2024

Maturing Prayer

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.   (John 17:1-5)

This is one of the few prayers of Jesus recorded in the Bible. This is only the introductory part of a much longer prayer. HE spoke these words with HIS Father before He was taken into government custody. What jumped out to me this time as I read it related to a recent discipleship mentoring session.

The person is a recent convert. He surrendered to Lord Jesus a little over one year ago. He is currently carrying a lot of excess baggage from his previous lifestyle. Our sessions are focused on discussing practical theology and Christian living principles. In each session, I would generally open our meeting in prayer and he would close out.

In hindsight, his prayers have matured over time. In the beginning, the emphasis was on himself. His pain. His hope. His suffering. Currently, his prayers are now also focused on the pain of others. The hope for others. To ease the suffering of others. His mind is now focused on himself and others. This is a good thing. We are moving in a healthy direction.

We are now waiting as the Spirit continues HIS work in him. We are looking for a breakthrough. When his focus will also include glorifying God and seeking HIS Will through the outcome.

You may notice Jesus’ prayer not only addressed his needs and those around him, but also Father God’s. That HIS Will be glorified in the process. Him. Others. God. The maturing prayer addresses all three in the same breath.

Yes, we petition our heavenly Father because we need help. We also realize there are others involved that need HIS help. Plus we desire to support our heavenly Father that HIS purpose and Will is executed in the outcome. So at the end of day, HE is lifted up and manifested. HE is glorified.

God. Others. Me. The desire for a good outcome for all three are included. This is the maturing process of prayer. The heart of a prayer warrior becomes more like their teacher. Their prayer follows the example of Jesus himself.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Are You to Judge?

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.   Matthew 7:1-2

Occasionally, I come across people who believe one is not to judge another. My reply always is why not? What is the basis of your conclusion? Could it be you hear sermon messages sometimes without understanding their full meaning?

When it comes to judging others, most preachers are probably referring to Matthew 7. Here Jesus did say judge not. But that is not the entire context of his statement. He also said that you will be measured by the same standards you judge others by. So if the standard is an imperfect you, than you have a problem. You may be a hypocrite. For do you live up to the same righteous standard you are judging others with?

His overall teaching is when you judge another, you better have the right standard. In fact you are to judge others based on God’s righteousness (James 2:12). But be careful. Are you being a hypocrite and not living up to God’s same standard?

The apostle Paul reminded us in 1 Corinthians 6:1-2 that we will judge angels and the world at the end time. Jesus tells us in John 7:24 to judge others not by their appearance (wealth, status, etc.), but with right standards. In fact, in John 12:47-48 even Jesus said at the end time HE will not judge others. But the words HE is teaching will condemn those who do not live by them. In other words, we will hang ourselves by rebelling against HIS teachings. Our own actions will judge us.

Proverbs 31:9 reminds us to judge defending the rights of the poor and needy. Even the early nation Israel was instructed to show no partiality in judging people. (Lev. 19:15). But humans are prone to evil. In the prophet Micah’s time, judges were taking bribes and corrupting society. (Micah 7:3). Evil needs to be confronted. Without wise judgement, societies will collapse.

What is reassuring about Paul’s statement (1 Corinthians 2:15) that a person in Christ judges all things? Because their discernment follows the lead of the Holy Spirit. They are not concern with people judging them. Their Judge is the Lord. They realize HE will correct them. HE will discipline them. (1 Corinthians 11:32). As stewards of His Kingdom on earth, we live under HIS authority. We need to be mindful that one day God will judge our secrets (Romans 2:16). HE is the final judge. (Isaiah 33:22).

Apostle John wrote in Revelations (5:10) that today’s saints are to reign with Jesus in the new heaven and earth. One function of a leader is making wise decisions. So to refrain from making a judgement call is failing to learn what one will be doing for eternity. Instead, we need to integrate God’s Spirit into all the decisions we make every day. We need to exercise the faith HE has given us. We need to build upon HIS Word. Then we can be train to make wise judgements now in preparation for eternity.

You are now being trained to lead and serve others on behalf of God’s Kingdom. So don’t hesitate to judge others. Instead allow God’s Spirit to lead you. Learn to exercise the fundamental teachings of the Bible. Follow the golden rule.

The real question – are you willing to accept the same standard of judgement that you give? Or do you judge others on a higher standard than you judge yourself? Let Jesus be your standard. Answer to HIM. Allow the Holy Spirit to inspire and encourage you. You will than find your judgements to be wiser and more prudent. In fact, you may even find yourself thinking of starting a new career – as a Judge.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

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Yes, All

Dr. Mike 2024 , ,

ALL Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,   (2 Timothy 3:16)

ALL is a very large, inclusive word. The Bible (ESV) uses the word over 4,600 times. There are places when the Bible emphasizes this word in regards to the earth, time, and humanity. Other times ALL speaks about actions, responsibilities, or moral duty. ‘All’ is accentuated a lot. The challenge is determining whether ‘all’ means everyone. Or metaphorically one is only perceiving ‘all’.

This becomes even more challenging when reading the Bible. Why? Because faith-keepers adhere the Book is 100% accurately the Word of God who cannot lie.

I admit there are times I struggle with the word ‘all’. This is why I lean on God to direct my thoughts and steps and trust Him with the outcome. Like a child, I may not understand, but place trust in HIS guardianship.

So here are some of my favorite Scriptures which includes the word ALL.

– Noah did ALL the Lord had commanded him (Gn. 7:5).   

– His master saw that the Lord was with him (Joseph) and that the Lord caused ALL that he did to succeed in his hands (Gn. 39:3).

– But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul (Deut. 4:29).

– He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In ALL that he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:3)

– You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put ALL things under his feet, (Psalm 8:6)

– One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord ALL the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. (Psalm 24:7)

– I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from ALL my fears. (Psalm 34:4)

– Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them ALL. (Psalm 34:19)

– The Lord works righteousness and justice for ALL who are oppressed. (Psalm 103:6)

– The Lord is near to ALL who call on him, to ALL who call on him in truth. (Psalm 145:18)

– Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

– Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers ALL offenses. (Proverbs 10:12)

– In ALL toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. (Proverbs 14:23)

– Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! ALL is vanity.   (Ecclesiastes 1:2; 12:8)

– Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them ALL.   (Ecclesiastes 19:11)

– But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and ALL these things will be added to you.   (Matt. 6:33)

– and you will be hated by ALL for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (Matt. 10:22

– But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God ALL things are possible.”  (Matt. 19:26)

– ALL these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”   (Mark 7:23)

– ALL things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.   (John 1:3)

– For from his fullness we have ALL received, grace upon grace.    (John 1:16)

– When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into ALL the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.   (John 16:13)

– And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on ALL flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;   (Acts 2:17)

– Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for ALL men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for ALL men.  (Romans 5:18)

– For ALL who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.   (Romans 8:14)

– And we know that for those who love God ALL things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.   (Romans 8:28)

– Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will ALL stand before the judgment seat of God;   (Romans 14:10)

– The spiritual person judges ALL things, but is himself to be judged by no one.   (1 Corinthians 2:15)

– “ALL things are lawful for me,” but not ALL things are helpful. “ALL things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.    (1 Corinthians 6:12)

– “ALL things are lawful,” but not ALL things are helpful. “ALL things are lawful,” but not ALL things build up.   (1 Corinthians 10:23)

– To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become ALL things to ALL people, that by ALL means I might save some.   (1 Corinthians 9:22)

– Love bears ALL things, believes ALL things, hopes ALL things, endures ALL things.    (1 Corinthians 13:7)

– But ALL things should be done decently and in order.    (1 Corinthians 14:40)

– And we ALL, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.    (2 Corinthians 3:18)

– For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond ALL comparison,    (2 Corinthians 4:17)

– For we must ALL appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.     (2 Corinthians 5:10)

– for in Christ Jesus you are ALL sons of God, through faith.   (Galatians 3: 26)

– There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are ALL one in Christ Jesus.   (Galatians 3:28)

– For by him ALL things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—ALL things were created through him and for him.

– And he is before ALL things, and in him ALL things hold together.  For in him ALL the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,   (Colossians 1:16-17,19

– I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for ALL people; for kings and ALL who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.  ,  (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

– For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of ALL people, especially of those who believe.   (1 Timothy 4:10)

– Indeed, ALL who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,   (2 Timothy 3:12)

– To the pure, ALL things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.   (Titus 1:15)

– For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for ALL people,   (Titus 2:11)

– casting ALL your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.  (1 Peter 5:7)

– For ALL that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.   (1 John 2:16)

– but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of ALL things, through whom also he created the world.    (Heb. 1:2)

These are only a few of the Scriptures which includes the word ALL. Yet they reveal a God who created ALL. A God who includes ALL. A God who desires ALL His children to accept HIS purpose and plan for humanity.

You may want to conduct your own study. For you may need to confirm what ALL means as you are also included in ALL. You may want to start with the ALL that jumped out at you.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Faith-Integrator, Encourager, Scribbler

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,” (Colossians 1:9)

Books By Dr. Mike:

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Copyright 2013-Present | Abbaco LLC | All Rights Reserved