As I continue this series on prayer, this is the second post on so called "conditions" to successful praying. As I have said before, most of those passages usually looked at as conditions that must be met are not restrictions to prayer but encouragements to pray. This is another of those passages.
I know that at least hundreds of times, and likely thousands, I have heard someone pray publicly “Lord you said where two or more are gathered in your name that you would be there too and answer their prayer”. This is very true according to Matt 18:19 but again it is not a condition that must be met, but rather an encouragement to draw our brothers and sisters in the faith into our prayers. There is not a hint anywhere that God is more likely to answer if two or more are praying than if one prays alone. James 5:16 makes it clear that an individual can get his prayers answered, and the Bible is full of such cases. You should note that almost all of the commands, and the ensuing promises about prayer in the Bible are made to individuals.
Praying together was a mark of the early church and the book of Acts says over and over “and when they had prayed....” thus and so happened. We ought to pray together, in small groups, in large groups, even in a great auditorium with thousands it is good to pray. Prayer is always right and the will of God, but you, by yourself can have regular answers to prayer. The condition is that you pray! A man who will not pray alone can not likely be counted on to pray sincerely in a group setting.
Grace and Peace,
Royce Ogle
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Sunday, December 24, 2006
"A Child is given, a Son is born"
May the Christ of Christmas be the Lord of your life in the coming year. Born to die, never before or since was a child like this one who would save His people from their sins.
He was God's first child, conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of a virgin. He would come in a body prepared by God to be the sacrifice offered for the sins of every human of every age. By perfect living and perfect dying, He paid the supreme price for those who were His enemies.
What mankind lost in the sinfulness of Adam would be regained by the obedience of this Holy child. So now God looks on Him and justifies wicked sinners and makes them too, His own dear children.
It matters not what the world thinks of Him, or of us who are surrendered to His Lordship for our lives, we can say with great gratitude and joy, Merry Christmas!
God's best to all my friends out there.
Love in Jesus,
Royce Ogle
Friday, December 22, 2006
Prayer # 5
Praying "In Jesus Name"
“Asking in Jesus name” is probably most misunderstood of all of the so called conditions to prayer. The few words at the end of a prayer like “these things we ask in Jesus name” is not a magical formula for getting God to hear and answer your prayer. Many who repeat that phrase or something very similar have no idea what it really means.
When a deputy sheriff knocks on a door and says to those inside “Open the door and come out with your hands in the air, this is the sheriffs office!” He does not come like the paper boy or an insurance salesman. He comes in the authority of the sheriff’s office. When a dignitary requests an audience with President Bush the conversation might go something like this. Someone would say to him “Mr. President, the Secretary of the Treasury of South Carolina is here to see you”. Would he have a better chance to see the President than any John Doe? Of course he would. He comes with the authority and backing of the State of South Carolina.
In the same way, when we pray we can come to God only because of Jesus. We come in His authority, in His name. Because of His sacrifice on our behalf we now have an audience with God. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”. 1 Timothy 2:5.
It is certainly never wrong to end a prayer with some variation of “in Jesus name” but saying those words does not cause our Father to be predisposed to answer your prayer. Coming to Him through Jesus and because of Jesus and for Jesus sake is what God desires. Sincerely asking God, whether or not that phrase is added, is what matters most. If I was about to be attacked by a wild animal I likely would not be so formal in my prayer. “Lord help me!” would probably be sufficient.
We can always come to our heavenly Father with confidence because of Jesus.“ Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole” Acts 4:10. And just as the lame man was healed perfectly through Christ we too stand before God perfectly justified and cleansed from sin because of and through Him.
Hebrews 4:14 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”.
Just Pray!!
“Asking in Jesus name” is probably most misunderstood of all of the so called conditions to prayer. The few words at the end of a prayer like “these things we ask in Jesus name” is not a magical formula for getting God to hear and answer your prayer. Many who repeat that phrase or something very similar have no idea what it really means.
When a deputy sheriff knocks on a door and says to those inside “Open the door and come out with your hands in the air, this is the sheriffs office!” He does not come like the paper boy or an insurance salesman. He comes in the authority of the sheriff’s office. When a dignitary requests an audience with President Bush the conversation might go something like this. Someone would say to him “Mr. President, the Secretary of the Treasury of South Carolina is here to see you”. Would he have a better chance to see the President than any John Doe? Of course he would. He comes with the authority and backing of the State of South Carolina.
In the same way, when we pray we can come to God only because of Jesus. We come in His authority, in His name. Because of His sacrifice on our behalf we now have an audience with God. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”. 1 Timothy 2:5.
It is certainly never wrong to end a prayer with some variation of “in Jesus name” but saying those words does not cause our Father to be predisposed to answer your prayer. Coming to Him through Jesus and because of Jesus and for Jesus sake is what God desires. Sincerely asking God, whether or not that phrase is added, is what matters most. If I was about to be attacked by a wild animal I likely would not be so formal in my prayer. “Lord help me!” would probably be sufficient.
We can always come to our heavenly Father with confidence because of Jesus.“ Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole” Acts 4:10. And just as the lame man was healed perfectly through Christ we too stand before God perfectly justified and cleansed from sin because of and through Him.
Hebrews 4:14 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”.
Just Pray!!
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
I wish I had said it...
Today I was visiting the website of a Baptist preacher, Wade Burleson, and came across this quote. I was instantly confronted by it's truth and challenged by it's wisdom. I wish I had said it!
"We cannot have a relationship with our Christology (Beliefs about Christ)-- we can have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Our soteriology (Beliefs about how one is saved) cannot save us from sins our Saviour can. Our ecclesiology (Beliefs about the church) does not make us one -- the Lord of the Church does. Our eschatology (Beliefs about the end of the world as we know it) will not transform this flawed universe -- Jesus the King of kings and the Prince of Peace will do that. And no matter how much we love theology -- it will never love us back.' We do not mean to denigrate the importance of theology and truth, but we advocate the subordination of Sola Scriptura (The Bible only) beneath Sola Christo (Christ only)."
Mark Powell. (The words in parentheses were added by me.)
I don't know who Mark Powell is, what church he attends, or anything else about him. What I do know is that this statement attributed to him is profound, describes the very heart of the Christian faith and lays bare the error of those who only imitate it.
If you and I really believed this statement, and we should in my view, it would transform our lives, ministries, and resurrect fading hope in many of us.
Read it, re-read it, and let me know what you think about it.
Grace and Peace,
Royce Ogle
"We cannot have a relationship with our Christology (Beliefs about Christ)-- we can have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Our soteriology (Beliefs about how one is saved) cannot save us from sins our Saviour can. Our ecclesiology (Beliefs about the church) does not make us one -- the Lord of the Church does. Our eschatology (Beliefs about the end of the world as we know it) will not transform this flawed universe -- Jesus the King of kings and the Prince of Peace will do that. And no matter how much we love theology -- it will never love us back.' We do not mean to denigrate the importance of theology and truth, but we advocate the subordination of Sola Scriptura (The Bible only) beneath Sola Christo (Christ only)."
Mark Powell. (The words in parentheses were added by me.)
I don't know who Mark Powell is, what church he attends, or anything else about him. What I do know is that this statement attributed to him is profound, describes the very heart of the Christian faith and lays bare the error of those who only imitate it.
If you and I really believed this statement, and we should in my view, it would transform our lives, ministries, and resurrect fading hope in many of us.
Read it, re-read it, and let me know what you think about it.
Grace and Peace,
Royce Ogle
Monday, December 18, 2006
Answering a critic
Several months ago I was taken to task because of a comment or a post on a blog concerning the ongoing debate about a cappella vs instruments in worship. The following is the last of several emails received and sent. I believe it is worth sharing.
Email received: "Could Noah have built the Ark out of Mesquite wood and been pleasing to God? We follow God instructions and are accepted or we no not follow His instructions and are condemned. Real simple."
The reply I sent: "My dear brother xxxx,
May I appeal to your common sense? Taking your line of reasoning to its logical end, one could invent all sorts of sins, and thus reasons to not to "fellowship" lots of folks. The Bible says nothing about making the human voice louder by using electronic equipment, but every a cappella congregation I have ever visited had a public address system. The Bible says nothing about a church building, water coolers, air conditioners, heaters, telephones, church buses, and the list is endless. None of them is sinful just because the Bible never mentioned them and musical instruments are not either.
The Bible says "I am the Lord, I change not" (Mal 6:3) and, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 8:13) The Psalms encourages God's people again and again to praise God using musical instruments. When did that change? How much more of the Psalms should we disregard today?
Should I fellowship you? Just because you worship in a church that adheres to the church of Christ tradition of a cappella singing, is that enough of a reason? Should I also require that you are a "one cupper"? Should I add that you have no Sunday school? They are not mentioned in the Bible! Should I check to see if you comply with every other rule that suits my taste?
Or should I fellowship someone who speaks against brothers who love Jesus as much as you do? Should I fellowship a man who is critical of everyone who is not like him? The first fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5 is "love". Paul talked at great length about the importance of love and the futility of serving God without it. He said even if he became a martyr for the faith without love, he would have failed. I think it is striking that immediately after the famous verses on the supremacy of love Paul said these words. "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things." (1 Cor 13:11)
If I am required by my Lord to love my enemies, I believe I can manage to love and have fellowship with those who have surrendered their lives to Him, even if they are not like me in some ways.
I like Paul's way better than your way brother. In his letter to the Philippians he said this, " Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice." But Paul, do you know they have a piano? Do you know they pool money together with other churches to preach the gospel on foreign soil? Are you aware they have some folks singing while others only listen? But what about the TBN TV network?
Paul would say again, if Christ is preached I rejoice, and will rejoice. I believe I will too."
I am interested in your comments or suggestions.
Grace and Peace
Royce Ogle
Email received: "Could Noah have built the Ark out of Mesquite wood and been pleasing to God? We follow God instructions and are accepted or we no not follow His instructions and are condemned. Real simple."
The reply I sent: "My dear brother xxxx,
May I appeal to your common sense? Taking your line of reasoning to its logical end, one could invent all sorts of sins, and thus reasons to not to "fellowship" lots of folks. The Bible says nothing about making the human voice louder by using electronic equipment, but every a cappella congregation I have ever visited had a public address system. The Bible says nothing about a church building, water coolers, air conditioners, heaters, telephones, church buses, and the list is endless. None of them is sinful just because the Bible never mentioned them and musical instruments are not either.
The Bible says "I am the Lord, I change not" (Mal 6:3) and, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 8:13) The Psalms encourages God's people again and again to praise God using musical instruments. When did that change? How much more of the Psalms should we disregard today?
Should I fellowship you? Just because you worship in a church that adheres to the church of Christ tradition of a cappella singing, is that enough of a reason? Should I also require that you are a "one cupper"? Should I add that you have no Sunday school? They are not mentioned in the Bible! Should I check to see if you comply with every other rule that suits my taste?
Or should I fellowship someone who speaks against brothers who love Jesus as much as you do? Should I fellowship a man who is critical of everyone who is not like him? The first fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5 is "love". Paul talked at great length about the importance of love and the futility of serving God without it. He said even if he became a martyr for the faith without love, he would have failed. I think it is striking that immediately after the famous verses on the supremacy of love Paul said these words. "When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things." (1 Cor 13:11)
If I am required by my Lord to love my enemies, I believe I can manage to love and have fellowship with those who have surrendered their lives to Him, even if they are not like me in some ways.
I like Paul's way better than your way brother. In his letter to the Philippians he said this, " Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice." But Paul, do you know they have a piano? Do you know they pool money together with other churches to preach the gospel on foreign soil? Are you aware they have some folks singing while others only listen? But what about the TBN TV network?
Paul would say again, if Christ is preached I rejoice, and will rejoice. I believe I will too."
I am interested in your comments or suggestions.
Grace and Peace
Royce Ogle
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Prayer # 4
Praying according to the will of God
We are taught in the Bible to “ask according to the will of God” when we pray. This is not a restriction but rather a help in prayer. And, as I have said before, prayer is a good way to find the will of God. However, there is no substitute for learning the word of God. Get the promises of God in your heart and mind from the Bible and when you come before God in prayer you will find guidance and be encouraged that you are finding God’s will. By walking in the light we find more light, and by doing what we know is the will of God, we will know more fully His will. And prayer is God’s will for us all.
There are some things that we can ask for and know for sure that we are praying according to the will of God. The one that comes to mind first is praying for the lost. Asking God to save someone who does not know Christ is always right. (“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.“ 2 Peter 3:9.) Christ came into the world to save the lost so to ask God to save the lost must be God’s will. We can then pray with confidence asking God to save anyone. We don’t know when God chooses to save, but we know He does want to save sinners, so we should ask. I prayed for several years before my father came to Christ. He was not converted on my time table but on God’s. The wonderful truth is, God heard my prayer and saved my dad.
When we pray for unity in the church we are also asking for exactly what God wants and so we can pray with great assurance. Jesus prayed for the unity of His followers in John 17:11. Paul asked God again for the unity of believers..1 Corinthians 1:10, Colossians 2:2, and others. He said to the believers at Ephesus “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3).
We are praying according to the will of God when we pray for our enemies, Matthew 5:44; when we ask for more workers in God’s kingdom, Matthew 9:38; when we ask for God’s will to be done and that His kingdom will increase, Luke 11:2; when we pray that we not fall into temptation, Luke 22:40; when we pray when we are afflicted, James 5:13; when we pray for one another, James 5:16; and when we see a brother sin, James 5:16. So there is much to pray about! These are but a few of the things clearly given in the Bible that we are to pray about and know for sure that we are praying exactly according to the will of God.
So, just pray!
We are taught in the Bible to “ask according to the will of God” when we pray. This is not a restriction but rather a help in prayer. And, as I have said before, prayer is a good way to find the will of God. However, there is no substitute for learning the word of God. Get the promises of God in your heart and mind from the Bible and when you come before God in prayer you will find guidance and be encouraged that you are finding God’s will. By walking in the light we find more light, and by doing what we know is the will of God, we will know more fully His will. And prayer is God’s will for us all.
There are some things that we can ask for and know for sure that we are praying according to the will of God. The one that comes to mind first is praying for the lost. Asking God to save someone who does not know Christ is always right. (“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.“ 2 Peter 3:9.) Christ came into the world to save the lost so to ask God to save the lost must be God’s will. We can then pray with confidence asking God to save anyone. We don’t know when God chooses to save, but we know He does want to save sinners, so we should ask. I prayed for several years before my father came to Christ. He was not converted on my time table but on God’s. The wonderful truth is, God heard my prayer and saved my dad.
When we pray for unity in the church we are also asking for exactly what God wants and so we can pray with great assurance. Jesus prayed for the unity of His followers in John 17:11. Paul asked God again for the unity of believers..1 Corinthians 1:10, Colossians 2:2, and others. He said to the believers at Ephesus “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3).
We are praying according to the will of God when we pray for our enemies, Matthew 5:44; when we ask for more workers in God’s kingdom, Matthew 9:38; when we ask for God’s will to be done and that His kingdom will increase, Luke 11:2; when we pray that we not fall into temptation, Luke 22:40; when we pray when we are afflicted, James 5:13; when we pray for one another, James 5:16; and when we see a brother sin, James 5:16. So there is much to pray about! These are but a few of the things clearly given in the Bible that we are to pray about and know for sure that we are praying exactly according to the will of God.
So, just pray!
Monday, December 11, 2006
Prayer #3
Books and seminars often discourage prayer more than they encourage it.
Many who teach others about prayer do not understand what prayer is and with the best intentions, make it too complicated and restrictive, and the student is discouraged about prayer. Conditions to answered prayer and hindrances to prayer are usually a large part of the lesson. Of course there are conditions and hindrances to prayer, but the focus ought to be on prayer and not on reasons why you should not pray. Not unlike God’s plan of salvation, prayer is a simple concept. We humans make it complicated and difficult to understand.
For example, I have had many people tell me that they would come to church and become a Christian “when I feel like I can live it.” At best that is a foolish and ignorant statement and at worst a wicked excuse for rejecting Christ. The exact reason Christ died for the ungodly, (Rom 5:6), is because we can not “live it”. Through the gospel of Christ God makes wicked sinners His children. They do not reform and then are accepted as sons. In much the same way a Christian may say “I would pray but I don’t have enough faith”. God never says anywhere to muster up faith and then pray, He just commands us to pray.
This naturally will raise the question about conditions to answered prayer. Matt 21:22 says “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” You might say now “Ok Mr. Smarty, what about that verse“? And I say to you , the fact that you pray at all shows some measure of faith. Do not worry about your lack of faith, just pray anyway.
A man came to Jesus and said “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24) If you read this passage you will see that although the man had some doubts, he got his prayer answered anyway and his boy was healed by Jesus!
Those who met in Mark’s mother’s house to pray for Peter to be released from prison had enough faith to pray, but not enough to believe it was Peter at the door after God had miraculously released him from prison! You can read this humorous story in Acts 12. Yes, people with only enough faith to pray often get great results!
Jesus taught that faith “as a grain of mustard seed” would be enough to move a mountain! (Matt 17:20) A mustard seed is very, very small but that little faith, just enough possibly for you to pray, is enough to get an answer.
None of us have perfect faith. However, each of us can have some faith, and some is enough to do business with God in prayer. If you believe God enough to ask you might have enough to get what you need.
Romans 10:13,14 teaches that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord “ will be saved. “Calling” implies belief. Verse 14 says “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?” So I think it is reasonable to ask, why would you pray if you don’t believe there is a God, and that He hears and answers prayer? Don’t trouble yourself with conditions, just pray.
Many who teach others about prayer do not understand what prayer is and with the best intentions, make it too complicated and restrictive, and the student is discouraged about prayer. Conditions to answered prayer and hindrances to prayer are usually a large part of the lesson. Of course there are conditions and hindrances to prayer, but the focus ought to be on prayer and not on reasons why you should not pray. Not unlike God’s plan of salvation, prayer is a simple concept. We humans make it complicated and difficult to understand.
For example, I have had many people tell me that they would come to church and become a Christian “when I feel like I can live it.” At best that is a foolish and ignorant statement and at worst a wicked excuse for rejecting Christ. The exact reason Christ died for the ungodly, (Rom 5:6), is because we can not “live it”. Through the gospel of Christ God makes wicked sinners His children. They do not reform and then are accepted as sons. In much the same way a Christian may say “I would pray but I don’t have enough faith”. God never says anywhere to muster up faith and then pray, He just commands us to pray.
This naturally will raise the question about conditions to answered prayer. Matt 21:22 says “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” You might say now “Ok Mr. Smarty, what about that verse“? And I say to you , the fact that you pray at all shows some measure of faith. Do not worry about your lack of faith, just pray anyway.
A man came to Jesus and said “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief” (Mark 9:24) If you read this passage you will see that although the man had some doubts, he got his prayer answered anyway and his boy was healed by Jesus!
Those who met in Mark’s mother’s house to pray for Peter to be released from prison had enough faith to pray, but not enough to believe it was Peter at the door after God had miraculously released him from prison! You can read this humorous story in Acts 12. Yes, people with only enough faith to pray often get great results!
Jesus taught that faith “as a grain of mustard seed” would be enough to move a mountain! (Matt 17:20) A mustard seed is very, very small but that little faith, just enough possibly for you to pray, is enough to get an answer.
None of us have perfect faith. However, each of us can have some faith, and some is enough to do business with God in prayer. If you believe God enough to ask you might have enough to get what you need.
Romans 10:13,14 teaches that “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord “ will be saved. “Calling” implies belief. Verse 14 says “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?” So I think it is reasonable to ask, why would you pray if you don’t believe there is a God, and that He hears and answers prayer? Don’t trouble yourself with conditions, just pray.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Prayer # 2
People who get their prayers answered are people who pray!
It is a certainty that if you don’t pray you will not have an answer to prayer. On the other hand, most all of the people I have ever talked to who were in the habit of praying, believed that at least some of their prayers were answered. God wants all of us to pray. “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). I Thess. 5:17 , Phil. 4:6 and dozens of other Bible verses make it clear that God desires that we pray, and about everything!
It is a certainty that if you don’t pray you will not have an answer to prayer. On the other hand, most all of the people I have ever talked to who were in the habit of praying, believed that at least some of their prayers were answered. God wants all of us to pray. “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). I Thess. 5:17 , Phil. 4:6 and dozens of other Bible verses make it clear that God desires that we pray, and about everything!
I am convinced that the sin of prayerlessness is the reason many Christians and churches are weak and impotent as I mentioned in the first post. God commands us to pray and when we don’t we sin, and we should confess and repent. Because of a lack of prayer churches often operate with budget deficits and look to proven business practices and fund raising rather than to God. Bible teachers and ministers teach others that “the just shall live by faith” and “without faith it is impossible to please Him” and then prove they don’t really believe what they teach by employing every method imaginable to get financial means rather than sincere crying out to a loving God in prayer, first.
So I say to you dear reader, start praying! You will find that most all of your problems both spiritually, and otherwise, will be helped if you will just pray. How often have I come to God in prayer only to be reminded of some sin I should forsake?, Or some thing left undone that I should do. (Matt 5:23,24)
Many times it is in the act of prayer that God reminds me of a promise I have read in the Bible that I can claim to build my faith and help my unbelief. You will find that in your secret place of prayer is where the Holy Spirit will often give direction and lead you to what is best and holy.
Start praying!
Monday, December 04, 2006
Prayer
Why don’t we pray? Or, why don’t we pray more if in fact we do pray some? I contend the sin of prayerlessness is a symptom of unbelief. How could you and I who confess Christ as Lord, not pray or not pray much if we believe the words of Scripture concerning prayer?
“If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”
(John 14:14)
“Ask, and it shall be given you
8 For every one that asketh receiveth”
(Matthew 7:7)
“Ask, and ye shall receive”
(John 16:24)
“Ye have not, because ye ask not.”
(James 4:2)
“How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
(Matthew 7:11)
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
(Matthew 21:22)
“If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”
(John 14:14)
It is abundantly clear from these Bible verses that it is the command and promise of our heavenly Father to hear and answer prayer.
The next few posts on this blog will concern prayer and what this blogger considers to be the Bible kind of prayer. Your comments and suggestions are desired and welcomed as ususl.
Grace and Peace,
Royce Ogle
“If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”
(John 14:14)
“Ask, and it shall be given you
8 For every one that asketh receiveth”
(Matthew 7:7)
“Ask, and ye shall receive”
(John 16:24)
“Ye have not, because ye ask not.”
(James 4:2)
“How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
(Matthew 7:11)
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
(Matthew 21:22)
“If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”
(John 14:14)
It is abundantly clear from these Bible verses that it is the command and promise of our heavenly Father to hear and answer prayer.
The next few posts on this blog will concern prayer and what this blogger considers to be the Bible kind of prayer. Your comments and suggestions are desired and welcomed as ususl.
Grace and Peace,
Royce Ogle
Friday, December 01, 2006
One of my favorite verses
"Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13: 20-21)
Isn't that a wonderful verse?, And so full of precious promises!
I am in a covenant relationship with God based on the blood of Jesus and what God can and will do in and through me. Let me see.... hmmm...., I know! I am saved by grace! I can expect to be saved forever!
Merry Christmas
Royce Ogle
Isn't that a wonderful verse?, And so full of precious promises!
I am in a covenant relationship with God based on the blood of Jesus and what God can and will do in and through me. Let me see.... hmmm...., I know! I am saved by grace! I can expect to be saved forever!
Merry Christmas
Royce Ogle
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