Lord, Teach Us to Pray
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe
Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He
ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as
John also taught his disciples." - Luke 11:1 (NKJV)
This request from one of the disciples leads us into the familiar passage
known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” The beautiful words of this powerful prayer touch
our hearts over and over again because they express the heart of God.
We are also Jesus’ disciples, and He is eager to teach us to pray. Sometimes
we may feel that we don’t even know where to begin, but if we will ask, He will
guide us.
Many years ago, the Holy Spirit used a sister in the Lord to encourage me
toward praying scripture over the concerns in my life. That simple step
transformed my conversations with God.
I began by simply making personal declarations over myself based on some of
my favorite scriptures. Instead of letting fear overcome me, I remembered
promises found in Isaiah 41:10 and 2 Timothy 1:7. I made them personal and
prayed over myself:
Lord, I will not fear because You are with me; I will not be discouraged,
for You are my God. You will strengthen me and help me. You will uphold me with
Your righteous right hand. God, You have not given me a spirit of fear. You
have given me a spirit of power, of love, and a sound mind.
Another time, I was determined to storm the gates of heaven to ask for
something I felt was the Lord’s will. As I began my prayer, I sensed the Lord
was nudging me away from what I was going to ask. Instead of insisting on my
own way, I simply asked, “Lord, if this isn’t the way I am supposed to pray,
please tell me how to pray.” Quickly, the Lord’s prayer strategy rose within my
spirit. I learned another important lesson—His instruction on how I should pray
would be an ongoing process.
Through a little study book called Crafted Prayer, by Graham Cooke, I gained further
insight and encouragement to go to the Lord and ask Him how to pray. Many
times, instead of long prayers and petitions, He gave me only a word or a
phrase.
At a time when I was struggling with forgiveness issues, the Holy Spirit led
me to declare, “Lord, I forgive; please help my unforgiveness.” As I was going
through the process, sometimes I prayed that simple phrase many times a day.
The more I spoke those words, the more I walked in forgiveness. I learned to
dwell not on the injury or on my own struggle to forgive, but on the power of
God to lead me into the solution. When it is necessary, I still pray that
prayer.
When I asked the Lord how to pray for a person in leadership who was being
unfairly maligned, the Lord have me only four words: protection, wisdom,
courage and vindication. As I declared these words daily over
him, I saw God’s protection over him, and I heard him speak with wisdom and
courage as he faced difficult situations. Although he is no longer in
leadership, I am beginning to see the vindication.
Jesus said in Matthew 21:22, “And whatever things you ask in prayer,
believing, you will receive." Once I thought I was believing and should be
receiving, but I was only becoming discouraged as I had prayed for one of my
friends for several years and had seen no results. I took my discouragement
before the Lord and asked Him if I needed to change my prayers.
The Lord’s prayer strategy surprised me—He chose to lead me into truly
believing. The prayer He gave me was, “Thank you, Lord, for what You are doing
in her life.” He taught me to believe He was working even though I could not
see. Eventually, He opened my spiritual eyes, so I could more clearly discern
His hand. He led me to delight in the destination instead of becoming
frustrated in the journey.
Today, this is the same prayer He has given me for our country, and my words
have become, “Lord, thank You, for what You are doing in our nation.”
As I have asked the Lord to teach me to pray, the Holy Spirit has truly
become my prayer partner. I am thankful that even in those situations too deep
for words, I can trust Him to pray for me (see Rom. 8:26).
I share all these examples and scenarios in hopes of building your faith and
encouraging you. We are always learning how to pray. If you are new to prayer,
don’t let discouragement overwhelm you. Start with taking the promises of
Scripture and making them your own. As His Word comes alive to you, you will
recognize Him guiding your prayers in other ways.
Even if you are a seasoned prayer warrior, don’t hesitate to come to Him for
fresh insight, asking Him again to teach you to pray. The invitation to pray is
ultimately an invitation into an ongoing conversation with our Savior—one we
should all be eager to accept.
(Previously published by Generals International.)
Tuesday, June 30, 2015
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
The Minor Prophets, Messengers for Today: Malachi, Messenger of Hope
The Minor Prophets, Messengers for Today: Malachi, Messenger of Hope
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe
The book of Malachi closes that part of the biblical
canon that we call the Old Testament.
After the message given to Malachi, God is silent until the coming birth
of our Lord. Malachi’s message is for
God’s people, Israel. In the same manner
it is for the Church today.
God’s people had turned against Him. Their first step into sin was their rejection
of the truth that God loved them. They
mocked and sneered at Truth. They offered
less than their best in sacrifice. God blamed the priests because they had not
properly instructed the people.
In his epistle, James wrote: “My brethren, let not many of you
become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment James 3:1 (NKJV). Stepping into any leadership position, all of
which require some degree of teaching, requires caution and reliance on the
Holy Spirit.
We will not
grow in our Christian walk unless we are taught and properly discipled.
Earlier the prophet Hosea had
recorded the words of the Lord: "My
people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected
knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have
forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6 NKJV).
The
commandments and statutes of the Lord are given as a road map to a more peaceful
lifestyle. They are a GPS guiding us
through the treacherous highways and byways of a world plagued by sin and
despair.
The book
of Proverbs warns: “Whoever digs a pit will fall into
it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. A lying tongue
hates those who are crushed by
it, And a flattering mouth works ruin” (Proverbs
26:27-28 NKJV). When we ignore and ridicule our GPS, we are destroyed by
our own thought patterns and behaviors. We are destroyed by our lack of knowledge.
Moses warned the Israelites who had claimed
land east of the Jordan that in order to have peace, they must follow the
commands of God: “But if you do not do
so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD;
and be sure your sin will find you out” Numbers
32:23 (NKJV).
The
many sins of our nation are being revealed.
That sin pattern as seeped into the lives of many who name of the name
of Jesus. Be sure, our sin will find us
out.
Yet, Malachi brings hope in the midst of despair. That hope is predicated in faithful obedience
and humble worship.
“Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name.
"They shall be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him."
Then you shall again discern Between the righteous and the wicked, Between one who serves God And one who does not serve Him” Malachi 3:16-18 (NKJV).
The book of remembrance is written for the faithful. We must be reminded that those who walk in
reverential awe of God, those who meditate on the power, the glory, the
majesty, the grace and mercy of God are His jewels. Those faithful jewels will be spared. They will dwell under the shadow of the
Almighty. (Psalm 91).
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
The Minor Prophets, Messengers for Today: Zechariah, Prophet of Hope
The Minor Prophets, Messengers for Today: Zechariah, Prophet of Hope
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe
Summary of the Book of Zechariah:
“Zechariah,
like Haggai and Malachi, was a prophet of the Persian period. He prophesied to
the Jews who had returned from exile around 520 BC when the Persian Empire was
ruling the world. Each of these prophets encouraged the Jews to continue the
work of God and rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem. The prophet Zechariah begins
his message reminding the Jews that the captivity had been a result of their
own disobedience, and God rebuked their fathers as well. Zechariah received a
series of visions in which God revealed his plan for the history and future of
the world, showing that he is ultimately in control and he will fulfill the
promises that were made to their fathers and to Abraham. The city of Jerusalem
is seen as a city so wonderful and prosperous that it needed to be enlarged in
order to contain all the people (Zechariah 2). In the vision of Joshua the high
priest Zechariah saw him in filthy rags, which was no doubt the nation of
Israel repenting and receiving their Messiah and being cleansed of their sins
(Zechariah 3). Other visions reveal the coming judgment of God, and his victory
over sin, and everything is about the Messiah and his coming. Zechariah
prophesied about the nations that oppressed Israel, there will be a time of
destruction and later they would come to worship the Lord in Jerusalem. The
prophet Zechariah spoke more about the Messiah than any of the prophets, except
the prophet Isaiah.” (http://www.bible-history.com/old-testament/bookofzechariah.html)
How, then, does this message to Israel relate
to the Church today? Paul explains in
Romans 11 that the Church, the wild olive branch, has been grafted into the
olive tree that is Israel. The Church
does not replace Israel in the plan of God. Instead, we have become a part of the plan
the Lord established with Israel.
Romans 11:17-18 (NKJV)
“17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree,
18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.”
“17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree,
18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.”
The genesis of Christianity is in Genesis where the Lord
insures the defeat of Satan through the seed of the woman (Genesis 3).
Therefore, Paul wrote to Timothy: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
(NKJV)
“16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
“16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
To understand
how many prophecies relate to the Church today, we need only substitute “the
Church” or “Christians”, etc. for “Israel” or “Jerusalem” in the text.
Zechariah 2:10-13 (NKJV)
10 "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion (O Bride of Christ)! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst," says the LORD.
11 Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.
12 And the LORD will take possession of Judah (His Kingdom on Earth) as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem.
13 Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!"
10 "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion (O Bride of Christ)! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst," says the LORD.
11 Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.
12 And the LORD will take possession of Judah (His Kingdom on Earth) as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem.
13 Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!"
The Bride of Christ is to sing and rejoice for He is
coming to dwell in our midst. The Holy
Spirit has indwelt us from the time of that Pentecost 50 days after Jesus died
on the cross.
We are to sing and rejoice
because the Lord inhabits the praises of His Israel (His Church.)
Psalm
22:3 (NKJV)
“3 But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel” (Your Church).
“3 But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel” (Your Church).
We ask, “Oh, Lord, how can we rejoice in
the midst of such darkness and fear in the world.”
And the Lord answers:
Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV)
“6 So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.”
“6 So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.”
Spirit-filled, Bible-believing
Christians it is time to sing and rejoice. Let's rebuilt the Temple with our worship.
Isaiah 60:1-2 (NKJV)
"1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you."
"1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.
2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you."
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
The Minor Prophets, Messengers for Today: Haggai
The Minor Prophets, Messengers for Today: Haggai
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe
The Lord spoke to the prophet Haggai after the Jews had returned from their exile in Persia. The people of God had been diligent in rebuilding their own homes and lives, but had neglected the Temple and the worship of the Lord.
Haggai 1:3-8 (NKJV)
“3 Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying,
4 "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?"
5 Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: "Consider your ways!
6 "You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes."
7 Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Consider your ways!
8 Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified," says the LORD.”
As He declared in the time of Haggai, the Lord is speaking to the church today. We have not only built beautiful homes for ourselves, but we have also often constructed elaborate edifices designated as places for worship. Yet, we have even more often neglected the building of God’s temple.
Consider Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church. According to Easton’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Corinth “was noted for its wealth, and for the luxurious and immoral and vicious habits of the people.” Paul wrote the letter when he learned of the strife and sin practiced by members of the congregation. The purpose of the letter was to address the different factions within the church and to correct doctrinal errors. The Corinthians had neglected personal sanctification and had, as a result, neglected to build the true temple of the Lord.1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)
“19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.”
Paul addressed the corporate Body of Christ in Ephesus as the temple of the Spirit of God.
Ephesians 2:19-22 (NKJV)
“19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,
21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”
Individually and corporately, we are to be the sanctified temple of God, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Individually and corporately, we are to consider our ways. If our emphasis is on material wealth, we are impoverished and malnourished. If we are not good stewards of our wealth, we are putting our funds into bags with holes.
In Acts 7:48-50, the first martyr, Stephan, quoted Isaiah 66:1-2,:
48 However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: 49 'Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest?
50 Has My hand not made all these things?'” (NKJV)
It is time for us to lay aside the philosophies and practices of the world, to take up the cross of Jesus Christ and to build, both individually and corporately, the true temple of the Lord.
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe
The Lord spoke to the prophet Haggai after the Jews had returned from their exile in Persia. The people of God had been diligent in rebuilding their own homes and lives, but had neglected the Temple and the worship of the Lord.
Haggai 1:3-8 (NKJV)
“3 Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying,
4 "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?"
5 Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: "Consider your ways!
6 "You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not filled with drink; You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; And he who earns wages, Earns wages to put into a bag with holes."
7 Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Consider your ways!
8 Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified," says the LORD.”
As He declared in the time of Haggai, the Lord is speaking to the church today. We have not only built beautiful homes for ourselves, but we have also often constructed elaborate edifices designated as places for worship. Yet, we have even more often neglected the building of God’s temple.
Consider Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church. According to Easton’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Corinth “was noted for its wealth, and for the luxurious and immoral and vicious habits of the people.” Paul wrote the letter when he learned of the strife and sin practiced by members of the congregation. The purpose of the letter was to address the different factions within the church and to correct doctrinal errors. The Corinthians had neglected personal sanctification and had, as a result, neglected to build the true temple of the Lord.1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV)
“19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.”
Paul addressed the corporate Body of Christ in Ephesus as the temple of the Spirit of God.
Ephesians 2:19-22 (NKJV)
“19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,
21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”
Individually and corporately, we are to be the sanctified temple of God, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Individually and corporately, we are to consider our ways. If our emphasis is on material wealth, we are impoverished and malnourished. If we are not good stewards of our wealth, we are putting our funds into bags with holes.
In Acts 7:48-50, the first martyr, Stephan, quoted Isaiah 66:1-2,:
48 However, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: 49 'Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest?
50 Has My hand not made all these things?'” (NKJV)
It is time for us to lay aside the philosophies and practices of the world, to take up the cross of Jesus Christ and to build, both individually and corporately, the true temple of the Lord.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
The Minor Prophets, Messengers for Today: Zephaniah
Zephaniah a Prophet for Today
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe
The prophet Zephaniah foretold a time when the day of the Lord would bring great judgment on the sins of the world. His prophecy speaks of the destruction of life on earth and is especially pointed at false religions. Our time parallels the time of Zephaniah. He mentions the fertility cults of Baal. The perverse sexuality of our world is nothing more than the worship of Baal. The prophet condemns those who worship the “hosts of heaven.” Astrology and reliance on zodiac predictions were rampant in ancient cultures, and are just as rampant today.
Zephaniah decries the worship of Milcom who is also called Molech and Chemosh. The worship of Milcom included the sacrifice of children. God spoke to Israel in Leviticus 18:21, “And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the LORD. (NKJV).”
Milcom is often associated with the Greek god Cronus, whose Roman name is Saturn. Cronus/Saturn, fearing one of his children would overthrow him, swallowed them at birth. Milcom, under several names and guises, has long been a destroyer of children. Abortion is, in reality, sacrifice to Molech.
The purpose of God’s judgment is always to eradicate sin and to bring forth His mercy. Zephaniah chapter 3 is an anthem to the restorative mercy of our God. Zephaniah 3:9:"For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language, That they all may call on the name of the LORD, To serve Him with one accord. (NKJV)”
Zephaniah 3:12 “I will leave in your midst a meek and humble people, And they shall trust in the name of the LORD. (NKJV)"
Zephaniah 3:17: “The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. (NKJV)"
What a delight to know that even in the midst of perverse and troubled times, the Lord our God is in our midst. He saves His people. He comes against those who come against us. He rejoices over us and quiets us with His love. He rejoices over us with singing.
When I was a small child, my daddy often held me in his arms and sang over me, and I was quieted in my spirit. I can so easily picture my heavenly Father doing the same thing, and I am, likewise, quieted in my spirit.
In ancient times, God gave His people plenty of time to repent before judgment came. He has done the same in modern times. In spite of the seasons of judgment, those, who are faithful, experience deliverance, forgiveness, joy and peace in the most difficult of times.
Hallelujah! What a Savior! What a message for today!
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