King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34
Date: Friday, October 30, 2020
Chapters: Luke 18
Message: Pray Without Fainting
Hello My Friend,
When you hear the word faint, you most likely think it means to pass out. Well, there is another meaning to the word faint, and it is actually something that we all can relate to, especially through this pandemic, to sink into a depression, or to lose courage or spirit. I swear, the entire world has gone out of control on how they are reacting to Covid. And I tell you what, it is not the conservative, common sense people who are causing so many people to faint, it is the, I am sorry, nut jobs, who want to control your life, liberties, and mind that are. What happens when you lock a bunch of people in a room with limited food, water, necessities, and tell them that they are going to die? Insanity. I will tell you something else, this is all allowed by God. He warned us that things like this were going to happen if we turned our backs on Him. Nevertheless, those who are saved and born again, through Christ, and do not faint will be protected, [II Corinthians 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.]
How many times have you prayed as you are laying down to sleep only to fall asleep? If you are like me, that is almost every night. I really think that is brings God joy to have us fall asleep as we are talking to Him, at least, He knows our dreams will be of Him. I definitely sleep a lot better if I fall asleep talking to Him rather then just hitting the pillow and saying nothing at all. In fact, I do believe that those of us who pray before bed most likely pray to God all day long, and not just at specific times. This is not the same thing as fainting when we pray, but Jesus does teach us the importance of not fainting when we pray, and of course, He does this in a parable.
[Luke 18:1-8 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?]
[and not to faint;] This type of fainting occurs when we get depressed, losing hope that God will turn things around. Do you know how many saved, born again Christians commit suicide? That number is astounding. Please understand that if a saved person does commit suicide that does not mean they were never saved or lost their salvation. No one loses their salvation, once we are saved nothing can change that, it is that they stopped praying and fainted. Fainting is all accounted to Satan and his messing with the minds of Christians who are suffering. As long as we hold on to our faith, and faint not, God will see us through all of this, [Galatians 6:9-10 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.]
People may say they have great faith, and even pray, but God knows who are true, and He will call them out on it. As Jesus watches all these people in the temple, praying and giving their tithes and offerings, He spoke this parable.
[Luke 18:9-14 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.]
[trusted in themselves that they were righteous,] Do you think that any of these fools who are enforcing these shut downs of their states and cities really care about the people? Do you actually think they are worried about where you are going to get your next meal or money to pay the rent? Oh, they want to give you money, health care, education, that those who somehow are able to work are paying for with the taxes they pay. Oh, and there is one more thing, they are quick to tell you just how religious they are and pray for you. They think what they are doing is noble, but it is all done to exalt themselves. God knows exactly what they are doing, and He will require their souls, [Luke 12:16-21 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.]
[and is not rich toward God.] Do you think I am kidding when I say, these people really do not care about people? If they did they would not let their cities and states go to ruin as thousands of people who are only reacting the way they are because they have fainted. The truth is this, they are not losing any of their riches, they still get paid the same, have their homes, food on the table, and bed to sleep in, and they are not willing to give any of it up for anyone. Watch as Jesus explains what happened to the rich ruler.
[Luke 18:18-24 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!]
[Yet lackest thou one thing:] Do you think any of these fools are giving up any of their millions to help those who need food and shelter? Let me tell you how many of these Mayors, Governors, Senators, and Congressmen live in gated mansions, driving in their limos, as people are camped out in the streets, looting, and destroying livelihoods. If they truly cared about the people, they would not let their cities and states be destroyed by all the thugs, and putting the blame of it all on the president. Nothing is going to change if these fools do not start taking responsibility for their own actions, and start holding themselves accountable for the messes they are making, and repent, [Revelation 3:15-19 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.]
God is not done with us just yet, He knows there are many of His people in the midst of all this, He just wants us to pray without fainting. As Jesus was walking toward Jericho, a blind beggar sitting on the side of the road, hearing all the commotion, asked what all the noise was about. When someone told him that Jesus was near, he cried out to Him, but the people kept telling him to shut up. He did not, he got louder, and Jesus went right over to Him.
[Luke 18:35-42 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: 36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. 37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by. 38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. 40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, 41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. 42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.]
[but he cried so much the more,] This is how we all should be! If the crowd keeps telling us to shut up and stop calling out to Jesus, shout even louder. If every saved, born again Christian reading this cries out to Jesus, our faith will turn things around, [Matthew 18:19-20 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, There is such great power in Your name, which is why so many people cringe when we speak it. Just by speaking Your name, believing, a soul is saved, a prayer is answered, a life is changed. We love You because You first loved us, and You promise that if we ask anything in Your name, it will be done. Now, we know that You answer prayers as You see fit, and we know that Your timing is everything. Lord, Lead us and guide us, give us Your mercy, grace, protection as we endure this pandemic and all the evils it is bringing. Let us not get weary in well doing, keep us encouraged, and looking to You so that we will not faint. Give us Your strength and power to get back up should we start to feel faint. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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