'The office of prayer is to change the character and conduct of men, and in countless instances, has been wrought by prayer. At this point, prayer, by its credentials, has proved its divinity. And just as it is the office of prayer to effect this, so it is the prime work of the Church to take hold of evil men and make them good. Its mission is to change human nature, to change character, influence behaviour, to revolutionize
conduct. The Church is presumed to be righteous, and should be engaged in turning men to righteousness. The Church is God's manufactory on earth, and its primary duty is to create and foster righteousness of character. This is its very first business. Primarily, its work is not to acquire members, nor amass numbers, nor aim at money getting, nor engage in deeds of charity and works of mercy, but to produce righteousness of character, and purity of the outward life.'
Quoted from- 'THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER By E.M. BOUNDS' (Excerpt 42)
*******
First I have to note that the CHURCH is simply those who are GOD'S- those who 'KEEP the commandments of God and the FAITH of Jesus.' The church is NOT any of today's organizations, it can't be. So when E.M. Bounds speaks of 'the church' above to me he is speaking of those who are truly God's, not any one denomination.
*******
Prayer is used to change us. We are changed from SINNERS into SAINTS by the POWER of PRAYER. The power is JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD and SAVIOR. We pray and ASK for forgiveness. I know I keep on saying this over and over but it's so paramount that we truly recognize that it is through prayer we live- that is HOW important prayer is!
Be instant in prayer.
Pray always.
These aren't idle suggestions, these are truths we must recognize!
'Primarily, its work is not to acquire members, nor amass numbers, nor aim at money getting, nor engage in deeds of charity and works of mercy, but to produce righteousness of character, and purity of the outward life' -- This is truth isn't it? Jesus wasn't interested in gaining numbers. There were 5000 people who followed him and who left him the next day because He spoke hard truths. Jesus wasn't interested in money at all, except for the means of survival but the riches He spoke of were heavenly treasures. Jesus wanted the sinners to go and sin no more. Jesus wanted to find no guile in people. Jesus truly did want the righteousness of character in people, His righteousness in them, His purity. Time and again Jesus talked about the people who were not His.
This Bible tells us this…
1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Read all of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7 and you'll see what I mean. Jesus talks at great length about our conduct so why shouldn't we believe we need to listen to Him?
Why do we say things like our works (our actions) don't matter, it's the love we have. Our conduct and therefore our actions do matter.
Please, Father in Heaven, please help us to be those You would have us be. Help us to be YOURS, for You are righteous, any righteousness we have is through YOU. Please Father, we need You desperately. Guide us to YOU in all things. We live in the world, but we can't be OF the world. Our treasures must be in HEAVEN. We must long for Our Savior's return, for with His return we are taken to be with Him in heaven!
Please, Lord, please. Your will. All by Your love, Your mercy, Your grace. All in You!
conduct. The Church is presumed to be righteous, and should be engaged in turning men to righteousness. The Church is God's manufactory on earth, and its primary duty is to create and foster righteousness of character. This is its very first business. Primarily, its work is not to acquire members, nor amass numbers, nor aim at money getting, nor engage in deeds of charity and works of mercy, but to produce righteousness of character, and purity of the outward life.'
Quoted from- 'THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER By E.M. BOUNDS' (Excerpt 42)
*******
First I have to note that the CHURCH is simply those who are GOD'S- those who 'KEEP the commandments of God and the FAITH of Jesus.' The church is NOT any of today's organizations, it can't be. So when E.M. Bounds speaks of 'the church' above to me he is speaking of those who are truly God's, not any one denomination.
*******
Prayer is used to change us. We are changed from SINNERS into SAINTS by the POWER of PRAYER. The power is JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD and SAVIOR. We pray and ASK for forgiveness. I know I keep on saying this over and over but it's so paramount that we truly recognize that it is through prayer we live- that is HOW important prayer is!
Be instant in prayer.
Pray always.
These aren't idle suggestions, these are truths we must recognize!
'Primarily, its work is not to acquire members, nor amass numbers, nor aim at money getting, nor engage in deeds of charity and works of mercy, but to produce righteousness of character, and purity of the outward life' -- This is truth isn't it? Jesus wasn't interested in gaining numbers. There were 5000 people who followed him and who left him the next day because He spoke hard truths. Jesus wasn't interested in money at all, except for the means of survival but the riches He spoke of were heavenly treasures. Jesus wanted the sinners to go and sin no more. Jesus wanted to find no guile in people. Jesus truly did want the righteousness of character in people, His righteousness in them, His purity. Time and again Jesus talked about the people who were not His.
This Bible tells us this…
1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Read all of Matthew chapters 5, 6, and 7 and you'll see what I mean. Jesus talks at great length about our conduct so why shouldn't we believe we need to listen to Him?
Why do we say things like our works (our actions) don't matter, it's the love we have. Our conduct and therefore our actions do matter.
Please, Father in Heaven, please help us to be those You would have us be. Help us to be YOURS, for You are righteous, any righteousness we have is through YOU. Please Father, we need You desperately. Guide us to YOU in all things. We live in the world, but we can't be OF the world. Our treasures must be in HEAVEN. We must long for Our Savior's return, for with His return we are taken to be with Him in heaven!
Please, Lord, please. Your will. All by Your love, Your mercy, Your grace. All in You!
No comments:
Post a Comment