Scripture

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

~Ephesians 6:18, NLT

Quote

Prayer of one of those aspects in God’s dealing with us that is far beyond our understanding.

~Martyn Lloyd Jones

Millions, who do not understand the first thing about electricity, use it everyday. They don’t understand the science of electricity but they know how to flip a switch or turn the oven on. Perhaps I should say TV, not many folks use ovens these days. The Bible never contradicts itself so never base your theology on one verse or one group of verses. Always interpret the Bible in the context of the verse, the chapter, the book, and most importantly, the entire bible. Scripture taken out of context leads to heresy. Bro. Inman us to say, “Judas went and hanged himself, go and do likewise and whatsoever thou doest, do it quickly.” All these words come from scripture but they are taken out of context. No doctrine should be formulated that is contradicted by other parts of the Bible. There is a popular movement that teaches that God is sovereign and that man has no will. If you are going to be saved, God will do the saving without your repentance, submission or consent. There is no repentance and faith. After all they say, “You are not capable of believing.” I have heard them preach Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Now I quoted the New King James for a reason, the KJV reads, the King James reads differently, “I live by the faith of the Son of God.” They use this as a proof text and no other English translations translated it ‘of’. I am sorry, but it is a bad translation of the word. Don’t build your theology on one verse.

This is not actually the point of the blog. The point I wish to make is that prayer is a mystery and no one understands it, especially the David Platt’s of the world. Like the sovereignty of God and the free will of man, it is a paradox that cannot be resolved by a finite mind. Martyn Lloyd Jones says that even GRACE is a mystery. Why would a holy God have a desire to forgive sin? These know-it-alls who teach that prayer doesn’t change anything except the person praying are not teaching the full context of the Bible. Are you telling me that Moses intercession for the Israelites made no difference; that Abraham’s intercession for Lot made no difference or that Jesus intercession for Peter made no difference. What bible are you reading? Did Paul ever say, “It is OK to pray if you like. It is an act of worship but it has no power with God.” Show me that verse. Find me a doctrine in the Bible that is taught more than prayer. The root word for pray is found over 500 times is scripture. When the Jews could not understand a scripture, they reinterpreted to suit their own understanding. That is the very thing Jesus dealt with on earth, the traditions of man that had replaced the true law. When you go to changing scripture, that is an act of pride and arrogance. It does not matter if you understand the dynamics of prayer or not, just be obedient and pray with faith believing your prayer makes a difference.

Extra

Can you believe it? It is December 1st and tomorrow wraps up the college football season except for Army/Navy. Once Labor Day gets here, the rest is a blur. Hallelujah, we got a light rain during the night. I am praising the LORD for the rain and for having my chief cook and bottle washer back on the scene. She had the kitchen {that I messed up last night cooking for the Senior Adults} clean before I left for the office. It was a beautiful sight. It gave me goose bumps.

Senior Adult Christmas party today at 11:30. I am inviting my blog readers. If you are a senior, retired or just off, I would be glad to have you and we have fixed enough food to feed an army. We have turkey, ham, pork loin, and country ham. We are also bringing green beans and sweet potatoes. Come and join us at the POINT on Eva Road just across from the Brewer football stadium.

Have a great weekend and thanks for reading the blog.