Promises of God in Jesus

Praying in the Spirit

Ken

In Scripture, the Holy Spirit has been present and at work since the “Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” (Genesis 1:2 KJV). Specially commissioned crafters of the priests’ garments and the ark of testimony were given God’s Spirit to complete their work (Exodus 28:3; 31:3). God’s prophets, who penned Holy Writ, “spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2Peter 1:21). But, the special feature of God’s New Covenant with us is the “gift of His Spirit” (Acts 2:38 NET) to inspire us to obey Him (Ezekiel 36:27). 

Prayer is especially the place of privilege for God’s people. Since the words of Scripture are inspired by the Spirit (2Timothy 3:16), we know spiritual prayer is in the language of Scripture. When we are unsure of the will of God in any matter, we are to commit that concern to the Lord in prayer with the assurance of the Spirit’s infallible answer. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26). Rather than an indifferent petition, “Do whatever You think is best,” but instead, “I know what I desire [emotion], but is that the best thing [understanding]?” Once the Spirit directs our desires to understanding, then we can persevere in our petition. Even then, emotion has a legitimate place in our prayer life. “I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me” (Genesis 32:26). Our emotions will motivate our perseverance — not simply repetitious “much speaking” (Matthew 6:7) — then, we can have reasonable assurance our request has been granted. 

Father, we know not what to pray for as we ought, so we desire Your Spirit teach us, what man cannot. Help us not to stifle the emotion that would cause us to persevere in our asking. Give us of the influence of Your Spirit, and cause us to be easily entreated to do Your will. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Communion and the Coming of the Lord

Ken

The NT church practice of communion has its roots in the Passover observance of Jehovah passing over the households in Egypt and not slaying the firstborn, when the blood of a lamb was applied to the door posts. Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with His disciples and directed them to continue the practice with the focus upon His substitution as the sacrifice for our sins. 

“And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is My body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:19-20 KJV). 

Why the need for an ongoing repetition of the ceremony? 

His glory. 

“For My sake alone I will act, for how can I allow My name to be defiled? I will not share My glory with anyone else!” (Isaiah 48:11 NET). 

He is worthy.

We need to be very jealous about the name of our LORD, even as He is jealous. If the Church takes lightly God’s honor and glory in not remembering the Lord’s atoning death on the Cross, how can we expect the world to take seriously the love of God for a sinning world? 

What is the connection with our Lord’s Coming for His Church?

“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till He come” (1Corinthians 11:26 KJV). 

Once the Lord returns, we shall see Him as He is, and we won’t need ceremonies to remember Him. So, when we participate in the Lord’s Supper, we are both remembering His sacrifice for us and looking forward to His return. 

“Them that honour Me I will honour” (1Samuel 2:30). 

Father, we desire to glorify You now and forever, for You are worthy. Thank You for the sacrifice of Your Dear Son. May it echo throughout eternity the good and great God You are. Lord Jesus, return quickly. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.

Promises of God in Jesus

Ken

“For all the promises of God in Him are yea [Greek, nai, yes, verily, truly, surely], and in Him Amen [Greek, amēn, so it is, so be it, may it be fulfilled], unto the glory of God by us” (2Corinthians 1:20 KJV). What greater confidence than the name of Jesus attached to a promise! Is this only youthful enthusiasm? What greater accomplishment than the promises of Jesus fulfilled in our lives, and in those around us? He who is the Word accomplishes every jot and tittle of His promises because He is the essence of faithfulness and will not let one promise fall to the ground. 

The very placement of the words in the text of Scripture are not accidental. When Jesus stood up in the synagogue at Nazareth to preach the first sermon of His messianic career, He read Isaiah 62:1-2, but completed His reading at the end of the comma — “to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD,” (Isaiah 61:2). He did not complete Isaiah’s sentence with “and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn” (61:2) because that would only be fulfilled later. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised” (Luke 4:18). Just as Jesus fulfilled His Word in atoning for our sins on the Cross, so He will keep the prophecy of fulfilling His promise of vengeance during the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:26), then Israel will finally turn to Him at His Second Coming. “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children” (Isaiah 66:8). 

Father, You will keep all Your Word through Christ Jesus in the salvation of Israel, since all Your promises in Him are yea and amen. Magnify Your name. Keep Your Word. Save Israel. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen and amen.