The Prayer Project - No. 19

“This is what the Lord says - the Lord who made the earth, who formed and established it, whose name us the Lord: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’”- Jeremiah 33:2-3 ^NIV

            Jeremiah was a prophet whom God spoke thru in Old Testament times. Being a prophet allows verse 3 to make sense. The Lord will use Jeremiah to speak to the people great and unknowable things that they do not know. In other words, Jeremiah will prophesy over Israel and reveal future events, typically as a warning for them to stop acting in a certain way turn back to God.

            In Jeremiah 32:27, the Lord spoke thru the prophet these words: “I am the Lord, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?” ^[NLT] This verse alone is revealing in that God says He is Lord over ALL the peoples of the world, not just the Israelites. Perhaps a foreshadowing of the Gentiles being grafted into God’s family found in Romans 11:17. * 

            God, speaking thru Jeremiah, is once again establishing His preeminence over all creation. Surely the One who created every living thing, in addition to the firmament on which we stand, can do anything He feels necessary to validate His promises and care for His children. Knowing the future can be a blessing or a curse, depending on which side of the ledger you happen to be on. 

            In the case of Jeremiah 33, God is predicting the restoration of Jerusalem, on the heels of Chapter 32, where He predicts the destruction of the same. Knowing the children of Israel hold a special place in God’s heart, we can always count on the fact that His unconditional love will take Israel back after they have failed to follow His lead. Restoration always seems to follow destruction. The destruction is the consequence garnered from their disobedience; restoration is what grows out of their repentance. 

            While it is true that we can ask anything in Jesus name, that is the time we need to humble ourselves, set aside our own will, lose our worrisome attitude, and become determined once again to obey the Lord. That is exactly what Israel had to do for themselves to complete the spiritual restoration in their collective hearts. The physical restoration of Jerusalem itself shall come in conjunction with their own personal restoration. 

            Our next post will conclude our extensive Prayer Project. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

* “But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree.” ^[NLT]

The Prayer Project – No. 18

“…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”- 2 Chronicles 7:14

            If there were ever a verse of scripture that was tailor-made for the United States, it’s this one. It is a promise that no matter how evil things become in our country, we have an option that can heal our land. Things are super evil at this time in America. It’s as if the Holy Spirit had left. Unbridled sin is rampant everywhere you look. From gender-bending to child porn to mass shootings, multitudes of our country’s inhabitants are heading to hell at warp speed. But there is hope … until the final trump has sounded there is hope.  

                  If we look at the verse closely, we see that this option God has presented to us is no small order. Humbling yourself before God can be a tremendous challenge for many folks. It goes against the grain for a lot of us. The world pushes a different agenda then the Lord. The enemy wants to enslave you with lies and deception that look like precious jewels. God, however, seeks to make you the best version of yourself, but you must participate in this transformation. As the verse declares, you must seek the face of God and pray. You must also make a 180, meaning you must turn and go in the opposite direction from your current position and continue in that direction that God has predetermined for you.

                  God will hear the cries of those who have humbled themselves and sought his face.  Justice is coming for the evil doers of this world, but the Lord offers grace and mercy. What a gift he has provided for us. Eternal life with him. What could this world possibly offer that could compare with that?  Do you know someone who is lost? Are you lost yourself? Heed the voice of the Lord and submit to a love that is precious, without conditions placed upon it and is never-ending.  If you are already saved, pray for those who are lost. Make it a matter of daily prayer that the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of the unsaved. It’s our duty and responsibility as ambassadors of Christ to do so. Until next time, walk with the king and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

The Prayer Project - No. 17

“For there [is only] one God, and [only] one Mediator* between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus…”- 1 Timothy 2:5 ^{Amplified Bible}

                  While some seem to think there are many ways to God, keeping them from making a concise decision regarding a singular way, there is only ONE God and ONE who reconciles God with his creation. Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High God, is the only way to heaven. It is thru his unselfish act of allowing himself to be beaten bloody and nailed to a wooden cross that we are reconciled. What does this have to do with prayer? Who do we pray to? Only to Jesus. We have a direct line of communication to the Father thru the Son. This was proven by the veil between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place in the Temple being torn down the middle from the TOP TO THE BOTTOM. ** ^{[Matthew 27:51]} This was symbolic, meaning all now had access to God and the mediator between God and man was the lamb who was slain for the sins of the world. 

            It is THAT mediator to whom we pray. We need not pray to anyone else, because it is only Jesus who now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding for the saints. ^{[Romans 8:34 NIV]} Consider if Christ was a bridge. There is a chasm that needs to be crossed. You speculate as to how many ways there might be to cross the chasm, but in reality, only one is necessary. The chasm is sin, and the bridge is Jesus Christ. He alone can bridge the gap caused by our sin. For he is the only one who willingly came and died for said sin. This is to whom we pray. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries        

Matthew 27:51 - “At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”

Romans 8:34 - “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”

*Mediator - One that reconciles differences between two parties.

Note: The Talmud is a collection of writings that covers the full gamut of Jewish law and tradition, compiled, and edited between the third and sixth centuries. - https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3347866/jewish/What-Is-the-Talmud.htm

** “According to the Talmud the veils were 60 feet long and 30 feet wide, about the thickness of a man’s palm (4 inches) and made of 72 squares which were sewn together. The veils were so heavy that it took 300 priests to hang them according to Jewish tradition. There were three curtains placed strategically in the tabernacle. Each curtain was made of fine-twined linen into which twisted threads of blue, purple, and scarlet were interwoven (Ex. 38:18). Although beautiful to look upon, the veiled entrances associated with the tabernacle were not to be objects of admiration but performed two basic functions. The word “veil” in Hebrew means ‘to separate’ and is descriptive of its ministry. First, the veil acted as a barrier between God and man, shutting God in and man out (Lev. 16:2). Secondly, the curtains were to permit access to worship after the priest had met the required conditions set forth in the Mosaic Law.” - https://israelmyglory.org/article/the-veil-christ-our-access-to-god-exodus-2631-35-3635-38/.

The Prayer Project - No. 16

“You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.  You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” – James 4:2b-3

            Here James mentions the most common problems in prayer; the fact that we don’t even ask, that we ask for the wrong things or as ask for the wrong reasons. The question should be asked, do we talk to God at all, because that is what prayer is … talking to God. Sometimes we do all the talking but never take the time to listen. When you talk to God what do you talk about? Are you simply trying to satisfy your own desires? Do you seek God’s approval for plans you’ve already planned to do or already made?  Think of how powerful your prayers would become if you allowed the Lord to change your desires to correspond perfectly with his will for you. 

                  The Apostle John addresses that very issue in the following verses: “Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.” ^{[1 John 3:21-22]} When your conscience is completely clear and you know you’ve sought his face with regards to a given matter, you can be confident that your requests will be heard. John is really just reaffirming the promise Jesus made in both Matthew & John when he said, ‘ask anything of me and you shall have it’. ^[paraphrase]

                  As I have said in other postings, asking for anything want entails knowing and seeking out God’s perfect will for your life. You cannot ask for instant riches and expect to receive it. Prayer doesn’t work that way. This is why we are to draw close to God by reading and hearing God’s word. He wishes us to know him intimately as he knows us. There is nothing that is hidden from him regarding our lives. You can’t be a ‘Christian in name only’ [aka, a CINO] and expect to receive blessings from God. Take your walk with God seriously. Seek his face each and every day in good times and in bad. Know that he is with you and IN you in the person of the Holy Spirit. Let your walk accelerate as you bond more closely with the Lord. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries 

The Prayer Project - No. 15

“If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.”- Proverbs 28:9  

                  This verse in Proverbs shows a distinct contradiction to Proverbs 15:8 & 15:29 (shown below), in which both speak of how God is far from the wicked & detests their sacrifices. The author goes on to say the prayers of the righteous are heard & are pleasing to him. That is a sharp contrast between the upright & the wicked. 

            There are many people whom I would classify as CINO’s or “Christians In Name Only”. They ‘talk the talk but don’t walk the walk’ as the saying goes. Those type of people give Christians a bad name. Non-believers have a bad tendency to lump Christians in one group and call us all hypocrites. While that may be unfair, it’s the reality of the situation. We are judged by those who don’t know any better, but before we’re too harsh on them, shouldn’t we acknowledge that we do the very same thing?

God has much to say about drawing close to him and knowing the word. Because we have a free will we can do as we choose, as in do what pleases us. It would be one thing if what we chose to do was pleasing in God’s sight, but once the bridle and the reins are taken off, we have an odd tendency to do that which is displeasing to God. The temptation to sin is real and formidable, but it’s not without remedy.  If we live a life that has God at the center, then he sees and hears us and as scripture declares, God will provide a way of escape from any and all temptation. ^{[1 Corinthians 10:13]}

            Those who think they can fool the Lord by praying in Jesus’ name, yet live in the shadows out of sight, remember, nothing is hidden from God. Nothing. ^{[Hebrews 4:13]} Scripture is very clear; it is impossible to mock God. What you sew you will reap in the form of consequences that will not bode well for you. I’ve known believers who have slid back in sin. Sadly, the enemy has fooled them into believing that God is not who he says he is. Please understand that if you return to a life of sin, or perhaps you say all the right things, but never stopped sinning … God will not hear your prayers, unless they are prayers of sincere repentance. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

                  

Proverbs 15:29 “The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.”

Proverbs 15:8 “The Lord detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.”

 

1 Corinthians 10:13 - “We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously.”

 

Hebrews 4:13 “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

The Prayer Project - No. 14

“Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”- James 5:13-16 ^NLT

            The initial verse in this grouping is a further example of what I had said previously. We should pray both in hardship and when things are going well. God knows all about it already, so why must we pray? I believe prayer is for our benefit, not Gods. God knows he will answer our prayers AND he knows how and when. We do not, so waiting is designed to bolster our faith and trust. When the answer comes it acts as a sort of reward for exercising our faith and trust until that answer came. Things don’t always move quickly in God’s economy. That’s why patience is an important component with prayer.

            While Jesus is the Lord over body and spirit, the sickness James speaks of in this case is physical illness. Some people feel prayer is a last resort when all earthly methods fail, but actually, the reverse is true. We should pray FIRST. God can and does use medicine, doctors and/or surgeons to bring about a total restoration of one’s body. He may choose to miraculous heal someone. There are also times when the healing comes in the form of someone passing on, which I refer to as the ULTIMATE healing. We must understand that God knows what is best for the sick individual and in heaven there is no sickness or pain, so while is it extremely difficult to part with loved ones who pass on, it is for their best that this takes place. We need to understand that all prayers are subject to God’s will.

            We must remember that all prayer is to come from a sincere and humble heart. This is what is pleasing to the Lord. When you pray do you expect it to be heard and have an answer forthcoming? Don’t balk at praying and don’t doubt for doubting God’s ability to hear you and act on your behalf is the enemy of effective praying. We must pray at all times for all peoples. 

            As a means of clarification regarding our own righteousness, we are righteous because of our right standing with God. While we still trip up and sin from time to time, we are righteous because our faith in the Lord is credited to us as righteousness. ^{[Genesis 3:6; 15:6; Romans 4:3 & Hebrews 6:13]}   The verses listed to the left speak of Abraham believing God, which is the same as placing his faith in him. That faith or belief was accounted or credited to him as righteousness. The two verses in Genesis say this very thing and the Apostle Paul quotes that verse from Genesis to make a point. We are righteous in God’s sight because of our persistent faith and trust in him. Therefore, our prayers contain great power and produce wonderful results. So, pray with confidence, because God hears you every time and he WILL answer you. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

The Prayer Project - No. 13

“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!” - Matthew 6:5-7 ^{New Living Translation}

            This portion of scripture could be called The Pretentious Prayers of Hypocrites for it points to those who do NOT pray sincerely with a humble spirit. They pray publicly. They pray loudly so all can hear. They do this to appear to be pious, however, they are anything but. They wish to draw attention to themselves so that they are thought highly of by those around them. In reality they have an over inflated sense of importance that will not find them favor with God. To the Lord they are nothing more than self-seeking, over bloated, hypocrites whose pretentious prayers shall not be heard or answered by God. They are nothing more than clanging cymbals to him.

            We are called to pray privately, away from the spotlight. Sure, there will be times when we will be called upon to pray publicly, but aside from praying with individuals or in a church setting, our prayers need not be publicized. A humble and sincere heart is one who doesn’t seek attention; whose only intention is to commune with the Lord in a quiet, worshipful manner. 

            God knows our heart. Nothing is hidden from him. Even our deepest secrets that no one knows are an open book to him. When we pray, we also shouldn’t ramble on and on as if to recite some magical incantation. Repeating one’s request repeatedly over the course of time is admirable and acceptable, for it is scriptural to pray with persistence. ^{[1 Thessalonians 5:17]} However, our prayers mean no more by the number of words used, then if we simply utter a simple phrase. God knows not only our heart, but our hearts desire and is intimately aware of our every need. Therefore, we can utter our prayers simply and succinctly and know that they shall be heard and answered by our loving Heavenly Father. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries