles reads, “if my people”. Not necessarily all of the people. Our obedience can bring about a healing that even non-believers will benefit from.



Scripture:

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2nd Chronicles 7:14)



But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. (Jeremiah 7:23)



At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it; If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them. And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them. (Jeremiah 18:7-10)



Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it. Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; (Deuteronomy 4:5-9)



WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

We have learned four facts concerning the healing of a nation. (1) IF we humble ourselves (2) IF we pray (3) IF we seek and obey His will and (4) IF we turn from wickedness, He will forgive and heal our land.



Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this

study of His word, Amen.

Susan

FORGIVENESS

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FORGIVENESS



Jesus explains that we will be forgiven in the same manner as we forgive.



There are those who wrong us in ignorance. Remember Jesus' statement while dying on the cross. “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Later, in the book of Acts, we have the example of Steven asking for the forgiveness of those who were stoning him. He said, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge”. These words of Paul confirm that he did the same: “At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me. I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.” (II Timothy 4:16)



Jesus, Steven and Paul asked forgiveness for the people because of their ignorance and so can we.



We are not asked to forgive people who have intentionally harmed others or ourselves, unless they have repented or asked, but in order to have peace of mind; we may choose to forgive them in our hearts. Carrying hate in our heart can be destructive to our own life.



Peter questioned Jesus how often a person should forgive another. In the book of Matthew, Jesus answered Peter in depth: “I say not unto thee, until seven times; but, until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:22) The total of seventy times seven equals four hundred and ninety.



Scripture:

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses (Matthew 6:14-15)



And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. (Mark 11:25-26)



Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. (Luke 17:3-4)



WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

We are forgiven in the same manner as we forgive. Jesus, Steven and Paul forgave others who had not asked because they understood their ignorance. We are not required to forgive those who do not ask, but for our own benefit we should.



Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this

study of His word, Amen.

Susan

RECEIVING WHAT WE REQUEST IN PRAYER

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RECIEVING WHAT WE REQUEST IN PRAYER



In these few verses Jesus has assured us that our prayer requests will be granted if we do certain things first. The reason that He will do whatever we ask in his name is so that our Father may be glorified. He pledges to grant what is asked to those who abide in him and in his word.



These words are spoken to all of us, not just the disciples, or priests or preachers. It is to those who “bring forth fruit”. Jesus summed it up for us when asked “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” (John 6:27-29) Belief is considered a work.



Scripture:

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. (John 14:13-14)



If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:7)



Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. (John 15:16)



WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?

We have learned these facts concerning prayer. (1) IF we abide in Him and He in us (2) IF we ask according to His will and (3) IF we are doing His work by believing and/or bringing in fruit, we may ask anything and He will do it.



Our Father appreciates the fact that you are trying. May God’s blessing be upon this

study of His word, Amen.

Susan