Participants:
Series Code: PHTDP
Program Code: PHTDP200008S
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00:14 Hi and thanks for joining us on Day 8 of 10 Days of Prayer,
00:18 a prayer plan from our friends 00:19 at revivalandreformation.org. 00:22 Matthew 12:31 records these words of Jesus. 00:25 "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy 00:28 will be forgiven men, 00:30 but the blasphemy against the Spirit 00:32 will not be forgiven men." 00:34 What is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? 00:36 Well, some say it's refusal to respond 00:39 to the spirits call to repent. 00:41 Listen to the testimony of this pastor." 00:44 Even Spirit-filled people sometimes make mistakes. 00:48 Abraham, Moses, David, and Peter 00:50 all had defects of character 00:52 and momentary failures in the hour of temptation. 00:55 Even Jesus was tempted, though He never yielded. 00:59 So just because we are walking in the spirit 01:01 at this moment does not mean 01:03 we are beyond the possibility of making mistakes, 01:06 and a mistake is not the same as hardening our hearts in sin. 01:10 A woman in her later years 01:11 had become calloused, discouraged, and angry. 01:14 She had little tolerance for others 01:16 except for her closest friends from years gone by. 01:19 When visitors came to church, 01:21 she often made offensive comments 01:23 regarding their children, 01:24 their attire, or something else. 01:26 Newly baptized members and others were offended 01:29 by her rude criticisms. 01:30 Some became so discouraged 01:32 that they would not come back to church. 01:34 I was in the dark about 01:36 all of this until one elders' meeting. 01:38 I asked the elders if they knew 01:39 why people were not returning to church. 01:42 Several hung their heads in silence. 01:44 Finally one elder spoke up, 'Pastor, 01:47 we have a lady in our congregation 01:49 who cannot control her tongue. 01:51 She gossips and criticizes nearly everyone. 01:54 This is why people won't return to church.' 01:56 'How long has this been going on?' 01:58 I asked. 01:59 'For many years,' was the response. 02:01 'Why hasn't anyone done something about this?' 02:03 I continued. 02:05 'A couple of pastors have tried, 02:06 but there is never any change.' 02:09 'This simply cannot continue,' I said, 02:11 'so here is what I am proposing.' 02:14 I will go visit this lady and require her 02:16 to change her behavior within two weeks. 02:19 If she is unwilling to change, 02:21 then her name will be brought up 02:22 to the next board meeting for discipline. 02:24 Will you elders back me up on this?' 02:27 The elders unanimously backed the plan. 02:30 I made arrangements to visit the lady in question. 02:32 'I know why you are here,' 02:34 she said when I sat down in her living room. 02:37 'You do?' I replied. 02:39 'Yes,' she continued, 'you have come here 02:41 to talk about the way I talk to people.' 02:44 'That is exactly right,' I said, 02:46 'but how did you know that?' 02:48 'Because two other pastors have come to my home 02:51 to talk about the same thing.' 02:53 'Did it do any good?' I questioned. 02:55 'No, it did not.' 02:57 'Why?' I asked. 02:59 'Because I have the right to say 03:01 what I think best, 03:02 and people are way too sensitive. 03:04 They wear their feelings on their shirtsleeves.' 03:08 I discussed Christian behavior 03:10 using verses like Ephesians 4:29-31, 03:13 but the woman was still unwilling to change. 03:16 With a prayer on my heart, 03:18 I said, 'You have two weeks to change your behavior, 03:20 or I will be forced to take your name 03:22 to the church board for discipline, 03:23 and I have the support of all the elders on this.' 03:27 'You wouldn't do that!' 03:28 she exclaimed. 03:29 'Oh, yes, I will unless you decide 03:31 to change the way you talk to people.' 03:34 'I don't believe the elders 03:35 will back you on this,' she said. 03:37 'They already have, and you can check with them 03:39 if you want to, but that is the way it is.' 03:43 This revelation caused the woman to sit back 03:45 and solemnly reflect in silence. 03:48 I gently said, 'We all love you 03:51 and want you to be part of our congregation, 03:53 but this behavior has to change.' 03:56 The following Sabbath she did not come to church. 03:59 Her friends avoided me. 04:00 I knew they were all struggling with the situation. 04:03 The next Sabbath, 04:05 just before her two weeks were up, 04:07 she came to church. 04:08 I walked up to greet her. 04:10 Her face was sober, 04:12 but she took my hand and held it firmly. 04:14 'Pastor,' she said, 04:16 'I thought over everything you said. 04:18 I want you to know I now see clearly that 04:20 I have been in the wrong all these years. 04:23 I hope you will forgive me, 04:24 and I intend to ask the forgiveness of the elders 04:27 and the rest of the church. 04:28 With the help of God, I will be a different woman.' 04:32 Her eyes glistened with tears at this admission, 04:35 and I am happy to say 04:36 she was faithful to her promise. 04:38 People began to come back to church, 04:40 and the congregation grew rapidly." 04:43 Well, I've known people like that. 04:46 Think and pray about the Scripture. 04:48 Hebrews 6:4-6, "For it is impossible 04:53 for those who were once enlightened, 04:55 and have tasted the heavenly gift, 04:56 and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 04:59 and have tasted the good word of God 05:01 and the powers of the age to come, 05:03 if they fall away, it is impossible to renew them 05:06 again to repentance, 05:08 since they crucify again for themselves 05:11 the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame." 05:14 Truly converted people 05:15 are capable of turning away from Jesus. 05:19 In Hebrews 4:7 says, "Today, 05:22 if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts." 05:26 See, the best time to obey the voice of the Holy Spirit 05:29 is the first time that He speaks to you. 05:33 And then in Acts 7:51 says, 05:38 "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised 05:40 in heart and ears! 05:42 You always resist the Holy Spirit 05:45 as your fathers did, so do you. 05:49 Do not resist the guidance 05:50 and the warnings of the Holy Spirit. 06:08 Have Thine own way, Lord 06:14 Have Thine own way 06:18 Thou art the potter, 06:22 I am the clay 06:27 Mold me and make me 06:32 After Thy will 06:36 While I am waiting 06:42 yielded and still 06:46 Have Thine own way, Lord 06:51 Have Thine own way 06:55 Search me and try me, 06:59 Savior, today 07:04 Wash me just now, Lord, 07:09 wash me just now 07:14 As in Thy presence, 07:19 I humbly bow 07:25 Have Thine own way, Lord! 07:30 Have Thine own way! 07:36 Wounded and weary, 07:40 Help me I pray 07:45 Power, all power, 07:49 surely is Thine 07:54 Touch me and heal me, 07:59 Savior divine 08:13 Let's pray. 08:15 Dear, Father, may I listen to Your voice always? 08:21 And forgive me when I have been stubborn. 08:26 God, open my eyes and my ears to discern Your will 08:31 and give me the courage to obey. 08:36 Jesus, forgive me for the pain 08:38 that I have caused You, 08:40 when I have been unwilling to give up my sin. 08:47 Please do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 08:53 Soften my heart to receive Your instruction, Lord. 09:02 God, please forgive our church 09:04 when we have not listened to Your voice in the Bible. 09:10 Help us as a congregation to cleanse ourselves of sinned 09:13 and restore the presence of Your spirit among us 09:16 we ask O' God, restore Your spirit. 09:20 Create in us a clean heart, O' God, 09:23 and renew a right spirit within us. 09:28 Lord, cast me not away from Your presence 09:32 and do not take Your Holy Spirit from us. 09:38 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation. 09:43 And then we will teach sinners Your ways, 09:48 and they will be converted to You. 09:57 Father, we intercede for those who may be victims 09:59 of circumstances are controlled by addictions. 10:05 Lord, we ask that You would break the chains 10:07 that bind them. 10:09 And may we win them back to You 10:12 through love and concern. 10:17 God, I ask that You would please touch us 10:19 and teach us how to live out our belief 10:23 that others will be attracted 10:27 by the way we live, 10:31 by the difference that they see in us. 10:35 May the love of Jesus Christ be at the core of everything 10:39 that we believe and we do. 10:47 We ask You God to prepare young people 10:49 to plant churches for the 789 people groups 10:54 in the 9 countries of North American Division. 11:00 We ask you to raise up medical missionaries 11:03 to plant churches among the 830 people groups 11:07 in the 11 countries 11:08 of East-Central Africa Division. 11:15 We ask you to raise up prayer warriors 11:17 to intercede for the 2,568 people groups 11:22 in the 4 countries of Southern Asia Division. 11:27 Oh, God, so many people are in need of You, Lord. 11:31 They need to hear Your good news. 11:37 We ask you to raise up new youth leaders to teach 11:40 and direct the youth in our churches. 11:45 Lord, we ask for Your Holy Spirit 11:47 to draw the youth to You. 11:53 Give them a hunger for righteousness, Lord. 12:04 Lord, we get requests here at 3ABN, 12:09 and I lift them up to You, Lord. 12:14 A woman has called in and said that her husband 12:17 is having pains in his head and sometimes seizures. 12:23 She says that they're under 12:26 massive amount of stress financially, 12:28 and they're seeking a way out. 12:31 Their house is on the market, 12:34 they're looking for property at a reasonable price. 12:40 Lord, they need a miracle in so many ways. 12:45 We're reminded that nothing is impossible with You. 12:50 So I ask that You would move on their behalf, God. 12:56 A lady has called in and saying that 12:58 she has many strokes 13:02 and blood clots on her brain. 13:05 Father, she needs Your healing. 13:10 Jesus, 13:16 grant healing. 13:21 A caller calls in and says, "My coworker is being treated 13:25 unjustly by his supervisor who is a non-believer. 13:30 He's using his office to work with human resources 13:33 on getting rid of the coworker 13:37 with a meager settlement." 13:40 Prayer is being requested for God's mighty hand of mercy 13:43 and protection to be upon him 13:46 and to provide him a job along with this one 13:50 who is asking prayer as she goes to the manager 13:55 to talk in behalf of the person. 14:00 Also, praying for the supervisor 14:01 to accept Jesus as his Savior. 14:06 What a wonderful opportunity we have as workers 14:11 to make a difference in our place of work. 14:22 We lift up those who are in need of caretakers 14:24 for ailing family members. 14:35 We ask for a healing touch in the life 14:38 of those who are ailing. 14:44 And, Lord, I just want to stop for a moment 14:46 and lift up to You. 14:51 Relationships in which one spouse 14:54 is not a believer. 14:59 Lord, we know how that makes relationships difficult. 15:05 I ask, God, that You would give 15:07 strength to the Christian spouse 15:10 to be the godly witness that would draw their husband 15:12 or their wife to You. 15:14 Lord, I pray that You will touch our hearts 15:16 that we would live peaceably together, 15:19 preferring one another over ourselves. 15:28 Have Thine own way, Lord 15:32 Have Thine own way 15:37 Hold over my being 15:41 Absolute sway 15:46 Fill with Thy Spirit 15:51 Till all shall see 15:55 Christ only always 16:01 living in me 16:13 God, we ask that You will speak to us 16:15 in this time of prayer. 16:27 Holy Spirit, please speak to us. 16:48 Lord, I know that there are those 16:50 who are watching who've lost their loved ones 16:54 after a long battle with disease. 16:58 Then there are those who had no notice of death, 17:03 they died suddenly. 17:12 And these family members not only are left with the pain 17:15 of the loss, 17:18 but they're left with financial bills, 17:23 legal issues, 17:27 family situations 17:32 besides the heartache and loneliness. 17:42 Lord, Your Word declares that You will never leave us 17:46 nor forsake us. 17:49 That You are comfort, and I ask God 17:52 that You would 17:54 send Your Holy Spirit to comfort. 18:04 To lead these families who have lost loved ones, 18:08 lead them to solutions and remind them 18:13 that You are with them, God. 18:22 Father, we lift up those who need salvation, 18:26 our loved ones, our family members, 18:29 they need You, Lord. 18:37 God, I thank You for our churches, 18:41 the facilities, and the leaderships, 18:44 the teachers, the workers. 18:49 We know as long as there are people involved, 18:51 things can go wrong. 18:54 Feelings can be hurt and misunderstanding can occur. 19:00 But, Father, as we strive to be salt 19:02 and light in this world, 19:06 I ask, God, that You will help our churches 19:10 to be godly. 19:18 To follow Your Spirit, to forgive one another, 19:23 to bear each other's burdens, to simply love in word and deed 19:29 so that no one will be drawn away 19:34 from the church because of hurt. 19:42 Holy God, teach us to be a loving people 19:47 to follow Your example. 19:55 Sometimes we hurt each other, 19:57 and we break hearts by our selfishness 20:01 in multiple, multiple ways we have of doing that 20:04 we've learned so many ways to be ugly. 20:10 We don't always intend to God, 20:12 but I ask, Lord, 20:14 that You would heal the hearts of those 20:16 who have been shattered by ugly words, 20:21 ugly deeds, help them to get over it, 20:26 and to allow someone another chance. 20:29 God, we all want another chance with You, 20:35 with those that we have hurt, 20:37 with those that we have been hurt by. 20:44 Thank you, God, for being the God 20:45 of a second, third, fourth, 20:47 and millionth chance. 20:51 Thank you for Your love that is never ending 20:55 and Your mercy and forgiveness that is never failing. 21:06 There's a woman who... 21:10 She's a mother, and she's called in 21:14 and she's asking prayer for her son 21:16 who thinks he's a woman, 21:20 and he's living with a man. 21:25 The prayer is that he would come to You, Lord. 21:33 The same woman asks for her daughter 21:38 that You will touch the relationship 21:40 that she has with her daughter. 21:44 She says she doesn't understand the Bible 21:46 and she needs You, Jesus. 21:53 There's a woman with an autistic son 21:54 who is being harassed at night by a demon. 22:00 Lord, I ask that You would 22:03 cause these attacks to stop 22:05 and to rebuke Satan 22:11 and deliver this son. 22:16 Lord, save our sons and daughters, God. 22:20 The battle is real. 22:27 Someone needs Jesus to intervene 22:29 in a spiritual battle going on in their home. 22:32 We rebuke the enemy 22:34 and we pray the evil will not hurt. 22:38 This one who is asked 22:43 and the God will grant protection, Lord. 22:51 Lord, we need You. 22:56 Lord, we need you. 23:01 Lord, I come, 23:05 I confess 23:07 Bowing here I find my rest 23:13 Without You I fall apart 23:19 You're the One 23:21 That guides my heart 23:28 Lord, I need You, 23:30 Oh, I need You 23:35 Every hour I need You 23:41 My one defense, 23:44 My righteousness 23:47 Oh God, how I need You 23:55 Where sin runs deep 23:58 Your grace is more 24:01 Where grace is found 24:04 Is where You are 24:08 Where You are, Lord, 24:10 I am free 24:14 Holiness Is Christ in me 24:20 Lord, I need You, 24:22 Oh, I need You 24:27 Every hour I need You 24:33 My one defense, 24:36 my righteousness 24:39 Oh God, how I need You 24:52 So teach my song to rise to You 24:58 When temptation comes my way 25:04 When I cannot stand I'll fall on You 25:10 Jesus, You're my hope and stay 25:25 Lord, I need You, 25:27 Oh, I need You 25:32 Every hour 25:35 I need You 25:40 My one defense, 25:43 My righteousness 25:46 Oh God, 25:48 how I need You 25:54 Oh God, how I need You 26:02 Oh God, I need You 26:11 In John 6:37, Christ assures us that, 26:15 "All those the Father gives Me will come to Me, 26:19 and whoever comes to Me I will never drive away." 26:23 He will not send away those who come to Him. 26:28 His acceptance is peppered throughout the gospels. 26:32 We will find Him waiting with open arms. 26:36 Christ's invitation extends to everyone, 26:38 and He accepts all those who will follow Him 26:45 and will walk in His ways. 26:51 So if you've offended anyone, 26:59 if you've turned your back on God, 27:07 reach out to Him and ask for forgiveness. 27:13 Just let Him know. 27:16 Lord, I need You, 27:19 Oh, I need You 27:25 Every hour 27:29 I need You 27:33 My one defense, 27:36 My righteousness 27:39 Oh God, how I need 27:45 You Thank you, Lord, 27:47 for Your acceptance for Your love, 27:57 for that prodigal is returning to You. 28:04 Thank You. |
Revised 2020-04-09