Tag: prayer power
A House of Prayer!
Scripture reading for March 3rd: Mark 11:1-25, Psalms 46:1-11, Proverbs 10:23
When Solomon dedicated the temple about a thousand years before Jesus visited it, he had dedicated the temple as a place where people could seek the Lord for healing, forgiveness, and deliverance. The presence of the Lord was in the midst of the nation, with God dwelling there in the Holy of Holies. People were to come there with their needs and seek God in humble prayer. “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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that My Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.” (2nd Chronicles 7:14-16) God watched over the temple and it was consecrated as a place of prayer!
When Jesus came into the temple on the first day of Passover week, He came riding on a colt of a donkey with the people crying out, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!” (Mark 11:9-10) He entered the temple as the Son of God and with His eyes He saw and observed what was happening there. The sight must have grieved Jesus for He went away to pray overnight.
The next day He returned, entered the temple, and began driving out those who were buying and selling sacrifices and changing money. He overturned tables and caused quite a stir with His righteous anger. He taught them, “Is it not written: “‘My House will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of robbers.'” (Mark 11:17) Jesus quoted from Isaiah 56:7 and Jeremiah 7:11 where the prophets had re-emphasized the role of God’s house and rebuked the people for using it for their own selfish purposes.
Now we are the temple of God and God dwells in our midst! Take a moment to think about your life. Is your life marked by prayer, not only for yourself, but all nations? Let your house be marked by prayer! Remember, the same God lives in you today!
Sunday Rest and Reflection:Pentecost Power!
Dearly beloved friends,
Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ! Another week is beginning and God’s people gather in buildings, homes, and small groups to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord! We are so blessed to know Him and love Him! From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, Jesus is being praised around the earth in every country and culture.
However, many still do not know Him. Over half the earth’s 6.3 billion people still have not heard of Jesus Christ. Many are lost in false religions and are entering eternity under God’s wrath. His Church is charged with going and telling every one! To do this Jesus sent the church the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a person who lives in each one who is saved and has repented of sin. He wants to fill us with “living water” and power to share that “living water” with the lost of the world.
Many Pentecostals seem caught up with emotional experience of God and speaking in tongues and even the gifts of the Spirit. They go from meeting to meeting craving more of God’s presence and desiring to see miracles. This is all well and good, but misses the mark! God gave the Holy Spirit to equip us to be His witnesses to the lost world. He sent us to go. He promises us that the signs and miracles will follow us as we are out doing the work of ministry and reaching the lost! We must leave the meeting empowered by the presence of the Holy Spirit to reach our lost friends and family.
Listening to God’s directing voice helps us know when to talk and when to be quiet and pray. We must pray in the power of the Holy Spirit for then we pray according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-28) We build ourselves up in our faith as we pray in the Spirit. (Jude 20) No one can come to Christ unless drawn by the Father so we desperately need the Spirit for evangelism. (John 8:44, 16:8-11) The Holy Spirit give us direction and boldness to speak and act in the face of persecution. God has empowered His Church!
As you attend church this Lord’s day, pray that the place where you meet will be shaken by the power of the Holy Spirit! Ask the Lord to fill you again with the Holy Spirit! Go into the week to fulfill God’s command to reach the lost! Have a great week in Jesus!
In His Love, Pastor John