We are going to take this weeks study to help us see what God wants from his people. We like to live our lives the way we want too. As a child of God, we should want to please him. Besides after we are saved we are not of ourselves but we belong to him. The reason for this is because he paid a great price for us. He gave his only begotten Son to die on Calvary that we might have eternal life. We wonder in the day in which we live why we are not blessed no more than we are. Have you ever though that we might not be living the life that God wants us to live. Maybe we are not living a life that he can bless. You see for God to bless his people there are some things we must do. I would like for us to look at some scriptures in the Bible to help us see what God wants from us. First I would like for us to look at 2 Chron. 7:14, “ If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chron 7:14 (KJV)
Here in this verse we find what it takes for us to get a prayer through to God. We find that first off all we need to realize that we are the people that are called by his name. God is talking to the saved. The people that have been born again washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. He is not talking to people that are not saved. He is not talking about those that are out here in the world. He is talking about his people. When you begin to look around us today we will find we as the people of God are not where our forefathers were. If you would take time to talk to some of the elderly Christians you find that they were closer to God back thirty, fifty years ago. So we wonder what happen. Could it be God has changed and we as his people don’t know what he wants? I believe it is that we as his people have changed and left God out of the picture. I know it is not God because he never changes. 6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Mal 3:5-6 (KJV)
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Heb 13:8 (KJV)
So we are the people of God. We are the redeemed. The called out, the chosen ones of God. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 (KJV)
I have seen a lot of changes in my life time. Some have been for the better but some have been for the worst. So as the people of God the first thing he tells us that we need to do is humble ourselves. This is something most people find hard to do. Some think that to be humble means you are weak, but this is not true. I would rather be weak in body and be strong in the Lord. Let us look and see what some of the scriptures tell us. 18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. Prov 16:18-19 (KJV)
15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:14-15 (KJV)
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
James 4:5-6 (KJV)
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 1 Peter 5:5-6 (KJV)
These are just a few scriptures that we can look at and find that God wants us to be humble. The second thing we are to do is pray. There are so many people in the world that claim to be a child of God but never bow their heads in prayer. They never say grace before a meal. That lets me know that they are not thankful for what God has given them. So I ask us how is our prayer life. First of all a lot of times we don’t even know what to pray for. Jesus taught us in His word how we should pray. 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. 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. 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. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 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. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matt 6:5-15 (KJV)
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Eph 6:18 (KJV)
17 Pray without ceasing. 1 Thess 5:17 (KJV)
Prayer is our only means of talking with God. We always pray in the name of Jesus. When we pray we must seek after the Lord. We must clear our hearts and minds of all the worldly things and pray earnest to him seek his face. Then we must turn away from our wicked ways. God will answer our prayer if try to hold on to the things of the world. We must turn lose of it all and seek him with our whole heart. After all of this is done then will God hear our prayer. God will hear and answer prayer like he did in days of old, with men like Abraham, Moses, David, the three Hebrew children, Daniel and a church that meet together and prayed with ceasing for one of their brothers who was in jail. When God hears our prayer and answers it, it makes us feel good. He said that when we did things his way he would hear and that he would heal. Look around us today and see if there is any healing that needs to be done. Then ask yourself am I doing all I can for the church I attend. Am I doing every thing for my family? Am I doing all I can for my country. People if there is anything to be done it have to be done Gods way.
Yours in Christ
Elder Burdette Thomas
