Prayer Dynamics furnished by Rev. E. Anderson

May 22, 2008 at 10:03 pm (Prayer Dynamics)

                                                      

Rev. E. Anderson

DYNAMIC PRAYER AND AN HISTORIC DAY

 

Reading    Acts 1 & 2: 1-4

 

Introduction

 

VITAL LINK: In viewing the birthday and the spiritual blessing of the Church at its outset it is very obvious that dynamic praying was linked to the historic day of Pentecost. They are inseparable. One cannot think about one without including the other. The latter took place because the former was in place and function’

 

PRESENT FACTOR: What was set out at the beginning is definitely a principle to the rest of Christendom for all time. If the Church is to know Pentecostal blessing and growth in any real degree then this procedure and practice is called for. Prayer for the Holy Spirit’s incoming and indwelling is still a key factor in the Church immediate and future experience and expansion. If there are to be further historic days of divine significance then there must be some mighty, dynamic praying.

 

Viewing the context of that memorable event there are things of note to be taken account of to inspire great faith and movement in this direction.

 

1.       THERE WAS THE COMMAND OF CHRIST THAT HAD TO BE OBSERVED – Acts 1: 4

 

He was in complete charge of this group of people and had great designs upon them with regard to their future. They were now His chosen disciples and would be responsible for the building of His new kingdom in the way that He desired. It was essential that they accept Him as Lord and sovereign Head and be prepared to carry through His plans and agenda. They were not to amend it in any way but see to it that every command was adhered to. Here the acid test was present at the beginning – ‘ they were not to depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father’ – Acts 1: 4. They were to receive something special that would enable them to fulfil His purpose.

 

There is no way that things in the kingdom of God will move ahead unless we heed the directions of our sovereign Head, Jesus Christ.

 

2.       THERE WAS THE FAITH AND OBDEDIENCE OF THE DISCIPLES TO A PRIMARY PURPOSE – Acts 1: 14

 

It was not to be an idle waiting doing nothing. They were not to hang around vainly hoping that something would occur. Intense preparation was required on their part and the most important for each and every one of them to do was to pray. No one was to be excluded but all were kindled in heart and spirit to give themselves to seeking God for whatever He was about to do. The apostolic band was present along, with the women, Mary the mother of Jesus and his brothers. It was urgent upon them that there be a 10 day period of seeking and waiting upon God. Seeing a historic day was just in front of them in the Jewish calendar no doubt the interest of all was spiritually quickened!

 

When something similar takes place in the local church and beyond, then there is the likelihood of God hearing and stepping in and doing something dynamic and spontaneous.

 

3.       THERE WAS THE ESSENTIAL UNITY OF THE COMMUNITY IN A COMMON PURSUIT – Acts 2: 1

 

As a consequence of their being and praying together it appears they were welded together by God into a harmonious relationship that was acceptable to God. The time period spent in such a fashion produced this spiritual spin off. The dynamic praying together by all had the effect of creating unity and warm ties of a holy nature between them. They did not have to force accord; it was divinely birthed in each of them. The scripture of Psalm 133 was being fulfilled amongst them.

 

They did not simply pray for unity as is witnessed today. As they prayed together as one they became one and it was an atmosphere that suited and satisfied heaven. The common pursuit of being blessed by the Father in sacred promise should cause this accord to emerge in the present.

 

4.       THERE WAS THE ADVENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN A PHENOMENAL FASHION – Acts 2: 2-4

 

God was dynamically moved by what He beheld in that company and could not withhold blessing them in a spectacular, unique and memorable fashion. He was to give all of them without exception an incredible and unbelievable experience that would be as historic as the day. All assembled were dynamically impacted with a powerful experience. It would go down as an occasion when that which was of a supernatural order took place and that would have lasting repercussions.

 

Who can yet tell what God has in store and what He still waits to do when He discovers that the spiritual conditions are right? He has not exhausted His ideas or ways of invading His people at this time.

 

5.       THERE WAS THE GREAT CONSEQUENCE OF AN OUTSIDE WORLD CONVICTED AND CONVERTED – Acts 2: 5-47

 

What followed was dynamic too. God made sure there would be people from all over who would hear and see what had just happened and He would equally dynamically work in and on them in a positive fashion. The spiritual result was that intense conviction came on the sinners and they were wonderfully converted and became obedient to the faith – see vv37—47. From that day the world would never be the same again.

 

God waits to so move in and renew His people with the Holy Spirit that the hard, indifferent world of people without shall be wrought upon in a spiritual and supernatural manner.

 

CONCLUSION

 

As the Christian leadership and community resort to this spiritual procedure of prayer it will discover that God has a powerful agenda to introduce to the world of mankind that will be dynamic and historic.

 

 

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Word for the Week composed by Rev. E. Anderson

May 22, 2008 at 9:54 pm (Word for the Week)

                                               

Rev. E. Anderson

CHANGE

 

One of the fundamental meanings of the word change is to alter and make different, and the idea is to transform into something that will be useful and beneficial.  It can also hold the thought of remodelling in order to make more beautiful and presentable.

 

The world we exist in is a world that sees great changes in numerous things. In the sky above there is the constant diversifying of its formation and scene and in nature around through the seasons there is the clear evidence of renewal and transmutation. It is something that we are familiar with and grow used to, and appreciate a great deal.

 

The caterpillar, for instance, knows what it is to go through what is called a metamorphosis. A period of its initial being and existence is spent crawling around on the ground and the leaves of vegetation. It then is encased a chrysalis state where it looks to be dead and of no further use. But in the chrysalis it is undergoing change and the moment arrives when it breaks forth and takes on the form of a beautiful butterfly. It seems incredible that it could have formerly been an insect of low estate!

 

Christianity is in the business of bringing about extraordinary transformation in lives of men and women irrespective of nationality, colour and creed. In pondering the nature and manners of humanity one is compelled to note that all need to be inwardly and dynamically transformed. The behaviour of people underlines the fact that they are sinners and possess a life and lifestyle that requires a genuine and true conversion. People are not what they ought to be.

 

God knows that and has provided the means by which everyone can be divinely changed. In sending Jesus Christ into the world it was and is with this objective in view. Christ is the person who is capable of renewing every person and making them what they should be. The Bible states: ‘If any man be in Christ he is a brand new person inside; old things have passed away and all things have become new ‘ – 2 Corinthians 5: 17.  He died in order to pay the price for man’s sins and rose again to come and share His life in us so that we can be different and live differently.

 

Christian conversion simply means being initially changed by Christ. It is not becoming religious or a mere church-goer. When a person turns to Christ and allows Him into the heart and life He enters in order to work a miracle of change. Not only does He forgive sin, He implants His nature and life within and so an immediate change takes place. There is a love for God, for the things that are loving, true, good and right and the ability to break out into a brand new manner of living. Instead of grovelling in sin, there is a manifestation of a new individual that wills to do that which forms a wholesome character and contributes to the blessedness of life. Instead of being negatived by sin they live and move in a positive manner of existence.

 

Christian conversion brings a constant change. Besides the immediate transformation there is the ongoing process of transformation. A Christian is not perfect and there are the occasional slip ups and mistakes but there is a learning to deal with the old life that seeks to resurrect and re-assert its. The new life learns to put to death all the former bad habits and practices and introduces and establishes better principles that as they are outworked over a long period of living bring maturity and perfection. There is an incessant process of renewal that bring regular improvement and development. There is an invariable adding of graces and gifts that causes the individual to become better. There is an habitual graduation, a moving onward and upward so that all can see that Jesus Christ is Lord and has taken over.

 

But that is not all: the greater change is yet to come. Although natural death may come there is the prospect of a supernatural transformation to occur at the second advent of Christ. Paul teaches so much about this in 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 5; 1 Thessalonians 4.  The apostle states about the dead and living Christian believers as to what will occur in his notes on the resurrection when Christ puts in His appearance: ‘We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump . . . . .’ – 1 Corinthians 15: 51-56. death does not have the last word because the day of renewal and transformation is on the way, and it will be of highest and best and permanent.

 

PRAYER

 

Jesus Christ you have come to make me different and to live differently. Make me ready for your return so that I shall know and the ultimate transformation that you have promised.

 

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A Time to Laugh served by Rev. E. Anderson

May 22, 2008 at 9:50 pm (A Time to Laugh)

                                              

Rev. E. Anderson

HUMOROUS FACTORS

 

Did you hear about the florist who had two children? One’s a budding genius and the other’s a blooming idiot.

 

1st Undertaker: ‘I’ve just been given the sack’.

2nd Undertaker: ‘Why?’

1st Undertaker: ‘I buried someone in the wrong place’.

2nd Undertaker: ‘That was a grave mistake’.

 

Why do barbers make good drivers? Because they know all the short cuts.

 

What happens when business is slow at a medicine factory? You can hear a cough drop.

 

Sign on the school notice board: Guitar for sale, cheap, no strings attached.

 

Sign outside the school caretaker’s hut: Will the person who took my ladder please return it, or further steps will be taken.

 

Two fishermen were out in their boat one day when a hand appeared in the ocean. ‘What’s that?’ asked the first fisherman. ‘It looks as if someone is drowning!’  ‘Nonsense’, said the second. ‘It was just a little wave’.

 

What happened to Ray when a ten-ton truck ran over him?  He became X-Ray.

 

 

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