Prayer
1 Kings 8:10-8:61 – What Have You Left Out of Your Prayers? (1998) – MP3 / YouTube
Solomon in his prayer at the dedication of the temple left out something very important. Every day we need God’s help for that day to live acceptably before Him and to honor Him in the sight of others. It is through prayer that we bring our weaknesses to be strengthened by the power of God. Other passages mentioned include: Psalms 119:35-37; Psalms 141:3-4.
1 Kings 8:59-9:14 – Be Careful (November 1998) – MP3 / YouTube
The Israelites leave full of joy after the feast for the dedication of the temple. Do we go home from the Lord’s Supper, joyful and glad of heart for all that the Lord has done for us? God appears to Solomon 13 years after Solomon’s prayer to warn Solomon to be careful, otherwise, the destruction of his kingdom awaits. Although a believer is saved and permanently secure, if a believer turns his back on God, then the temporal blessings that a believer enjoys may be lost. Solomon did not express proper appreciation for all that his good friend, Hiram, had done. We need to be careful, that we are grateful and express proper appreciation for all that God has done for us. Other passages mentioned include: John 2:19-21; John 1:14; 2 Kings 25:1-9; Romans 1:21-23.
1 Kings 17; James 5:17 – Simply Trusting Every Day (December 5, 1999) – MP3 / YouTube
We see how God teaches the prophet Elijah to trust Him day by day, meal by meal and need by need, and then Elijah is able to teach this lesson to others. The secret to effective prayer is prayer based on the word of God. Effective prayer is not thinking of something big, and praying that God will do it. The core of effective prayer is for us to pray for the things that God has promised in His word that He will do. Other passages mentioned include: Deuteronomy 11:16-17; Genesis 19:1-11; Psalm 27:5; Proverbs 18:10; 1 Kings 4:22-23; James 2:5.
1 Kings 18:16-46 – Courage and Confidence in God (2000) – MP3 / YouTube
In Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal, we have one of the most outstanding examples of courage and confidence in the Bible. One of the keys to successful spiritual warfare is courage and confidence in God. The secret to boldness in front of men is humility in the presence of God. Sometimes God answers prayers quickly, but other times God’s answer is to wait. Part of courage and confidence in God, is to believe God will answer our prayers according to his word, even when we see nothing. Other passages mentioned: 1 Kings 18:1-15; James 5:17; Deuteronomy 13:1-5; James 4:6; Hebrews 12:1-2.
1 Kings 19:1-18 – Serving God Is Not a Walk in the Park, It Is a Ride on a Roller Coaster (April 23, 2000) – MP3 / YouTube
Fresh off his victory at Mount Carmel, the prophet Elijah replaces his faith in God with fear and depression. We learn the lesson that you cannot live today on yesterday’s faith. Although we are saved once and for all by an act of faith in Jesus Christ, every day is a new battle of faith. God reserves the right to give us something better than what we ask for. When we are angry, the best thing to do is to put aside such anger and ask the question, “What is God telling me to do from His word?”, and then, get busy and do it. This is how we gain victory over anger, frustration and depression. Other passages mentioned include: 2 Corinthians 4:16; 2 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Kings 17:20-22; 1 Kings 18:36-38; 1 Kings 18:42-44; James 5:18; Matthew 7:7-8; Luke 11:9-10; John 14:21.
Mark 7:24-36 – Look for the Bonus (1998) – MP3 / YouTube
Jesus is always within our reach. How should we approach God?
Luke 6:12-19 – Sharpen Your Imitation (November 22, 1987) – MP3 / YouTube
Imitation of our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the secrets of the Christian life. Jesus through prayer was dependent on God, discerning in His relationships with men, and dynamic in His service to others. Prayer expresses our dependence upon God, our need for His discernment as we relate to people, and our urgent reliance upon God’s power to work in and through us.
Luke 11:1-4 – The Shadow of the Almighty God – MP3 / YouTube
What are the ABCs of effective Christian prayer? (A) We focus on the name of God. (B) We submit to the purposes of God. (C) We live under the shadow of God. Other passages: Psalm 91:1; Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12.
Luke 11:5-8 – Are You a Persuader? (1990) – MP3 / YouTube
God wants us to regard Him as the kind of heavenly Friend that we can go to in times of emergency at any hour of the day or night. One the most valuable things we can do, is to cultivate friendship and intimacy with God through prayer. A persuader is a man who knows that he has a generous heavenly Friend, who comes to Jesus Christ for the needs of his friends, and who comes to God in boldness. Other passage: Hebrews 4:16.
Luke 18:1-8 – Never Stop Saying, “I’m Here” (August 22, 1993) – MP3 / YouTube
Can God still hear you saying, “I’m here.”? Prayer is more important than our food and our sleep. Never give up on prayer. When it comes to prayer, it is always too soon to quit.