The importance of prayer was emphasized to Timothy in a most unique way.
I Timothy 2:1-3:
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Many Biblical scholars call the books to Timothy leadership epistles. Those who serve in ministry are benefited to read these books. Paul right away sets the importance of prayer as displayed in the record above.
Many however, miss the dynamics of why prayer is so important by not reading the previous verses, which are connected by the words: “I exhort therefore.” Here are the preceding verses to Chapter 2 that demonstrate why prayer is so essential:
I Timothy 1:18-20:
This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
The times were challenging in the early Church and Paul was not going to be around much longer. He was, by revelation from God, passing on wise counsel to young Timothy. As Paul charges Timothy to “war a good warefare” he reveals those who worked against the Church. Hymenaeus and Alexander were not recoverable and cast over to Satan. What follows this drastic action is a most critical act to be done. That is prayer. See how verse 1 reads following 1:20: “I exhort therefore,”. As a result of this act and charge in the previous verses, it is essential that leaders have a vibrant prayer life.
For us who serve today, may we realize how important our prayer life is for the blessing of all men and those in authority. God calls this “good and acceptable” in His sight.
Agape,
Bob
There are many elements within our fellowships that really bless people. These include: The teaching of God’s Word, prayer time, testimony sharing time, singing, hearing messages from the Heavenly Father via the manifestations of holy spirit, Godly conversation, counseling and more. There is so much in our meetings that help the believer. This is all wonderful, but what is the ultimate aim of our fellowships?
Our purpose is to bring people into experiencing an intimate relationship with God. For me this was the ultimate, that I could talk to God Almighty and I could hear from Him. It could not get any better than this, except the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Intimacy at the Highest Level
What is the one thing I have learned in God’s Word that opens intimacy with the Creator of the Heaven’s and earth? Speaking in tongues!
I really enjoy reading and studying God’s Word. God magnified His Word above all His name (Psalm 138:2), so it is great stuff. One thing it teaches is what the believer has, being born again. One great reality is being filled with the power of the holy spirit. That spirit has nine abilities or manifestations that describe what it can do. One of the greatest manifestations is speaking in tongues. God designed this so you could pray to Him in the spirit (I Corinthians 14:15 & 16). When you speak in tongues you speak to God not to man (I Corinthians 14:2). When you speak in tongues you magnify Him (Acts 10:46). You also speak the wonderful works of God (Acts 2:11). You give thanks well to God by speaking in tongues (I Corinthians 14:16 & 17). How awesome is our God to make this relationship so personal and dynamic.
The highest honor is worship. God’s Word says, “God is spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). To worship by the spirit is to speak in tongues. God loves it when we speak in tongues. It is a “heavenly language.” It brings us very close to the Father.
I have never felt any closer to God than when I speak in tongues. God loves it! We should speak in tongues much to bless the Father. It makes for a very intimate relationship with Him.
Agape,
Bob
PS: Acts Now Fellowship is doing a Day in God’s Word on March 10th called: “Speaking the Wonderful Works of God.” It will deal specifically with speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues and prophecy. Pleases join us to experience what it is like to have an intimacy with God on the highest level.
Details on the website: www.actsnowfellowship.net
There is a verse in the Bible that conflicts with my natural mind thinking. It is James 1:2. It says, “…count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” For me I could do without the hassle of being tempted, interrupting a peaceful lifestyle.
Looking closer at this verse we discover the Greek word representing “temptations” means, “putting to the test; proving, or a trial to prove something.”
In thinking about this a little further, I reflected on my days playing and coaching organized basketball. Whenever we would play a difficult team we would get more out of it than beating an easy team. Perhaps my best college game experience was playing against a far superior team. Even though we lost, I performed at my highest level. When we take on challenging situations we grow much more than doing the easy things.
Later in Chapter one of James it expands on the subject of temptation:
James 1:12-14:
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Realize when those trials come your way, they are not from our Heavenly Father. The devil attacks our weakness on those things we are challenged in. As we experience trusting in our Father and believing His Word, we will build experiences of overcoming temptations that will make us better in the future for the work of the ministry.
What did Jesus Christ do when He was tempted? And He was tempted way beyond what we would experience. As recorded in the Gospels, He would challenge every temptation with, “It is written.” God’s Word was the key and answer to successfully overcome any and all temptations of the devil. Build the knowledge of God’s Word in your heart so that you can defeat the adversary.
I Corinthians 15:57:
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rejoice my fellow brothers and sisters when you are tested or challenged with life’s situations. Take on that temptation with the confidence you have in Christ. It will make you a better and far sharper person, making you a more effective steward for Him.
Agape,
Bob
What is the goal of the ministry?
Recently, I was asked this question and as I reflected on it one thing popped into my head.
Now it goes without saying of course that our goals are the Heavenly Father’s goals, which are “Who will have all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth” (I Timothy 2:4). He has “no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (III John 4). God’s desire is also that we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30).
These are aspirations we should have as a believer and as a ministry. But, what popped into my heart when the question was posed for the goal of the ministry? To help people have an intimate relationship with the Heavenly Father.
Our ministry has been afforded by God’s grace and mercy an in-depth understanding of His Word and how to practically apply it in a person’s life. From Genesis to Revelation we see God developing a relationship with man. He wants a very personal connection with us. After the original plan fell apart with Adam and Eve, He had to wait for thousands of years for the right time when He could redeem man with His son Jesus Christ. He bought a relationship for us through His son.
1Corinthians 6:19 & 20:
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Now God wants to fellowship with His purchased possession, you and me in which He has placed His spirit.
My passion and the passion of our ministry is to help people see how to have a sweet and personal relationship with God as His dear child.
Helping people realize the spirit they have in them is very precious. To walk in the spirit is to have fellowship with Him. That is why speaking in tongues is such a valuable resource in fellowshipping with our Heavenly Father. Very few ministries see this truth and far more do not teach it. When you speak in tongues, you are talking to God using His language; you are thanking Him; you are worshipping Him; you are engaging with the Creator of the Heavens and Earth. The other eight manifestations also deeply involves us in fellowship with Him.
My exhortation to you reading this is to recognize the importance of your fellowship with the Father. Fellowship is the secret to a fulfilling lifestyle. Make it a priority in your life to hang out with your Heavenly Father. It is the loving thing to do.
Agape, Bob
God’s heart passion from the beginning of time is YOU.
Everything God has purposed through the creation is for YOU.
The making of the Universe with its stars and planet earth is for YOU.
The giving of His son Jesus Christ to redeem man and provide a new birth reality is with YOU in mind.
The bottom line is God wanted children for eternity and YOU are one of His kids.
He really needs YOU!
Eph 2:10 (ISV) For we are God's masterpiece, created in the Messiah Jesus to perform good actions that God prepared long ago to be our way of life.
God choose YOU to be the object of His love and affection
We get so wrapped up in our selfish life, we forget about how God feels about us. When we realize how much we mean to God, then we can appreciate the Great Commandment of “Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.”
Eph 1:12: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
8 SCRIPTURES FOR YOU TO START A FRESH
Letting Go of the Past and Moving on With Your New Life
Have an exciting 2018 recognizing how special you are to the Heavenly Father and respond by loving Him with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.
Agape,