Is the Holy Spirit With You In Prayer?

Around A.D. 57, Apostle Paul speaking by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to the church audience in Rome gives the Christian a brief yet very powerful ray of light on the free assistance given when they pray.

Romans 8:26-27, “In like manner the Spirit also helps our infirmity. For we know not how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He who searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

Do we really have the help of the Holy Spirit in our prayers, and is God actually hearing us? This short presentation will help the Christian understand how the Spirit helps and represents them in their prayers.

HERE are more Holy Spirit Faq’s for further study.

Jesus Says, Can You Hear Me Now?

Do you remember those cell phone ad's that would say,

"Can you hear me now, can you hear me now?"

When Jesus talked to His disciples He talked about His death a lot making them greatly distressed (Matt 17:22-23). And as this podcast by Mark Roberts relates, He found Himself saying to them, "Can you hear Me now?" The question is, do we hear Him now, are we missing the cross?

updated 4/12/16

Are We The Only Humans?

Those who believe life evolved on the earth usually see it as virtual ‘fact’ that life has evolved on countless other planets. Discovering life on other planets would in turn be seen as confirming their evolutionary belief. But even many Christians think, ‘God must have created life elsewhere, otherwise this enormous universe would be an awful waste of space.’ This seems to be the major underlying reason why people think that there must be other life 'out there'. However, our thinking should be based on what God said He did (the Bible), and not what we think He would, should or might have done. If you struggle with this question you are not alone. I venture to say 99 out of 100 people if asked this question will say yes. There are other humans/aliens ‘out there.’ May I suggest to the believer and non-believer alike, the earth and we humans are actually very unique, and the only humans that exist. Let’s read Psalm 8:3-9 written by King David through Gods inspiration.

3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,

4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?

5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,

7 All sheep and oxen— Even the beasts of the field,

8 The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!

Man’s uniqueness in the Universe is implied in Psalm 8. When David reflected upon the splendor of the heavens, he wondered: ‘What is man that Jehovah has so benevolently blessed him with all this marvelous creation?’ He appears to suggest that man stands alone in the Universe in this regard. The great scholar George Rawlinson once noted that the thought that he who made the heavens should have such regard for humanity “is well nigh overwhelming.” Thus, rather than suggesting that man is but an insignificant speck in the Universe, this passage reveals that the Lord has bestowed a signal honor upon him who is created in his very image (Gen. 1:26).

Next, God appointed man to have dominion over the creation. Humanity, because of sin, has failed to perfectly achieve that task. Ultimately, however, the epitome of manhood, the Lord Jesus, will demonstrate his supremacy over the entire creation. This appears to be why the writer of Hebrews gives the 8th Psalm a messianic application (cf. Heb. 2:6-8). We do not believe, as some allege, that the author took the original reference out of context and gave it a meaning alien to its intended design. Rather, the Holy Spirit, who inspired both writers, saw a partial application to man, and then an ultimate fulfillment in the Son of man.

CHRISTIAN COURIER

By Faith

In Jesus' Name

1 Tim 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.

John 14:13-14 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it

There is a general principle in Christian prayer that it is usually directed to the Father in the name of Jesus. Jesus himself taught the apostles that after his departure they would ask in his name, and their requests would be granted (John 14:13-14, 15:16, 16:23-24, 26). Jesus himself prayed to the Father and taught the disciples to do so (Matt. 6:9-13), and generally the apostles did so (Eph. 3:14-15 for example).

However, Jesus did speak of the disciples asking him (John 14:13-14) and Paul spoke of giving thanks to Christ (1 Tim. 1:12). We know that Stephen, in his last breath, spoke to the Lord Jesus (Acts 7:59-60) and that John in his excitement for Christ’s return did likewise in a prayerful expression (“come Lord Jesus,” Rev. 22:20). The apostles’ prayer in Acts 1:24-25 seems to have been directed to Jesus, whom they regularly called Lord, and who had the authority to choose an apostle. The apostles’ prayer in Acts 4:24-30 is directed to God, “Sovereign Lord.” So while it is generally appropriate to address prayers to the Father, especially public prayers, not all Christian prayers are so directed. Since Jesus is at the right hand of God (Acts 2:33), and there is no jealousy or competition but only perfect cooperation in the Godhead (John 17:10), there is no reason to doubt that the Lord Jesus and the Father are quite capable of understanding any and all of the requests and prayers of Christians.

The New Testament doesn’t provide scripted prayer examples of what it means to ask “in Jesus’ name.” The prayer in Acts 4:24-30 does mention Jesus’ name in the final recorded phrase, but this is in the context of a request for miracles rather than a formal closing expression for the prayer. The prayer of Paul in Eph. 3:14-21 also mentions the name of Jesus toward the end, in the context of praise, and not seemingly as a formula of closure for the prayer. In fact, if we consider other things that are to be done “in Jesus’ name” it seems clear that the phrase conveys the idea of doing things “by Jesus’ authority” rather than a verbal formula.

Disciples of Jesus were to do mighty deeds in the name of Jesus (Mark 16:17-18, Acts 4:30). We have examples of verbally invoking the name of Jesus to perform miracles (Acts 3:6, 16:18). We also have examples of miracles performed without a word (Acts 5:15-16, 19:11-12) and miracles in which the words spoken did not include the name of Jesus (Acts 14:8-9). Since the mighty deeds were to be done in the name of Jesus, those done silently or without verbal mention of his name must have been “in his name” even though there was no verbal formula. This is because “in his name” is a matter of being “in him,” a matter of having authority from him, rather than the technicality of a verbal formula (see 1 Pet. 4:14-16). It is always appropriate that the name of Jesus be mentioned when acting by his authority, but a Christian can act by his authority without necessarily mentioning his name. On the other hand, one who is not a Christian can mention Jesus’ name and still not be acting “in his name” (Acts 19:13-16, for example).

The New Testament instructs us to do many things in Jesus’ name, including welcoming a child (Matt. 18:5), assembling together (Matt. 18:20, 1 Cor. 5:4), being baptized (Acts 2:38, 10:48), giving thanks (Eph. 5:20), and indeed “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17 NIV) These instructions cannot be about stating a particular formula when doing each of these things, although again it is always good to affirm the name of Jesus, but are about doing things because we ourselves as Christians bear the name of Christ and act in his name.

For the sake of recognition and understanding, it is always appropriate that a public prayer should mention the name of Jesus, invoking his authority for all to hear. Not because God needs to hear it, but because those hearing the prayer may need to hear it. Likewise, it is always appropriate that a public prayer be concluded with an “amen” so that those who hear understand that the prayer is concluded. This is not a rule or law, but an appropriate device for concluding public prayer. Since the Lord “knows those who are his” (2 Tim. 2:19) and we have a living way of access to the throne of God by the blood of Jesus (Heb. 10:19-22) telling God that we come in Jesus’ name is not needed, but sometimes telling men that we have approached God in Jesus’ name is important.

Since the Lord “knows those who are his” and we have one who speaks to the Father in our behalf (1 John 2:1) and the Holy Spirit himself presents needs we can’t even verbalize to the Father (Rom. 8:26), we should, as Hebrews 10:19-22 urges, approach the throne with confidence and full assurance. It is not a verbal formula, but God’s grace in Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit that makes this possible.

Jesus told his disciples that those who do what he commands are his friends (John 15:13-15). We are also called his brothers (Heb. 2:11) and children (Heb. 2:13). Friends, brothers, and children can speak to their friend, brother, or parent in all circumstances, without needing a formula or formality. Conversing with a friend can be very free and move quickly from topic to topic, since friends know one another. Conversations can be interrupted and resumed easily. Surely the Lord is not going to be confused or offended where even a human friend could handle such conversations. When there are guests, additional formality may be called for in a family, and so also with public prayer when others hear, but in personal intimacy direct speech is usually appropriate. This is the sort of approach Stephen made to Christ as he was being stoned, brief and urgent. It is also the sort of prayer Nehemiah raised silently to God when before the king (Neh. 2:4-5). Prayer, as personal conversation with the Father or with Jesus, does not have to be aloud or formal (1 Sam. 1:13, 1 Cor. 14:28). Since this is the case, moments of conversation with God are possible, and really commanded (pray without ceasing, 1 Thess. 5:17; pray in the Spirit on all occasions, Eph. 6:18). The prayer life Paul commanded only makes sense if we can talk to God anytime, anywhere, without formality, and without supposing that an interruption (precluding a closing formality) would invalidate our prayer. A Christian saying “thank you, Lord” or “Lord, save me” will be heard by God. God hears his people when they speak (Mal. 3:16) and knows the very thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb. 4:12-13, Matt. 9:4). Christians can and should speak to God with a thought, when driving down the road or lying down in bed, and our intent should be to do “all things” in the name of Jesus, which calls for a way of life under his authority, and not just a formal phrase imposed upon public prayers.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

A God Fashioned Body

Cumberland Heights church of Christ

Preacher Doug Downs gives us a glimpse into the 1st century church congregations in the book of Acts penned by the disciple, Luke the physician. Some of the points covered are:

• Very first gospel sermon by Apostle Peter after being filled with the Holy Spirit Jesus promised.

• Some of their questions may have been: How are we going to live, how are we going to act, what are we going to talk about, what’s important, how do we deal with moral situations, Whats Gods view on marriage, view on family, view on children? How should we worship, what do we do with our free time, how do I use my money, what about my language, how do I treat other people, what about the Gentiles - What does God expect of us?

• How the very first converts into Christ were just Christians.
• The logistics of baptizing and fellowshiping 3,000 people that first day.
• The purity of the Lords church in the beginning.
• How did these first converts prepare themselves to go back home and face the world?
• How easy it is to become a Christian.
• How the first converts realized salvation is in the Cross and the blood, not by works or church.
• How the Jewish hearers responded to Peters sermon.
• Why did God choose the command to be baptized in the name of Jesus?
• Did Peter preach that making a decision for Jesus in ones heart and mind is Gods way?
• The hearers witnessing of the Holy Spirit and the promise of God to gift Him to those who repented and were baptized into Christ.
• The uncomplicated simplicity and togetherness of the Lords church.
• Is our congregations today as pure and simplistic as the first churches, and should they be?

You Must Be Born Again

Are you rejecting the council of God against yourself? Being born again is a birth that comes only once from God and it is God who gives it. God is the one who grants it, God is the one who permits it, God is the one who authorizes it. He gives us the right to take the action which is the meaning of “Gave right to” (John 1:12).

"Born Again Pt. 3" - "It Is Written" #296-14 from Glendale Church on Vimeo.

Further reading here