Laura Story - Blessings

1 Peter 4:12,13
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy."

The words to this song are powerful...  open your heart and listen to them carefully.   They are the main message I want to express in this post today.


                              

Purified For Prayer

PRAYER.

Effectual, fervent—this describes HOW. 

Of a righteous man—this describes WHO. 

God chooses to work according to the prayers of His righteous chosen ones. (James 5:16; see previous post)

But WHY? Why does God want us to pray? Why does He command us to bring our requests before Him (Philippians 4:6)? We, who in our sinful, degenerate condition have neither right nor motivation to approach the Holy One of Israel and commune with the Holy God; the great 'I AM;' Yahweh.

Out of the abundance of His steadfast love (Psalm 69:13) He commands His children to come (Matthew 11:28)! He desires fellowship with us. He delights in it. He is glorified by it.

And because He loves us, He gives us the confidence and the ability through His Son to approach the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16).

Hebrews 10:12-19 explains:

When Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God . . . For by a single offering he . . . perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us . . .

Where there is forgiveness of [sins], there is no longer any offering for sin . . .

Therefore . . . we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.

SO . . .

Because . . .

Christ offered the ultimate sacrifice for sins,

is now seated at the right hand of God (12),

and has perfected forever those who are being sanctified (14),

and because . . .

the Holy Spirit has sealed the covenant for us (15-17)

and because . . .

God has forgiven our sins (17-18)

then . . .

I have confidence to enter the holy place as a priest before God and to fulfill my responsibilities to my Creator (19).

But we cannot come as we are. Prayer transports us into the very presence of our pure and holy God. In Old Testament times, only the priests were permitted into the holy place to stand before God. Just as they cleansed their bodies with water before approaching Him, we must 'wash [ourselves] and make [ourselves] clean' (Isaiah 1:16).

Hebrews 10:22 tells us to 'draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.'

We are commanded to draw near and fellowship with God, to talk with Him and enjoy Him. But we must do this on God's terms, not ours.

So what are God's terms?

We must come with a true heart. That is, a heart that is undivided in its affections, fully devoted to God, sincerely seeking and faithfully serving.

Purify [make true] your hearts, you double-minded.

(James 4:8c)

We must come fully assured that God will fulfill His promises. This means forsaking sinful distrust and being confident in our belief that God's promises are true. We cannot be transformed if we are not assured of God's power and ability. By our faith, He is glorified.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him,

for whoever would draw near to God must

believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

(Hebrews 11:6)

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting,

for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

(James 1:6-8)

We must come with our hearts sprinkled clean from every guilt, fear, and fleshly perversion, from every selfish motive and deed. We must acknowledge that the blood of Christ atones for every sin and triumphs over every fleshly vice, allowing us to do what is right in the sight of God.

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness

through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence,

by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises,

so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature,

having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

(2 Peter 1:3-4)

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(I Corinthians 15:57)

We must come washed with pure water. Just as the Old Testament priests were required to wash before making intercession in the presence of God, we must confess and be cleansed from sin.

When you come to appear before [God]. . .

Wash yourselves;

make yourselves clean;

remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes;

cease to do evil, learn to do good . . .

though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red like crimson,

they shall become like wool.

(Isaiah 1:12, 16, 18)

Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD?

And who shall stand in His holy place?

He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not lift up his soul to what is false

and does not swear deceitfully.

(Psalm 24:3-4)

Cleanse your hands, you sinners.

(James 4:8b)

So come, draw near to Him, be cleansed and purified as a priest before Him. Live righteously and offer up your effectual fervent prayers to God who alone offers salvation and hope, and to whom alone belongs power and steadfast love (Psalm 62).