Grace Faith Gift

God answers prayer!

Mar 242012

God answers prayer!

Everyone who has faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior has a “Direct Line” to God our Father. When Jesus ascended to sit at the right hand of God our Father, He not only was building His Church but became our advocate/mediator.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous 1-John 2:1 NASB.

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words Romans 8:26 NASB.

Believer, you have your own personal Attorney before the Judge of the whole world who never loses a case, by the way. Also, you have God the Holy Spirit who takes our weak and feeble prayers, “Supercharges” them beyond anything prayer warriors could pray! They are presented to the Father as a perfect prayer, exactly as Jesus Himself would pray. Maybe Christian you don’t realize that, “You have Power with God”. And he said, Your name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince have you power with God and with men, and have prevailed Genesis 32:28 KJV.

We the Church have this same Power with God, the same Shekinah Glory of God that dwelt in the Holy Of Holies dwells in us. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the Temple was torn from top to bottom. The Glory of God departed, no longer to dwell in things “Made by hands”. This Glory now dwells in every true believer although it is hidden from our eyes. We are the Temple of God and declared Holy by God!

Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My People. “ 2-Corinthians 6:16 NASB.

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves 2-Corinthians 4:7 NLT.

What is prayer? Simply put, prayer is a conversation with God and it is not “One way”, by the way. God answers prayer! I remember reading; “Be still and know that I Am God”. Sometimes we must stop praying as the Lord told Moses and listen. When I meditate on the things of God sometimes a thought comes into my mind that I know is not my own. The Lord says; ‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know” Jeremiah 33:3 NASB.

Like I had said previously, prayer is not a one way conversation with God. As we mature as Christians we will pray with more confidence through Faith, discerning spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

For who has known the Mind of the Lord, the he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ 1-Corinthians 2:16 NASB.

Which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words 1-Corinthians 2:13 NASB.

God answers our prayers in three ways, yes, no, or wait. God is Sovereign, with the Holy Spirit’s help we can pray according to the will of God as Jesus always did. “Not my will Father but thine be done”. When we pray in that manner that prayer will be granted as it is God’s Spirit who prompted you to pray for something He had already decided to give or do for you! (I understand this may be deep stuff for some. For mature believers who wish to delve into the deeper things of God I recommend; “The Sovereignty of God” by Arthur W. Pink.

“And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death Revelation 12:11 NASB.

The word tells us that we are “Living Bibles” read of all men. God works in and through us. The Lord uses our Testimonies which is our supernatural experiences through the guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit. When a Christian through devotion and obedience to Christ matures, they will always look for the Holy Spirit to lead them, never doing “Their own thing”.Those who are mature Christians are called “The Sons of God” (Romans 8:14 NASB for all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God). They have moved from being a “Baby” Christian living on the “Milk” of the word. Now are able to handle the “Strong meat” of the word which is the “Deeper” things of God.

There are times when the Holy Spirit moves us in our spirit to pray, sometimes without saying a word. Jesus “Groaned in His spirit” at the Tomb of Lazarus. He did not utter a word but the Father heard him. Jesus himself acknowledged this. (When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, John 11:33 to 41 KJV).

I have had experiences like that and it is like the Lord grabbing your heart. It has happened to me at various times. Sometimes when there is deep trouble in our lives. It causes me to cry out to the Lord in prayer. It is when He wants to come to our aide for something we are not aware of as I have written about below concerning our Daughter. This was not the first time the Lord came to her rescue, she previously had experienced His healing touch as a little girl through her Dad.

For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble Psalm 46:1 NASB.

I would like to share a testimony of one of my experiences with the Lord. We were on our morning walk the day our Daughter was due to have her first child. I remember my spirit was deeply moved and a prayer came from within. It was without words and was presented to God according to His will. I didn’t know why this had taken place until we received a call later to tell us our Daughter had a baby boy, our first grandson! We also were told that there was a problem with the delivery; the umbilical cord was wrapped around the baby’s neck twice. Each time the Doctor tried to deliver the baby his heart rate would drop as the cord tightened around his neck. This was scary as we have a cousin that lost a baby with that same situation. Our daughter was 5 seconds from a “C” Section but the baby was born ok, Praise God! I remember looking at my watch when the prayer of my spirit took place while on that morning walk. We found out later it was the exact time the baby was being born! I am convinced the Holy Spirit moved in my spirit to pray for our grandson and the Lord saved him! (This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us 1-John 5:14 NASB). Praise God for His love and mercy towards us! He had me pray at the perfect time a prayer He was willing to answer to save our Grandson. He is a very present help in the time of trouble (Tight places). Psalm 46:1

Another beautiful example of praying in the will of God is found in the Book of Job. The LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased all that Job had twofold. Job 42:10 NASB. To me, Job praying for his friends is like Jesus who prayed for us, His friends!

God answers prayer in the morning, God answers prayer at noon.

God answers prayer in the evening, so keep your heart in tune!

God bless you all,

Ken

March 2012

Which do you prefer? The law, impossible to keep, or grace a free gift?

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Feb 042012

Which do you prefer? The law impossible to keep, or grace a free gift? I had sent this insight of God’s Word to my believing Son and would like to now share it with the readers of gracefaithgift.com. After being saved by Jesus we should not walk in the steps of Moses — The Law.

Hi Son, I woke up this morning and the Lord put in my mind His Law given to Moses and the Jewish people. As said in the Word: The Law came through Moses but GRACE AND TRUTH CAME THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.

Jesus said he didn’t come to break the Law but to fulfill it. God provided the Sacrifices for individual Jews (Like Doves or Cattle), but the annual one for the Sins of the Nation was the killing of a spotless Lamb (which was kept in a certain home as a pet). The blood of the Lamb was taken by the High Priest into the Holy of Hollies where God’s presence was and sprinkled on the Horns of the Alter as a sweet fragrance unto the Lord. We know as Christians this was a temporary way God provided for the forgiveness of sins and the Lamb symbolized Christ’s sacrifice for Sin and His blood shed to complete His work of Salvation. As the Word says: Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of Sins. A Covenant is only sealed when the person who makes it dies! As Jesus said, “Abraham saw my day and was glad”. Job said, “I know my Redeemer Lives and I will see Him in my flesh”. Job also tells us God sits on the Circle of The Earth, thus declaring the Earth being round long before anyone knew it…

As Paul writes in Romans: The Law was not made for a Righteous Man (Those Chosen Of God, are blameless in His sight, being in Christ and declared Righteous in this position) His Righteousness is given to us who died to Sin when He died on the Cross. We are Crucified with Christ but nevertheless we LIVE!

The Purpose of the Law, as Paul states in Romans, was to bring us Gentiles and Jews to Christ! The Law is like a mirror for Sin, the Law shows us how Sinful we are and our inability to keep it. In Romans it says all who live by the Law (Works) will die by the Law. The Law like a mirror shows you you need a shave but is unable to shave you! Jesus came and fulfilled the Law totally which included the Spirit of the Law! Remember when Jesus told the Jews if you have the desire in your mind to commit adultery , you have done it as far as the Law is concerned. God has said in Isaiah, there is NONE Righteous, no NOT ONE, there is none that understands, there is none that sleekest after God. This is why Christ came, to do for us what we could not do, that is keep the Law. He truly is the GOOD MASTER! The man who Jesus asked: Why do you call Me Good, only God is Good, that man did not know who Jesus was. If he did he would have replied: You are God, and Jesus would have said: “Well Done” Son of Abraham (One having Faith). Paul says in Romans: To this day, a “Veil” is over the eyes of the Jews when they read the Law. Those who are Chosen will be saved and the rest will be hardened, lost. ( Romans 10: 7-8 ) For Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousness to everyone who Believes!

This is the GLORIOUS REST promised in the Old Testament, we rest from our own works, having the inner Peace with God in the inner man. Who is Perfect, being joined with Christ through the Holy Spirit and NEVER SINS, read (Romans 7: 1-25) The Glory of God that was in the Holy of Holies and left after Christ died because there was no longer a Sacrifice needed. That Glory is in every Believer but Hidden as Paul writes! This is the fulfillment of God’s promise to dwell in things not made with hands, our Bodies are now the Temple of God! What a wonderful Savior we have in Jesus and His UNSPEAKABLE GIFT of Himself for us.

God said He would dwell with the Gentiles for a season to make Israel Jealous. America is the only Nation that can make Israel jealous and obviously Blessed by God. The day is coming when He will take us home, then Save all Israel and destroy all their enemies! Praise The Lord! Cast All your Care upon Him, for He Cares for You!

Ken

A Lady Named Rose

Gifts, Grace 1 Response »

Feb 042012

A Lady named Rose

I remember Rose, she was an older woman who worked in the Cafeteria at my job many years ago. She was a widow, living with her Son. The Lord had put her in my path. We became friends and spoke often on the phone. During one of our conversations, she told me that her Son flew in a B-17 during WW 2. She told me he carried the New Testament during the time he served in the War. I was surprised as I knew she was a Jew. This confirmed to me that this was God’s work as I have a special place in my heart for the Jewish people.

I loved Rose’s sense of humor. She told me they didn’t leave their apartment at night as they lived in a high crime area. She taught me a Yiddish word to describe the bad guys, Vilda Chaya, which means, “Wild Animals”.

One day Rose called me to say she could not walk, I told her I would pray that Jesus would heal her and that she should pray too. Sometime later, Rose called me with a testimony. She said she was praying to Jesus and heard a voice say; “Stand up”, she got up and had the full use of her legs. God is Good, His Mercy endures forever!

For years Rose would send us Christmas Cards with special notes and Gifts for our Children. That was many years ago, I consider her my Sister in the Lord, she is with Him now.

Ken

An honorable man, a poem

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Feb 042012

An honorable man, a poem.

A special blessing to Gary, a man I admire, those who strive to get ahead, he would inspire!

A devout man is he, he loves Jesus and I’m glad he loves me.

He is a self-made man and through his giving, we see the Lord living.

His faith is on fire, as words alone he does not desire!

He knows actions are what men see, they show the Light that comes from Thee.

He now walks above the fray; the Lord has shown him the way.

Peace and joy from Jesus he has found, your love for him does abound.

Nothing now can bring him down; his feet are planted on higher ground.

He is my beloved brother given from above; we are God’s family, rooted in love.

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him (1-John 4:16 KJV).

God bless,

Ken

January 2012

I saw the Lord, a poem

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Feb 042012

I saw the Lord today, a poem

I saw the Lord today, in His glory, my heart did sway.

His eyes were shining and Him I did adore, He is altogether lovely,

Every day, I love Him more and more.

Then I realized, in a mirror I did see, it was His image I saw in me.

If you want to see Jesus today, look at those who follow the way.

They are all in one accord; their hearts do follow the Lord.

They deny themselves, not counting the cost.

They are walking with the Lord, the way of the Cross.

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit (2-Corinthians 3:18 NASB)

After Moses came down from the mountain of God with the Commandments written on stone tablets. He had to wear a veil because the glory from the Lord on his face was fading. How beautiful the Lord revealed that the New Testament believers would have that glory that would not fade away. (The Law as Paul wrote, was a schoolmaster to lead you to Christ. It cannot save you, but it will reveal how far away you are from God with your sins. No one can keep the Law, only Jesus the God man did). For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ (John 1:17 NLT).

Ken

December 2011

What is Love?

Spiritual Food 3 Responses »

Dec 242011

What is Love?

We are told in the Bible that God IS Love. How many understand what real Love is? In the World today we hear the words “Love Affair”. Let’s take a look at that, I think most people would agree it involves sex which the Bible calls Eros. It is a physical love. * A sexual desire where each one involved receives something for themselves from the other. Outside of Marriage it is condemned by the Bible as fornication. It also can be one of the reasons why some Marriages fail through adultery, also a sin in the Word of God.

How Many Types of Love are there?

There are three types of Love the Bible speaks of: Agape’, Philo and Eros.

Agape’ is God’s Love, it is a giving Love. For God so Loved the Creation, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life”(John 3: 16). There is nothing selfish with God’s Love. This is why Jesus said in order to follow Him we must deny ourselves, our own desires for the sake of others. This imitates the Lord Himself who became a Servant to others. He who would be great among you, let him be the Servant of all. ( Mark 10: 44) The dictionary’s description of the word Agape’ is an unselfish Love for another without sexual implications.

Philo, from the Greek is a friend’s Love. Peter said to Jesus when the Lord asked him, Peter, do you Love (Agape’) Me? Peter said, “I Love (Philo) you Lord”. Peter was saying, you’re my best friend Lord. From the Greek translation of the word we can understand why Peter was grieved when the Lord asked him the third time. Jesus changed His use of the word “Love” from Agape’ (God’s Love) to Philo a (Friendly) Love. The Lord was saying to Peter, do you really Love me even as a friend? ? Peter was crushed, saying, Lord you know everything! All he had was a friendly Love for the Lord. (Without God’s Power, Friendly Love for the Lord is all we have). It was at Pentecost that Peter along with the other Apostles would receive Power. When they received the Holy Spirit, Gifts, and the “Fruit” of the Spirit, the best being “Agape” (God’s Love). When we are Born Again we receive the Holy Spirit and the Agape’ Love; which is shed abroad in our hearts through Christ Jesus. (Romans 5: 5) Jesus said, “the Greatest” Commandment is to Love God with all your Heart. (Luke 10: 27 ) In our own strength we cannot do it, but our wonderful God gives us the Power to Love Him. We receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit when we have Faith in the Lord Jesus. Without Him we can do nothing! (John 15: 5.)

I thought I would share a Poem I wrote for the Lord; it is my appreciation of His Love to me. He is my Faithful Friend, wish I had always been the same towards Him, please read it below.

* And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. Luke 9:23 NASB.

Note the words; “Deny himself”, self- gratification is the way of the world, giving is the way of God!

To be like Christ the Christian is to be “selfless” not selfish. Our flesh is our cross. Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to fight the battle between our “Inner Man” and the corruptible flesh. (The New Man, the saved believer’s spirit is a New Creation in Christ) Through devotion to Christ with obedience, the Holy Spirit will put to death the deeds of the body. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, Romans 7:22 NASB. but I see in my body a different principle waging war with the law in my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin that exists in my body. Romans 7:23 ISV.

Note: To his surprise, the Apostle Paul found that he still sinned but unlike before he was saved by the Lord it appaled him. He even called himself a rotten man! Please read all of Romans 7. The key to understanding this chapter is the fact that Paul did NOT willfully sin, therefore God gave him “Grace upon Grace” and not judgment. I hope this gives my brothers and sisters in the Lord comfort in their struggle with sin, you are not alone in your battle as Paul was not alone. When you sin, confess it, when you do it’s gone and forgotten by God. Be devoted to Jesus your first love. Be Christ conscious not sin conscious. (Always avoid sinning willfully as this will bring the Lord’s correction which can be grievous. Whom the Lord loves He corrects) Hanging on to forgiven sin can take you on a “Guilt Trip” causing you to lose the joy of the Lord which is your strength!

A Poem Dedicated to Jesus

Prone to wander, Prone to go, far from my Lord, reaping what I sow,

but ah the wondrous Sheppard, my Faithful Friend,

His Rod and Staff remind me of his care and Love, of no end.

The still waters, green pastures, my Soul at rest,

knowing that through many trials I have come, not failing the test.

He has called me before my birth,

redeemed me at the Cross that Day on the Earth.

Now I sing a new song, a sinner saved by Grace,

when He returns I will see Him Face to Face.

AUTHOR KEN

November 2011

My Italian wife, a poem

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Dec 242011

My Italian Wife, a poem.

Good things they say come small, the wife the Lord gave me, is my all in all.

From a broken family, this man did live, I always envied,

families who had much to give.

With my wife, God gave me a family from above,

I was embraced as a Son, with their love.

Grandma never did tire, cooking all the things our hearts could desire.

My wife is only four foot eleven but she was certainly sent from Heaven.

Beautiful children she bore, for that, I love her even more.

Now I am complete, married to my Italian wife, with lots to eat.

I asked Him for a wife from above the rest, He answered and sent me the very best!

Author, Ken

December 2011

Be Angry but Sin Not!

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Dec 242011

Be Angry but Sin Not!

We overcome by the Blood of The Lamb and our Testimony (Rev.12:11). The Lord tells us to be Angry but sin not (Ephesians 4: 26 NASB). Our anger does not fulfill the Righteousness of God (James 1:20). There is a “Righteous” anger controlled by the Holy Spirit. Human anger can spin out of control, actions with words we will always regret. Jesus did get angry, His was righteous anger.

One night, many years ago, my wife and I were going to bed when the phone rang. She answered, quickly gave me the phone. The person on the other end said something vulgar to her. I was not in the best mood. I had to get up at 4:30 AM to go to work the next day, so my anger was high. I was ready to yell at this person, but when I took the phone, instead of yelling in a rage (the Love of God constrains us), I said to this guy, “Without the Lord, you are going straight to Hell”. To my complete surprise he asked, “Why is that?”. My anger was gone as I realized the Lord had sent this man.

As the Word says, “be prepared to answer anyone who asks about the Hope that is within you”. I told him all about Jesus, how He came to save sinners and how He saved me. He listened quietly, then asked if he could call back tomorrow. He wanted me to share the Gospel with his girlfriend and I agreed. Lil and I were in awe, knowing it was the leading of the Holy Spirit. He took away my anger and put His Words in my mouth. I believe this man and his girlfriend were saved through the hearing of the Word! They asked about a Church, I told him to ask the Lord to lead them to a Bible believing Church.

I marvel at the Power of God through the Holy Spirit. Did you ever try to convince someone in regards to Politics or Religion? It usually ends in an argument that separates friends, which is Satan’s work. When the Holy Spirit does his Work in the human heart, barriers come down, a brokenness comes. Jesus said, “whoever falls on this Rock (Jesus Himself) will be broken. The person becomes as a little child, the Holy Spirit grants them Godly Repentance which leads to salvation, through the Gift of Faith. The man who called became a child of the King, the Word (Jesus) became Flesh in his heart. Out of my anger and his evil the Lord brought good and Glory to His Name. God works in all things in the believer’s life for good.

The Lord always defeats Satan. Satan comes at us like a “Roaring Lion”, but the Lord Jesus came to destroy his works. My Testimony is only one example of God bringing good out of evil. I love Samson’s riddle. It reveals how God turns Satan’s evil into good in the believer’s life. Out of the Eater, the roaring Lion, came something to eat (Spiritual Food), out of the strong (Bitterness of Satan’s work), came something sweet! (Judges 14: 14)

Ken

November 2011

What was the Death that Adam, Eve, and All Mankind Experienced in the Fall?

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Dec 172011

What was the Death that Adam, Eve, and All Mankind Experienced in the Fall?

Have you ever wondered what was the death penalty God pronounced upon our ancestors and all mankind? They did not drop to the ground dead after they sinned but there was a “Death” in their spirits. Being separated from God for all Eternity is called: “The Second Death” (Rev. 2: 11). The death that took place in the Garden of Eden was a “spiritual” death. The human spirit is called; “The Candle Of The Lord” (Proverbs 20:27). It is the only place where true worship and fellowship takes place with God. Jesus said: “Those who would worship God must worship Him IN spirit and Truth” (John 4: 24).

Conclusion:

The Word of God tells us that outside of Faith in Jesus Christ we are dead men walking in living bodies. Dead spirits, but are those spirit’s really dead as we know death? The answer is no because when the spirit leaves, the body has died*. The sinner apart from Christ is spiritually dead to the things of God, they have lost the communication with the Fall. They cannot hear, but I have Good News for you! How did Lazarus hear the Lord’s call to come forth while he was dead? How can dead men hear? It is the Lord who gives ears to hear, eyes to see. Jesus brought back the spirit of Lazarus. He heard the Lord’s voice and he came forth in a living body and soul by the power of God alone, Jesus, the Resurrection and The Life! Born once, die twice! Born twice, die once! Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born
again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”(John 3:3 NASB) “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28 NASB)

Call upon Jesus, He is the only one who can save you, if you hear His voice, it will be in your spirit, don’t harden your heart. Repent of your sins and He will forgive you and give you a New Spirit which is alive to God. You will be a New Creation in Him. You will receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit and be joined to “The New Man” who is the Lord Jesus Himself. The Second Adam who could not fail, praise Him!

* For the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also the faith apart from the works is dead (James 2:26).

Ken

November 2011

I Remember Dad, a poem.

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Dec 172011

I Remember Dad, a poem

I remember my Wife’s Dad.

Not tall in stature, but a big heart he had.

A strong man was he, though meek in mind, In God’s word, those like him you will find.

Little things he did for his peace of mind.

His garden was just fine!

Strong drinks he did decline, all he wanted, was his old Italian wine.

He loved to hear sermons on the radio, through his good works, Jesus did show.

He was not a man of many words and slow to speak.

If you needed advice it was him to seek.

His generosity was great for all to see, he pleased the Lord and you and me.

Gone is he to Heaven above, much missed by those he loved.

He loved his garden, he loved his wine but most of all, he loved Jesus—the vine.

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing (John 15:5)

Author Ken
December 2011

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