Please do not hold fast to cherished lies

Continued from yesterday. 

Death IS a sleep. Death is not a trip to heaven, or a trip to hell.  Read on…

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'Thoughts for the Candid' By Elder J. N. Andrews

Cont…

THOUGHTS ON MATT. 10:28 AND LUKE 12:4

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matt. 10:28.

"And I say unto you My friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear Him, which after He hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear Him." Luke 12:4, 5.

1. These texts are the record, by different writers, of the same language of the Saviour. The first one is often quoted by those who teach the immortality of the soul and its conscious existence in death. In Matthew's version of the Saviour's words, the soul is indeed made very prominent; but in that of Luke, it is not mentioned. Yet the language of the one version is the same substance as that of the other.

2. Thus, while Matthew represents the Saviour as saying, "Fear not them which kill the  body, but are not able to kill the soul," Luke expresses the idea thus: "Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more they can do." And Matthew adds, "Fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Luke gives the same warning, thus: "Fear Him, which after He hath killed hath power to cast into hell."

3. Thus it is seen that our Lord recognizes the fact plainly expressed elsewhere, that there are two deaths. The first death, which is the common lot of mankind, is thus spoken of by Paul: "It is appointed unto men once to die." Heb. 9:27. The second death is the portion only of the wicked. "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." Rev. 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8. The Saviour bids us not  to fear those who can inflict only the first of these

deaths; but He warns us to fear Him who alone is able to kill with the second death.

4. The place in which the terrible punishment here set forth is inflicted, is called hell. This word is found in the English Testament twenty-three times. But in the Greek Testament there are three different words, hades, gehenna and tartarus, signifying different places, all rendered by the one English word, "hell." Thus, hades is used eleven times in the original, and is rendered "hell" ten times and "grave" once. The following are the places of its

occurrence, the italicized word in each case being the translation of hades:

Matt. 11:23. Shalt be brought down to hell.

Matt. 16:18. The gates of hell shall not prevail.

Luke 10:15. Shalt be thrust down to hell.

Luke 16:23. In hell he lift up his eyes.

Acts 2:27. Wilt not leave my soul in hell.

Acts 2:31. His soul was not left in hell.

1 Cor. 15:55. O grave, where is thy victory?

Rev. 1:18. Have the keys of hell and of death.

Rev. 6:8. Was death, and hell followed.

Rev. 20:13. Death and hell delivered up the dead.

Rev. 20:14. Death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.

Gehenna is found in the following places:

Matt. 5:22. Shall be in danger of hell fire.

Matt. 5:29. Whole body should be cast into hell.

Matt. 5:30. Whole body should be cast into hell.

Matt. 10:28. Destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matt. 18:9. Having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

Matt. 23:15. More the child of hell than yourselves.

Matt. 23:33. How can ye escape the damnation of hell

Mark 9:43. Having two hands to go into hell.

Mark 9:45. Having two feet to be cast into hell.

Mark 9:47. Having two eyes to be cast into hell.

Luke 12:5. Hath power to cast into hell;

James 3:6. It is set on fire of hell.

Tartarus is used only in the following text: "God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell." 2 Peter 2:4.

Thus hades is seen to be the place of the dead, whether righteous or wicked; the place into which they are introduced by death, and from which they are delivered by the resurrection. Those who are in hades are said to be dead. Rev. 20:13. Once, in the English Testament, hades is rendered "grave." 1 Cor. 15:55.

Gehenna, on the contrary, is the place where the wicked are to be cast alive with all their members, and to be destroyed soul and body. It is the lake of fire in which the wicked dead are to be punished after their resurrection. Rev. 20:13-15. Tartarus is the place into which the evil angels were cast after their rebellion. These three places, therefore, though rendered by the one English word "hell," are not to be confounded with one another.

5. It is claimed that the Saviour, in giving the warning recorded in Matt. 10:28 and Luke 12:4, 5, taught the continued existence of the soul in death. But it is worthy of notice that in each of these texts He utters no warning concerning the punishment of the soul in hades, the place or state of the dead. His warning relates to that which shall be inflicted upon "soul and body" together in gehenna.

6. That He should speak nothing of the punishment of the soul in its disembodied state in hades, if such punishment really takes place, is very remarkable; for here, more than

anywhere else in the Bible, is there evidence of the continued existence of the soul while the body is under the power of death. Yet while expressly stating the terrible fate of the lost, and that, too, in such connection as would especially call out the fact, if it were a fact, that the souls of the wicked exist in a place of dreadful suffering, between death and the resurrection, the Saviour says not one word concerning the sufferings of the soul in its disembodied state, but confines His warning to that which shall be inflicted upon "both soul and body in hell," that is, in gehenna, thus showing that the retribution against which He warns us comes AFTER the resurrection, and not before.

7. Our Lord means to point out precisely the danger to which the ungodly are exposed. When, therefore, He says "Fear Him, which after He hath killed hath power to cast into gehenna," He means to teach that God will cast the wicked into gehenna. And when Matthew, expressing the same warning in different words, makes the Saviour say, "Fear

Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in gehenna," the fact set forth is that such will be the fate of the lost.

8. "Fear Him, which after He hath killed hath power to cast into gehenna." As the wicked are to be cast into gehenna alive, and in possession of all their bodily members (see the list of passages in this tract where gehenna is used), it follows that He who can thus cast them

there, after they have once been killed, is God alone; for to do this, He must raise them from the dead. The resurrection to damnation must precede the damnation of gehenna. Compare John 5:28, 29 with Matt. 23:33.

Joh 5:28  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

Joh 5:29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Mat 23:33  Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

A REMARKABLE CORNER-STONE.

The doctrine of the immortality of the soul is something indispensable to almost every prominent erroneous religious system. It is the corner-stone of heathenism. All or nearly

all the gods of heathenism are believed to be dead men who were turned into gods by dying.

Catholicism is indebted to this doctrine for all its saints who are believed to be mediators with God. It is a fundamental idea in the system of purgatory. In fact, Romanism is as much dependent on this doctrine as is heathenism. Spiritualism is simply the embodiment of this doctrine of natural immortality. It is incapable of existing without it.

Is it not strange that this corner-stone of heathenism, Roman Catholicism, and Spiritualism, should be also the corner-stone of modern orthodoxy? Yet such is the case. It is in these days esteemed the marrow and fatness of Christianity. And so prevalent is the doctrine, that the advent of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the Judgment are rendered almost obsolete by it. How much better is life only in Jesus our Lord!'

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TRUTH! Nothing but the truth! Yet we insist on keeping the lie nurtured in our hearts that our loved ones are living pain free- released from all the pains of life here on earth. A lie, an illusion, a pretend comfort. We are selfish in our belief, not ever wanting to imagine that our loved ones are in a place of torment. But in all honesty if you absolutely believe, refusing to belief otherwise, that your dead loved ones are alive in spirit form in heaven you HAVE to believe they could be alive in hell, that possibility exists and YOU do not decide, only God. If you don't even want to entertain that possibility then your whole premise of believing in a direct ascent to heaven upon death is built on a lie. The TRUTH is much easier to believe. 

DEATH IS A SLEEP.

The death we experience right now- the death our loved ones endure is the entrance into the long sleep, NOT a new awakening into some other realm. It is a TRUE rest, a TRUE ceasing of all pain and heartache and the welcomed peace of a deep, deep sleep. Only God is able to raise us from this sleep and He will do that just as the Bible tells us.

Joh 5:28  Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,

Joh 5:29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

ALL that are in the graves.

Where are they? IN THE GRAVE. And what will they do? They shall HEAR HIS VOICE.  And then what?  THEY SHALL COME FORTH!  

How would they ever come forth if they weren't there? Are you DOUBTING GOD'S WORD? Are you DOUBTING JESUS' WORD? Jesus said these words! 

When Jesus returns that is when the DEAD in HIM will rise to meet Him in the air, they ARE NOT WITH HIM NOW! 

Why is it so important we realize this now? Because if we don't we are being DECEIVED and none of Satan's deceptions are harmless, not a single one.

Please, Father in heave, please BLESS us with Your truth! Help us, Lord, help us to only believe YOUR TRUTH no matter how hard it is for us to give up our cherished lies.

All in YOUR GRACE, YOUR LOVE! BY YOUR MERCY!

Death Is A Sleep

By the grace of God we are going to once more study the state of the dead. By that I mean, what are the dead doing? What happens when you die? Some would say that it's easy, they know what happens. Then they proceed to explain that when you die you go to God, you transform somehow and you live with God free from all pain and heartache. And, these same people will turn around and say things about their dead loved one, such as- 'They are still with me, they know I love them, they are watching over me.' And these people treat their dead ones as if that were true by talking about them to others as if it were. They wish them greetings on holidays and such. They let everyone know that their love for that person was deep and real and they tell that dead loved one over and over of that love.

Do I sound awful? Yes. Especially to those who believe all that I just said above. I sound totally awfully, uncaring, callous, heartless, evil, and I could go on. I know how I sound and I don't care how people perceive me, I only care about the TRUTH, not my truth, but God's truth.

I only want people to know the truth so they aren't duped by a lie that Satan has perpetuated sin the first lie to Eve, that she wouldn't die.

This time I'm going to start this study from another source… For now, please just read… 

'Thoughts for the Candid

By Elder J. N. Andrews

Table of Contents

Which of the Two is the Gloomy Doctrine?  2………...

An Examination of Certain Scriptures 3………...

Thoughts on Matt. 10:28 and Luke 12:4,5 5 ..............

A Remarkable Corner-Stone 8 .............

WHICH OF THE TWO IS THE GLOOMY DOCTRINE?

The sleep of the dead is often designated a gloomy doctrine. To many it is chilling, repulsive, forbidding. But the immortality of the soul, and the reward of the saints at death, -- this is declared to be a great joy, the fruition of the "blessed hope."

But stop, friends, a few moments. Be not too hasty. Wait long enough to try the justice of this objection in the balances of reason.

You say that the doctrine is full of gloom, and that the departed saints would experience a bitter disappointment in being consigned to the grave for long ages, instead of being received into glory at death. You think the idea full of gloom to the living, and dreadful to the dead. But you forget that, if the doctrine be true, there is no chill, no gloom, no darkness, no disappointment, no lapse of time, no waiting through long ages, to the dead. The interval between their decease and their resurrection will be to them no time at all. The twinkling of an eye, in which the righteous will be changed to immortality, will be as long

to them as the whole period during which righteous Abel has slept in death will be to him. And to him, so far as his own knowledge of the case is concerned, it will be precisely as if he entered heaven at the very moment he was slain.

You say that this helps the matter a little; but that, for all this, the sleep of the dead will no more compare in consolation with the soul's immortality and the reward at death than the desert of Sahara will compare in beauty with the garden of Eden. But study a little further, friends. You may discover facts that will change this opinion. You find great consolation in the thought that the soul is immortal, and that men are rewarded as soon as they die.

Answer me a few questions. How large a part of mankind lead lives of holiness, and die with good evidence of their acceptance with God?

Truth compels you to answer that a minority are all that can be said to do this. What becomes, then, of the great majority of men, who have died out of Christ, and entered

their reward? O, it is taught that they have gone into the furnace of fire, where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth! What is the condition, then, at this very moment, of the greater part of the dead, according to this cheering doctrine? You have to answer, They are in unspeakable torment. You admit that this dreadful fact somewhat abates the consolation you have hitherto found in this doctrine.

But I want you to answer one question more. If the soul is immortal, as you affirm, how long are these impenitent men thus to suffer? You answer again, and this time surely with a shudder, THEY MUST SUFFER TO ALL ETERNITY. Before we part, will you not own that yours is a gloomy doctrine? Is it not a relief to your mind to think that men are to be judged BEFORE they are rewarded or punished, and that till the day of Judgment men wait for their reward? And is not that doctrine best which teaches that immortality is the gift of God, and that it is given only to the righteous?

AN EXAMINATION OF CERTAIN SCRIPTURES.

The Prayer of the Souls Under the Altar.

"How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" Rev. 6:10.

The advocates of the kindred popular doctrines of the immortality of the soul, and that the souls of the righteous go to heaven at death, believe and teach that the souls of martyrs are alive under an altar in heaven, and that they literally pray in the above words for vengeance

on their persecutors. They do not seem to see that there is anything inconsistent in the idea that the souls of the martyrs in the presence of God, where there is fullness of joy, should be able to think only of their past tortures, and be entirely given up to anxiety for vengeance on their persecutors, who had hastened their arrival to their state of blessedness.

Nor do they seem to realize that such prayers are not only unlike the spirit of Christ, who prayed in an hour of extreme anguish, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do;" but that they are unlike the spirit of the noble martyr Stephen, who cried with his dying breath, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60. Nor do they explain how such a prayer can be offered literally while the Saviour stands before the ark of God's

law as a great sacrifice, and the Spirit of God strives with sinful men to lead them to repentance. But let this case stand while we look at another.

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus teaches, to the same class of people, that the righteous at death go to heaven, and the wicked at death go into the flames of hell. See Luke 16:19-31. It also shows them that the wicked in their torment are not only in plain sight of the righteous in their blessedness, but that the two places are within speaking distance of each other, and that the two parties converse together. Now let us put these two cases together.

The souls under the altar had only to look from their state of blessedness to see their persecutors in the flames of hell, or dropping, one by one, into this fiery gulf. Could the martyrs, with this terrible sight before them, pray, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost Thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?" Would they have been bidden to wait yet a little season? Would they not rather have been directed to look across the great gulf, and see many of their persecutors already in torment, and others every moment arriving? Who does not see that these two cases, when taken together, completely refute the doctrine so often drawn from each taken alone!'

To be continued…

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Truly the Lord reveals His truth to us! He speaks in parables so often, and He speaks in parables because of this--

Mat_13:13  Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Those who want the truth more than cherished fables will find it through the Lord, through the Holy Spirit.

May we find only the truth as we continue this study.
 

Please LORD bless us with only YOUR truth! In Your love!

Praying Always- Jesus Prayed Always

'Our Lord was a man of prayer, and He magnified the Word of God, quoting often from the Scriptures. Right through His earthly life Jesus observed Sabbath-keeping, churchgoing and the reading of the Word of God, and had prayer intermingled with them all:

"And He came to Nazareth where He had been brought up, and as His custom as, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath Day, and stood up to read."

Here, let it be said, that no two things are more essential to a spirit-filled life than Biblereading and secret prayer; no two things more helpful to growth in grace; to getting the largest joy out of a Christian life; toward establishing one in the ways of eternal peace.

The neglect of these all-important duties, presages leanness of soul, loss of joy, absence of peace, dryness of spirit, decay in all that pertains to spiritual life. Neglecting these things paves the way for apostasy, and gives the Evil One an advantage such as he is not likely to ignore. Reading God's Word regularly, and praying habitually in the secret place of the Most High puts one where he is absolutely safe from the attacks of the enemy of souls, and guarantees him salvation and final victory, through the overcoming power of the Lamb.'

Quoted from- 'THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER  By E.M. BOUNDS' (Excerpt 71)

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We surely do ONLY overcome through the power of the LAMB.

Any reading of God's word is the reading of the Lamb, the Love of the Lamb. We read because HE has given us what we should read. We understand because He gives us understanding. We pray because He gives us the spiritual breath we need to pray. The power all of it is His, none of it is ours. We make the choice to believe. We choose to believe, this is our part.

Ecc_12:13  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

And to Fear God…. we must believe that He is!

Heb_11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

We must believe- this is our part, this is our duty!

And when we believe, truly believe we have to keep his commandments because His commandments are LOVE. We realize that those commandments that some would have us believe are too hard, too demanding, too stifling to truly keep are commandment of LOVE, each one pointing to LOVE, pointing to GOD.

May God bless us as we seek to do our duty to God, believing that HE is, fearing Him, keeping His commandments, loving Him!

Being able to pray is a blessing.  Praying to our Father in Heaven, praying by the mercy of our Savior Jesus Christ, this is everything! He is LIFE, He is LOVE.  Please LORD help us to forever choose YOU. You are everything!

Love hidden in our hearts

"Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee." Psa 119:11

'Here the Psalmist found his protection against sinning. By having God's Word hidden in his heart; in having his whole being thoroughly impregnated with that Word; in being brought completely under its benign and gracious influence, he was enabled to walk to and fro in the earth, safe from the attack of the Evil One, and fortified against a proneness to wander out of the way.'

Quoted from- 'THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER  By E.M. BOUNDS' (Excerpt 70)

Psa 37:31  The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

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I have read several commentaries on Psalm 119:11, several good commentaries. The truth is right there in the words of David, the words of God given to David to speak, to record for us here and now, and for everyone throughout the time they'd been written.  If we put God's word, God's laws into our hearts truly put it in our hearts keeping it there then God's word is EVERYTHING to us. The things we keep in our hearts are everything to us. The people we place there, the things we put there are very, very special to us. You don't hold anything in your heart that isn't important to you.

Putting God's word in our hearts is MAKING it the most important thing in our life. Truly the most important thing.  Because when  God's word is the most important thing to us- it's the MESSAGE of that word, not the physical word itself, but it's TRUTH.  It is MOST important to us to LOVE God and LOVE others- this is GOD'S word which we are hiding in our hearts.

You can know all the scripture possible, you can quote the Bible backwards and forwards, and it will ALL mean nothing if you don't have LOVE.

Truly the word tells us this!

1Co 13:1  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
1Co 13:2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
1Co 13:3  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
1Co 13:4  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
1Co 13:5  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
1Co 13:6  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1Co 13:7  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
1Co 13:8  Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
1Co 13:9  For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
1Co 13:10  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
1Co 13:11  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
1Co 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1Co 13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

THIS is truth!

Unless this is our LIFE, unless we are actively suffering long, actively being kind, actively not envying, actively not vaunting ourselves, actively not filled with pride, actively not rejoicing in sin, actively rejoicing in truth, actively bearing all things, actively believing all things, actively hoping all thing, actively enduring all things then we are living a LIE. We are filling our hearts with deception, not truth when we quote scripture and then live contrary to God's instructions, God's truth then we are not loving and we are most definitely NOT hiding God's word in our heart!

LOVE is God's word! LOVE is what is supposed to be in our HEARTS and this is TRUTH.

Please, Father, Please let Your LOVE reign in our hearts, hidden there, forever hidden there so we might NOT sin against YOU! You who are LOVE!

All by YOUR GRACE!

David Prayed- and God's Word Was Hid In His Heart

'Prayer draws its very life from the Bible, and has no standing ground outside of the warrant of the Scriptures. Its very existence and character is dependent on revelation made by God to man in His holy Word. Prayer, in turn, exalts this same revelation, and turns men toward that Word. The nature, necessity and all-comprehending character of prayer, is based on the Word of God.

Psalm 119 is a directory of God's Word. With three or four exceptions, each verse contains a word which identifies, or locates, the Word of God. Quite often, the writer breaks out into supplication, several times praying, "Teach me Thy statutes." So deeply impressed is he with the wonders of God's Word, and of the need for Divine illumination wherewith to see and understand the wonderful things recorded therein, that he fervently prays:

"Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law."

From the opening of this wonderful Psalm to its close, prayer and God's Word are  intertwined. Almost every phase of God's Word is touched upon by this inspired writer. So thoroughly convinced was the Psalmist of the deep spiritual power of the Word of God that he makes this declaration:

"Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against Thee."

Here the Psalmist found his protection against sinning. By having God's Word hidden in his heart; in having his whole being thoroughly impregnated with that Word; in being brought completely under its benign and gracious influence, he was enabled to walk to and fro in the earth, safe from the attack of the Evil One, and fortified against a proneness to wander out of the way.'

Quoted from- 'THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER  By E.M. BOUNDS' (Excerpt 69)

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Speaking to God- this is PRAYER-

Psa 119:4  Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

Psa 119:5  O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

Psa 119:6  Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

Psa 119:7  I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

Psa 119:8  I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

Psa 119:9  BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

Psa 119:10  With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

Psa 119:11  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Psa 119:12  Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

Psa 119:13  With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

Psa 119:14  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

Psa 119:15  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

Psa 119:16  I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Psa 119:17  GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

Psa 119:18  Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Psa 119:19  I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

Psa 119:20  My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

Psa 119:21  Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.

Psa 119:22  Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.

Psa 119:23  Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

Psa 119:24  Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

Psa 119:25  DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

Psa 119:26  I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.

Psa 119:27  Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

Psa 119:28  My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

Psa 119:29  Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.

Psa 119:30  I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

Psa 119:31  I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.

Psa 119:32  I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

Psa 119:33  HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

Psa 119:34  Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

Psa 119:35  Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

Psa 119:36  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

Psa 119:37  Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

Psa 119:38  Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.

Psa 119:39  Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.

Psa 119:40  Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

Psa 119:41  VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

Psa 119:42  So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

Psa 119:43  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

Psa 119:44  So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

Psa 119:45  And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

Psa 119:46  I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

Psa 119:47  And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.

Psa 119:48  My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

Psa 119:49  ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

Psa 119:50  This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

Psa 119:51  The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

Psa 119:52  I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.

Psa 119:53  Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

Psa 119:54  Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

Psa 119:55  I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.

Psa 119:56  This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

Psa 119:57  CHETH. Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.

Psa 119:58  I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

Psa 119:59  I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

Psa 119:60  I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

Psa 119:61  The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.

Psa 119:62  At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

Psa 119:63  I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

Psa 119:64  The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

Psa 119:65  TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.

Psa 119:66  Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

Psa 119:67  Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

Psa 119:68  Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.

Psa 119:69  The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

Psa 119:70  Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.

Psa 119:71  It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

Psa 119:72  The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

Psa 119:73  JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

Psa 119:74  They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.

Psa 119:75  I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

Psa 119:76  Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

Psa 119:77  Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

Psa 119:78  Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.

Psa 119:79  Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.

Psa 119:80  Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

Psa 119:81  CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

Psa 119:82  Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?

Psa 119:83  For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.

Psa 119:84  How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

Psa 119:85  The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.

Psa 119:86  All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.

Psa 119:87  They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.

Psa 119:88  Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

Psa 119:89  LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Psa 119:90  Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

Psa 119:91  They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.

Psa 119:92  Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.

Psa 119:93  I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.

Psa 119:94  I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.

Psa 119:95  The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.

Psa 119:96  I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

Psa 119:97  MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

Psa 119:98  Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

Psa 119:99  I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

Psa 119:100  I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

Psa 119:101  I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

Psa 119:102  I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

Psa 119:103  How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Psa 119:104  Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

Psa 119:105  NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psa 119:106  I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

Psa 119:107  I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.

Psa 119:108  Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.

Psa 119:109  My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.

Psa 119:110  The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

Psa 119:111  Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

Psa 119:112  I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

Psa 119:113  SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

Psa 119:114  Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

Psa 119:115  Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

Psa 119:116  Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

Psa 119:117  Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

Psa 119:118  Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

Psa 119:119  Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

Psa 119:120  My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

Psa 119:121  AIN. I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

Psa 119:122  Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

Psa 119:123  Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

Psa 119:124  Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.

Psa 119:125  I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

Psa 119:126  It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.

Psa 119:127  Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

Psa 119:128  Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

Psa 119:129  PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

Psa 119:130  The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Psa 119:131  I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

Psa 119:132  Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

Psa 119:133  Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Psa 119:134  Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.

Psa 119:135  Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

Psa 119:136  Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

Psa 119:137  TZADDI. Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.

Psa 119:138  Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

Psa 119:139  My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

Psa 119:140  Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

Psa 119:141  I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.

Psa 119:142  Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

Psa 119:143  Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.

Psa 119:144  The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

Psa 119:145  KOPH. I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.

Psa 119:146  I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

Psa 119:147  I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.

Psa 119:148  Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

Psa 119:149  Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.

Psa 119:150  They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.

Psa 119:151  Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

Psa 119:152  Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

Psa 119:153  RESH. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

Psa 119:154  Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

Psa 119:155  Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.

Psa 119:156  Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.

Psa 119:157  Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.

Psa 119:158  I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

Psa 119:159  Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.

Psa 119:160  Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

Psa 119:161  SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

Psa 119:162  I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

Psa 119:163  I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

Psa 119:164  Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

Psa 119:165  Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Psa 119:166  LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.

Psa 119:167  My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.

Psa 119:168  I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

Psa 119:169  TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.

Psa 119:170  Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.

Psa 119:171  My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

Psa 119:172  My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

Psa 119:173  Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

Psa 119:174  I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.

Psa 119:175  Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.

Psa 119:176  I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

AMEN.

Pray, Read the Word, Pray- All By the Grace of God

'In Psalm 19, David magnifies the Word of God in six statements concerning it. It converts the soul, makes wise the simple, rejoices the heart, enlightens the eyes, endures eternally, and is true and righteous altogether. The Word of God is perfect, sure, right, pure. It is heart-searching, and at the same time purifying, in its effect. It is no surprise therefore that after considering the deep spirituality of the Word of God, its power to search the inner nature of man, and its deep purity, the Psalmist should close his dissertation with this passage:

"Who can understand his errors?" And then praying after this fashion: "Cleanse Thou me from secret faults. Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer."

James recognizes the deep spirituality of the Word, and its inherent saving power, in the following exhortation:

"Wherefore, lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls." Jas_1:21

And Peter talks along the same line, when describing the saving power of the Word of

God:

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever." 1Pe_1:23 

Not only does Peter speak of being born again, by the incorruptible Word of God, but he informs us that to grow in grace we must be like new-born babes, desiring or feeding upon the "sincere milk of the Word." 1Pe_2:2 

That is not to say, however, that the mere form of words as they occur in the Bible have in them any saving efficacy. But the Word of God, be it remembered, is impregnated with the Holy Spirit. And just as there is a Divine element in the words of Scripture, so also is the same Divine element to be found in all true preaching of the Word, which is able to save and convert the soul.

Prayer invariably begets a love for the Word of God, and sets people to the reading of it. Prayer leads people to obey the Word of God, and puts into the heart which obeys a joy unspeakable. Praying people and Bible-reading people are the same sort of folk. The

God of the Bible and the God of prayer are one. God speaks to man in the Bible; man speaks to God in prayer. One reads the Bible to discover God's will; he prays in order that he may receive power to do that will. Bible-reading and praying are the distinguishing traits of those who strive to know and please God.'

Quoted from- 'THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER  By E.M. BOUNDS' (Excerpt 68)

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Why did Jesus pray?

This is why…

Luk_10:22  All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

Joh_1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Joh_1:18  No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

Joh_3:35  The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

Joh_4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Joh_5:19  Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.

Joh_5:20  For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

Joh_5:21  For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.

Joh_5:22  For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:

Joh_5:23  That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

Joh_5:26  For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

Joh_5:30  I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Joh_5:36  But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

Joh_5:37  And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

Joh_6:27  Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Joh_6:37  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Joh_6:39  And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

Joh_6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Joh_6:45  It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Joh_6:46  Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.

Joh_6:57  As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

Joh_8:16  And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

Joh_8:18  I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.

Joh_8:29  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

Joh_10:15  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Joh_10:36  Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

Joh_10:38  But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Joh_12:49  For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

Joh_12:50  And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

Joh_13:1  Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

Joh_13:3  Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;

Joh_14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Joh_14:8  Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.

Joh_14:9  Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?

Joh_14:10  Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

Joh_14:11  Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

Joh_14:13  And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Joh_14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Joh_14:24  He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

Joh_14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Joh_14:28  Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

Joh_14:31  But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

Joh_15:9  As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

Joh_15:16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Joh_15:26  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me

Joh_16:3  And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

Joh_16:15  All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Joh_16:16  A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.

Joh_16:17  Then said some of his disciples among themselves, What is this that he saith unto us, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me: and, Because I go to the Father?

Joh_16:23  And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

Joh_16:25  These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.

Joh_16:26  At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you:

Joh_16:27  For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.

Joh_16:28  I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.

Joh_16:32  Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me

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Why did Jesus pray?

He prayed because He loved the FATHER.

Jesus said…

Mat 6:5  And when thou prayest,

thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Mat 6:6  But thou, when thou prayest,

enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door,

pray to thy Father which is in secret;

and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Mat 6:7  But when ye pray,

use not vain repetitions,

 as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Mat 6:8  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Mat 6:9  After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Mat 6:10  Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Mat 6:11  Give us this day our daily bread.

Mat 6:12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Mat 6:13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

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Jesus prayed.

Jesus taught us the manner in which we too should pray WITH Him. He said OUR Father.

Truly when we are praying for our 'daily bread' we are praying for the bread of life- our sustenance physically AND spiritually! Jesus said this…

Joh_6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

We need to PRAY for our DAILY BREAD.  And truly to comprehend the WORD of God we need to pray for understanding.

We need to ASK.

Jesus said this more than once-  'ye shall ask the Father in my name', and asking is PRAYER!

Father in heaven, we ask in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord, that we might be YOURS, please make this possible. Let the Holy Spirit fill us and keep us in YOU always! Please!

Thank you!

All glory, honor, and praise unto You Lord!

Amen.

Spiritual Breath- Prayer

'Prayer opens the way for the Word of God to run without let or hindrance, and creates the atmosphere which is favourable to the word accomplishing its purpose. Prayer puts wheels under God's Word, and gives wings to the angel of the Lord "having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."

Prayer greatly helps the Word of the Lord.

The Parable of the Sower is a notable study of preaching, showing its differing effects and describing the diversity of hearers. The wayside hearers are legion. The soil lies all unprepared either by previous thought or prayer; as a consequence, the devil easily takes away the seed (which is the Word of God) and dissipating all good impressions, renders the work of the sower futile. No one for a moment believes, that so much of present-day sowing would go fruitless if only the hearers would prepare the ground of their hearts beforehand by prayer and meditation.

Similarly with the stony-ground hearers, and the thorny-ground hearers. Although the word lodges in their hearts and begins to sprout, yet all is lost, chiefly because there is no prayer or watchfulness or cultivation following. The good-ground hearers are profited by the sowing, simply because their minds have been prepared for the reception of the seed, and that, after hearing, they have cultivated the seed sown in their hearts, by the exercise of prayer. All this gives peculiar emphasis to the conclusion of this striking parable: "Take heed, therefore, how ye hear." And in order that we may take heed how we hear, it is needful to give ourselves continually to prayer. We have got to believe that underlying God's Word is prayer, and upon prayer, its final success will depend. In the Book of Isaiah we read:

"So shall My word be that goeth out of My mouth; it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."'

Quoted from- 'THE NECESSITY OF PRAYER  By E.M. BOUNDS' (Excerpt 68)

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Luk 8:5  A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
Luk 8:6  And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
Luk 8:7  And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
Luk 8:8  And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Luk 8:9  And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?
Luk 8:10  And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.
Luk 8:11  Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
Luk 8:12  Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
Luk 8:13  They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
Luk 8:14  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Luk 8:15  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Luk 8:16  No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
Luk 8:17  For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
Luk 8:18  Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

Prayer-

When do we become soldiers of the Lord? At what point in our Christian life? Are we trained first and then we get armor, or are we given our armor right away?  We have to ask ourselves this...at what point do we face the enemy? If we are to comprehend the parable above it would appear that we are in danger right from the get go. The moment the Word of Life is presented to us, in that very moment the enemy is present waiting to tear it away from us. Satan is at work immediately. And if he is at work immediately we have to be readied immediately or risk being ripped away from our Savior.

We've already talked about putting on the whole armor of God and truly we must! And as soon as the armor is on we are to PRAY ALWAYS WITH ALL PRAYER! So it is NOT strange to comprehend that prayer is so incredibly important as we seek to bring any word of the Lord to anyone.  Prayer protects, prayer prepares, prayer is a necessary to us as our breathing. Prayer is our spiritual breath. Do we want a spiritual life in Christ, then we need spiritual breath. We need to pray, to breath our words to our Heavenly Father.

More tomorrow on all of this, by the grace of our LORD! All in HIS amazing love!!!!