Holiness or Hardness Toward God?

March 30th, 2015 by JDVaughn Leave a reply »

He…wondered that there was no intercessor… —Isaiah 59:16


The reason many of us stop praying and become hard toward God is that we only have an emotional interest in prayer. It sounds good to say that we pray, and we read books on prayer which tell us that prayer is beneficial— that our minds are quieted and our souls are uplifted when we pray. But Isaiah implied in this verse that God is amazed at such thoughts about prayer.Worship and intercession must go together; one is impossible without the other. Intercession means raising ourselves up to the point of getting the mind of Christ regarding the person for whom we are praying (see Philippians 2:5). Instead of worshiping God, we recite speeches to God about how prayer is supposed to work. Are we worshiping God or disputing Him when we say, “But God, I just don’t see how you are going to do this”? This is a sure sign that we are not worshiping. When we lose sight of God, we become hard and dogmatic. We throw our petitions at His throne and dictate to Him what we want Him to do. We don’t worship God, nor do we seek to conform our minds to the mind of Christ. And if we are hard toward God, we will become hard toward other people.Are we worshiping God in a way that will raise us up to where we can take hold of Him, having such intimate contact with Him that we know His mind about the ones for whom we pray? Are we living in a holy relationship with God, or have we become hard and dogmatic?Do you find yourself thinking that there is no one interceding properly? Then be that person yourself. Be a person who worships God and lives in a holy relationship with Him. Get involved in the real work of intercession, remembering that it truly is work— work that demands all your energy, but work which has no hidden pitfalls. Preaching the gospel has its share of pitfalls, but intercessory prayer has none whatsoever.
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March 30 2015

Journal Entry for March 30 2015

Lord, when Chambers says that intercessory prayer is hard work, he loses me.  You have been teaching us that spiritual work that is done out of our own energy, and our own sense of obligation and responsibility will always be hard work. But intercessory prayer and “good works” done out of love and connection with You will never be hard work. You have taught us that You will lead us into the good works and provide everything else we need including energy, vision and commitment….seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and I will provide everything you need including energy, hope, commitment and the love necessary for the completion of your service. ……Did I miss something or is the way of it?

And God says…”Your first step in any endeavor, perceived as “spiritual”, commercial, or personal starts with your connection with Me. Let me live through you, moving and shaping your heart, mind and mission. When I came to give you life and life more abundantly, I gave you the capacity to know that I am God, and that I love you. I gave you the capacity to understand that love is the fulcrum of the abundant life, regardless of your task and mission. I did not come to give you obligations, responsibility and guilt about what you have not done, or what you cannot accomplish on your own. Acknowledge Me in all your ways and I will make your paths straight. And when it feels like anything other than love; stop and reset you connection with Me. If in connection your mission does not feel like love, hope and grace; stop what you are doing and get reconnected, curious, obedient and expectant. Then move forward.”

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