Class 5 from this series was used in GCT Episode 310.
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But we’ve found that prayer.
Is talking with God we walk and
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But we’ve found that prayer.
Is talking with God we walk and
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talk together in his presence
even Bible study is done with
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prayer in his presence prayer
must not be what we.
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Do but who we are, It’s a it’s a
lifestyle.
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But.
How do we do?
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All of this, the things that
we’ve considered today in our in
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our day.
Our life today is totally.
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Different to those in Bible
times, but is that really true?
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People in those days LED busy.
Lives also.
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People worked long hours.
Mums in Bible times also had
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kids.
And.
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And time was not their own
either.
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Their day was not 9 till five in
the end.
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It’s a choice.
It’s a matter of priority.
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Now let me illustrate with
example of people who.
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Lived a God.
Conscious life within an
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environment similar to our own.
And of course I’m speaking.
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About.
The Book of Ruth.
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And I’d like to just go.
Through the book of Ruth.
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Walk through it.
And highlight how these people
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lived.
OK, Ruth.
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And we’ll begin in chapter one.
Look how conscious of God.
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These people were how they lived
in his presence.
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In Ruth chapter.
One and we look at verse 8.
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After the death of.
Her husband and her two sons,
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Naomi decides to return to
Bethlehem and it says in verse 8
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and no.
Only said unto her two daughters
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in law.
Go return each to her mother’s
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house.
Yahweh, deal kindly with you as
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ye have dealt kindly with the
dead and with me.
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Yahweh grant you that you may
find rest, each of you in the
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House of her husband.
And so Naomi invokes Yahweh’s
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blessing.
Upon her two daughters.
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In law and she also asks him.
To bless those two daughters.
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In law with a new.
Husband and family see how
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natural.
It was that she just.
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Brings him into these things.
And then we have Ruth’s.
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Beautiful response in verses 16
to 17, but we look at verse 17
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where she says where thou.
Diest will I die, and there will
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I be buried.
Yahweh do so to me and more also
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if all but death part thee.
And me she too invokes.
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Yahweh.
As a witness to her pledge and
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see how naturally she brings him
into her interactions.
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They enter into Bethlehem and
the women gather around.
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And Naomi says unto them in
verse. 20 She said unto them,
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Call me not Naomi, call me.
Mara for the Almighty has dealt
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very bitterly with.
Me, I went out full and Yahweh
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have brought me.
Home again, empty.
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Why they call you me, Naomi,
seeing Yahweh have testified.
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Against me and the Almighty has
afflicted.
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Me see again.
How?
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Naturally, Naomi.
Speaks about God.
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To her neighbours, is she?
Told of God’s hand in her life
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and the grief that he has
brought into her life because of
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what she.
And her family had done now.
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We are introduced to Boaz, So
what is?
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He like chapter 2 and verse
four, and behold, Boaz came from
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Bethlehem, and said unto the
reapers.
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Yahweh be with you.
And they answered him, and
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Yahweh bless thee.
That’s how they greeted each
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other.
They brought Yahweh into their.
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Greetings.
Now look.
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How he speaks.
To Ruth in verse 12, Yahweh,
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recompense thy work.
And a full reward be given thee
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of Yahweh Elohim of Israel,
under whose?
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Wings thou outcome to.
Trust.
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And so he seeks God’s blessing
upon.
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Her they that they bring.
God into everything, and when
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Ruth returns with all her
gleanings, and that which Boaz.
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Had given her.
Naomi’s response in verse 20 was
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Blessed be he of Yahweh, who
hath.
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Not left off his kindness to the
living and to the dead.
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Her automatic response it was
from Yahweh and when Ruth asked
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Boaz to perform the rite of.
The near kinsman and marry.
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Her in chapter 3 and in verse
10.
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He says.
Blessed be thou of Yahweh.
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My daughter.
Again, he’s.
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Invoking blessings from Yahweh
upon.
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Ruth.
And then says in verse 30 at the
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end of that verse, and if he,
the unnamed kinsman, will not do
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the part of the kinsman to thee.
Then will I do the part?
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Of the kinsman to thee.
As Yahweh liveth and he brought
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God into his promise and in
chapter 4 those finally offers
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to take Ruth to wife.
And he calls upon everyone there
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to witness what he promised.
And he is the.
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People’s response verse chapter
4, verse 11.
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And all the people that were in
the gate of the elders said we
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are.
Witnesses Yahweh make the woman.
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That has come into thine house
like Rachel and like Laia.
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Which dude build the House of
Israel, and do thou worthily in
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Ephrata, and be famous in
Bethlehem, and let thy house be
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like the House of Pharise?
Whom tame our bear unto.
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Judah of the Seed which?
Yahweh shall give unto.
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Thee of this young woman.
So the people invoke Yahweh’s
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blessing upon the couple and
express their confidence that
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God would give.
Them seed.
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And when it came in verse 14.
And the woman said unto Naomi.
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Blessed be Yahweh, which hath.
Not left me this day without a
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kinsman, that his name may be
famous in Israel now.
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Look at how these people.
Lived.
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They lived before God, and they
brought God into their lives,
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into their language, into their
daily interactions in everything
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they’re continuously invoking
Him in.
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Greetings, blessings, promises
and thanksgivings and blessings
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of God.
Now, Can you imagine speaking
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like that today in this our
world, we barely mentioned God,
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especially in public or in the
workplace.
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But what even about brothers and
sisters?
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Speaking to each.
Other.
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And yet this, brothers and
sisters, was in Bethlehem in the
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time.
Of the judges.
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And if you know anything about.
Bethlehem in the time of the
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judges.
It was totally depraved.
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You only have to look at the.
Appendices of the Book of Judges
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and it’s all in Bethlehem.
And the wicked and evil things
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that were practised, their
behaviour was against the grain.
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So it’s possible to live like
this in this kind of environment
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if we choose in faith.
Now we’ve seen in our studies
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that prayer.
Is involving ourselves with God.
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But what should we expect from
God?
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In response to our prayers,
should we expect answers?
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And by answers to prayer, we we
usually mean getting what we
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want, and we get upset when it
doesn’t happen that way.
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Now we would.
Like answers to prayer to be not
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only what we want, but
immediate.
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We just like it to happen now.
And you know the Bible.
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Actually indicates that God does
respond to our prayers
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immediately.
I want you.
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To turn with me to Daniel
Chapter 9, we’ve used Daniel
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several Times Now, but just look
at what it says here in Daniel
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Chapter 9.
And he said his face.
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Unto God to seek by.
Prayer and supplication and the
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record says I prayed unto Yahweh
my God and made confession
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verses 3:00 and 4:00 and then in
verse 20 it says.
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And whilst I was speaking.
And praying and confessing my
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sin and the sin of my people.
Israel and presenting.
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My supplication before Yahweh,
my God for the Holy.
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Mountain of my God.
Yeah, whilst I was speaking.
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In.
Prayer.
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Yeah, I don’t know how many
times he needs to reiterate the
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point that it was.
While he was speaking.
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Even the man Gabriel, whom I had
seen in the vision of at the
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beginning, been caused to fly
swiftly touched.
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Me.
About the time of the.
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Evening oblation, the time of
prayer and he informed me and.
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Talked.
With me and said, oh, Daniel.
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I now come forth to give thee
skill.
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And understanding at the
beginning of.
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Thy supplications, the
commandment came forth.
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And I came to show thee.
And so it goes on.
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So the Angel Gabriel.
Interrupts Daniel’s prayer and
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he tells them that God
immediately.
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He started praying, said
Gabriel.
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It’s as if God couldn’t wait.
It shows that God knows what we
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are going to ask before we.
Ask just as the.
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Lord said in Matthew 6 verse 8.
Now here’s another adventure of
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the same.
Immediate recognition of.
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Daniel’s Prayer.
But the response is different.
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In chapter 10.
In chapter 10 and verse 2.
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In those days I.
Daniel was mourning 3-4 weeks.
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I ate no pleasant bread.
Neither came flesh nor wine.
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In my mouth, neither did I.
Anoint myself at all till.
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Three whole weeks.
Were fulfilled and.
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On the forward 20th.
Day of the first month.
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As I was by the side of the
great river which is hid a cow.
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Then I lifted up my eyes and.
Looked, and behold a certain.
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Man clothed and linen, whose
loins were girded with fine gold
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of euphates.
So Daniel was mourning for. 3.
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Four weeks, as he describes it,
and while he fasted and prayed,
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and he was praying the whole
time.
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It says that in verse 12.
But look.
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At what the Angel says verse. 12
Then said He unto.
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Me.
Fear not, Daniel.
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For from the first day that thou
didst set thy heart to.
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Understand and to chasten myself
before God.
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Thy words were.
Heard and I am come for thy
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words, but the Prince of the
Kingdom of Persia.
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Withstood me one in. 20 days but
though like.
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One of the chief Princess.
Came to help me, and I remained
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there with the kings of.
Persia, now I am coming.
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To make the understand.
What shall before my?
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People in the latter days and so
on.
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So God heard Daniel’s.
Prayer.
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At the beginning of the. 3-4
weeks.
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But the Angel could not respond
before he finished more.
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Pressing work, Daniel’s needs
were significant.
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But there were higher.
Priorities.
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And that’s something we’ve got
to learn, brothers and sisters,
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that.
God is working.
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On many matters, not just us,
sometimes he requires.
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Other.
Things to occur before our
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prayers can be answered.
Now I.
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Take from these examples that
God hears our requests and
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decides immediately, but not.
Necessarily when or.
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Even if we should receive what
we request.
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Not everything that we.
Ask for will be a yes.
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The answer can be a no.
Remember David praying for his
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child and he he mourned and in
sackcloth and ashes throwing
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himself on the earth he wouldn’t
eat because.
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He believed in God, the
possibility, as Christ said all.
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Things are possible to God, but
the answer was no.
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So.
I I learned from this.
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Brothers and sisters, that we
must accept the consequences of
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our actions.
There are times when it can only
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be known or we have the example.
Of the Apostle Paul who prayed.
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Three times that the.
Thorn.
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Be taken from him.
But the answer was no.
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Sometimes we must suffer for our
own good, as Christ told the
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apostle Paul.
Or the Lord Jesus Christ in the
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garden.
He also prayed 3.
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Times that the cup pass that the
answer was no.
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Sometimes we must suffer for the
good of others.
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We are in good.
Company.
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Brothers and sisters.
Far.
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Greater people than you and.
Me.
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Have had their requests denied,
but always for a good reason.
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And each of these humbly
accepted the answer of God.
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And so should we, sometimes.
We get what we asked.
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For but.
Is it really?
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What we need?
Comes with me to our reading.
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And James chapter 5, James 5 and
in the verse 16.
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And the second part.
Of that verse, the effectual
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00:15:31,560 –> 00:15:33,160
fervent.
Prayer of a righteous.
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00:15:33,160 –> 00:15:36,760
Man of ours much?
And James anticipates his
225
00:15:36,760 –> 00:15:39,880
readers thinking, well, how can
I consider myself to be
226
00:15:40,040 –> 00:15:42,560
righteous?
So he gives an example.
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00:15:43,360 –> 00:15:46,400
So he says in verse 17.
Elijah, Elijah.
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00:15:47,280 –> 00:15:54,680
Was a man subject to like
passion as we But this man, he
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00:15:54,680 –> 00:15:58,040
said, if I be a prophet.
Then let fire come down from
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00:15:58,040 –> 00:15:59,800
heaven and consume you, and
you’re 50.
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00:15:59,880 –> 00:16:03,840
And it did.
He’s like the word of God made
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flesh, and it’s it continues.
And he prayed earnestly that it
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00:16:07,760 –> 00:16:08,880
might not.
Rain.
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00:16:09,520 –> 00:16:12,240
And it rains not on the Earth by
the space of three years.
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00:16:12,360 –> 00:16:14,320
And six months.
There’s nowhere in the record of
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00:16:14,320 –> 00:16:17,280
Kings that it says that.
That it was Elijah’s prayer, but
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00:16:17,280 –> 00:16:21,280
James says it was Elijah that.
Asked for that to happen.
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00:16:22,960 –> 00:16:25,720
Elijah did this.
It was his idea.
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00:16:27,200 –> 00:16:31,800
Not gods.
And we know from James and from.
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00:16:31,840 –> 00:16:36,600
Elsewhere that that Elijah’s
motive was that the people
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00:16:36,600 –> 00:16:42,800
returned to their God.
He desperately wanted that, and
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00:16:42,800 –> 00:16:46,240
God heard him and he stopped the
rain.
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00:16:50,600 –> 00:16:52,680
And when he thought.
The time was right.
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00:16:52,680 –> 00:16:55,520
He he, he he called for a
contest on Mount Carmel.
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00:16:57,000 –> 00:17:00,520
And.
When the prophets of Baal.
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00:17:00,520 –> 00:17:03,000
Didn’t succeed.
He scoffed at them, and then
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00:17:03,000 –> 00:17:07,240
when it was his turn, he he
built the altar and and then he
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00:17:07,240 –> 00:17:10,480
gave.
This beautiful, simple prayer.
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But God consumed the sacrifice
and it didn’t.
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00:17:15,400 –> 00:17:18,200
Fire came down from heaven.
And Elijah is a late.
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00:17:19,400 –> 00:17:21,400
And all the people are with
them, and off with the heads of
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00:17:21,400 –> 00:17:25,560
the prophets of Baal and and.
And and he tells Ahab, you
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00:17:25,560 –> 00:17:27,319
better get ready, the rain’s
coming.
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00:17:27,319 –> 00:17:29,720
He’s so confident.
And he goes up onto Mount
255
00:17:29,720 –> 00:17:33,920
Carmel, and he throws himself on
the ground, and he has his head
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00:17:33,920 –> 00:17:36,760
between his knees, and he prays
unto God, and he tells the
257
00:17:36,760 –> 00:17:38,000
seven.
Go up to the top.
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00:17:38,160 –> 00:17:40,640
And see what you see.
And there was nothing.
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00:17:41,000 –> 00:17:45,120
And seven times he does it.
And finally verse 18 it says.
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00:17:45,480 –> 00:17:50,040
And he prayed again, and the
heaven gave rain, and the earth
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00:17:50,040 –> 00:17:54,000
brought forth a fruit.
And Elijah is on a.
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00:17:54,000 –> 00:18:01,120
High and Yahweh and his people.
Thou united, and this was all he
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00:18:01,120 –> 00:18:03,360
wanted to bring them back to
their God.
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00:18:04,960 –> 00:18:09,600
He’s so full of elation that he
he runs before Ahab’s Chariots.
265
00:18:10,520 –> 00:18:12,760
But it takes.
The word of one.
266
00:18:12,760 –> 00:18:25,230
Woman to send his world.
Crashing it didn’t work all his.
267
00:18:25,230 –> 00:18:27,830
Plans.
All his thoughts of how it could
268
00:18:27,830 –> 00:18:33,430
go, God worked with him.
God used what He had asked for
269
00:18:34,150 –> 00:18:37,870
to bring judgement upon His.
People but he was working with.
270
00:18:37,950 –> 00:18:40,630
Elijah.
Too, And that’s the same with
271
00:18:40,630 –> 00:18:48,200
us.
His intentions were good when he
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00:18:48,200 –> 00:18:54,280
took Elijah to where Moses was
to learn the same message
273
00:18:54,560 –> 00:18:59,760
lessons as Moses.
That is the still small voice
274
00:18:59,800 –> 00:19:05,040
Yahweh’s character expressed,
not in The wind and the fire.
275
00:19:05,560 –> 00:19:07,080
And the.
Earthquakes.
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00:19:09,320 –> 00:19:14,160
The fact is, brothers and
sisters, God still did hear the
277
00:19:14,160 –> 00:19:19,120
intentions of Elijah and he’s
going to come back and he’s
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00:19:19,120 –> 00:19:22,720
going to do that work of
restoring his people to their.
279
00:19:22,720 –> 00:19:25,480
God, he’s going to do that, he
has heard.
280
00:19:25,480 –> 00:19:29,440
That breath.
But it’s not how and when Elijah
281
00:19:29,480 –> 00:19:31,640
thought it should be.
And it’s the same with us,
282
00:19:31,640 –> 00:19:34,000
brothers and sisters.
God is fully in control.
283
00:19:34,120 –> 00:19:36,520
He’s.
Working with us despite our
284
00:19:36,520 –> 00:19:41,800
limited understanding, He hears
our prayers and He does what is
285
00:19:41,800 –> 00:19:46,560
best for our.
Ultimate development and good.
286
00:19:47,920 –> 00:19:50,400
It’s always with the letter N in
mind.
287
00:19:50,960 –> 00:19:53,280
Now, another thing that we find
difficult.
288
00:19:53,280 –> 00:19:59,040
With is how to interpret answers
to print.
289
00:20:00,520 –> 00:20:02,400
We’re talking about Providence,
really.
290
00:20:02,400 –> 00:20:06,680
Because.
You know, that’s how God works
291
00:20:06,680 –> 00:20:09,000
today.
It’s not by miracles, it’s by by
292
00:20:09,000 –> 00:20:10,760
Providence.
Sometimes I think, though, we
293
00:20:10,760 –> 00:20:14,520
think that there should be
miracles and we’re expecting
294
00:20:14,520 –> 00:20:16,880
them.
Our problem.
295
00:20:16,880 –> 00:20:22,480
Is interpreting.
When it does happen, how to
296
00:20:22,480 –> 00:20:32,320
interpret Providence everything.
We we interpret tends to be how
297
00:20:32,320 –> 00:20:36,440
we want to it’s from our own
point of view and to our
298
00:20:36,440 –> 00:20:38,240
advantages.
Come with me to.
299
00:20:38,440 –> 00:20:40,520
There are many.
Examples we could use here, but
300
00:20:40,760 –> 00:20:45,200
First of Samuel chapter 24 is
one good example.
301
00:20:45,560 –> 00:20:53,280
First of Samuel, chapter 24.
Now Saul entered into a cave.
302
00:20:53,520 –> 00:20:56,560
To relieve himself, he thought
he was alone.
303
00:20:56,560 –> 00:20:58,920
Something that you would do.
Privately.
304
00:21:00,480 –> 00:21:03,760
But David and his men?
Worked deeper inside that very
305
00:21:03,760 –> 00:21:08,280
cave now God was.
Obviously in this everyone could
306
00:21:08,280 –> 00:21:12,640
see that when it all came.
To pass David.
307
00:21:12,640 –> 00:21:17,000
‘S men certainly saw it that
way, and his men in first of
308
00:21:17,000 –> 00:21:21,520
Samuel 24 in verse four they
whispered to David, behold the.
309
00:21:21,520 –> 00:21:25,200
Day of which Yahweh said unto
thee, Behold, I will deliver
310
00:21:25,200 –> 00:21:28,640
thine enemy into thine hand,
that thou mayst do to him.
311
00:21:28,760 –> 00:21:30,400
As it shall seem.
Good unto thee.
312
00:21:32,480 –> 00:21:36,000
God had never said those words
to David.
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00:21:37,920 –> 00:21:43,080
These words were the
interpretation of those men.
314
00:21:43,920 –> 00:21:48,120
About Providence, what had
happened, it was clearly from
315
00:21:48,120 –> 00:21:51,040
God.
The Hebrew goes like this.
316
00:21:51,440 –> 00:21:55,000
Lo, the day that.
Yahweh has said to you.
317
00:21:56,080 –> 00:21:59,480
Lo, I am delivering your.
Enemy into your hand.
318
00:21:59,600 –> 00:22:03,120
That you may do to him.
As it shall seem good unto you,
319
00:22:03,440 –> 00:22:05,760
see.
They were saying God has brought
320
00:22:05,760 –> 00:22:08,680
Saul into this very cave where
we are.
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00:22:08,880 –> 00:22:11,240
So that you can do.
What you want with them?
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00:22:14,400 –> 00:22:16,480
God’s telling you, David, here’s
your opportunity.
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00:22:18,640 –> 00:22:23,400
And David’s reticent and he says
to his men in verse 6.
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00:22:25,000 –> 00:22:28,480
Yahweh forbid that I should.
Do this thing unto my master
325
00:22:28,480 –> 00:22:32,400
Yahweh’s anointed to stretch
forth my hand against Him,
326
00:22:32,600 –> 00:22:36,400
saying He is.
The Anointed of Yahweh.
327
00:22:38,680 –> 00:22:41,040
Now it’s clear to everyone,
including.
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00:22:41,040 –> 00:22:43,640
Saul says the same that God.
Had brought.
329
00:22:43,680 –> 00:22:46,360
Him into David’s hands.
David saw it that way.
330
00:22:46,600 –> 00:22:49,400
His men saw.
It that way, this was of God,
331
00:22:49,400 –> 00:22:52,240
but for what?
Purpose is the question.
332
00:22:53,520 –> 00:22:57,280
His men interpreted this as God
gifting David with.
333
00:22:57,360 –> 00:23:04,280
Saul’s life.
But David filters the incident.
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00:23:04,600 –> 00:23:11,280
Through the word of God.
And he comes to a different
335
00:23:11,280 –> 00:23:18,320
conclusion.
So God was providentially
336
00:23:18,320 –> 00:23:22,920
working here with all of these
people, with David’s men, with
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00:23:22,920 –> 00:23:27,360
David, with Saul.
He was testing them.
338
00:23:30,200 –> 00:23:33,160
You see how God works on several
things at once.
339
00:23:34,760 –> 00:23:35,440
And no.
Doubt.
340
00:23:35,440 –> 00:23:41,880
David had been praying for
deliverance and here it seems.
341
00:23:41,880 –> 00:23:45,200
Like God was at work.
But he needed the word of God.
342
00:23:45,200 –> 00:23:49,480
So The thing is, is the.
Principle triumphed over a self.
343
00:23:49,480 –> 00:23:52,760
Centered interpretation of the
Hand of Providence.
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00:23:52,920 –> 00:23:55,800
David’s men thought that God had
sent.
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00:23:55,840 –> 00:24:00,560
A sign you often hear people
saying, taking things as signs
346
00:24:00,680 –> 00:24:04,440
from God.
There’s a danger in looking.
347
00:24:04,440 –> 00:24:08,000
For signs, looking for signs can
be yet another attempt.
348
00:24:08,000 –> 00:24:11,080
For us.
To know that God is with me.
349
00:24:11,600 –> 00:24:15,640
It’s this feeling that God is.
Really there instead of trusting
350
00:24:15,640 –> 00:24:18,200
the word that he’s there we
want.
351
00:24:18,360 –> 00:24:21,400
These little.
Indications that God is there I
352
00:24:21,400 –> 00:24:24,240
can I can tell you that the
churches believe in these signs
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00:24:24,240 –> 00:24:28,480
too they get them and all of.
These things happen.
354
00:24:29,520 –> 00:24:32,080
Among many people, and people
that aren’t even religious,
355
00:24:32,280 –> 00:24:34,600
things are taken as signs and
omens and so on.
356
00:24:35,880 –> 00:24:38,200
So how can you trust him?
How do we interpret it?
357
00:24:38,560 –> 00:24:40,720
Against what?
What’s the basis for
358
00:24:40,720 –> 00:24:42,880
interpreting?
Those signs, there’s only one
359
00:24:42,880 –> 00:24:44,400
basis.
We know the word.
360
00:24:44,400 –> 00:24:47,760
Of God, that’s what he’s told us
now.
361
00:24:47,760 –> 00:24:49,640
The Lord regularly confronted
the.
362
00:24:49,640 –> 00:24:54,120
Dubiousness of sign seeking.
The leaders and the people.
363
00:24:54,120 –> 00:24:54,960
Were.
Always.
364
00:24:54,960 –> 00:24:56,880
Seeking signs?
From Cross and.
365
00:24:56,880 –> 00:24:59,640
Twice he said this.
An evil.
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00:24:59,640 –> 00:25:03,720
And an adulterous generation
seeketh after a sign, and there
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00:25:03,720 –> 00:25:06,560
shall no sign be given it, but
the sign of the Prophet Jonas.
368
00:25:06,720 –> 00:25:10,320
He had done so many miracles it
wasn’t funny, but they refused
369
00:25:10,320 –> 00:25:12,280
to accept.
Them they wanted some kind of a
370
00:25:12,280 –> 00:25:14,320
sign, he says that.
He will see the.
371
00:25:14,320 –> 00:25:17,000
Sign of the prophet Jonas.
And they still did not believe
372
00:25:17,840 –> 00:25:22,360
why he summed up their problem.
As those who put trust.
373
00:25:22,400 –> 00:25:25,440
In signs and miracles rather
than.
374
00:25:25,560 –> 00:25:28,200
Hearing the Word of God.
Except you see.
375
00:25:28,200 –> 00:25:30,600
Signs and wonders.
You will not believe.
376
00:25:30,760 –> 00:25:34,440
But they still didn’t believe.
So what’s the one stable thing
377
00:25:34,440 –> 00:25:36,280
we’ve got?
Brothers and sisters, except
378
00:25:36,280 –> 00:25:40,280
this.
Book, We’ve got to believe that.
379
00:25:40,440 –> 00:25:42,440
Is God really?
Interested in giving?
380
00:25:42,480 –> 00:25:45,800
US little.
Clues that he’s there, he wants
381
00:25:45,840 –> 00:25:49,560
us to believe.
His word, like any father,
382
00:25:49,560 –> 00:25:55,520
preparing a son or daughter for
life, developing our ability to
383
00:25:55,560 –> 00:25:57,960
make.
Choices and take
384
00:25:57,960 –> 00:26:02,280
responsibilities are more
critical than giving.
385
00:26:02,280 –> 00:26:10,200
Clues and playing mind games.
With his children, he wants us
386
00:26:10,200 –> 00:26:17,720
to make spiritual decisions.
Now we have seen that asking.
387
00:26:17,720 –> 00:26:23,960
In Christ’s name restricts
petitions to the things he would
388
00:26:23,960 –> 00:26:28,560
want, or in other words, as it’s
also expressed, if it’s
389
00:26:28,560 –> 00:26:36,000
according to his will that thy
will be done as we know but does
390
00:26:36,000 –> 00:26:38,080
that mean, brothers and sisters,
that.
391
00:26:38,360 –> 00:26:40,560
The only.
Things that we can ask for.
392
00:26:40,560 –> 00:26:45,800
Other things well that we know
from the word about the Kingdom,
393
00:26:46,240 –> 00:26:55,280
the things to do with God in
Christ the apostle Paul says in
394
00:26:55,280 –> 00:26:58,400
Philippians 4 be careful for
nothing but in everything by.
395
00:26:58,400 –> 00:27:00,640
Prayer.
And supplication with
396
00:27:00,640 –> 00:27:02,920
Thanksgiving.
Let your requests be made known
397
00:27:02,920 –> 00:27:03,880
unto God.
So does.
398
00:27:03,880 –> 00:27:06,080
That mean really mean
everything.
399
00:27:08,120 –> 00:27:14,560
Yes, you see, because God.
Wants to be involved in every
400
00:27:14,560 –> 00:27:21,000
part of our lives and we should
want to God to be in every part
401
00:27:21,000 –> 00:27:23,040
of our lives.
Look at this the story of the
402
00:27:23,040 –> 00:27:25,720
book of Rose.
Look at how they involve God.
403
00:27:26,360 –> 00:27:28,080
But the point.
Is where?
404
00:27:28,160 –> 00:27:33,240
Are our lives focused?
Is there anything on this list
405
00:27:34,840 –> 00:27:43,960
for which we should not pray?
There’s nothing on that list for
406
00:27:43,960 –> 00:27:49,840
which we cannot pray but.
Whatever we ask for must not be.
407
00:27:49,840 –> 00:27:54,480
As James says, to consume upon
our lusts just for our own ease,
408
00:27:54,480 –> 00:27:59,600
for our own.
Gratification is if our lives.
409
00:27:59,600 –> 00:28:01,480
Are devoted to him.
It’s all about him.
410
00:28:02,000 –> 00:28:05,240
Our lives.
Are devoted to him prayer.
411
00:28:05,240 –> 00:28:10,440
Involves our whole lives, every
facet it even.
412
00:28:10,440 –> 00:28:12,840
Comes down to our moods come.
Back with.
413
00:28:12,840 –> 00:28:19,280
Me to James and chapter 5 again.
James 5 and verse 13.
414
00:28:20,640 –> 00:28:24,760
Is any among?
You afflicted, let him pray.
415
00:28:26,520 –> 00:28:30,960
So these are moods like.
Those afflicted of old, as we
416
00:28:30,960 –> 00:28:34,160
saw yesterday.
We can meditate upon God’s
417
00:28:34,160 –> 00:28:37,600
character.
His works his word and be
418
00:28:37,600 –> 00:28:42,440
encouraged, but we saw that
meditation really is meditative
419
00:28:42,440 –> 00:28:45,520
prayer, and that’s what he’s.
Getting at.
420
00:28:46,520 –> 00:28:47,560
Is any.
Mary.
421
00:28:47,960 –> 00:28:51,240
Well, let.
Him sing psalms, we speak to
422
00:28:51,240 –> 00:28:54,400
ourselves.
That’s meditation.
423
00:28:55,320 –> 00:28:58,240
In psalms and hymns and
spiritual.
424
00:28:58,240 –> 00:29:01,000
Psalms singing.
And making melody in our hearts
425
00:29:01,000 –> 00:29:06,560
to the Lord.
Ephesians 5. 19 and 20, that’s
426
00:29:06,560 –> 00:29:08,840
meditation.
We saw that yesterday.
427
00:29:11,160 –> 00:29:12,560
Is meditative.
Prayer.
428
00:29:14,080 –> 00:29:18,600
Now, how immersive is our life?
And prayer and meditation to be
429
00:29:18,800 –> 00:29:21,320
our.
Lives are to be conscious of
430
00:29:21,320 –> 00:29:24,960
God, talking to God and about
God every.
431
00:29:24,960 –> 00:29:32,240
Living moment which involve God
in everything we do now here’s
432
00:29:32,240 –> 00:29:36,200
something else that we’ve been
asked to do in our.
433
00:29:36,200 –> 00:29:38,080
Lives.
It’s at the heart of the royal
434
00:29:38,080 –> 00:29:41,960
law.
To love our neighbour, and
435
00:29:41,960 –> 00:29:46,440
that’s to pray for them.
It’s called intercession.
436
00:29:46,960 –> 00:29:49,000
Praying on.
Behalf of.
437
00:29:49,000 –> 00:29:52,480
Others it’s in verse 14 it says
is any sick among you?
438
00:29:53,080 –> 00:29:56,840
Let him call for the elders of
the ecclesia, and let them pray
439
00:29:56,880 –> 00:29:58,720
over him.
Anointing him.
440
00:29:58,840 –> 00:30:01,760
With oil in the name of the Lord
and the prayer of.
441
00:30:01,760 –> 00:30:03,960
Faith shall save the.
Sick and the Lord.
442
00:30:03,960 –> 00:30:06,200
Shall raise him up.
And if he have committed sins,
443
00:30:06,320 –> 00:30:08,360
they shall be forgiven him, and
I believe.
444
00:30:08,360 –> 00:30:10,640
This is dealing with the
spiritually sick.
445
00:30:12,240 –> 00:30:16,120
And these are the elders.
Of the Ecclesia working with the
446
00:30:16,120 –> 00:30:17,560
spiritually.
Sick because you see the
447
00:30:17,560 –> 00:30:22,320
spiritually sick.
Feel so distant from.
448
00:30:22,320 –> 00:30:27,320
God, they can’t find him.
They’re struggling to get
449
00:30:27,320 –> 00:30:28,000
access.
Will he?
450
00:30:28,000 –> 00:30:30,760
Listen to me.
I feel so far from him.
451
00:30:30,920 –> 00:30:34,320
How can I approach him?
And so they they, he says.
452
00:30:34,320 –> 00:30:37,040
Go to the.
Elders and they will pray.
453
00:30:37,080 –> 00:30:38,800
Over him, they’ll do.
Something else as well.
454
00:30:38,880 –> 00:30:41,040
It says they’ll.
Anoint him in.
455
00:30:41,040 –> 00:30:47,400
The name of the Lord on the
Lord’s behalf, and while oil
456
00:30:47,400 –> 00:30:49,880
was.
Used literally as a medicine and
457
00:30:49,880 –> 00:30:51,480
I believe it’s symbolic.
Here.
458
00:30:52,720 –> 00:30:54,600
Because.
He’s this is the spirit.
459
00:30:54,640 –> 00:30:58,840
But James is alluding to
Leviticus 1410 to 18 about the
460
00:30:58,840 –> 00:31:01,800
restoration.
Of the letter, it’s symbolic of
461
00:31:01,800 –> 00:31:05,880
the word of God that.
Anointing him gently, soothing
462
00:31:05,880 –> 00:31:08,840
him.
With the Word of God and prayer,
463
00:31:08,960 –> 00:31:14,800
there they are again together,
and they pray over him the idea.
464
00:31:14,800 –> 00:31:18,240
Is that their prayer?
Is superimposed upon.
465
00:31:18,280 –> 00:31:21,280
Him.
So that eventually his.
466
00:31:21,280 –> 00:31:27,560
Prayer of faith will save the
sick, and if there are sins,
467
00:31:27,880 –> 00:31:34,800
they will be forgiven.
Now this is what James says.
468
00:31:36,640 –> 00:31:39,720
Is this what happens in our
Eccleses?
469
00:31:40,880 –> 00:31:44,280
Can any member of the?
Ecclesia feel that they could go
470
00:31:44,280 –> 00:31:48,360
to the arranging brethren and
open up to them about their
471
00:31:48,360 –> 00:31:51,840
spiritual weaknesses and and,
and.
472
00:31:52,520 –> 00:32:00,280
Ask for help in coming back and
they open their souls without
473
00:32:00,280 –> 00:32:05,120
condemnation.
Well then, it seems in verse 16,
474
00:32:06,520 –> 00:32:12,280
confess your faults 1 to.
Another and pray one for
475
00:32:12,280 –> 00:32:16,480
another, that ye may be healed.
Now stop and think.
476
00:32:16,480 –> 00:32:19,000
About what James is saying here.
The.
477
00:32:19,000 –> 00:32:25,200
Literal Greek is this be.
Praying on one another’s behalf
478
00:32:25,840 –> 00:32:32,160
that you all.
May be healed, forgiven.
479
00:32:34,160 –> 00:32:38,120
Now, what kind of spirit is?
This, brothers and sisters, this
480
00:32:38,120 –> 00:32:42,360
is truly loving.
Our neighbour, do we have that
481
00:32:42,480 –> 00:32:47,600
that kind of openness and that
kind of humility within the
482
00:32:47,600 –> 00:32:53,560
ecclesia so that you can go and
confess you have a problem with?
483
00:32:53,560 –> 00:32:56,000
Something.
Or other and you need.
484
00:32:56,000 –> 00:32:58,960
Your brother’s prayers.
And help with that problem
485
00:32:59,880 –> 00:33:04,680
without being looked down upon.
Because the fact is, he’s saying
486
00:33:04,680 –> 00:33:09,680
you all ought to be doing that
because we’re all in the same
487
00:33:09,680 –> 00:33:12,840
boat.
We’ve all got problems, doesn’t
488
00:33:12,840 –> 00:33:14,080
matter how long we’ve been in
the.
489
00:33:14,080 –> 00:33:21,240
Truth how much knowledge we’ve.
Got what?
490
00:33:21,240 –> 00:33:23,000
Standing we have in the
accretion we’ve.
491
00:33:23,080 –> 00:33:25,680
All got this.
Problem, he says we’re all on
492
00:33:25,680 –> 00:33:27,640
the same level here, and we
should.
493
00:33:27,760 –> 00:33:29,640
All be able to do.
This.
494
00:33:32,960 –> 00:33:36,760
This is what an ecclesia is
meant to be like.
495
00:33:38,040 –> 00:33:40,960
And just as Christ intercedes.
On our behalf.
496
00:33:40,960 –> 00:33:45,000
So he wants us to intercede on
each other’s behalf.
497
00:33:45,880 –> 00:33:47,880
Paul often prayed for others.
Didn’t he?
498
00:33:47,880 –> 00:33:50,160
We often mention this in his
epistles.
499
00:33:50,160 –> 00:33:53,320
He’s he’s constantly praying for
others and he asks others to
500
00:33:53,320 –> 00:33:55,040
pray for him in his work.
But.
501
00:33:55,320 –> 00:33:56,880
Paul doesn’t just list off a
whole.
502
00:33:56,880 –> 00:33:59,680
Lot of names.
He.
503
00:33:59,680 –> 00:34:04,400
Gives the reasons why so in our
prayer list, we they they need.
504
00:34:04,400 –> 00:34:06,240
To be more.
Than just a list of names and
505
00:34:06,240 –> 00:34:10,440
mention them in our prayers.
We need to.
506
00:34:10,440 –> 00:34:13,520
Know about each of those.
Brothers and sisters.
507
00:34:14,760 –> 00:34:16,560
Need to keep up.
To date with them.
508
00:34:17,480 –> 00:34:22,520
To know where they are so that
we can pray meaningfully about
509
00:34:22,520 –> 00:34:23,880
each of.
Them we’ve got to become
510
00:34:24,080 –> 00:34:26,639
involved.
Not only with God, but with.
511
00:34:26,719 –> 00:34:36,679
Them as he is with them.
We saw in our very.
512
00:34:36,679 –> 00:34:40,280
First study that in.
All the old.
513
00:34:40,280 –> 00:34:44,600
Testament and New Testament
words There were two basic
514
00:34:45,120 –> 00:34:50,199
categories of prayer.
There were prayers, which the
515
00:34:50,199 –> 00:34:52,239
word prayer means.
To ask.
516
00:34:52,880 –> 00:34:55,960
That they express our need.
And the other.
517
00:34:55,960 –> 00:35:01,200
Sort was praise which expresses
our involvement with.
518
00:35:01,200 –> 00:35:02,760
God and his.
Purpose.
519
00:35:05,160 –> 00:35:10,240
So I want in the last few
moments that we have to consider
520
00:35:10,920 –> 00:35:17,440
Thanksgiving and praise.
Because praise is good.
521
00:35:17,720 –> 00:35:21,520
To sing praises unto our God,
for it is pleasant, and praise
522
00:35:21,760 –> 00:35:26,360
is coming, and we ought to
praise God for there is none
523
00:35:26,360 –> 00:35:29,480
like Him.
But there’s got to be more than
524
00:35:29,480 –> 00:35:31,200
this, doesn’t?
There you think about it.
525
00:35:31,200 –> 00:35:32,240
We praise.
An.
526
00:35:32,240 –> 00:35:38,240
Athlete for breaking a record
and we praise a pupil for coming
527
00:35:38,240 –> 00:35:42,320
first in class or we praise a
hero.
528
00:35:42,320 –> 00:35:46,520
For saving the child, but while
we may be pleased.
529
00:35:46,520 –> 00:35:50,720
With that person and admire.
Them is not personal.
530
00:35:50,720 –> 00:35:53,720
To us it’s it’s simply.
Something that we see as
531
00:35:53,960 –> 00:35:58,880
distinguished.
Or remarkable, and that can be
532
00:35:58,880 –> 00:36:05,160
the same with God.
We can be in awe of the miracles
533
00:36:05,160 –> 00:36:08,640
of the Red Sea or of the
mountain on.
534
00:36:08,640 –> 00:36:10,440
Fire and shaking and the
trumpet.
535
00:36:10,440 –> 00:36:13,000
Getting louder and louder.
Amazing things.
536
00:36:14,080 –> 00:36:16,000
Or of Christ walking on the
water.
537
00:36:16,840 –> 00:36:25,440
Or healing.
So many people witnessed and
538
00:36:25,440 –> 00:36:31,760
rejoiced in all those miracles,
but forgot when they came to the
539
00:36:31,760 –> 00:36:39,000
next well and found it to.
Be dry, the praise born of.
540
00:36:39,080 –> 00:36:44,160
Thankfulness comes from a
different place and has a
541
00:36:44,200 –> 00:36:50,680
different outcome.
Giving thanks is a response.
542
00:36:52,080 –> 00:36:55,120
We thank someone because that
person has done something.
543
00:36:55,280 –> 00:37:00,400
For us, the thing done is the.
Motivation for giving thanks.
544
00:37:00,560 –> 00:37:02,320
But it’s not just.
About the gift, is it?
545
00:37:02,520 –> 00:37:04,840
It’s also.
About the giver because of
546
00:37:04,840 –> 00:37:08,400
their.
Thoughtfulness that we say it’s.
547
00:37:08,400 –> 00:37:09,760
The thought that.
Counts.
548
00:37:11,160 –> 00:37:14,120
So we give thanks to a person
for their thoughtfulness.
549
00:37:15,000 –> 00:37:19,880
So there are two things.
The Gift and the.
550
00:37:19,880 –> 00:37:25,600
Thoughtfulness of the giver.
And it’s no different in the
551
00:37:25,600 –> 00:37:27,840
Bible.
Now we’ve seen how Paul
552
00:37:27,840 –> 00:37:31,440
regularly gave thanks to God for
brothers and sisters and always
553
00:37:31,440 –> 00:37:34,640
gave a reason.
Well, here’s 3 examples.
554
00:37:36,800 –> 00:37:39,240
First, I thank my God through
Jesus Christ.
555
00:37:39,240 –> 00:37:43,480
For you all.
That your faith is spoken.
556
00:37:43,480 –> 00:37:46,360
Of throughout the whole world.
That’s why he gave thanks.
557
00:37:47,400 –> 00:37:50,720
Romans one verse 8.
One Corinthians one verse 4.
558
00:37:51,000 –> 00:37:55,840
I thank my God always on your
behalf for the grace of God
559
00:37:55,840 –> 00:37:56,640
which is.
Given.
560
00:37:56,640 –> 00:37:59,840
You.
By Jesus Christ, Second of
561
00:37:59,840 –> 00:38:02,400
Thessalonians, chapter 2, verse
13.
562
00:38:02,720 –> 00:38:06,960
But we are bound to give thanks
always to God for you, brethren,
563
00:38:06,960 –> 00:38:10,560
beloved of the Lord, because God
hath from the.
564
00:38:10,560 –> 00:38:13,760
Beginning chosen you to
salvation through sanctification
565
00:38:14,000 –> 00:38:16,840
and so on.
It’s cause.
566
00:38:17,000 –> 00:38:21,960
And effect.
Paul thanks God for what God had
567
00:38:21,960 –> 00:38:23,960
done for these brothers.
And sisters.
568
00:38:24,360 –> 00:38:26,800
But it goes further.
Come with me to 2nd of
569
00:38:26,800 –> 00:38:41,000
Corinthians, Chapter 9 in Second
of Corinthians and Chapter 9 and
570
00:38:41,000 –> 00:38:44,520
it’s concerning the collection
that Paul had organised for all
571
00:38:45,360 –> 00:38:48,640
believers in Jerusalem, the
Jewish believers there.
572
00:38:49,160 –> 00:38:51,840
The Jerusalem.
Poor fund is it’s often called.
573
00:38:52,480 –> 00:38:55,840
And so he says in verse 11.
Now, not just these words.
574
00:38:56,200 –> 00:39:00,200
Being enriched in everything to
all.
575
00:39:00,200 –> 00:39:02,520
Bountifulness.
In other words, he’s speaking
576
00:39:02,520 –> 00:39:05,120
about the money.
But it’s more than that.
577
00:39:06,320 –> 00:39:14,800
Which causes through.
US Thanksgiving to God it’s.
578
00:39:14,800 –> 00:39:19,800
Cause and effect which causes
through US Thanksgiving to God
579
00:39:19,960 –> 00:39:23,280
for the administration of the
service not only supplies the
580
00:39:23,280 –> 00:39:30,000
want of the Saints, but as a
result is abundant also by.
581
00:39:30,000 –> 00:39:37,280
Many thanksgivings unto God.
Now the question here is why
582
00:39:37,280 –> 00:39:40,160
would the?
Thanksgiving be given unto God
583
00:39:40,280 –> 00:39:44,000
instead of those that gave the
givers.
584
00:39:46,120 –> 00:39:47,640
Well, it’s a little.
Obvious really, isn’t it,
585
00:39:47,640 –> 00:39:48,600
brothers and sisters?
Because.
586
00:39:48,600 –> 00:39:50,280
It’s God that put that into
their hearts.
587
00:39:51,960 –> 00:39:57,840
It’s God that did that.
It’s because of God His.
588
00:39:57,840 –> 00:40:02,200
Thoughtfulness.
His gift, he says in verse 15,
589
00:40:02,280 –> 00:40:06,760
Thanks be unto God.
For his unspeakable gift, it’s.
590
00:40:06,880 –> 00:40:11,040
His gift, and that gift was
Christ, and that gift was behind
591
00:40:11,120 –> 00:40:14,800
all they’re giving.
Christ becomes the motivation
592
00:40:14,920 –> 00:40:20,120
because.
The gift is so valuable.
593
00:40:20,120 –> 00:40:26,600
It accomplishes so much and once
again, the thoughtfulness of the
594
00:40:26,600 –> 00:40:31,760
giver.
Now thankfulness is is important
595
00:40:31,760 –> 00:40:34,600
to God.
It’s there in the law of, of, of
596
00:40:34,600 –> 00:40:37,880
the the sacrifices.
There’s a Thanksgiving offering.
597
00:40:38,360 –> 00:40:42,280
It’s the most important of all
the offerings don’t have time
598
00:40:42,280 –> 00:40:43,960
to.
Look at that, but this.
599
00:40:43,960 –> 00:40:47,160
Is what he does say.
Colossians 3 verse 17 And
600
00:40:47,160 –> 00:40:50,520
whatsoever you do in Word or
deed, do all in the name of the
601
00:40:50,520 –> 00:40:56,600
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God
or even the Father by Him or
602
00:40:56,600 –> 00:41:00,720
first of Thessalonians and
chapter 5 verse 18 and
603
00:41:00,720 –> 00:41:03,720
everything gives thanks.
For this is the will of God in
604
00:41:03,720 –> 00:41:08,840
Christ Jesus concerning you or?
In colossians 3 verse with Dean
605
00:41:08,840 –> 00:41:11,520
and let the.
Peace of God rule in your hearts
606
00:41:11,720 –> 00:41:15,680
to the which also ye are called
in one body and be ye thankful.
607
00:41:16,760 –> 00:41:19,720
It’s important to God He’s
looking.
608
00:41:21,080 –> 00:41:25,240
For a response.
But the father isn’t looking for
609
00:41:25,240 –> 00:41:30,040
a perfunctory.
Thanks in every prayer.
610
00:41:31,160 –> 00:41:34,600
Like a child with a mouthful.
Of cake being told to thank the
611
00:41:34,600 –> 00:41:41,320
kind lady.
It ought to be genuine and
612
00:41:41,560 –> 00:41:45,560
spontaneous.
Come with me to Philippians
613
00:41:45,560 –> 00:41:54,200
chapter 4.
We’ve looked at this passage
614
00:41:54,200 –> 00:41:56,960
several Times Now through our
studies.
615
00:41:57,280 –> 00:42:00,040
We’ve mentioned it and it comes
collide.
616
00:42:00,040 –> 00:42:02,680
But let’s have a look at the
context of this Philippians
617
00:42:02,680 –> 00:42:08,720
chapter 4, verses five to seven.
Now this I’m going to translate.
618
00:42:08,720 –> 00:42:14,360
It is my own translation from
the Greek, and it says this the
619
00:42:14,360 –> 00:42:20,200
Lord is nigh be anxious for
nothing but in.
620
00:42:20,200 –> 00:42:24,840
Everything by.
Petition and supplication with
621
00:42:24,840 –> 00:42:26,880
Thanksgiving.
Let your.
622
00:42:26,960 –> 00:42:31,320
Request be made known unto God,
and the peace of God that
623
00:42:31,320 –> 00:42:33,280
exceeds.
All reasoning shall.
624
00:42:33,280 –> 00:42:36,600
Guard your hearts and minds.
In Christ Jesus.
625
00:42:37,000 –> 00:42:39,440
Now the point of.
Each of those words for.
626
00:42:39,440 –> 00:42:44,720
Prayer there is not to indicate
different types of.
627
00:42:44,720 –> 00:42:47,920
Prayer.
But rather that they’re all
628
00:42:47,920 –> 00:42:50,560
different words for.
Petition.
629
00:42:50,560 –> 00:42:56,600
For asking God it goes like this
and everything.
630
00:42:56,680 –> 00:43:07,720
By whoops, like on backwards.
There we go, see that and
631
00:43:07,720 –> 00:43:09,600
everything by petition
supplication.
632
00:43:09,600 –> 00:43:12,120
Request that all about
petitions.
633
00:43:12,320 –> 00:43:14,160
And that’s what we like,
brothers and sisters.
634
00:43:14,320 –> 00:43:19,360
Prayer is usually mostly about
asking God because we’ve got
635
00:43:19,360 –> 00:43:23,000
such a great need and our lives
are full of all these needs at
636
00:43:23,000 –> 00:43:26,560
once and that we’re desperately
in need of God all the time.
637
00:43:28,040 –> 00:43:33,680
But what Paul says, make sure
you don’t forget to be thankful.
638
00:43:44,800 –> 00:43:46,080
We’ve got to remember brothers
and.
639
00:43:46,080 –> 00:43:51,720
Sisters in those times,
desperate times and that’s what
640
00:43:51,720 –> 00:43:56,160
he’s speaking about.
Don’t get anxious, but remember
641
00:43:56,160 –> 00:43:56,960
with.
All.
642
00:43:56,960 –> 00:44:02,080
The asking what he’s done for
you, the gifts, what he’s
643
00:44:02,120 –> 00:44:06,800
already given.
Remember that and be thankful
644
00:44:06,800 –> 00:44:11,640
with your.
Prayers and petitions, remember
645
00:44:11,640 –> 00:44:16,760
that.
The question is, why should we
646
00:44:16,760 –> 00:44:19,240
be thankful?
Well, God has provided the gift.
647
00:44:19,240 –> 00:44:20,840
And of course.
We have that gift.
648
00:44:21,040 –> 00:44:23,720
God so loved the.
World that he gave his only.
649
00:44:23,720 –> 00:44:25,960
Begotten Son, that whosoever
believes.
650
00:44:27,680 –> 00:44:30,400
In him should not perish, but
have everlasting.
651
00:44:30,400 –> 00:44:38,960
Life.
Gifts ought to bring a response.
652
00:44:44,280 –> 00:44:46,520
Because it’s.
A gift that has accomplished so
653
00:44:46,520 –> 00:44:52,160
much and it expresses the great
thoughtfulness of our Heavenly
654
00:44:52,160 –> 00:44:56,280
Father.
These demand a moral and
655
00:44:56,280 –> 00:44:59,480
heartfelt response that people
people talk about.
656
00:44:59,480 –> 00:45:02,360
God’s love not.
Expecting anything in return
657
00:45:02,360 –> 00:45:06,120
that’s not true.
He doesn’t.
658
00:45:06,120 –> 00:45:09,080
Expect it, but he’s looking for
the ones that.
659
00:45:09,080 –> 00:45:12,840
Do respond just to say thank
you.
660
00:45:15,280 –> 00:45:20,600
He does want that.
Brothers and sisters, our
661
00:45:20,600 –> 00:45:25,120
problem is we do feel thankful,
don’t we?
662
00:45:25,160 –> 00:45:28,320
We we feel thankful at this
Bible school now now’s the time
663
00:45:28,320 –> 00:45:31,000
we feel the most thankful.
We’re thankful to each other and
664
00:45:31,000 –> 00:45:33,640
we’re thankful to our Heavenly
Father for such a spiritual.
665
00:45:33,640 –> 00:45:36,760
Environment.
And we go down the road and it
666
00:45:36,760 –> 00:45:38,760
starts to wane.
I mentioned that picture once
667
00:45:38,800 –> 00:45:40,840
before, but.
That is what it’s like, isn’t
668
00:45:40,840 –> 00:45:43,200
it?
It wanes our.
669
00:45:43,200 –> 00:45:45,160
Thankfulness becomes less
genuine.
670
00:45:45,280 –> 00:45:47,360
More.
And less spontaneous it becomes
671
00:45:47,360 –> 00:45:48,760
more.
Ritualistic.
672
00:45:49,360 –> 00:45:50,960
Because we know we should give
thanks.
673
00:45:52,680 –> 00:45:57,680
So how on earth are we to
remember the the thoughtfulness
674
00:45:57,680 –> 00:46:01,200
of God and.
The greatness of his beauty.
675
00:46:04,320 –> 00:46:06,920
How do you think God?
Feels when we lose our
676
00:46:06,920 –> 00:46:10,080
thankfulness.
Where do we feel when someone
677
00:46:10,080 –> 00:46:11,200
takes us for?
Granted.
678
00:46:12,920 –> 00:46:16,160
It’s like that little kid that’s
got a mouthful of cake and
679
00:46:16,480 –> 00:46:18,520
doesn’t bother thanking the kind
lady.
680
00:46:21,000 –> 00:46:22,960
How?
Can then we maintain our
681
00:46:22,960 –> 00:46:26,200
thankfulness?
Well, I think it’s sort of
682
00:46:26,200 –> 00:46:28,520
obvious.
If we consider what we’ve been
683
00:46:28,520 –> 00:46:35,400
considering over our studies,
it’s the word of God and it’s
684
00:46:35,400 –> 00:46:39,560
it’s so obvious, it’s
meditation, it’s constantly
685
00:46:39,560 –> 00:46:45,120
meditating on those things.
We can only retain the
686
00:46:45,120 –> 00:46:49,480
effectiveness of God’s gift and
thoughtfulness with its response
687
00:46:49,680 –> 00:46:55,160
by constantly drawing upon the
water through those roots into.
688
00:46:55,360 –> 00:46:56,880
Lives of.
Fruitfulness.
689
00:46:59,160 –> 00:47:02,560
Have you ever wondered?
Brothers and sisters, why there
690
00:47:02,560 –> 00:47:04,680
is only.
Two prayers.
691
00:47:06,240 –> 00:47:11,720
That we have.
Been told to give as an
692
00:47:11,720 –> 00:47:19,480
ecclesia.
Now there Paul was told this is
693
00:47:19,480 –> 00:47:25,600
what you do. 1 Corinthians 11 to
give thanks for bread, give
694
00:47:25,600 –> 00:47:28,480
thanks for wine.
Twice.
695
00:47:30,320 –> 00:47:34,280
For the same offering, that’s
emphasis.
696
00:47:36,280 –> 00:47:44,760
He emphasizes the gift and these
prayers are.
697
00:47:44,760 –> 00:47:51,520
Given at the memorial meeting.
A meeting of remembrance do
698
00:47:51,520 –> 00:47:55,200
this.
In remembrance of me.
699
00:47:55,640 –> 00:48:00,400
That’s meditation.
He’s asking us to come to
700
00:48:00,400 –> 00:48:06,840
meditate on the gift that it
might produce.
701
00:48:06,840 –> 00:48:13,000
In US a response now, brothers
and sisters.
702
00:48:13,000 –> 00:48:17,480
We have a lot.
To be thankful for we.
703
00:48:17,640 –> 00:48:24,120
Ought to perhaps start a?
List out of thankful hearts for
704
00:48:24,120 –> 00:48:27,360
all the things that God has
given, and we can meditate upon
705
00:48:27,360 –> 00:48:31,480
them.
To God it is.
706
00:48:31,840 –> 00:48:37,800
So wonderful, so wonderful in
His thoughtfulness and in His
707
00:48:37,800 –> 00:48:40,840
gift.
So through Jesus Christ,
708
00:48:40,840 –> 00:48:43,960
therefore, let us offer the
sacrifice of praise to God
709
00:48:43,960 –> 00:48:47,720
continually.
That is the fruit of our lips
710
00:48:48,320 –> 00:49:01,920
giving thanks to His name.
None.
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