1 Timothy 2:1 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men."
WE HAVE ACCESS TO GOD, HERE ON EARTH, THROUGH OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
THIS MEANS, THAT WE ARE ABLE TO BECOME INTERCESSORS ON BEHALF OF OTHERS.
WE ARE ABLE THROUGH CHRIST JESUS TO PRAY FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT PRAY FOR THEMSELVES.
THOSE WHOM WE LOVE DEARLY AND ANY OTHER PERSON THE LORD JESUS LAYS ON OUR HEARTS.
WE CAN INTERCEDE WITH GOD ON THEIR BEHALF AND ASK HIM TO DRAW NIGH TO THEM.
CHRIST JESUS WHO IS OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST INTERCEDES FOR US.
John 17:25 "O righteous Father, the world hath not known Thee: but I have known Thee, and these have known that Thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them Thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith Thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them."
All who belong to Christ Jesus know that the Father has sent Him, and that the purpose of His coming, was to die for our sins.
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD.
GOD DESIRES THAT THE LOVE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BE IN US. - NOT ALL AROUND US AS SOME SEEM TO THINK..
GOD DESIRES THAT THE LOVE OF CHRIST JESUS BE MANIFESTED IN THE LIVES OF THOSE WHOM HE HAS REDEEMED.
THAT SHOULD PUT US DOWN ON OUR FACES BEFORE HIM.
ARE WE TRULY MANIFESTING HIS LOVE TO THE WORLD?
NO WE ARE NOT.
THIS IS WHAT THIS PRAYER, OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, SAYS, ABOUT BELIEVERS AND THE WORLD.
1) Believers are given to Christ out of this world (John 17:6).
2) They are left in the world (John 17:11).
3) They are not of the world (John 17:14).
4) They are hated by the world (John 17:14).
5) They are kept from the evil one in the world (John 17:15).
6) They are sent into the world (John 17:18).
7) They are manifested in unity before the world (John 17:23).
THESE ARE THE REQUESTS OF CHRIST JESUS FOR HIS OWN.
1) PRESERVATION.
2) That they have JOY,
" ... that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves." (John 17:13).
3) That they are delivered from the evil,
" ... shouldest keep them from evil." (John 17:15).
4) That they be
SET APART.
"Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth." (John 17:17).
5) That they be IN UNITY,
"That they all may be one ... " (John 17:21).
6) That they be in FELLOWSHIP.
" ... be with me where I am ... " (John 17:24).
7) That they be SATISFIED,
" ... that they might behold my glory which Thou hast given me: ... " (John 17:24).
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST OUR GREAT SHEPHERD, NOT ONLY CARRIES US ON HIS SHOULDERS - the place of strength and power - BUT HE ALSO CARRIES US ON HIS BREAST, HIS HEART - which speaks of His love for us.
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST HAS ALL POWER AND HE LOVES US!
HE GAVE HIS LIFE WILLINGLY TO PAY THE RANSOM FOR US.
John 15:13 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down His life for His friends."
Colossians 4:12 "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God."
Epaphras, was the leader or pastor of the early church at Colosse.
Epaphras, was a true intercessor.
He went to God on behalf of other believers and he entered into their ministry because he interceded for them.
We, can also be included in the ministry of those for whom we intercede, those who teach the Word of God faithfully, and those who are missionaries.
We are able through Christ Jesus to lay hold of God the Father in a mighty way when we pray on behalf of others.
It is truly wonderful to have someone to go to and to talk to.
We can talk to God about our families and our friends and we can tell the Lord Jesus all about ourselves also.
WHEN WE COME BEFORE GOD IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, HE ALWAYS HEARS US AND HE DOES ANSWER OUR PRAYERS - even though it is sometimes with a no to our request.
He does not always answer our prayers in the way that we want Him to, that is if what we request is not in accordance with His will or our motive is a selfish one.
Sometimes God withholds things from us because the time is not right or HE SAYS NO TO OUR REQUEST, because what we request is not good for us.
GOD ALWAYS KNOWS WHAT IS BEST FOR US.
HE ALWAYS ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS ACCORDING TO HIS WISDOM AND NOT ACCORDING TO OUR WILL.
WE HAVE ACCESS BY FAITH INTO HIS MARVELOUS GRACE WHEREIN WE STAND.
Romans 5:2 "By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
Hebrews 10:19-23 "Having, therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; and having an High priest over the house of God;
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (FOR HE IS FAITHFUL THAT PROMISED:)"
THE VEIL WAS TORN IN TWO WHEN CHRIST WAS CRUCIFIED ON THE TREE OF CALVARY.
THIS INDICATED THAT THE WAY TO GOD WAS OPENED.
THROUGH THE VEIL, THAT IS TO SAY HIS FLESH - THE WORD BECAME FLESH.
THE LIFE OF THE LORD JESUS DID NOT SAVE ANYONE.
WE "ENTER IN" THROUGH HIS DEATH - HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD, ALONE.
THE LORD JESUS CHRIST SHED HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD FOR YOU AND FOR ME.
YOU AND I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF WORSHIPING GOD BECAUSE THE LORD JESUS DIED IN OUR PLACE.
I learned this chorus when I used to attend the Youth group many years ago at the Crawford Gospel Hall.
Are you able to sing it with my daughter, Losinda.
My Saviour died. Pierced by those cruel nails, Was crucified.
Lord Jesus, Thou hast done, ALL THIS FOR ME,
Henceforward I would live only for Thee.
AMEN.
THE LORD JESUS GAVE US "A NEW AND LIVING WAY" BY SHEDDING HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD FOR US.
AND HE HAS MADE BELIEVERS INTO A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS UNTO GOD
NOT TO SERVE HIM IN AN EARTHLY SANCTUARY.
BUT TO MAKE US ABLE TO WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH.
WE ARE ABLE TO OFFER A SACRIFICE TO GOD.
We bring the sacrifice of praise,
Into the house of the Lord,
We bring the sacrifice of praise,
Into the house of the Lord,
And we offer up to Him,
The sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And we offer up to Him,
The sacrifice of praise.
AMEN.
Because we are priests - we are privileged to have access to God, and we are able to offer a sacrifice to Him.
WE ARE ALSO ABLE TO OFFER OUR POSSESSIONS TO GOD AND THEY ARE ACCEPTABLE TO HIM.
Philippians 4:18 "But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God."
WE CAN OFFER PRAISE UNTO GOD.
Have you offered praise to God this day?
Are you willing to offer your possessions to Him?
Hebrews 13:15 "By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name."
WE ARE TO PRAISE GOD IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.
WE ARE TO PRAISE HIM IN THE MORNING, NOON AND NIGHT. ACTUALLY ALL DAY LONG.
WE CAN PRAISE HIM IN THE MORNING FOR A NEW DAY AND WE CAN PRAISE HIM IN THE EVENING FOR BRINGING US THROUGH THE DAY.
WE MAY ALSO OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD AS A SACRIFICE.
Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
THIS IS THE BASIC FUNCTION OF A PRIEST.
When you are a born again believer then you have the privilege, as a priest, to go into the Presence of God, who is Holy, Righteous, Just and all Powerful
THROUGH OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND OFFER OURSELVES ON THE ALTAR.
Are you willing to lay your life on the altar for God?
He is calling for you today.
FIRSTLY LAY YOUR POSSESSIONS BEFORE GOD THEN, YOUR PRAISE AND ADORATION AND LASTLY YOURSELF.
If you are not yet a child of God, then my dear reader, the way to God is open.
CHRIST JESUS IS THE WAY TO GOD.
John 6:37 "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."
HE HAS OPENED THE WAY FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON TO COME TO GOD.
PRAYERFULLY MEDITATE ON:
Hebrews 7:25 "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them."
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS COME.
THE ONLY THING THAT WILL HOLD YOU BACK, IS YOURSELF - UNBELIEF - THAT YOU NEED A SAVIOUR.
CHORUS. THERE'S A WAY BACK TO GOD.
Sung by Losinda.
There's a way back to God, From the dark paths of sin,
There's a door that is open, And you may go in,
At Calvary's cross, Is where you begin,
WHEN YOU COME AS A SINNER, TO JESUS.
Please will you make a decision to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour while there is yet access to the throne of grace.
Reply to Caryl@cherith.co.za.
THIS PAGE UPDATED: 9-4-2007.