Intercessory Prayer (continued)
11. An intercessor will be known in hell. "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?" (Acts 19:15). If we are intercessors, we will be known in hell. It has to be that when we pray as Daniel did in Daniel 9 and 10 that all hell moves to stop it.
12. An intercessor of God will be a fighter and a fellow soldier; he will be one who has come into active warfare (Philemon 2; Philippians 2:25; 2 Timothy 2:3).
13. An intercessor knows the authority of Christ and his position in Christ. This is absolute knowing.
"That ... the eyes of your understanding (heart) being enlightened, that ye may know ... what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the Head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all" (Ephesians 1:17-23).
"Even when we were dead in sins, (He) hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus ..." (Ephesians 2:5, 6).
14. An intercessor pours out his complaints before God and not before men, Psalm 142:1 and 2. A prayer when David was in the cave Adullam.
15. An intercessor goes to his "closet" - the closet of his heart - and becomes one with Christ" (Matthew 6:6).
16. Much is required of an intercessor (Luke 12:47, 48; Matthew 20:21-23).
17 An intercessor has to be meek and lowly (2 Timothy 2:24-26; Romans 12:3; Exodus 32).
18. An intercessor has to be a bondservant -
One whose will is altogether swallowed up in the will of another.
One who serves another to the disregard of his own interests. (Nothing matters as long as his Lord and Master is glorified.)
One bound and devoted to the service of another.
One whose will and capacities are wholly at the service of another.
Bondslave is used of the lowest scale of servitude, but when transferred to Christian service it expresses the highest devotion of one who is bound by love.
~T. Austin-Sparks~
(continued with # 5)
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
Gratitude in Affliction
At Thanksgiving, we typically express gratitude for God's blessings. But did you ever consider thanking Him for something that doesn't seem like a blessing—such as a trying circumstance you want Him to remove or change? A grateful heart is most precious to God when, humanly speaking, our situations don't warrant giving thanks. By making four foundational decisions, we can begin to see the value of our adversities and respond with appreciation.
Believe and trust the Lord. Only by viewing life from a scriptural perspective can we understand His purposes in our trials and trust His wisdom in allowing them.
Accept the situation as coming from God—either directly sent or permissively allowed. If we truly believe He's working for our good (Rom 8:28-29), we can choose to receive each difficulty as coming from His loving hand. Then we can say "Thank You."
Submit to God in the circumstance. Although we may not like the situation, knowing that God "[is] good and does good" (v. 68) allows us to confidently place our lives under His authority.
Draw from Him the strength to endure. No one has the ability within himself to endure hardships with gratefulness. Only by relying on the Lord can believers go through adversity with an appreciative heart.
Now, think about that circumstance you would like changed, and with a new mindset, offer this prayer to God: "Lord, I accept this situation as coming from You. In faith and trust, I place myself under Your loving authority, and draw from You the strength I need to endure with gratitude."
~Charles Stanley~
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Intercession: The Throne Ministry # 3
Intercessory Prayer (continued)
Through discernment, Paul knew to write the Corinthians concerning their carnality (1 Corinthians 3:1), and he prayed for them accordingly. However, in Ephesus, he had discernment that these brethren could receive the highest knowledge that God had to give and thus prayed Ephesians !:15-23. An intercessor has to have this kind of discernment - how to pray for the Body of Christ, whether it be to pray for an error in doctrine, for carnality, or for the maturing of the Body.
7. An intercessor will yield to the Holy Spirit for God's thoughts (Romans 8:26, 27; Acts 8:26-39; Hebrews 7:25).
8. An intercessor is not an escapist from trials and testings, for it is in these things that we learn how to conquer and become a full, mature intercessor of the Lord. An intercessor cannot be an escapist because he cannot understand the trials and troubles of others and intercede for them if he escapes from his own "tribulation ... distress ... persecution ... famine ... nakedness ... peril, or sword" (Romans 8:35).
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I have come through a process of persuasion to the settled conclusion that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things about to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:37).
9. An intercessor stands against death and against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places. In Ephesians 6:12, the Word says five times "against:" once the Word says we are "not against flesh and blood," but as God's intercessors, the Word says four times we are against the spiritual tyrants of evil.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
"For ours is not a conflict with mere flesh and blood, but with the despotisms, the empires, the forces that control and govern this dark world - the spiritual hosts of evil arrayed against us in the heavenly warfare" (Ephesians 6:12).
10. An intercessor is: God's enemies are the intercessor's enemies. God's enemies are: the devil (the father of the lie); the lie; "the mystery of iniquity"; the operation of the mystery of iniquity is listed with the inventors of evil things which are against the the Word of God; the inventors of evil "who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, Who is blessed for ever. Amen"; armies of the aliens; antichrist; the false prophet; the last enemy; the great dragon.
These are God's enemies; therefore, they are our enemies.
~T. Austin-Sparks~
(continued with # 4)
Through discernment, Paul knew to write the Corinthians concerning their carnality (1 Corinthians 3:1), and he prayed for them accordingly. However, in Ephesus, he had discernment that these brethren could receive the highest knowledge that God had to give and thus prayed Ephesians !:15-23. An intercessor has to have this kind of discernment - how to pray for the Body of Christ, whether it be to pray for an error in doctrine, for carnality, or for the maturing of the Body.
7. An intercessor will yield to the Holy Spirit for God's thoughts (Romans 8:26, 27; Acts 8:26-39; Hebrews 7:25).
8. An intercessor is not an escapist from trials and testings, for it is in these things that we learn how to conquer and become a full, mature intercessor of the Lord. An intercessor cannot be an escapist because he cannot understand the trials and troubles of others and intercede for them if he escapes from his own "tribulation ... distress ... persecution ... famine ... nakedness ... peril, or sword" (Romans 8:35).
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I have come through a process of persuasion to the settled conclusion that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things about to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:37).
9. An intercessor stands against death and against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places. In Ephesians 6:12, the Word says five times "against:" once the Word says we are "not against flesh and blood," but as God's intercessors, the Word says four times we are against the spiritual tyrants of evil.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
"For ours is not a conflict with mere flesh and blood, but with the despotisms, the empires, the forces that control and govern this dark world - the spiritual hosts of evil arrayed against us in the heavenly warfare" (Ephesians 6:12).
10. An intercessor is: God's enemies are the intercessor's enemies. God's enemies are: the devil (the father of the lie); the lie; "the mystery of iniquity"; the operation of the mystery of iniquity is listed with the inventors of evil things which are against the the Word of God; the inventors of evil "who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshiped and served the creature more than the Creator, Who is blessed for ever. Amen"; armies of the aliens; antichrist; the false prophet; the last enemy; the great dragon.
These are God's enemies; therefore, they are our enemies.
~T. Austin-Sparks~
(continued with # 4)
Getting God's Best
Take the arrows... Smite upon the ground. And he smote twice and stayed. And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times (2 Kings 13:18, 19).
How striking and eloquent the message of these words! Jehoash thought he had done very well when he duplicated and triplicated what to him was certainly an extraordinary act of faith. But the Lord and the prophet were bitterly disappointed because he had stopped half way.
He got something. He got much. He got exactly what he believed for in the final test, but he did not get all that the prophet meant and the Lord wanted to bestow. He missed much of the meaning of the promise and the fullness of the blessing. He got something better than the human, but he did not get God's best.
Beloved, how solemn is the application! How heart searching the message of God to us! How important that we should learn to pray through! Shall we claim all the fullness of the promise and all the possibilities of believing prayer?
--A. B. Simpson
--A. B. Simpson
"Unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Eph. 3:20).
There is no other such piling up of words in Paul's writings as these, "exceeding abundantly above all," and each word is packed with infinite love and power to "do" for His praying saints. There is one limitation, "according to the power that worketh in us." He will do just as much for us as we let Him do in us. The power that saved us, washed us with His own blood, filled us with might by His Spirit, kept us in manifold temptations, will work for us, meeting every emergency, every crisis, every circumstance, and every adversary.
~L. B. Cowman~
Monday, January 6, 2014
Intercession: The Throne Ministry # 2
Intercessory Prayer (continued)
There are four realms of intercessory prayer, and each realm builds upon the other; it is a building process:
1. Intercessory prayer for salvation of souls.
2. Intercessory prayer for problems and troubles of Christians - "for all saints" (Ephesians 6:18).
3. Intercessory prayer for the maturing of the Body of Christ.
4. Intercessory prayer for the Divine Purpose of God as revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.
If anyone aspires to this highest form of ministry (that of an intercessor), he will have to be putting on and coming into the characteristics of an intercessor. The Lord gave the following characteristics of an intercessor; and through the years we have found that as we prayed these Scriptures which the Lord gave us, and as we prayerfully searched into them, the Lord has been, and still is, faithful in making them real in our experience.
1. An intercessor must know the Word and receive the Word by the Spirit - as Stephen, Daniel, and Solomon did (Acts 6:8-15; 7:1-60; Daniel 9; 1 Kings 8).
2. An intercessor has to be in the Spirit (2 Samuel 23:1, 2; Ephesians 6:18; Romans 8:14; Revelation 1:9, 10; Jude 20, 21).
3. An intercessor identifies himself with the Body of Christ (Isaiah 53; Nehemiah 1:11; 1 Samuel 12:1-25; Hebrews 4:1, 11, 14, 16).
4. An intercessor is concerned with the Full Purpose and Full Plan of God concerning the Body of Christ, and through prayer chooses to bring it about (Mark 1:14, 15; Philippians 2:9-11; John 17:21-26; Romans 8:27; Ephesians 1:10; 3:14-21).
5. An intercessor will birth and bring Christ forth in fullness in other believers by the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 3:10, 12, 13; Galatians 4:19).
6. An intercessor will have discerned as to how and what to pray and will lead the Body of Christ into effective praying; and an intercessor will know what is hindering the Body of Christ from coming into fullness.
There are two kinds of discernment. One kind of discernment is the gift of discernment as found in 1 Corinthians 12:10; Acts 8:14-24; 1 Kings 3:9-12; and Isaiah 7:14, 15. The other kind is growth in discernment through the Word, as given in Hebrews 5:11-14. Both are needed in the Body of Christ.
~T. Austin-Sparks~
(continued with # 3)
There are four realms of intercessory prayer, and each realm builds upon the other; it is a building process:
1. Intercessory prayer for salvation of souls.
2. Intercessory prayer for problems and troubles of Christians - "for all saints" (Ephesians 6:18).
3. Intercessory prayer for the maturing of the Body of Christ.
4. Intercessory prayer for the Divine Purpose of God as revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.
If anyone aspires to this highest form of ministry (that of an intercessor), he will have to be putting on and coming into the characteristics of an intercessor. The Lord gave the following characteristics of an intercessor; and through the years we have found that as we prayed these Scriptures which the Lord gave us, and as we prayerfully searched into them, the Lord has been, and still is, faithful in making them real in our experience.
1. An intercessor must know the Word and receive the Word by the Spirit - as Stephen, Daniel, and Solomon did (Acts 6:8-15; 7:1-60; Daniel 9; 1 Kings 8).
2. An intercessor has to be in the Spirit (2 Samuel 23:1, 2; Ephesians 6:18; Romans 8:14; Revelation 1:9, 10; Jude 20, 21).
3. An intercessor identifies himself with the Body of Christ (Isaiah 53; Nehemiah 1:11; 1 Samuel 12:1-25; Hebrews 4:1, 11, 14, 16).
4. An intercessor is concerned with the Full Purpose and Full Plan of God concerning the Body of Christ, and through prayer chooses to bring it about (Mark 1:14, 15; Philippians 2:9-11; John 17:21-26; Romans 8:27; Ephesians 1:10; 3:14-21).
5. An intercessor will birth and bring Christ forth in fullness in other believers by the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 3:10, 12, 13; Galatians 4:19).
6. An intercessor will have discerned as to how and what to pray and will lead the Body of Christ into effective praying; and an intercessor will know what is hindering the Body of Christ from coming into fullness.
There are two kinds of discernment. One kind of discernment is the gift of discernment as found in 1 Corinthians 12:10; Acts 8:14-24; 1 Kings 3:9-12; and Isaiah 7:14, 15. The other kind is growth in discernment through the Word, as given in Hebrews 5:11-14. Both are needed in the Body of Christ.
~T. Austin-Sparks~
(continued with # 3)
Exceedingly Precious
Philippians 3:10
The power of His resurrection.
The doctrine of a risen Saviour is exceedingly precious. The resurrection is the corner-stone of the entire building of Christianity. It is the key-stone of the arch of our salvation. It would take a volume to set forth all the streams of living water which flow from this one sacred source, the resurrection of our dear Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; but to know that He has risen, and to have fellowship with Him as such-communing with the risen Saviour by possessing a risen life-seeing Him leave the tomb by leaving the tomb of worldliness ourselves, this is even still more precious. The doctrine is the basis of the experience, but as the flower is more lovely than the root, so is the experience of fellowship with the risen Saviour more lovely than the doctrine itself. I would have you believe that Christ rose from the dead so as to sing of it, and derive all the consolation which it is possible for you to extract from this well-ascertained and well-witnessed fact; but I beseech you, rest not contented even there. Though you cannot, like the disciples, see Him visibly, yet I bid you aspire to see Christ Jesus by the eye of faith; and though, like Mary Magdalene, you may not "touch" Him, yet may you be privileged to converse with Him, and to know that He is risen, you yourselves being risen in Him to newness of life. To know a crucified Saviour as having crucified all my sins, is a high degree of knowledge; but to know a risen Saviour as having justified me, and to realize that He has bestowed upon me new life, having given me to be a new creature through His own newness of life, this is a noble style of experience: short of it, none ought to rest satisfied. May you both "know Him, and the power of His resurrection." Why should souls who are quickened with Jesus, wear the grave-clothes of worldliness and unbelief? Rise, for the Lord is risen.
~Charles Spurgeon~
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Intercession: The Throne Ministry
Intercessory Prayer
In the spring of 1972, the Lord gave us a list of instructions concerning intercessory prayer. This list also includes some of the qualifications and characteristics that must be progressively becoming a reality in the lives of those who are pressing to be vessels of intercession for Christ's sake. Through the years, we have been prayerfully studying what the Lord said to us and hopefully some of it is becoming real in our lives as we are conformed unto Him.
Recently we were impressed that it is time to share with His Body what Christ has revealed to us, and it is with prayer and dependence upon our Lord that we do so. We will share this just as the Lord gave it, and we will depend upon the Holy Spirit to enlighten and grant the revelation and witness needed by His members!
The following list was given to us by the Lord to instruct and prepare us for His Great Ministry of Intercession. These thoughts on intercession cannot be just systematically studied with the idea that we then will be an intercessor. No, we are learning that effectual prayer involves our whole being - spirit, soul, and body; and, therefore, effectual prayer must be experientially learned. We must realize that no matter how long we have been praying or how mature in Christ we have become, effectual prayer - prayer that accomplishes God's End - is always a learning experience. Therefore, let us approach the subject of prayer with a prayer in our hearts, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1).
Through prayer, the child of God gains access and understanding into God's desire, God's will, and God's purpose. True prayer has God's interests as its sole motive. Our Lord Jesus prayed, "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven" (Matthew 6:10). Our prayer life should be bringing us ever closer to our Father and transforming us into the image of His Son. Our prayers should be releasing God's power against His enemy and bringing God's claims to bear in the lives of all His people, the Body of Christ, and in the lives of those whom He is calling to be a part of the Body of Christ. Prayer is the foundation and structure of all service and ministry which has eternal value in the plan of God - that plan being the consummation of all things in Christ Jesus.
"And He spake a parable unto them to this end,
That men ought always to pray,
and not to faint; (lose heart or be discouraged). (Luke 18:1)
~T. Austin-Sparks~
(continued with # 2)
In the spring of 1972, the Lord gave us a list of instructions concerning intercessory prayer. This list also includes some of the qualifications and characteristics that must be progressively becoming a reality in the lives of those who are pressing to be vessels of intercession for Christ's sake. Through the years, we have been prayerfully studying what the Lord said to us and hopefully some of it is becoming real in our lives as we are conformed unto Him.
Recently we were impressed that it is time to share with His Body what Christ has revealed to us, and it is with prayer and dependence upon our Lord that we do so. We will share this just as the Lord gave it, and we will depend upon the Holy Spirit to enlighten and grant the revelation and witness needed by His members!
The following list was given to us by the Lord to instruct and prepare us for His Great Ministry of Intercession. These thoughts on intercession cannot be just systematically studied with the idea that we then will be an intercessor. No, we are learning that effectual prayer involves our whole being - spirit, soul, and body; and, therefore, effectual prayer must be experientially learned. We must realize that no matter how long we have been praying or how mature in Christ we have become, effectual prayer - prayer that accomplishes God's End - is always a learning experience. Therefore, let us approach the subject of prayer with a prayer in our hearts, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1).
Through prayer, the child of God gains access and understanding into God's desire, God's will, and God's purpose. True prayer has God's interests as its sole motive. Our Lord Jesus prayed, "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven" (Matthew 6:10). Our prayer life should be bringing us ever closer to our Father and transforming us into the image of His Son. Our prayers should be releasing God's power against His enemy and bringing God's claims to bear in the lives of all His people, the Body of Christ, and in the lives of those whom He is calling to be a part of the Body of Christ. Prayer is the foundation and structure of all service and ministry which has eternal value in the plan of God - that plan being the consummation of all things in Christ Jesus.
"And He spake a parable unto them to this end,
That men ought always to pray,
and not to faint; (lose heart or be discouraged). (Luke 18:1)
~T. Austin-Sparks~
(continued with # 2)
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