1. The act of praying with the word of God.
2. Practical faith.
First method. The act of praying with the word of God.
There is no prayer manual or writing which is more authentic or reliable than the written word of God. What you personally hear the Lord saying he would do in your life or through you must be converted to petitioning prayer day and night before him—thou hast revealed this to thy servant, that is, out of your own good will you have given me this promise that you will build me a house, or else I could have never found in my heart to pray such a prayer of this kind. 2 Samuel 7; 27.
This is an incontestable weapon (sword of the spirit, the word of God) against all the enemies of success and of God’s purposes in your life. It is with this weapon that we can have the power with God and man. Acquiring the knowledge of God’s word is of utmost importance to knock at doors and have them open by prayer.
It is the only key to good success and to make your ways prosperous, if you give time to meditate in its daily; just like the Lord told Joshua in the time of old—thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest prosper and make thy ways prosperous. Joshua 1; 8.
Psalms 1; 1-3; shows us the separation of the righteous man from the counsel of the ungodly, from the way of sinners and from the company of the scornful.
We see his pleasure and desire in the meditation of the word of God every day and night; which brings about his steadfast life-style (a tree planted by the rivers of water) assurance of productivity (brings forth his fruit in his season) and assurance of success (whatsoever he does shall prosper); that is the only place you can bet your life, success and victory upon—the word of God.
It is expected of us to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, to be fruitful and increasing in every good works; but how can we, without being filled with the good knowledge of the written word in all wisdom and spiritual understanding—to grow in the knowledge of the word of God—filled all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Colossians 1; 9-10. Romans 15; 14. 2 Peter 3; 18.
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15; 7.
In Isaiah Chapter 43 verses 25-26, our heavenly Father invites, challenges and encourages us, claiming and standing on his promises. Put me in remembrance; let us plead together, declare thou, that thou mayest be justified.
Somebody might ask: What are we going to reminds God about? With what are we to plead with Him? What have we to declare?
What are the spiritual legal grounds for our justification during the difficulties and challenges of life?
Declaration of what the bible is saying before God in prayer is your understanding of what he has spoken that he would do. In so doing, you are pleading your case or situation for claiming your rights, benefits and blessings according to his word, to get you out of any mess you may found yourselves in—O You that answereth prayer, unto you all flesh shall come!
Even in our Lord’s Prayer, the first verse teaches us to come to God in worshipful and reverential spirit; but the rest are all wrapped up in the package of God’s promises.
Therefore, prayer is to pray out the promises of God, just like you can receive a check to cash from the bank.
This act of praying with God’s word is to converse, supplicate and implore the Lord with the confidence that, “if we ask anything according to his will (the written word) he heareth us. And if we know that he heareth us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him”. 1 John 5: 14-15.
Solutions to all problems of man’s life are in the word of God. Information from the word, which depends on individual’s diligence in searching the scriptures, determines the extents of his victory, testimonies and true success in life and with God; for we are called to inherit blessings, which can only be found in the written testaments.
Right usage of the accurate and appropriate word in the scriptures, which applies to one’s situation, is the secret of prevailing prayer in obtaining the promises of God; the devil cannot resist the word and God cannot deny himself as you speak to reminds him of his word; he’ll orders that they be swiftly publish in your life.
Pleading, imploring, supplicating and entreating in prayer with scriptural backing, would certainly brings about a satisfactory result and joyfulness, as one’s prayers are answered—Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name;
ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full. John 16; 24.
Constant, persistence and insistence prayer with the knowledge of God’s word is never the prayer of authority over God, neither are they vain repetition, until you received, if you keep on asking; or, until you found, if you keep on seeking; or, until you got the door opened, if you keep on knocking. In so doing, you are fulfilling the law of importunity which permits you to keep on asking, seeking and knocking, giving God no rest day and night, until you received to the fullness of your joy, testimonies and His glory—I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night; ye that make mention of the name of the Lord, keep not silence; and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. Isaiah 62; 6-7.
Always bear in mind the parables of our Lord Jesus Christ of the midnight friend and the widow’s breakthroughs because of their genuine desire and desperation to get things done.
Bear long (keep waiting) with God until you get the job done, until the desire of the righteous is granted; for the Lord shall avenge his own elects which cry day and night unto him, even though he bear long with them.
Many good things doesn’t come easily—My soul wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him. Proverbs 10; 24. Luke 18; 1-8.
We have been given power and authority over the devil and his demons, by the authority and power of Jesus name.
We do not have power over God our creator, but we could have power with him through his word; for “the axe shall never boast itself against him that heweth therewith, neither shall the saw magnify itself against Him that shaketh it”. Isaiah 10; 15.
Even though, we may be praying according to God’s will, if it is not yet at his own good time, and we force him to act by tempting, murmuring and discontentment, it may end up like the incident in the wilderness, where he granted them their request, but sent leanness to their souls (as they were eating, he was killing them). Psalm 106; 15. Numbers 11; 31-34.
There is no poison in God’s blessings, neither death in His pot, but our insatiable desire may lead us into many hurtful and painful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition, for His blessing makes rich, without sorrow.
Prayer is God’s influence and operation in us.
We should be very polite, bold, and precise in our supplications with a grateful heart, for by a long forbearing (which means it may take time, but delayed should not be taken for denial) is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone. Proverbs 25; 15.
While God is at work in us, both to will and to do according to his good pleasure, we also should walk before him in reverence and godly fear, in humbleness of heart, that he may lift us up in due time.
I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me; for who is this that engage his heart to approach unto me? Saith the Lord. Jeremiah 30; 21.
The word of God is your spiritual check book. In it, you have an unlimited and unfailing power of purchase and possession in the spiritual world, as well as in the market place of life.
Your spiritual check book serves as well as your weapons and arrows of warfare, both as the offensive and defensive in the battle field of life—thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies, whereby people fall under thee. Psalms 45; 5.
Divine check book can never bounce back whenever and wherever you tender it in the spiritual bank for any transaction or withdrawal in any part of the world—nations laws varies and changes, but the divine law is the same every-where, fulfilling the counsel of His will.
Your benefits and inheritance in the purchased possession are in-exhaustible, except that you have not align or position yourself with divine prerequisites to obtain or claim these promises!
Do not my words do good to him that walks uprightly? Micah 2; 7.
The act of praying with the word of God.
Examples from the Scriptures.
A. Moses, Israelites and God.
In Exodus 32, we saw the rebellion of the Israelites against God as they worshiped the golden calf that Aaron made. The wrath of God was kindled against them for destruction.
Moses stood in the gap and pleaded for the Israelites on the argument of what God has spoken which eventually changed his mind to restrained from his decision to destroy them.
The last sentence in verse 10 reveals the declaration of God to Moses (And I will make thee a great nation).
Here, we see a new promise given, even though the old was unaccomplished as yet.
God can do all things; make new things at any time. He is neither limited to time, place nor to man, for he’s beautiful for situations. The old promise was made to Abraham’s seed, but because of their sin of idolatry, God was just and righteous in his judgment and decision to destroy them and to make a great, a new nation, perhaps, more co-operative and
listeners for Moses leadership’s convenience—Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us, for thou also hast wrought all our woks in us—and the God of peace, shall give you peace always by all means.
Note; Let the ministers of our God be steadfast and not compromising, not yielding and giving in for any evil in the assembly of the saints, for the Lord shall surely purged out the rebels and replaced them in His house.
This was rather challenging to Moses, who stood between God and his people, to maintain the promise made to the very seed of Abraham.
In verse 12, Moses pleaded with the reasons of the Egyptians mental conception and possibility of mockery of God’s in-ability to convey them to the Promised Land should he destroy them.
The fact is that God can destroy them and never allowed the Egyptians or the next door neighbors from hearing or knowing anything about it—it is the glory of God to conceal a matter. Proverbs 25; 2.
When Moses saw that the ground of his argument was not convincing, he conceded the act of using God’s word as the ground for con in which God should not destroyed the Israelites, which brings us to the decisive point in verse 13.
Remember Abraham, Isaac and Israel thy servants; whom thou swarest by thine own self, and said unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven and all this land that I have spoken will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it forever.
Moses used God’s word as a reminder of his promises to Abraham in Genesis 17; 1-21; and to Isaac in Genesis 26; 2-5; and to Jacob in Genesis 28; 13-15.
He implored God’s grace and mercy upon his people, justification and forgiveness was obtained. Thus the promise of God was maintained on the very seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto His people.
Exodus 32; 14.
The act of praying with the word of God.
B. Jacob, Esau and God.
Genesis Chapters 32 and 33 respectively revealed a great deal of facts.
We should remember that Esau had developed a great hatred against Jacob because of his subversion to obtain the rights and blessings of the first-born. After his deceitful acts to Isaac his father, and to Esau his brother, Jacob fled to his uncle Laban the Syrian at Pandaram who equally deceived him, having made breaches of contract, changed Jacob’s wages for ten times during his six years of cattle rearing-what goes around, comes around-what you sow, you reap.
When God saw the unbecoming attitudes of Laban towards Jacob; he spoke to him in a dream to go back to his father’s land.
Jacob must obey the guidance of God, but in his paths of obedience, there was the mountain of Esau standing before him.
He must, by all means, encounter Esau on the way, for up till then, they’ve not settled the differences of the stolen blessings and had not found a common ground.
Jacob devised two kinds of human and sensual wisdom to obtained Esau’s favor and forgiveness.
After the failure of his schemes, he remembered God and then turned to him for help in a prayer. Note; God, by prayer, must be the first and not the last to consult in any situations under any circumstances whatsoever, if he is truly the Alpha and the Omega in our life.
First, verses 4 and 5 tell us how he flattered Esau with a lordship title: And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother—And he commanded them, saying, thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; thy servant Jacob saith thus.
The flattering title of my ‘lord Esau and thy servant Jacob’ has only rekindled the fire of hatred and revenge that was in Esau to destroyed the life of Jacob.
He prepared himself with four-hundred men to attack Jacob; for the bible says: the man that flattereth his neighbor, spreadeth a net for his feet’.
Proverbs 29: 5.
Jacob was distressed when he learns that Esau was coming with four-hundred men. Therefore, he precipitated to give the fruit of his body for the sin of his soul; while he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands, he said: “if Esau comes to the one company, and smites it, then the other company which is left shall escape.
What a coward and foolishness!
Fortunately right on time, Jacob remembered God before the arrival of Esau, and he turned to Him for help in earnest supplication. Pleaded and implored for divine intervention and deliverance, standing only on God’s Word for his justification.
And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which said unto me, return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee;—Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and smite me, and the mother with the children. And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude. Genesis 32: 9-12.
Have you received any word lately or of old from God? Then tell him also “Lord which said unto me” for He loves and waiting to hear you to remind Him of His written or spoken word or promise(s).
(Are we not going back to our earthly parents and reminding them over and over again of their promises if and when we make them proud)? The same is applicable to our Heavenly Father of all spirit and life—the God of all flesh, with whom all things are possible.
Just after his heart-felt prayer, the devil spoke to Jacob, saying: ‘Look here my friend, you’ve got to be ‘smart’, for heaven help those who help themselves.
Assist God answering your prayer by sending some gifts to appease and inveigle your brother’s favor”—Lasting favor comes from God.
And he lodged there that night, and took of that which came to his hand as present for Esau his brother; For he said, I would appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face peradventures he will accept of me. Genesis 32: 13-20.
Biblical speaking, when a child of God is in the face of any situation, his wisdom, strength and peace rest only in prayer. This should be the first thing to do, and not the other way or things around—Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshiped. Job 1; 20.
A believer must not allow any undesirable and unexpected situation to influenced his spiritual behavior and physical decision—For in returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your Strength’. Isaiah 30: 15.
There is a confidence and assurance of unanswered prayer which we have that the matter or the problem on ground is taken care off. This indeed comes from the inner witness of the Holy Spirit that we received from God, when we pray according to his will. It shall help us avoiding enemy’s temptation and the influences of the people around us, to work out things on our own that would not ascribed all the glory to God.
Then the Holy—Spirit again spoke to Jacob: “My son, don’t give sleep to your eyes, persist and continue to pray until you pray it through and settled the matter spiritually” Genesis 32; 22-32.
Jacob then went all night in prayer, which brought God into his situation.
You must learn the art and manner of midnight warfare prayer, when the enemy work best to sow tares among the wheat; where scores are settled spiritually, promises are given, renewed, obtained and when divine teacher attends to the waking and learning students; But none saith, where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night; who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven—The Lord hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to how to speak a word in season to him that is weary, he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as learned. Job 35;10-11. Isaiah 50; 10.
When we bring God into our situations, not only that he gives wisdom, favor, but He would definitely bring us out of that situation. He is the perfect crises manager, beautiful for situations.
Jacob personality was positively changed. God gave him a new courage to head the challenge of reconciliation—it is not acceptable to give the fruit of my body, for the sins of my soul!
He then puts himself before his family, (which he supposed to do at first) for why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about! Genesis 32: 7-8.
Jacob prevailed over the situation by praying in accordance with what God has spoken. If we are not sure of the victory in the spiritual realm, we would equally not witness any changes in the physical realm, until we endeavor or labor to pray it through. Genesis 32; 9-12 & 22-29.
During the entire preparation to meet Esau, Jacob held all night prayer and got the mark of untimely death removed from him. We too can pray God’s word into our challenging circumstances and expects divine intervention to change any situation whatsoever—most importantly, at the gate of each new day—midnight.
What a great joy in Jacob’s heart, as he saw Esau run to meet him, and embraced him. He fell on his neck, and kissed him, and they wept. What reconciliation! What a power of prayer! What a faithfulness of God to his word and promises! Genesis 33: 4.
The act of praying with the word of God.
C. Example from the court-room.
I was privileged to be in the company of a Christian sister who practiced law to the court some years ago. She candidly told me that her client, who happens to be the accused person, certainly committed the offenses of which he’d been accused of.
She would try to defend and prove the innocence of her client before the court, and at the same time proved how unconstitutional the charges were. During the hearing, I saw her presenting arguments in favor of her client as she cited the law before the judge, which listened attentively and carefully, noting down the defendant’s lawyer and the prosecutor’s arguments respectively.
I was impressed about the performance of the Christian sister, as I understood her quoting the sections, articles and codes from the law in order to defend and set her client free, if possible.
There were strong arguments from both camps as one was trying to establish the charges while the other was trying to prove the defendant’s innocence.
At a certain point, the case had to be adjourned, as more and more arguments and testimonies were being presented to the court.
On the fixed date of final judgment; the judge, after having examined the case thoroughly, finally gave his verdict by declaring that: “because the prosecutor has failed to prove his case beyond reasonable doubts, the defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted, and the case dismissed”.
Without contradiction, everyone knew that the lawyer of the accused person had done a commendable job by obtaining the release of her client.
My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste; so shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul; when thou has find it, there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off. Proverbs 24:13-14.
A good knowledge in any field is profitable and rewarding. As honey is sweet to man’s taste, so shall the good knowledge of God’s Word in us (if rightly used to tackle any situation of life) bring joy and victory. It shall be our defense in the time of troubles, and our standing rock, when the winds of life are raging—Even the lawful captive shall be delivered, if we stand on the word of God, for the price of the blood, is far above all rubies.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2; 15.
There is a personal requirement and diligence in each and every one of us to give ourselves to the word of God. Constant study life should be our watch word if we are to be smatter and stronger enough to beat and defeat the enemy in every areas of life, for good understanding brings favor, but the way of transgressors is hard-The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge, and he overthrow the ways of transgressor. Proverbs 13; 15. 22;12.
Two methods to obtain the promises of God.
Second method.
Practical faith.
It is very interesting and helpful to understand that anyone hopeful for the realizations of God’s promises in his life must be practical in his faith.
As the scriptures teaches, the principles of faith indicate that a life based on faith must be an active one that sow seed (s) of love, kindness, gentleness, financial and material blessings into people’s life—to reap as much as hundred fold or as the Lord shall cause men to measure back to him.
In psalms 41, verses 1-3, we read; blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth; and thou will not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing; thou will make all his bed in his sickness.
(Have you ever been given to the street and poor beggars against the time of trouble and sickness, so that you can be in position to claim this promises)!
In Psalms 20, verses 1-4, we read, The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defends thee; send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; remember all thy offerings and accept thy burnt sacrifices ( have you been giving and sowing enough for heaven to remember!) grant thee according to thy own heart, and fulfill all thy counsel . . . Consider Acts 10; 4 . . . Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
Look also at proverbs 21;13, whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry (begging) of the poor, he also shall cry (pray to heaven) himself, but shall not be heard.
There are times I fasted and interceded for people’s problems and the Spirit of the Lord would asked me to sow a seed on their behalf—and I shall say thus to the seed before releasing it to the beggars—I sowed this seed for the life and health of this person or for this problem in the life of so and so in Jesus name.
Just within a few time, testimonies would just be coming in, to this the scriptures agrees—offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord—but to do good and to communicate, forget not, for with such sacrifices, God is well pleased. Psalms 4; 5. Hebrews 13; 16.
There is a faith that prays! There is another faith that does something (seeking and knocking) after prayer. The holy—Spirit must initiates such a “step of faith” so that we might not go back empty handed.
The faith that prays without the “operational faith” is an illusion or a belief which would question the authority and realities of God’s word. An unfeigned faith is the faith that prays, with the act of faith, or a particular initiative, taken in obedience to the voice of the holy—Spirit, to effectuate the accomplishment of what God has spoken.
In Hebrews 11; verses 13 with verses 33 and 34; we read:
71 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.
We see clearly two different classes of people with negative and positive experiences of faith life. The first class of people were very hopeful, but died in their expectations, without obtaining the promises given to them.
The second class of people were the “active faith workers,” who exploited, put faith at work, engaged in battles and got what was promised them from the Lord—the Lord shall be strength to them that turn the battle to the gate. Isaiah 28; 6.
How David did defeat the uncircumcised Philistine? David did faith!
He spoke faith to the hearing of the people and the king; he then did the work of faith, as he hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
That was David’s victory point, without the hasting and running, every other preparations and confessions are wasted. 1 Samuel 17; 48.
Why? Is God unrighteous?
For what reason did some died in their faith without getting what they were promised, and others obtained what was theirs from the Lord?
Why did Jonathan died prematurely without reigning with David, despites all his faith and confessions to David’s royalty and his personal conviction to be the next to David in the kingdom? Strengthening and encouraging David in the wood, while he goes back to the palace was not enough and was no faith in God’s sight. None can be and reigned with Saul and desired the same with David. No, never!
Whosoever reigned with Saul shall die with him and shall never reign with David. Whosoever wishes and desired to reign with David must openly disassociated himself from the camp and palace of Saul and willingly partake in David’s wanderings, sufferings and affliction; then the joy and the blessings of the victory can be equally shared together.1 Samuel 23; 16-18.
We must partake in the sufferings, if we want to be partakers as well in the glory that shall be revealed—By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, that to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a while, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt, for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. Hebrews 11; 24-26.
The promises of God are exceedingly great and many, the initiative of faith to be taken must be different as the Holy-Spirit of God leads Individual into the will of God to effectuate His purpose(s) in their lives.
God would never give a promise that he’s not ready to deliver. He is never a vain talker like man. His word is right, and he speaks with intention. He means exactly what he says!
We ought to seek and serve Him diligently, carefully walking by his side day-by-day, take time to serve God, then we can we have the assurance, according to his word, that he rewards those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11; 6.
God is not a magician. You can’t just come into the kingdom today and thinks that all those burdens and evil labors, which has been there for many years should just vanish in the twinkling of an eye—Yes, all things are possible if the Lord approves of it; like the case of the woman with the issue of blood—but at the other hand, He may choose to be removing your burden and decreasing your labor one-by-one to prove your heart and to see what is in you if you would obey him.
Diligent walk with God involves humbleness of mind and faithfulness in every little or big thing(s) entrusted to us which shall speak for us in times to come so that we may be entrusted with many more true riches, greater blessings and privileges, as promotion comes only from Him.
Practical faith.
A. Abraham’s practical faith.
Abraham’s name remains first among the faith exploiters, and in fact, he is the father of faith. He was declared to have a “living faith”, a friend of God; and those who believed are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Without any previous invitation, or anything like a hotel reservation, he obeyed the guidance of God, not knowing where he was going (but knew and understood the God that was leading him).
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place, which he should after received for an inheritance, obeyed, and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Hebrews 11; 8.
Irrespective of today’s diplomatic arrangements and protocols, this kind of Abraham’s faith life would continue until times changes or God’s word is no more for use in the world.
There shall never cease to be people like Philip who found himself in the cities of A-zotus preaching the gospel, having been spiritually transported there. Acts 8; 39-40.
In Matthew chapter 10 verses 11, the bible says: “And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence”.
The Lord knew that the missionaries, apostles, evangelists and other God’s servants, would be sent out by the Holy-Spirit to unknown people and unexpected places, till he comes back.
Though many are wolves in sheep clothing, yet, we should be opened enough through Christ simplicity to receive his servants, with careful watchfulness of their fruit and discernment of their works, perhaps, it might be counted as our righteousness—when I was a stranger, you took me in. Matthew 25; 35.
God told Abraham: I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great, and thou shall be a blessing”.
There are three steps of faith that Abraham took in intervals of time and years to actualized the promises of God in his life.
First, he forsook his families and natal land in obedience to God.
Second, by God’s directives, he walked through the land in the length and breadth of it, after Lot went away from him, for the meek shall inherit the earth and delights themselves in the abundance of fatness.
If we truly have the promises from God, we need not to fight for material possessions and inheritance, by breaking our head against people or committing punishable offense(s) in the face of the law of the land.
God Almighty shall fight to dispossessed for us so that we may possess the gates of our enemies. The servant of the Lord must not strive . . . for the meek, says the scriptures, shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
We saw in Abraham’s exemplary faith life the way and manner he calmly and peaceably separated from Lot, and what greater blessings and divine revelations that followed; and, how Lot, despite his discontentment and arrogance, was saved by Abraham from the invasion and captivity at Sodom; how he lost his wife during his escaped from Sodomites judgment and ended up in a cave!
What a loss!
When you want to gain in the world, without God in your world, you’ll end up losing all, including your soul. This time around it shall not be in a cave like Lot, worst and much more, in the bottomless pit, for all eternity.
We should also learn from the manner Isaac gave his inherited wells back to the envious Philistines after the death of Abraham. They tried to caused setbacks and break down against his means of lively hood, but his Rock, the source of his life, made him stronger, mightier and blessed above his enemies.
Not only that the wells they violently took from him stopped springing and got dried; they were as well struck with drought by divine hand, they lacked and suffered water for their cattle ( for why should the king, his friend and the chief captain of his army went to implored Isaac favor and reconciliation, if not for the manifestations of divine wrath which they visibly witnessed). Every new ground which Isaac servants dogged brought forth water, as they ebbed up making peace and deal for water supply; making him their minister of water and natural resources to ruled in their midst—when the way of a man pleases the Lord, he makes his enemies to be at peace with him.
Why should we be careful and at strife for what we cannot have, except God opens wide his hand to satisfy our desire?
Why should we not be living ho-lily, justly and without blame among them that believes, doing all things without murmurings and disputing, that we may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom we shine as lights in the world!
Throughout his earthly sojourned, all that we noticed in Abraham’s faith life was his total confidence in God, the possessor of all true riches and wealth; both in his attitude to Lot, and in his confession to the king of Sodom, after giving all his tithes to Mel-chiz e-deck king of Salem, priest of the most high God. “I have lift up my hands unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take from a thread even to a shoe latchet, and that I will not take anything that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made A’bram rich”: Genesis 14; 16-23.
At times, faith sounds arrogant to the natural ears, just as David says; in God we boast all the day long . . . Psalms 44; 8.
And the Hebrew boys said to Nebuchadnezzar; O king, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter . . . Daniel 3; 16.
Have you ever been judged for pomposity because of your faith attitudes and confessions, similar to David’s reproach by E-li-ab? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for to thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. 1 Samuel 17; 28.
Rejoice! Your sufficiency is of the Lord, which tries the upright in heart.
Truly in God we boast all the day long, for that is the strength of faith and not the pride of life. This is the confidence and joy of the righteous, as his faith’s confession and attitudes corresponds together. Psalms 44; 8.
Abraham’s relationship with God was very practical, which he demonstrated
in his true love by obeying God. The re-establishment and the re-confirmation of the promises given to Abraham with the same blessings to the Jews and Gentiles alike have been made effective today in Christ Jesus.
Known ye therefore that they which are of faith the same are the children of Abraham—that the blessings of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ—And if you be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3: 7-27.
For so long, they had waited for many years to have the fruit of the womb, and now, he and Sarah has passed the aged of childbearing, medically and humanly speaking.
When Abraham received the promise that an Isaac is coming to his life, he changed his language according to the word, that is, the promise received from God, because he believed God’s word.
Abraham began to call those things which be not as though they were, calling Sarah who has passed the age of conception (Ninety years old) mama Isaac; and Sarah smiling, answering back; calling Abraham (Hundred years old) papa Isaac, in the audience and watchful eyes of their mocking unbelieving friends and neighbors.
That was the attitude and language of faith and the ground of their justification. Romans 4; 17.
The third step of Abraham’s work of faith was his obedience to God’s demand to offer his son Isaac without hesitation.
Faith is sacrificial. Its sacrifice is the work of faith. Whenever we are led to do something biblical by the Spirit of God, our immediate response with action is the genuineness of our faith, in the expectation for confirmation of what was spoken or promised.
This enables us to move forward and deepens our spiritual experiences and relationship with God. Each step of obedience to the Spirit of God is an advancement and progress in our spiritual life.
Faith is not rationale neither sentimental. It has nothing to do with common-sense. It is spiritual, as it is the substance of things not seen, and the evidence of things hoped for. This was what brought about the justification of Abraham’s faith.
Was not Abraham our father justified by Works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works and by works was faith made perfect? James 2:21-22.
Everything in the kingdom of God is practical.
The Lord himself confirmed this, when he said that the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
The proof of true sense of belonging to Christ is in practical separation and service.
Separation from “self ” . . . for I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by the faith of the Son of God—Galatians 2; 20.
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts”. Galatians 5; 24.
Separation from the world—for friendship of the world, is enmity with God; for whosoever will be the friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4; 4. I John 2; 15-17.
Separation from sin; knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Romans 6; 6.
— that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. 1 Peter 4; 1-2.
Separation from material and sentimental entanglements to receive the best from the Lord.
“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them and rose again” 2 Corinthians 5; 15.
“Whosoever that forsake not all that he hath cannot be my disciple”.
“And every one that has forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life”. Matthew 19: 29.
All the above texts sound practical? Don’t they?
Practical faith.
B. Rehab’s practical faith.
Likewise also was not Rehab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith, without works is dead also. James 2:25-26.
Rehab the harlot peaceably received the spies that were sent to Jericho, and brought them up to the roof of her house. She hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof, while she deliberately misguided her government security agents who were chasing them.
Her genuine faith not only confessed and confirmed divine intention and approval of the Israelites possession of Jericho, but also led her become co-operative with them. (I know that the Lord hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you). Joshua 2: 9.
As she believed that God was giving out the land of Jericho, she thought as well that she can’t retained what has been meant to be given out; so she sold her life out for God and endangered herself to imprisonment and death if should she be found aiding the spies. To the natural eyes mind, she lacked patriotism, a liar and national betrayal; but before God, she was an hero of faith, for faith is adventure, which can be physically and temporarily deadly; but eternally rewarding.
Nevertheless, her faith and co-operation was rewarded, as she, and all her father’s house were saved from been destroyed with the people of Jericho.
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How good and blessed is it to be conscious of God’s purposes and intentions, and to give ourselves to be useful to accomplish the same, either for the people we know or for those we don’t know.
Curse ye Morez, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the Lord against the mighty.
Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent—Judges 5: 23-26.
Let us arise to the help of the Lord in the ministry where we belongs.
We should allow God to use us to achieve his purposes in other people’s lives, as long as we discover divine interest or purpose; not considering our own purpose, interest or praise; for in doing so, we’re all bound to receive blessings from the Lord.
The Egyptians midwives were remunerated for their fear of God, not fearing the commandment of King Herod to destroy the male children of the Israelite, preventing them from multiplying.
They spared the male children, lied to their king for the sake of help of the Lord’s people and God built them houses, for he is faithful to bless those who bless Abraham seed and curse those that curse them.
The sons of Barzillai the Gileadite became important in David’s family and in Solumon’s Kingdom because their father took and gave bread, fruits, butter and other good things for the help of the Lord to sustained David, when he fled from the rebellion of Absalom. 1 Kings 2; 7.
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The Lord smote Nabal, the foolish rich man, former husband of Abigail, because he refused to refreshed the weary and hungry souls, to the help of the Lord, during David’s affliction and exiled.
Abigail was conscious of David’s kingship and positively hopeful that all shall be well with him. She faithfully judged that David’s present restless situation not worth considering, as she kindly reached out to him with those things needed for the body, and re-affirmed God’s plans for David’s coronation to the throne; whereby, laying foundation for herself to become one of the King’s wife, which eventually came to pass after the death of Nabal, her husband.
The princes of Succoth and the elders thereof where destroyed because they had not come to the help of the Lord in Gideon time. Judges 8; 6-8 & 13-17.
Rise up at once to the help of the Lord wherever you are.
It can results in the transformation of your entire life and family, for somebody you help today, may become the ladder to your ultimate height in life tomorrow.
Do not despise any and do not lift up yourself against any in the day of their calamity and don’t take advantage of someone’s problem to stand on his way or to maltreat or oppress them. Obadiah 12-15.
As you want others to do to you, do to them likewise—What you made happened for other people, God shall make happens for you as well—the desire of man is his kindness . . . the merciful shall obtain mercy . . . a man reaps what he sows . . . just as you see in the life of the forgotten Joseph in the prison of Pharaoh, for he helped the chief baker out, by interpreting his dream. He could have chosen to ignored helping him, neglected his God’s given gift by taking offense at his circumstances; by concentrating and nurturing his own problem in self pity; or by accusing God falsely by challenging divine providence and wisdom. No, he did none of those things, but interpreted the guy’s dream; he dispelled his fear and doubt; until the word of God came . . . Pharaoh sent and loosed him; and made him (Joseph) lord of the Egyptians. (Prime, finance and agricultural minister).
Alas! It was the guy that Joseph once helped in the prison which recommended him to Pharaoh—I do remember my faults this day! Keep doing the good and the best you know how to do! Genesis 41; 9.
No matter how hard people try to fight the purposes of God or attempt to frustrate divine plans over your life, give your battles to the Lord and commit your cause unto him in well doing as unto a faithful creator. All the hairs on your head are numbered, for the shepherd and keeper of your soul does not sleep nor slumber; of a truth, in destruction and famine you shall laugh; and he shall feed them that oppress you with their own flesh and they shall be drunken with their own blood.
David got the opportunity twice to kill Saul and to become the king, when he (Saul) was pursuing him, but he refused to terminate his life, expecting God to do the killing of Saul by himself, which of course was done and he (David) became king at God’s own time in the right way.
Neither can we help God any longer to make things which he has promised or spoken concerning us happens faster in an unscriptural and ungodly manner without being guiltless; just like Rebecca helped our father Jacob to deceived her husband, (Isaac) facilitating his younger son to have the blessings of the first born (Esau) which has been promised to Jacob right from the womb by divine counsel; which resulted in Esau’s perpetual hatred for Jacob; his decision to killed him; and the Edomites old and long hatred for the house of Israel. Numbers 20; 14-21.
Practical faith.
C. Togolese woman operational faith.
Some years ago, I was invited to minister in a Pentecostal church at Cotonou, West Africa, where we conducted three days’ evangelistic program.
In one of those days, there was a word of knowledge given, which concerned a Togolese woman, worshiper of voodoo and still childless in her matrimonial home for five years.
She left Lome for Cotonou to find a refuge during one of those political disturbances and riots against late president Eyadema. She humbly identified herself and approached the Lord for salvation and deliverance from sin and her vain worship of voodoo.
She openly confessed and accepted the Lord as her Savior; denouncing her worship of idol.
After the prayer, I was led by the holy-Spirit to ask her of what gender she
preferred her child should be. Though, having a certain preference; she desperately affirmed her acceptation for any gender.
“God decides and acts according to his sovereign will.
Yet, at times, he favors and leads us to be specific in our request to glorify him”, I assured her. “For example, Hannah, the mother of Samuel, while praying for a child, was prompted by the Holy-Spirit to ask for a baby-boy with a vow: and God granted her request”. I added.
“I would prefer a baby-girl for the start”. She commented.
“If the female child is your expectation according to your confession, go to the market as an expectant mother, and make shopping for the female child dresses.
This shall be the evidence of your faith”. Then I prophesied: “by this time next year, your daughter shall be with you in Jesus name”.
“What name would you give to your daughter”? I asked.
“Dorcas shall be her name”. She joyfully responded.
Everybody clapped and laughed in the meeting.
Evidently, this woman believed in God, and saw the miraculous hands upon her life.
She got saved, by accepting Christ; and she wrote us, giving testimony of her conception in the sixth month of her pregnancy and gave birth to a baby girl which she name Dorcas.
Elisabeth and her husband operational faith.
In 2006, I traveled from Amsterdam to Nigeria and went for a month program on a mountain top at Mpape in the federal territory capital, Abuja.
This is a good mountain, very wide but lack accommodation for an all night guests which are not living around or come from a far distance.
I felt by the Spirit of God not to check into any guest room around.
I happened to be climbing the mountain on a Sunday morning and I saw this young woman at her late twenties, sweeping and arranging the church auditorium in preparation for the service.
I felt led to approach and ask for the pastor of the church, if I may found the possibility of at least changing my stuffs by them every two or three days when I come down from the mountain, either to eat or clean up myself, for their church is just some four-hundred meters to the entrance of the mountain, before you embark on climbing.
She told me that the pastor is leaving in the city, far from the church and that he only comes to the church on Sundays and that her husband is the assistant residence pastor. They are not leaving far from the church, she then asked, can I go and call my husband, while you wait or if it is not urgent you may come back and talk with him.
I agreed to see him later and I told him my need for a place where I can conveniently be changing my clothes and shaving to clean up.
This couple accepted me into their humble home and I sojourned a whole month or more with them with a great and warm reception and hospitality.
In the course of my stay, I had a discussion initiated by Elisabeth herself, asking for God intervention for fruit of the womb.
Hun, I thought this was the reason God brought me here.
They’ve married for perhaps four or more years and there’s been no sign of pregnancy, so she was worried.
In the night of our discussion, I had a frightening revelation of a woman which warned me hotly and seriously not to meddle with Elisabeth childless situation.
The next day, I spoke to both of the husband and wife and shared this astonishing revelation with them and I called for three days fast for Elisabeth, while I and the husband joined her in the fast on the third day.
The last day of the fast fell on a Saturday and we climbed the mountain together to pray.
I left the couple for Amsterdam, and three month later, I received good news from them that she has conceived; and months later, she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels, unawares”. Hebrews 13; 2.
As there are people which carry life and blessings around, there are also people which carry curse and death about.
The Shunamite woman did the same gesture for Elisha and Gehazi his servant, as she and her husband accommodated the man of God and she got a blessing of a miracle male child. 2 kings 4; 8-17.
That is operational faith.