Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. John 9:31 (NKJV)
We are looking at a 3-part devotional series titled, "No Missed Call." In Parts 1 & 2 we drew parallels of our ability to call others via cell phones, and the ability as Christian's to call upon God through prayer. We looked at how God is never out of range, but how we can hinder our ability to call Him when certain criteria exist within our lives. We are looking at 5-things causing hindrance (bad reception) to our prayers. So far we have looked at 4 of these things.
1. Unconfessed sin.
2. Asking for selfish reasons.
3. Self-righteousness & Pride
4. Our unwillingness to listen to the cries of those who are poor
God can answer any prayer He chooses to, and yet we can clearly see within the Scriptures there are times where He will not answer our prayers. Okay, let's take a look at the fifth thing causing hindrance in our prayers to God.
5. Not abiding in God's Word
One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. Proverbs 28:9 (NKJV)
In the Book of Zechariah, we see the Prophet speaking to the people to abide in the ways of God, but they refused to heed God's instruction. The result was great wrath came their way; they cried out, and God would not listen (See Zech. 7:11-13). God had given Israel 613 commandments to guide them in the Old Testament, and they chose not to follow (abide) in them.
When Christ came to the earth, it ushered in the beginning of a New Covenant between God and His Children - His commandments would now be written on the fleshly tablets of their heart. Again, they were given clear instruction to abide in God, and in His ways. Listen to what Jesus said regarding our abiding, and look what He promises for those who abide in Him.
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8 (NKJV)
This is a powerful promise to us as Christian men and women - we have been told our prayers would be answered if we abide in Him and His Word. This word translated, "Abide" simply means to "remain." So, we are to remain in Christ, and in His Word. And if we do this, we can ask what we desire and is "Shall" be done for us.
We need to understand the implications of this promise, because it is often taken out of context and misused. Jesus is not writing a blank check so we can ask for a new Bentley or Rolls Royce - we have already covered the concept of asking amiss (See James 4:2-3). What Jesus was saying is when we abide (remain) in Him and His Word, we are then in agreement with Him and His will for our lives - this includes our speaking (praying) to Him continuously (1Thess 5:17). Our prayers must be in accordance with HIS will.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 (NKJV)
We have not been given a promise to gratify every fleshly desire we may have, but for those who are seeking God's will for their life (Rom. 12:2), He will grant every request helping them to accomplish this goal. When we choose willful disobedience in lieu to faithful obedience, we will hinder our prayer life. John said it clearly when he said, "Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him."
Hey Christian, do you want God to hear you? Do you want your prayers to be effective weapons against the enemy? Would you like to be a person who is equipped to help others in their fight against Satan? If you answered "Yes" to these questions, then make it a point to abide in the Word of God and in a relationship with Jesus. You will be richly blessed.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn from the Scriptures contained within this devotional with regard to abiding in the Lord and His Word, and our prayers being answered?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you abiding in the Lord? Are you abiding in His Word?
APPLICATION: Continue to read God's Word daily, abide in the Lord, and in His Word.
We are looking at a 3-part devotional series titled, "No Missed Call." In Parts 1 & 2 we drew parallels of our ability to call others via cell phones, and the ability as Christian's to call upon God through prayer. We looked at how God is never out of range, but how we can hinder our ability to call Him when certain criteria exist within our lives. We are looking at 5-things causing hindrance (bad reception) to our prayers. So far we have looked at 4 of these things.
1. Unconfessed sin.
2. Asking for selfish reasons.
3. Self-righteousness & Pride
4. Our unwillingness to listen to the cries of those who are poor
God can answer any prayer He chooses to, and yet we can clearly see within the Scriptures there are times where He will not answer our prayers. Okay, let's take a look at the fifth thing causing hindrance in our prayers to God.
5. Not abiding in God's Word
One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination. Proverbs 28:9 (NKJV)
In the Book of Zechariah, we see the Prophet speaking to the people to abide in the ways of God, but they refused to heed God's instruction. The result was great wrath came their way; they cried out, and God would not listen (See Zech. 7:11-13). God had given Israel 613 commandments to guide them in the Old Testament, and they chose not to follow (abide) in them.
When Christ came to the earth, it ushered in the beginning of a New Covenant between God and His Children - His commandments would now be written on the fleshly tablets of their heart. Again, they were given clear instruction to abide in God, and in His ways. Listen to what Jesus said regarding our abiding, and look what He promises for those who abide in Him.
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. John 15:1-8 (NKJV)
This is a powerful promise to us as Christian men and women - we have been told our prayers would be answered if we abide in Him and His Word. This word translated, "Abide" simply means to "remain." So, we are to remain in Christ, and in His Word. And if we do this, we can ask what we desire and is "Shall" be done for us.
We need to understand the implications of this promise, because it is often taken out of context and misused. Jesus is not writing a blank check so we can ask for a new Bentley or Rolls Royce - we have already covered the concept of asking amiss (See James 4:2-3). What Jesus was saying is when we abide (remain) in Him and His Word, we are then in agreement with Him and His will for our lives - this includes our speaking (praying) to Him continuously (1Thess 5:17). Our prayers must be in accordance with HIS will.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 (NKJV)
We have not been given a promise to gratify every fleshly desire we may have, but for those who are seeking God's will for their life (Rom. 12:2), He will grant every request helping them to accomplish this goal. When we choose willful disobedience in lieu to faithful obedience, we will hinder our prayer life. John said it clearly when he said, "Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him."
Hey Christian, do you want God to hear you? Do you want your prayers to be effective weapons against the enemy? Would you like to be a person who is equipped to help others in their fight against Satan? If you answered "Yes" to these questions, then make it a point to abide in the Word of God and in a relationship with Jesus. You will be richly blessed.
STUDY QUESTION: What can we learn from the Scriptures contained within this devotional with regard to abiding in the Lord and His Word, and our prayers being answered?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Are you abiding in the Lord? Are you abiding in His Word?
APPLICATION: Continue to read God's Word daily, abide in the Lord, and in His Word.
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