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Saturday, November 29, 2014

Praying Hebrews: "He shall be to me a Son"


Edward F. Lundwall Jr.

For to which of the angels did He ever say: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You"?
Hebrews 1:5a:

I give the following prayer of praise and thanksgiving for: Your declaration of Jesus as your on. As Your only conceived Son, He is unique. No one else has been conceived in a woman's womb by Your Spirit and not by natural means, so that by origin He is Your Son in human flesh. Oh, the wonder of Your multiple purposes for Emmanuel. Oh, Father let my mind so focus upon Him that in Him by may this day be in full harmony with You to Your only begotten Son. For He is greater than the angels by His conception and birth and Your declaration.

And again:
"I will be a Father, And He shall be to me a Son"?  Hebrews 1:5b:

I give the following prayer of praise and thanksgiving for: Your promised relationship to Jesus as His Father that sets Him above the angels and makes them serve Him. I thank and praise You that as He lives in me and every believer that we partake of His blessing. For in Him in some mysterious way we not only participate in His life, but are Your children, even to the extent of judging angels.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Thanksgiving Prayers



Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we thine unworthy servants do give thee most humble and hearty thanks for all thy goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all men. We bless thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful; and that we show forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.


O gracious Father, who openest thine hand and fillest all things living with plenteousness; We beseech thee of thine infinite goodness to hear us, who now make our prayers and supplications unto thee. Remember not our sins, but thy promises of mercy. Vouchsafe to bless the lands and multiply the harvests of the world. Let thy breath go forth that it may renew the face of the earth. Show thy loving-kindness, that our land may give her increase; and so fill us with good things that the poor and needy may give thanks unto thy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.


Most gracious God, by whose knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew; We yield thee unfeigned thanks and praise for the return of seed-time and harvest, for the increase of the ground and the gathering in of the fruits thereof, and for all the other blessings of thy merciful providence bestowed upon this nation and people. And, we beseech thee, give us a just sense of these great mercies; such as may appear in our lives by an humble, holy, and obedient walking before thee all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all glory and honour, world without end. Amen.


Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Bonhoeffer on Discipleship


Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ."
Dietrich Bonhoeffer


Monday, November 17, 2014

Praying Hebrews - Part 2


Edward F. Lundwall Jr

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;” Hebrews 1:1, 2 NKJV

Father, I thank and praise You for revealing the Lord Jesus Christ as the climax of all that is revealed by and through the Old Testament prophets.

How precious the times, when He appeared in human form in dealing with Abraham’s prayers for Lot. Jacob was forever changed from trusting in himself when Jesus wrestled with him as a man. For Jesus made him God confident! Thereby, by becoming Israel, prince with God and to men!

Even greater, all things are approved for us in Him as He is Your Heir of all things. For from eternity past You made all things through Him for us! Therefore, You use all things for our sanctification through His shepherding (Rom 8:28, 29).


Related reading: Praying Hebrews - Part 1


Saturday, November 15, 2014

Spiritual Warfare


Identifying the Elements of Spiritual Warfare: A Study Guide

Edward F. Lundwall Jr


Today, we see spiritual immaturity, failure, apostasy, and atheism on all sides. It has been observed that the signs of the great tribulation are increasingly abundant! But, we are encouraged to “look for your redemption is drawing near!”

1 Thessalonians 5:1- 5 speaks of the coming “the day of the Lord” as “sudden destruction” upon those described as “children . . of darkness.” However, Christians “are all the children of light” and “For God hath not appointed us to wrath (the day of the Lord), but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, . .” (1 Thess 5:9). Since he was speaking to the Church as a group, he said: “But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.” (1 Thess 5:8). That is, “. . give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” (2 Peter 1:10b).

To new believers, Jesus exhorted them to prove to Him and themselves the reality of their repentance and to experience deliverance from sin: “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8: 31, 32 compare Rom. 8:2-9). For: “No one who is born of God practices sin,...” ( 1 John 3:9 NASU).

Because: “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of ..” (2 Cor 7:10).

Therefore: “. . . war a good warfare ; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck” (1 Tim 1:18c, 19).

Because: “ . . we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph 6:12).

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” (1 Peter 5:8-9).


How Spiritual Warfare started!

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isa 14:12-14).

“Thus saith the Lord GOD; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. 13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tablets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. 14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. 16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub , from the midst of the stones of fire. 17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.” (Ezek 28:12-17).

This was Satan’s gospel to Eve, our first mother:

“But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” (Gen 3:3-6).

The development of the human sinful nature as with Satan was:

1. Discontent with God’s present provision:
2. Disbelief in God’s ability and intention to give more and His warnings.
3. Reminding God’s warning, but to challenge and disbelieve God and His Word.
4. To use self knowledge and wisdom to replace present enjoyment of God’s blessings.
5. Becoming a self made god by “knowing good and evil” to experience three types of
pleasure: a. of experience: delightful food; b. of contemplation - list of the eyes; c. of wisdom beyond the limits set by God.
6. This is the basis of the works of the flesh Gal 5:19-21: “. . the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Gal 5:19-21 NASU). This is playing as a god having superlative rights to decide.


Present day manifestations:

In the unsaved
  1. Uninformed ignorance: Heathen, and un-churched  Acts 17:30
  2. Worldly souls: Matt 4:8, 9; 13:19; Rom 12:2; 1 John 2:15, 16
  3.  False or apostate religions: Acts 3:17; 20:29, 30; 2 Peter 2:1. 2; Mat 7:21-26
  4.  Dead in worldly sins and controlled by fleshly sin and Satan: Eph. 2:1-3; Gal 5:19-21
Immature and carnal believers
  1. Live as natural men: 1 Cor 3:3
  2. Loyal/identify with teachers more than God’s truth: 1 Cor 3:2-6
  3. Only able to handle elementary truth: 1 Cor 3:1, 2; Heb 5:12-6:2
  4. Learn only in a soulish way: 1 Cor 2:14; Heb 5:12-14
  5. Fail to live principles of spiritual life: Ps 1:1-3; John 8:31-35; James 1:2-8; Gal. 5:14-16, 22-25
  6. Yet to practice the exchanged life exercise: Luke 9:23-25; Rom 6:11, (Gal 2:20) 13,16; Gal 5:16 with Gal 1:5-7 and John 14:26; Ps 119:11 (NASB); 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Cor 3:17,18
Mature believers
  1. View Christ as their life: Col 3:3, 4, 11-14; 1 John 5:11-13; 1 Cor 15:46-49
  2. Consciously serve the Lord: Col 3:23, 24; 2 Tim 2:15 with 1 Cor 2:14-16
  3. Able to discern: Heb 5:14: 2 Cor 10:4, 5
  4. Adopts resurrected mental orientation: Rom 6:13
  5. Orients one’s life in view of Christ’s return (2 Peter 3:10, 11) and judgement of
  6. one’s works: 1 Cor 3:8-14

Means of overcoming in spiritual warfare
  1. Positive and negative sanctification: Ps 1:1-3; Heb 12:2; John 10:10, 27-30; Rom 6:16-18 – Life style basic characteristics - Adopting relationship
  2. Prove one’s commitment - be immersed in the Word. John 8:31-36; Ps 119:11; Rom 12:1, 2; James 4:1-10; Rom 6: 2 Peter 2:19, 20 - As a disciple - 2 Cor 10:4, 5
  3. Establish a disciple/teacher relationship - Matt 28:18-20; 1 Peter 5:5 (John 21:15-17); Heb 13:7, 17
  4. Be established in basic truths. Heb 5:12-6:2: 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Pet. 1:3-4; 1 John 5:13; 2 Tim 2:15
  5. Become a faithful (2 Tim 2:2) and develop one’s spiritual gift. Heb 10:22-25; Rom 12:3-8
  6. Become an active witness - 1 Peter 3:15
  7. Become a Timothy - subordinate partner: 2 Tim 2:2; 1 John 1:3; Phil 2:20: Acts 19:22; - in prayer Rom 12:12; 2 Cor 1:11
  8. Become a reproducer - Heb 5:12; 2 Tim 2:2; Matt 28:19, 20



Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Praying Hebrews - Part 1


Praying Back the Wonders of Christ
From Hebrews

Edward F. Lundwall Jr.


“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets,” Heb 1:1 NKJV

Father, I thank and praise You for revealing Yourself to sinful humans for our redemption. Thereby, we may be reconciled to you. Being reconciled, You call us to join in the glorious fellowship of Your Family. How can we praise and worship you enough? For You reveal glorious treasures known only to You. This makes possible a wondrous relationship to those who listen attentively. The more we redeemed hear and trust, the more You make us Your friends (John 15:14, 15).

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;” Hebrews 1:1, 2 NKJV

Father, I thank and praise You for revealing Yourself to the prophets and holy men in the Old Testament times. Through whom You revealed surpassing great and precious promises. These are expressions of Your righteousness and the glory of Your Person. But how marvelously greater through Your Son.


Related reading: Desperately Seeking in Prayer


Wednesday, November 5, 2014

What Jesus Heard




What Jesus Heard by B.C. Crothers is truly a unique book in the following ways:
  • Provides compelling biblical word connections
  • Notes of Interest column offer information, insight, questions
  • An essential English pronounce column
  • Contains over 2,500 terms
  • Biblical Hebrew is written in 20 point
  • Outstanding aid for biblical understanding
  • Fantastic learning aid for students studying Biblical Hebrew
  • A big [8½ x 11] beautiful book you will be proud to have on your shelf
  • Truly a keeper as the 379-page book offers a wealth of information
  • Only $19.95, compared to $24.95 and up, for other study books
  • Offers a 30-day money back guaranteed if not satisfied
  • 14 Recommendations from bishops, clergy, and laity worldwide

See the inside of this informative book and read recommendations at www.bccrothers.com

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

How Faith Overcomes - Part X


Edward F. Lundwall Jr.

Overcoming faith has great influence in family life. The first family described in scripture exemplifies this. Abel demonstrated overcoming faith when he gave his gift of an animal sacrifice to God recognizing his need and God’s sufficiency. However, Cain’s gift was rejected because it was given in duty, not dedication. As a result of this, he eventually murdered his brother Abel. Imagine how their parents felt about this. In spite of the pain and fear of consequences for Cain and the grief of losing Abel, they continued in faith and obedience to God. So many parents would not have reacted as they did. What motivated such faith and desired obedience?

Adam and Eve knew they too had sinned and in the garden. However, God had made them comfortable in his presence through his mercy, and forgiveness represented by his sacrifice of an animal to give them clothing of skins. It was that same kind of faith, knowing he was a sinner and coming humbly before a holy God, “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks” (Hebrews 11:4). Cain did not come with humility and faith to offer his gift; he came with pride, which when hurt, caused him to sin.

Obedience rooted in humble faith overcomes all sin and circumstances. Romans 1:5 states, “…through whom (the Lord Jesus) we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name's sake.” (See also Romans 16:25, 26).

The things that God gives to stimulate obedience of faith are more often than not disregarded. Cain had the example of his parents longer than Abel. Genesis 4 tells us that he was born before Abel, but did not respond to persuasion of his parents’ testimony. God made special additional effort to stimulate Cain, first, through the example of Abel being accepted by God through animal sacrifice. Then God actually communicated to Cain when he was downcast because his sacrifice of his vegetable offering was not accepted. God gently reminded him that if he followed Abel’s example of humble faith, his offering would also be accepted. Cain refused and resisting the idea that he was a sinner in need of forgiveness, ended up killing his faith-filled brother.

God is a communicator. When we listen and respond in faith leading to obedience to his commands, we continue in fellowship with Him. Our faith overcomes.

Related reading:
How Faith Overcomes - Part I
How Faith Overcomes - Part II
How Faith Overcomes - Part III
How Faith Overcomes - Part IV
How Faith Overcomes - Part V
How Faith Overcomes - Part VI
Faith Overcomes Antichrists - Part VII
How Faith Overcomes - Part VIII
How Faith Overcomes - Part IX

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Discipleship, not "show business"


Oswald Chambers, 1906

“The 'show business,' which is so incorporated into our view of Christian work today, has caused us to drift far from Our Lord's conception of discipleship. It is instilled in us to think that we have to do exceptional things for God; we have not. We have to be exceptional in ordinary things, to be holy in mean streets, among mean people, surrounded by sordid sinners. That is not learned in five minutes.”
Oswald Chambers