September 11th (911) – 23 Years Later…
Where are you?
“14 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. 15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.” I John 5:14 & 15 Amplified Version
Today in America, many are reflecting on the devastating events that occurred on this date – 23 years ago. What is even more of a tragedy is the fact that the hearts of many have not matured to reflect growth, allegiance and devotion which is equivalent to the same. Twenty-three years later, Where Are You?
Have you matured to the extent that you are sincerely able to stand on the authentic, unadulterated word of the Lord? We must remember that two of the most prevalent strategies that our adversary has used for years among the members of the body of Christ, is to get us to doubt God and to waste time. He knows that for the most part; as leaders; we are too wise to go back out into the world; and that we love the Lord too much to steal His tithe and/or offerings. He (the enemy) also knows that most Christians are not very knowledgeable concerning the Word of God!
Hosea 4:6 tells us that we are destroyed for the lack of knowledge. Therefore, although we love the Lord, we are not advancing and maintaining our stamina in the realm of the spirit. This is simply because we are not in possession of the proper concepts and precepts concerning the application of the Word of God. One of the areas of our lives where this is prevailing is in our prayer life.
According to our text, whenever I pray, God hears what I’m saying. Therefore to me this denotes that because God is neither deaf, nor void of understanding concerning my intentions; I don’t need to pray the same request over and over and over and over again. When we pray, the enemy has us so consumed with fear, doubt, unbelief or just plain ignorance – that we feel as though when we don’t SEE the immediate manifestation of our request… we begin to panic. Listen, and listen to me well…. God is saying….I heard you the first time! (And please don’t refer to Matthew 7:7 or Luke 11:9). We must remember that God’s timing is usually not in accordance with ours. If I stop praying for something when I can see the manifestation of what I’ve prayed for….. is that walking by faith or by sight?
So, after I’ve prayed, I need to now walk in faith – denouncing the spirit of fear, tearing down every road block and hindrance that would prevent the manifestation (in this realm) of my petition. I also need to become mature enough…. To the extent…. that I can maintain my focus regardless - and pray God’s promises – and not my problems! I need to not negate the manifestation of my request, by releasing from my mouth words that are contrary to my spoken request of the Lord.
God HAS Already Heard Me! Therefore, I will stand and realize that, if there has been a delay in the physical manifestation to the response of my request; that there’s a principle that the Lord is attempting to bring to my awareness. So again I ask: “If I stop praying when I physically see the manifestation - aren’t I really walking by sight and not by faith????”.
I’ve heard many say P.U.S.H. meaning Praying, Until, Something, Happens. However, as for me; whenever I pray… something has already happened! I’d rather say that P.U.S.H. means to Persevering, Under, Satanic, Harassment!
Because God HAS already heard me; I won’t waste precious time walking in unbelief and presenting the same request to Him again as though He is ignorant, deaf or void of understanding! I’ll walk in faith and begin to praise Him in advance, before I even SEE…in this realm, the manifestation of my request….because I know, that I know, that I know….. IT’S ON THE WAY!!! Therefore…I can shout NOW!!!!!
(Remember …..My prayers must be in accord with God’s written Word if I desire for Him to positively answer them!)
Let’s move forward …and on 911 next year, we will observe growth, maturity and an enhanced dimension in our prayer life.
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