09/16/2024
As I read my devotional text this morning it spoke of prayer as providing the Christian with aim, focus, character, good conduct, determination, and a clearer idea of religion, but its claims regarding these came with no definitive method by which this was to be achieved. The only supporting evidence offered came from a short passage in 1st Thessalonians.
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV
In fact, the author of my morning devotional reading, Pastor E. M. Bounds, was correct in his devotional assertion, but to understand these claims we must look deeper into God’s Word for additional supporting scripture. Let's look at the ideas of aiming and focusing first. There are several passages we could meditate upon regarding them, but let's use this verse in specific today...
“This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
Joshua 1:8 KJV
1) Concentrating continuously on God's Word in study and prayer gives us the ability to aim and focus, and God rewards us for that effort.
2) Character and good conduct go hand in hand. Bounds wrote elsewhere of this when he penned these words:
"Prayer governs conduct and conduct makes character. Conduct, is what we do; character, is what we are. Conduct is the outward life. Character is the life unseen, hidden within, yet evidenced by that which is seen." – E. M. Bounds
In scripture we are led deeper into this observation and understand more completely that Jesus desires us to be pure inside, knowing that if we are, then our works (or conduct) would be good.
“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
Titus 2:14 KJV
3) In all of our faith we should be determined. There are a couple of scriptures I will propose for our contemplation this morning. The first deals with the determination to follow and obey God's commandments, which is from a prayer in Psalms...
“With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
Psalms 119:10-11 KJV
And the second gives us hope in our determination, even as we face temptation...
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”
James 1:12 KJV
4) Then finally we contemplate Bounds' point regarding a clearer idea of faith and religion. This understanding requires prayer because these are spiritual things and are founded in what is unseen.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”
Hebrews 11:1-3 KJV
Our faith, and religion, are founded on things which are unseen, and guided in this world by the Word of God. Some of us seek to paint religion in a negative light, but it should not be so. The downfall comes when we place religion above faith and the Word of God. Our religion should be as our conduct is to character... it is the outward manifestation of the Church's unseen inward self.
“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
James 1:26-27 KJV
So our prayer truly does help us maintain these things... aim, focus, character, good conduct, determination, and a clearer idea of religion... and through our prayers we are guided in them. We are physical creatures with a spiritual foundation; thus, our prayers provide the structure on which the evidence of our faith is constructed... for all to see.
I pray this morning that our prayers unite the seen and unseen natures of our religion and faith to form the complete image of Christ within us. I pray that our religion never loses sight of the Word of God and the faith that we, Christ's bride, are steeped in. May our prayers bring us before God in humility, peace, and joy as we seek His guidance for ourselves and our churches.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for using our time in prayer with you to give us the aim, focus, character, good conduct, determination, and clearer view of religion that we need to walk more perfectly with you, and do your will. Thank you for the things that are seen, and unseen, that build us up in our belief, and make it possible for us to have ever lasting life in your Son Jesus. Help us today, and every day, in all of our prayers. Help us as we pick up our crosses and follow Jesus as he leads us to you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you who loved us while we were yet sinners, and sent your Son, the Christ, to redeem us. Holy are you who are merciful, full of grace, and forgiving. We praise you with lifted hands Father, and worship you both prostrate, and from our knees. Before you we humble ourselves, and seek to do your will, and serve you always. With everything we have, we love you. Abba, we love you with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Make our ears to hear the gentlest of whispers as you call us to you through Jesus, and prepare us physically, and spiritually for the moment when you will send him to retrieve us, and bring us to you, where we will be judged. See not our earthly faults Father, but see only the image of Jesus when you look upon us. When we are asked why we believe we are worthy to receive eternity with you, let us respond… “Not by our doing Father, but by the love, works, obedience, and faith of your Son Jesus. In Him alone am I perfected, and made ready to stand in your presence.” Lord, we give you all our praise, our worship, and all the glory for our faith, and belief. You are magnificent in every way, and forever, and always. You are the great I Am, and have sent Jesus to be our way, our truth, and our life… in you rests all glory and grace, all that was, and is, and is to come.
Amen!
Rich Forbes