Divine Reality And Our Inner Being - Part 2: The Prayer Series

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” – (Ephesians 3:14-19 NIV)

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. The Spirit’s ministry is supernatural. And He gives us an understanding that we cannot obtain by our study and natural effort, alone. 

“The power for which Paul prays is mediated through God’s Spirit” in our inner being.(1)

That’s where all spiritual transformation takes place. This ultimately results in a change in our outward behavior. As believers, we must ask God to reveal himself to us, so that as the NIV translates it: “you may know him better.” 

We first come to know him through our initial salvation experience, but that’s only the beginning of our spiritual journey. The knowledge of God is a never-ending process for those who pursue him. And, God desires for us to know the depth of his love, wisdom, and power in ever-increasing ways. 

He’s a holy but very personal God.

Intimacy with God will produce spiritual fruit in our lives if we won't give up. 

The apostle Paul prayed, “…my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!” - Galatians 4:19 ESV. His prayer is that we will grow more into the likeness of Christ.

Like a good Shepard, Paul cared deeply for the spiritual maturity of his sheep.

We have been set apart by God as his holy people so that our behavior will be in harmony with his will for our lives. 

We are His inheritance. 

And his will is that we will become more like Jesus (over time) through the transformation of our character. Paul’s prayer is that Jesus would take up residence in our hearts. That he would live in our hearts ungrieved. Jesus never leave us forsake us. Sin hurts our communion with Jesus. 

The theological word for this is sanctification. We have been set apart. But, growth in Christ doesn't happen apart from our pursuit of God. As followers of Jesus, we are God’s inheritance. And we have his resurrection power living inside of us. 

We must ask (pray) for an understanding of the “immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might,” which is what God has given us in Christ. For the most part, the full extent of this power is untapped in our lives. 

We overcome the evil impulses of the world, the flesh, and the Devil by allowing the resurrection power of the indwelling Holy Spirit to dominate our thinking. 

As we discover God’s power in us, we are more effective in ministry. Without personal contact with the Holy One - spiritual growth is not possible.

The Ephesians understood that the spiritual atmosphere was evil and they were up against dark powers – that controlled unbelievers. 

Those same dark forces still operate in our world today. The early Church understood that they were fighting a spiritual battle. 

But, sadly many in the modern Church don’t have even a basic understanding of spiritual warfare. Paul was reassuring Christians that all these evil entities are under Christ’s feet. 

But we still have to resist this present darkness through prayer.

Pray for yourself and others for greater understanding of the resurrection power that God has given us.

And this is imparted to people of prayer.

So let’s keep asking.

(1) Praying With Paul, D.A.Carson, page 161 

Divine Reality And Our Inner Being: The Prayer Series

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” – (Ephesians 3:14-19 NIV)

The Holy Spirit mysteriously abides in the “inner being” of all followers of Jesus. When we become sensitive to His Spirit, He can reveal and impart his life and heart, to our minds and change our desires. When we press into God through the indwelling Holy Spirit, we can be guided by the truth of His Word, and prayer. Our internal conflicts can only be resolved by God’s indwelling Spirit. The spirit of a person that has experienced new birth desires to do the will of God, in his or her inner being.

When we come under the power of temptation we must learn to rely on the Holy Spirit. We can only be renewed daily, by the Spirit who is – “Christ in you, the hope of Glory.” The renewal of our inner being is crucial in our battle with, the world, the flesh, and the devil.

The unrenewed Christian mind falls back into old sin patterns and is conformed to the surrounding culture, to one degree or another. We can stand strong in the Lord, by trusting in the finished work of Christ, and by the renewal of our spirits by the Holy Spirit. Without day and night meditation on the Word, and on things above, we drift into sin and deception (Ps.1). And we become unfruitful and ineffective in what God is calling us to do.

Our thinking directs our actions and behavior. So, right thinking is critical as we walk out our lives before God. Our thought lives must be dominated by truth so that we can experience “soul prosperity”. When our souls (thought life) are dominated by and filled with, the Word and the Spirit, we will experience incremental change, if we don’t give up.

Praying for the renewal of the inner man needs to become part of our daily prayer lives. Praying the prayers of the Apostle Paul will help in discovering all that God has given us in Christ Jesus. These are God-breathed prayers, that if prayed consistently over a long period, will bear fruit.

The love of Christ surpasses our understanding. This kind of spiritual comprehension is revelatory. It supernaturally touches both our mind and emotions. God’s love fills us with unspeakable joy.

Recently, I was pondering whether many Christians today are avoiding God. And, that we often seek to hide from Him behind our religious activities.

 I was reflecting on the endless Bible studies and sermons that speak to our intellect, more than to our hearts. All of these activities are important, but the goal of spiritual knowledge is to come to know God more intimately.

Scripture was meant to teach us Biblical doctrine and to renew our minds. But, it takes both the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to bring about spiritual transformation in our lives.

God has given us the Holy Spirit, but it’s our responsibility to learn to fellowship with Him.

I see two major problems in certain spiritual movements, that trouble me. One group focuses on spiritual gifts. And that’s a good thing, as long as we allow the Holy Spirit to deal with our character flaws. Also, a more intellectual movement that seeks to study Biblical theology, at the expense of God’s presence. There are exceptions in the body of Christ to both of these groups.

It’s not sufficient to know what the Apostle Paul knew, without experiencing God as he did. Our study of Biblical doctrine will only come alive as we seek to experience God for ourselves.

 I thought the quote below by A.W. Tozer concerning Paul summed up my point well. It speaks of those who study truth but neglect to seek God’s presence.

“For them, the truth becomes a veil to hide the face of God; for Paul, it was a door into His very Presence. Paul’s spirit was that of the loving explorer. He was a prospector among the hills of God searching for the gold of personal spiritual acquaintance. Many today stand by Paul’s doctrine who will not follow him in his passionate yearning for divine reality. Can these be said to be Pauline in any but the most nominal sense?” (1)

(1) Tozer, A. W.. Keys to the Deeper Life. Pioneer Library. Kindle Edition.

Sitting With God In Our Pain: The Prayer Series

 

“My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.” Psalm 62: 1-2 (NASB 95)

(The NASB is a very literal translation.)

“For God alone I patiently wait; he is the one who delivers me. He alone is my protector and deliverer. He is my refuge; I will not be upended.” - Psalm 62: 1-2 (NET Bible)

There is a rest that comes when you ask God hard questions and then sit in silence. God is not offended by our questions and our disappointments - and what we perceive as unanswered prayer. 

As we read through the Psalms - we discover that King David, a man after God’s heart, had many questions.

Feeling disappointed with how some things have turned out in life is not a lack of faith. The Psalms are painfully honest. David had a secret history with God. Even though shaken his faith would not be upended. Only those who have experienced God as Father will have the faith to endure trials.

Running from God should never be our first option. He desires for us to run to him. And sit with him in our pain. That is true faith. 

God is looking for trust, even in the midst of our spiritual darkness. Joy will come if we learn the art of waiting on him. 

Metaphorically speaking God is our Rock. In reality, he is our shelter, a place of rest for our souls.

In that quiet secret place as we pour out our hearts to the source of our salvation - we quietly wait with confidence.

Trusting in His deliverance for ourselves and those we love. 

If we are still praying - God is still working.

In his time and his way.

Deep Prayer: The Prayer Series

Deep prayer focuses on God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. It is found in a place of stillness and receptivity to the workings of the Holy Spirit. King David said, "I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8) The Psalmist sensed the LORD right beside him.

That sense of His presence is available to us today. To experience a deeper prayer life, we need to eliminate distractions, retreat into our prayer closets, or find a place where we can be alone. As Jesus taught us, “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6)

It’s an act of humility to invite God's presence as we open our Bibles for guidance. Spending time quietly reflecting on all the good things He has done for us is essential. We should thank Him for the trials He has helped us through. Most importantly, we should thank Him for who He is. Time spent in gratitude is never wasted.

David prayed, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11) One of God’s attributes is His immanence, which is more than just a theological term to study. It simply means that God is present and actively involved with His creation. Some religions misunderstand this concept and worship the creation rather than the Creator (see Romans chapter 1).

While some may focus on studying the doctrine of God’s immanence, others may desire to experience it firsthand. Why not do both? 

Note: The practice of contemplative prayer is a controversial topic among many evangelicals, despite its rich history within Protestantism. I prefer the term "Deep Prayer" because my goal is a prayer life that is informed by both the Word and the Spirit. I have no desire to empty my mind; rather, I want to fill it with Scripture while experiencing the presence of God.

Quiet Prayer: The Prayer Series

"For what purpose did Christ go up into the mountains? To teach us that loneliness and retirement is good when we are to pray to God...for the wilderness is the mother of quiet; it is a calm and a harbor, delivering us from all turmoils." - John Chrysostom, (c347-407) 

Technically, there is no such thing as wordless prayer. Prayer's very definition is talking to God. Prayers can be loud or silent, but communication is always involved. We may weep in God's presence or groan under immense emotional or physical pressure. God knows the intentions of the heart. The Holy Spirit prays for us  "with groaning too deep for words."

The Father knows what we need before we ask him. He created us for fellowship with himself. There are times when all we can do is groan or utter the word help - God is with us in our pain. 

Silence is a good habit to practice to cultivate the presence of the LORD in our lives. In the life of Jesus, silence seems more about the atmosphere, not the lack of words.

Jesus often slipped away to be alone with his Father. He told us that we would not be heard for "our empty phrases" or "vain repetitions."

Strategic pauses in prayer are important. 

If we talk all the time, how can we ever listen? Unlike non-Christian religions, our prayers are fueled by the knowledge of God and His Word. Our prayer lives as followers of Jesus should be informed by Scripture.

Sound doctrine (biblical teaching) protects us from listening to the wrong voices. Knowing your Bible protects you from allowing culture or various voices (human or demonic) to form your thought life.

Guard your hearts and minds. Pray silently and pray loudly. Pray all kinds of prayers. Let your focus always be on the triune God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit

Scripture to meditate on:

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because[a] the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." - Romans 8:26-27 ESV

“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words." - Matthew 6-7 ESV

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." - Luke 5:16 NIV

"In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety."  - Hebrews 5:7 NASB 95

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." - Ephesians 6:18 NIV

(1) Gerald L. Sittser, Water From A Deep Well, Page 131

The Mountains: A Place Of Encounter

 Scripture:

"...Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God." - Luke 6:12

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." - Luke 5:16

A Reflection:

I saw the Alps from a distance.

I was a passenger in a car in a small town in Germany. We were turning around in a parking lot when one of my companions pointed to them in the distance.

I was traveling with my son-in-law and his associates - they were there for business - I was tagging along. While I was grateful to see so many beautiful sites in Germany, Churches, Castles, and other historical sites, I was disappointed we didn't make time to visit the mountains.

Mountains are significant in Scripture. 

They are holy places where we find God's servants encountering the Divine.

The Bible tells us stories of God - encounters on mountains - considered "Sacred sites' and places of "transcendent spiritual experiences."

" Ezekiel 28:13-15 places the Garden of Eden on a mountain. Abraham shows his willingness to sacrifice Isaac and then encounters God on a mountain" (Gen 22:1-14). Moses met God in a cloud on Mt. Sinai  (Ex 3:19). (1) 

 Jesus went to the mountains to pray(Mt 14:23) in solitude(Jn 6:15) and to be with his Father. He was transfigured (Mt 17:1-8) in the presence of his disciples, ascended into heaven(Acts 1:10-12), and "refuted Satan's temptations" (Mt 4:8) from the mountains.

We may not have access to a physical mountain to pray daily, but we can have that special place to commune with God. And to refute the devil's lies by believing and speaking the truth of Scripture (out loud). 

My companions and I allowed inconvenient obstacles like money and time to keep us from experiencing the Alps. Don't let distractions keep you from encountering the LORD.  We make time and sacrifices for what we value most. We have access to the throne of grace at any time.

Prayer:

 Father, we come into your presence through Jesus - by the Holy Spirit. Would you help us to find a place of solitude? It doesn't have to be a mountain but a place where we can meet with You undistracted. We ask for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know you better. We are desperate to encounter Your Presence. And to learn what it means to abide in You. Amen

(1) Source: Dictionary of Biblical Imagery

Speaking Truth To Power

 

My Thoughts:

Speaking truth to power is a phrase I hear often. It reminds me of the various protest movements against governments that date back to the volatile 1960s. We see it today from groups on the political left and right.

It is great to have a democracy that, in theory, allows free speech. Although, the reality is that you could lose your job over your opinions.

Jesus taught his disciples to worship him in Spirit and Truth. He gave his disciples both then and now spiritual authority over the demonic. 

The Apostle Paul taught that the real powers in charge occupy the spiritual realm. They influence political decisions and policies we see played out on earth. Many politicians are puppets serving their dark overlords.

We need to face it: monovalent entities are pulling the strings of their political puppets whose policies are counter to the Kingdom of God.

When we hear lies, we should counter them with the truth of Scripture, not our political opinions. 

That is how we speak truth to power. 

When the spiritual powers hear the proclamation of the gospel and when people receive it - they tremble.

 Principalities and Powers are not fearful of believers who do not speak the truth in love. They scoff at our attempts to argue with the people they control.

Yelling at demons during a prayer meeting is not how we exercise spiritual authority. We pray to God and invite his presence to drive the darkness away. The proclamation of truth and prayer are effective ways to push darkness away. People who submit to Jesus through a lifestyle that reflects the values of the Kingdom see results. We have authority over demons, but our focus must be on God.

The Scripture:

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." - Ephesians 6:12 ESV (Read the whole chapter)

 "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them." - Ephesians 5: 11 

"Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” - Luke 10:19-20 

Note: In Luke 10:19-20 Jesus is talking about ground-level spiritual warfare. Disciples of Jesus have the power and authority to cast demons out of people and sometimes places. We have not been - given the authority to cast out evil cosmic powers in the heavenly realms. Those Powers that influence cities, states, and governments can only be - removed through the proclamation of the gospel, repentance, and prayer.

Here is the Apostle Paul's spiritual battle plan:

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak." - Ephesians 6: 13-20