#2 Pre-Requisites for ANSWERED PRAYER

1 John 5:14-16

And this is the confidence that we have in HIM+, that, if we ask any thing according to His+ Will, HE+ heareth us:  And if we know that HE+ hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of HIM+.

JESUS is "accessed" by TRUTH.

HE+ is surrounded and indeed, embodied in the Spirit of TRUTH. HE+ is the way, the truth, and the Life; not one person comes to The FATHER, but by HIM+ WHO+ is the way, the TRUTH, and the Life.

When we confess our sins to HIM+, do we tell HIM+ something HE+ does NOT know ? 

NO. 

JESUS already sees our hearts and knows every word on our tongue before we speak it.

We confess our sins --- admit to the wrongness of our doings --- in order to tell The LORD: we are NOW walking in the Truth about ourselves. HE+ already knows the truth; we are the ones lacking in ENOUGH truth to call our own sin, OUR SIN.

This element of TRUTH in the inner man seems to be at least ONE of the keys to healing, both emotional and physical.

For example, if we know drinking bleach will poison us, do we continue to take small sips of bleach through the day... then ask The LORD to heal our intestinal issues ? 

Of course not. 

Stop drinking bleach first, The LORD tells us ... if we walk in truth. IF WE DO NOT WALK IN TRUTH, however, we will not be able to hear The LORD give us His+ directions.

HE+ oftentimes takes pity on us, knowing we are so tied up in a knot that we are not able to quiet ourselves down enough to hear HIM+. Then HE+ simply moves. HE+ will do that with healing, also... at times. 

But OTHER times, HE+ sends His+ people to us to warn us to stop drinking bleach.

If we are walking in TRUTH in the inner man, then the HOLY SPIRIT will nudge us and say: "Listen to that warning. " 

If we do,  then we are on our way towards our healing, rejoicing in CHRIST... and drinking no more bleach !

If we are NOT walking in TRUTH in the inner man --- if we have replaced TRUTH with pride or any of a hundred other hindrances to the TRUTH in the inner man --- then we will ignore HIS+ word to us, either the Written Word or the spoken word from our brother in CHRIST. 

It will seem "foolish" to our ear because we are natural-minded at that point or area in our life AND ARE NOT WALKING IN TRUTH there.

At this point, we need to EMPTY ourselves of our own ways and values, and humble ourselves before The LORD, saying, "ANYTHING YOU+ tell me to do, LORD, I will do." And mean it.

It may mean forsaking a job, forsaking a relationship, forsaking certain enjoyable activities which are not necessarily sinful, forsaking the medical profession, forsaking white flour and white sugar, or forsaking our own established priorities that keep promoting SELF-indulgence. 

It may mean moving out of a comfortable home nest, where parents are not right with The LORD. It may mean moving out of the country, with all the discomfort that might bring. 

WHATEVER The LORD shows us to do to establish a TRUTHFUL existence in the inner man with JESUS, we must do.

When TRUTH with JESUS becomes established, healings will take place. Maybe not instantaneous always, but the pathway turns for the better.

The LACK of TRUTH in the inner man hinders more prayers sent up by Christians than any other cause. 

For, when we establish a tight bond of TRUTH with JESUS, HE+ guides us into asking according to His+ Will. When that happens, Scripture teaches that THEN whatever we ask ---- according to His+ Will --- we will have.

There are some pre-requisites for healing for us in this church age. 

TRUTH in the inner man is one of them for persons who know The LORD or, know ABOUT HIM+.

JESUS sends miraculous healings oftentimes to people-groups who HAVE NEVER HEARD the GOSPEL and many turn their hearts to HIM+ when they see the healings. 

It seems when that happens, healings come to those who are "little" in their own eyes. They may have a rough demeanor, but underneath it all, they are the "little" people, un-sophisticated ones, on the face of this earth.

But we in the Western Civilized Church are TOO sophisticated, too high-minded, strangely enough to receive many healings. 

TRUTH in the inner man knocks all that sophistication out of the person. TRUTH in the inner man will bond that person to JESUS very tightly; he will not be able to abide a lie operating in or near him any longer.

It is HARD to be humbled by sickness. It is HARD to be humbled by TRUTH. But, no-one who turns a deaf ear to TRUTH in the inner man will be able to be healed, I am fairly certain.

It seems we WANT our physical healings intensely, but JESUS wants us to be WHOLE of heart, unified with HIM+ in EVERY way, doing His+ Will. 

HE+ will go to great lengths to achieve this.

We DO know that in Heaven, all healings will be complete! 

And that is where TOTAL TRUTH in CHRIST JESUS reigns. 

CHRIST the KING+ 

ever reigns on high; 

O come, let us adore HIM + !

Pre-Requisites to ANSWERED PRAYER

AGREEMENT :  To WHAT and To WHOM  Do We Agree ?  

And WHEN ? 

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.   

~ ~ ~ The words of Our LORD JESUS CHRIST in Matthew 18:19, KJV

MATTHEW 18:19 is familiar to all serious-minded Christians as well as the well-taught, accepted, and unfortunately , rather GLIB understanding of that verse.  

However, the "accepted" understanding of that verse is based on an over-lay of ARBITRARY PUNCTUATION in the English translations which LIMITS and confines and for all practical purposes ,  HIDES the  intended message which is more easily seen in the Greek. 

Why is it seen in the Greek more easily ?  

It is because the GREEK uses no punctuation in the original manuscripts. The punctuation marks WERE ADDED much later to the English translations. 

Here  is an EXPANDED-with-connotations included from the Greek meanings --- minus the English punctuation ---  TRANSLATION OF MATTHEW 18:19 : 

(NB: Each Greek word is separated by an ellipsis. )

Furthermore, again ... 

solemnly true ... 

I+ declare...

 to you all ... 

that... 

if ever, whenever, if even ... 

two, the smallest group possible... 

of you who believe, follow, love and obey ME+ ... 

harmonize, sym-phonize, fit together, correspond with, match, make an agreement with each other ... 

upon earth ( or figuratively: before mankind or the world) ...

concerning , regarding, about, with regard to .... 

all, all manner of , every thing relating to human activity .... 

of activity, of deed, of act, of event, of matter, of affair... 

where if ... 

they should request, might ask ... 

it will occur, it will happen...

for them, to them, in them... 

from, the presence of ... 

of THE FATHER ... 

of ME+, My+ ... 

in the HeavenS. 

+  +  +

A Few Errors 

--- as high-lighted in the verse above ---

sufficiently 

hinder the message

spoken by CHRIST JESUS

to the church.

.

Every word high-lighted in pink in the verse is NOT FOUND in the Greek nor in its connotations. That is: 

• any SHOULD BE translated as every or all [ pantos = adj, genitive, singular ] 
• 
  
• that  is INSERTED; no Greek to support it [ ou ean = if where, ]
• 
  
• which has been INSERTED; no Greek to support it  
• 
  
• Heavens  is plural, as is often found in Matthew.

The high-lighted word in pale yellow --- as touching --- is okay but a rather poor way of saying CONCERNING, WITH REGARD TO. 

The high-lighted COMMA is not in the Greek, naturally, but unfortunately is used to "guide the reading" of the verse AWAY from the real message to the church from Our LORD JESUS CHRIST.   

The high-lighted *  is the place where the translation OMITTED the Greek word, para = from or from the presence of, when used with a genitive phrase as it is here in this section of that verse.   "OF" is included in the declension of the word "MY+" and the Greek form of "the."

+  +  +

So, what EXACTLY is Our LORD telling us here ?  

HE+ is saying: 

"Furthermore, I seriously declare to you all that if even two of you --- as small a group as two of you who believe, follow, love, and obey ME+  ---  if whenever they in that group  agree, harmonize and fit together on the earth before the world concerning EVERY MATTER .... 

"... wherein if they should request , it will occur or happen for them from the presence of My+ FATHER in the Heavens. " 

The OBVIOUS message is this: 

Agreement is to be a 

LIVING, 

WORKING, 

HARMONY

--- knit closely together --- 

with others who believe, follow, love, and obey 

The LORD JESUS CHRIST.... 

and furthermore, this agreement is to be 

in ALL MATTERS ...

YES,  

Agreement and harmony 

in EVERY MATTER. 

The "group" working in tandem, in thought and harmony of heart, can be as LITTLE AS TWO TOGETHER.

.

JESUS said so !

  .

Prayer partners, husbands-and-wives, monastic brothers, and monastic sisters, even monastic-in-heart brothers, or monastic-in-heart sisters.... any size group who LIVE IN HARMONY OF SPIRIT, OF HEART , OF VALUES, IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD to serve The LORD JESUS CHRIST qualifies !

.

That is when the promise of verse Matthew 18:19 becomes effective.  It is NOT simply those who agree in a prayer about an issue.  

The strength of that verse occurs when TWO OR MORE are living in harmony, together, sharing the Kingdom's values and work. 

.

The strength of that verse occurs when there is NO DISCORD in direction, purpose, values, and philosophy.

.

The strength of that verse occurs when UNITY and CONCORD prevail... and that means, in practice, that both or all group members are 

• denying self
• putting flesh to death
• working in unison of spirit and goal
• promoting the common good for JESUS' sake.  

. 

Dear Heavenly FATHER, 

I confess I superficially and expediently agree in prayer only to achieve what I deem as "good"  for that request. I do not even think about living in harmony with the ones I'm praying with, beyond our common concern.

I confess I do not work in unity and sweet concord with the brothers and sisters you have placed in my life.

I confess I often strive for my own will to be done when working with others for your Kingdom. 

Forgive me for my undercurrent of disagreement. 

Teach me to humble my own thoughts and plans and instead, learn be supportive and submissive. 

Guide me in performing this selfless unity,  that Thy Will may truly be done on earth as it is in Heaven. 

Through the power and strength of Thy HOLY SPIRIT, I pray this in the Name of Our SAVIOR The LORD JESUS CHRIST, Who+ was ever in Unity and Concord with THEE, O FATHER. 

Amen

 

 

A Word to the CHURCH: Pick up DISCIPLESHIP

IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE

Another Timely Word 
from Brother Brendon Patrick+ + +    ..... 

  The organized church as a whole has walked away from discipleship.

 +   +   +

The plain words of CHRIST are ignored and people are taught that if they attempt to actually do what JESUS taught,...  to actually live the way HE+ taught ... they are legalistic and are in "bondage".

.

On the other hand, the organized church systems will usually teach that you are under "grace" and can ignore the teachings of JESUS as relating to real life! That's right. You can ignore the plain teachings and commandments of the ONE+ Who+ saved you by Grace with HIS+ own BODY and BLOOD ! Untrue of course.

.

JESUS our LORD did all of HIS+ part. 

.

However.... HE+ will not do our part for us.

.

HE+ will not be HIS+ own Disciple for us !

.

HE+ will however give us Divine help in every way in the Power of the Holy Spirit to really follow HIM+ and be Disciples in the Way HE+ has taught us.

.

JESUS plainly said, "If anyone will follow me, he MUST deny himself, take up his cross and follow me." This is NOT taught in the modern churches ... and that is an understatement, at best. 

 .

     The Power of the Eternal SPIRIT of GOD was evident in the ancient Church in all Followers of JESUS, both in their daily lifestyle and in the Supernatural Gifts and working of that same Holy SPIRIT. The things that JESUS did, they did. This was SO evident to those around them that the pagans were the first ones who referred to them as "Christians" ... because they were so much like CHRIST.

.

HIS+ SPIRIT was in them reproducing CHRIST. 

.

   The necessity of discipleship for EVERY follower of CHRIST has been removed from the modern church and has left it floundering, focusing mainly on theological systems that were  formulated 1,500 years or more after The SON+ of GOD delivered the Gospel of Life to the world.

.

This modern church, this religious system, does not even resemble the original church, of course. We have the same Gospels, the same Apostles’ writings, and the same Prophetic writings that the ancient Pre-Nicene church had, but our "battery" is dead, so to speak. 

.

 It has been drained with the cares of this life and the deceitfulness of riches.

.

 

We must HAVE OUR BATTERY

CHARGED and RE-CONNECTED

TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

for  SANCTIFICATION of LIFE.

 

We must learn to YIELD to CHRIST so that the Strength and Power of the HOLY SPIRIT can flow through us as it did through the ancient Christians.

.

      Yes! Unclean spiritual forces do manifest themselves in religious systems and in their adherents’ lives. They have given themselves over to those spirits and agreed that satan’s lies are “truth!"

. 

These same unclean spirits came at JESUS, accusing HIM+, threatening, challenging. These unclean spirits have not gone anywhere. They watch for gullible humans to control and inhabit.

.

As we can see, whole "churches" can be built on the foundation of demonic teaching and control.

.

QUESTION:  Are we ready to do as JESUS taught and deny ourselves, pick up our Cross, and yield ourselves TOTALLY to HIM+ so that we will be equipped and prepared to stand against the reality of unclean spirits confronting and challenging The Body of Christ on this earth?

.

It is going to get worse,  

much worse, than what we now see.

 .

Scripture teaches that JESUS will Baptize us --- immerse us ---  into the HOLY SPIRIT and FIRE. We are going TO NEED THAT!

.

       Heavenly FATHER, please help us to walk before you as your Beloved SON+ has taught us to walk and to forsake the false teachings of men. Help us to OVERCOME all things,

in JESUS' Name we ask.

Bro. Brendon Patrick  + + +

Order of the GOOD SHEPHERD+ 

.

FOR MANKIND: Only TWO --- simply 2 --- KINGDOMS !

The ETERNAL   CITY
DWELLING PLACE OF THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

1,500 MILES IN EVERY DIRECTION!

  There are two kingdoms dwelling side by side on the face of the earth. These two kingdoms occupy the same land space, eat the same food, breathe the same air, and walk and talk in similar fashion.

Other than these characteristics, these two kingdoms are TOTALLY  different, and in most cases, one of these kingdoms is COMPLETELY ALIEN to this world. In Spirit, ONE of these two Kingdoms has a totally Different kind of BLOOD+ flowing in the veins of its people.

  The Kingdom of The MESSIAH lives in the fallen world but is NOT controlled by it. Neither does it share the worldly kingdom’s values or principles. It “marches to a different drummer,” so to speak. Its values and goals are completely different than the kingdom of the world.

 Its Captain+, its Commander+ and Chief+,  is seated at The Right Hand of The Eternal GOD HIS+FATHER.  From HIM+ this Kingdom receives its marching orders, and from The Eternal RUACH ha Kodosh, The HOLY SPIRIT of YHWH, this Kingdom receivesStrength to Live and to follow the LORD+ MESSIAH.

   This Kingdom of the MESSIAH+ is aware that the world’s kingdom is in its “death throes” and thus, it is commanded to warn everyone to come into a place of repentance and truth and to flee from the Wrath to come.

 For this reason, people in the Kingdom of the MESSIAH+ spend much time in prayer for their neighbor in the world’s kingdom, for they are commanded to love their neighbor as much as they love themselves. To be in HIS+ Presence is the joy and delight of the children of the Kingdom of Light.

 In complete agreement with their Heavenly Father, those in MESSIAH’S+ Kingdom  do NOT wish to see ANY perish, but that all might come to Repentance, Salvation, and the New Birth, and filled with The Uncreated Light.

These peculiar people who populate MESSIAH’S+ Kingdom realize that to dedicate oneself  to the acquiring of many material possessions and building a personal fiefdom on this earth is FUTILE …  and a USELESS expenditure of one’s life. 

They have set their affection on things above, not on things of the earth, for they have died and their lives are hidden with CHRIST in GOD their FATHER.

 ( Colossians 3:3 )

They affirm that  “… We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out of it.” ( 1 Timothy 6:7 ).

  A very humble man named Francis once said, ” When you die, you can take nothing with you that you have received …  ONLY what you have GIVEN!”

 This is TRUE.

Therefore, the people of the Kingdom of Light spend their time and energy placing all Treasure in Heavenly Realms in the Protective keeping of their Heavenly FATHER. They also obey their Commander+ and take care of those who cannot care for themselves. 

They realize, having been taught by their Eternal Master+, that only ONE thing is necessary … and that Mary of Bethany long ago had chosen that ONE+ GOOD THING which shall not be taken away from her. They of this Kingdom choose that ONE+ Good Thing also. This is done out of a now-purified Heart of Love for their King+ and Bridegroom+.

The men and women of this Eternal Kingdom also treat each other differently than those who live in the world’s kingdom. They know that they are  sharers together in the Eternal Light and Life  that came from The Eternal FATHER and became Flesh for their sake, to guide them into The Eternal Kingdom. 

The men and women in this Kingdom treat each other with respect and honor, and they grant to each other the dignity due to a Created Being made — originally —  in The Image of GOD.  

They know that they must work together to continue on the earth. It is not like this in the other kingdom, as a quick glance across the world’s societies will sadly show.

 Man and Woman together are a type of CHRIST and HIS+ Bride, a Truth the worldly kingdom cannot understand. Male and female HE+ made them, to complement and comfort each other, NOT to use and abuse each other. 

Those who belong to the Kingdom of Light realize that they are in the world … but are NOT of the world.   They know that there is nowhere to hide, but that they must walk the path their MASTER+ has walked before them and marked out for them with HIS+ Own most Blessed feet ….. Therefore, they do not entangle themselves with the affairs of this life, so that they might please the ONE+ Who+ has rescued them from death and darkness.  ( 2 Timothy 2:4 )  

They accept that they were baptized into HIS+ Death, (Romans 6:3 ) that they have died with HIM+ and are risen with HIM+ to walk in newness of Life.

So they embrace the Disciple’s Cross and count it a privilege to lay down their lives for their LORD+ as HE+, in a much GREATER way….

…laid down HIS+ Life for them.

      They know that at some point the world will hate them, as they also hate  The SON+ of GOD, their LORD+. They prepare themselves for this by spending much time in the Presence  of their LORD+, being immersed into The HOLY SPIRIT and FIRE.  This is the Breath and Strength of the Eternal Kingdom.

 They do expect this since their Captain+ has warned them of this event.

  However, since their treasures have been placed in the keeping of their Heavenly FATHER, their hearts are ALREADY THERE, as their LORD+ said they would be …  and they are glad to depart this sad realm and be in even closer proximity to their Beloved Bridegroom+ in Whom they delight.

   To which of these kingdoms do you belong ?

 We are only sojourners here,

… strangers passing through. We are a Bride lovingly looking forward to seeing The BRIDEGROOM+ Face to Face, looking forward to an indescribable Marriage Supper and an Eternity of JOY in HIS+ Presence. 

     I+ GO,

JESUS told us, 

TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU,

AND IF I+ GO AND PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU

I+ WILL COME AGAIN FOR YOU,

AND I+ WILL TAKE YOU UNTO MYSELF+,

SO THAT WHERE I+ AM

THERE YOU WILL BE ALSO.  

( John 14: 2-3 )

This is our hope, to be with HIM+ whereHE+ is, that we may behold HIS+ Glory.

The Glory which HE+ had with HIS+FATHER….

BEFORE THE WORLD EXISTED.

John 17:5 , 17:24

JESUS+ says,

" Come Beloved of MY+ FATHER and inherit the Kingdom  prepared for you 

before the foundation of the world."

+ + +

This post is by Bro. Brendon  + + + 

Order of the GOOD SHEPHERD+