This week I sat down with our worship leader to catch up and talk. In the midst of our conversation, there was a shift as Josh began to talk about declaring and worshiping because of the promises of God. As he spoke, God's Spirit began to stir something in my soul.
God's promises are his pledge to do or not do something. “He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). “Not one word has failed of all his good promises” (1 Kings 8:56). The term “claiming a promise,” however, is scary, especially to some who have been possibly influenced by those who take random verses and desire to “put pressure” on God to give them what they want. This careless use of the Word is far from the biblical standard.
Promises are unlocked with the key of believing prayer. Peter recalls the words of his Lord and writes “Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises” (2 Peter 1:4). The Holy Spirit links Scripture, through meditation and prayer, to our needs, to people, and to opportunities. A promise from God becomes personalized as we see its potential to change our life. Because God has promised it, it is already ours.
In this church plant God has shown His faithfulness, His staggering love and long-suffering with me and you. I know He wants to overwhelm us with opportunities, as we believe His Word specifically in prayer and worship.
The application to this is simple. As we fast and pray this week, we no longer need to pray for God to give us His Holy Spirit in our lives or when we gather. Jesus says, the kingdom of God is at hand and we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We no longer need to ask for God to defeat Satan who attacks us. He has already been defeated and crushed by Christ on the cross. We no longer need to ask for God to build His church. God is building and will continue to build a nation that outnumbers the stars. We no longer need to ask to be given power to fight sin. The power has been given to you by the Holy Spirit. Worship Christ and declare His promises because they are ours as adopted sons and daughters of God.
God's promises are his pledge to do or not do something. “He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). “Not one word has failed of all his good promises” (1 Kings 8:56). The term “claiming a promise,” however, is scary, especially to some who have been possibly influenced by those who take random verses and desire to “put pressure” on God to give them what they want. This careless use of the Word is far from the biblical standard.
Promises are unlocked with the key of believing prayer. Peter recalls the words of his Lord and writes “Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises” (2 Peter 1:4). The Holy Spirit links Scripture, through meditation and prayer, to our needs, to people, and to opportunities. A promise from God becomes personalized as we see its potential to change our life. Because God has promised it, it is already ours.
In this church plant God has shown His faithfulness, His staggering love and long-suffering with me and you. I know He wants to overwhelm us with opportunities, as we believe His Word specifically in prayer and worship.
The application to this is simple. As we fast and pray this week, we no longer need to pray for God to give us His Holy Spirit in our lives or when we gather. Jesus says, the kingdom of God is at hand and we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We no longer need to ask for God to defeat Satan who attacks us. He has already been defeated and crushed by Christ on the cross. We no longer need to ask for God to build His church. God is building and will continue to build a nation that outnumbers the stars. We no longer need to ask to be given power to fight sin. The power has been given to you by the Holy Spirit. Worship Christ and declare His promises because they are ours as adopted sons and daughters of God.
1 comment:
Thank you
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