How does one distinguish between a ‘keep on praying’ and a ‘no’ from God?

It is usually our hindsight that lets us know. Until we have a clear understanding that God has said “no”, we “keep on praying.” One of the great prayer warriors was George Muller who lived in the 19^th century. He was an English evangelist and philanthropist, a man of faith and prayer, who established orphanages in Bristol, England. He ran the orphanages with God’s provision but he never asked anyone for anything EXCEPT God in prayer. He provided for thousands of orphans in that manner for many years. But he prayed for other things too. Once a reporter knew that he had prayed for the conversion of a certain man for many years to know avail. He asked Mr. Muller if he had ever had a prayer that wasn’t answered. George Muller answered “Never!” It was at George Muller’s funeral that the man for whom he had prayed 53 years accepted Christ.

 

Until you have a clear “no”, keep on praying!

-David Corts

 

 

 

 

What does it mean to pray without stopping?

This question arises from the admonition in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “pray continually.” There are several ways to look at this. You could have a day-long prayer dispersed intermittently throughout the day. One could begin a prayer at a stoplight, and pick it up at the next light. You could start a prayer at night and fall asleep but pick up the remaining prayer the next morning.

 

I like to think of it as being included in the self-talk we have all of our lives. This means in the ongoing conversation with ourselves, we includes our God. Sometimes the conversation is direct talk with God and at other times you are aware He is listening in. If you’ve seen a version of the play Fiddler on the Roof, you have a good example of praying continually.

-David Corts

 

 

 

How can one tell if a promise of God is personal or universal? I am no scholar.

This is not always easy even for scholars to agree on. The context of a promise is the guide for us in distinguishing for whom the promise is made. You might filter a promise by asking a few questions. (1) Who utters the promise? (2) To whom is it given? (3) What is the reason the promise is given? (4) How is my circumstance the same or different?

 

When God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation, it is a personal promise. God even re-stated it to his son Isaac just so people would know it was now a personal promise to Isaac and not to Abraham’s other son, Ishmael. This is repeated with Jacob so it became personal to Jacob and not to Esau his brother. Personal promises are usually stated very clearly to a people, a nation, or group of people.

 

General promises may be applied personally or corporately depending again on the context and the help of the Holy Spirit. Most of the promises in the Psalms were made during a personal period of suffering and reveal how God provides comfort for the individual. We can claim many of these. Proverbs is a book of axioms and practical wisdom that simply make good sense. Promises embedded in this Book are often ones we can claim as well.

 

Promises made in the New Testament are generally for Christ-followers, people who are members of the church. If you have placed your faith in Christ and are part of the body of Christ, you can be sure that such promises include you. Pastor Steve gave us promises to use in the prayer time that closed the service on May 18. One was from Psalms. Six of the seven were from the New Testament and you will find that the context gives us encouragement to claim them. I will list the passages that were given and perhaps you can train your eyes to recognize others like them.

(1) Matthew 7:7-8; (2) 1 Corinthians 10:13; (3) John 14:27; (4) 1 John 1:9;

(5) Psalm 55:22; (6) Philippians 4:13; (7) Philippians 4:19.

-David Corts

 

 

 

What is the purpose and biblical use of applying scriptural promises…practically?

Scriptural promises play a big role in one’s prayer life. There are several examples of prayers in the Bible where the person praying reminded God of His promise and God proceeded to answer the requests based on those promises.

 

Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem and at the dedication his prayer contains several reminders of God’s promise. While praying he says, “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today.”

 

You can see that the promises of God were a source for thanksgiving and praise. In a different setting, Jacob and his family were on their way back to the land that would be his home. He would soon be passing through the territory where his brother Esau lived. His last meeting with Esau was several years before. They separated in anger and hatred and Jacob was fearful. The Scripture says, “Then Jacob prayed, "O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, 'Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper,' I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups. Save me, I pray, from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid he will come and attack me, and also the mothers with their children. But you have said, 'I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted' "(Genesis 32:9-12).

 

Do you see how Jacob reminded God of his promise? God answered his prayer by preserving him and the meeting with Esau was very cordial

 

These are examples of how to use the promises of God that are appropriately yours to claim. Pastor Steve gave us in his sermon seven such promises and then asked for prayers to be crafted in light of the promise you chose. Keep working with these and they will bring you a lot of comfort, joy, and peace.

-David Corts

 

 

 

 

It seems God is a little less flashy these days with His expression. Am I correct in my understanding?

It may be that we don’t have eyes to see and ears to hear the remarkable things that God is doing. Or, it may be that we have not because we ask not. Missionaries in many third world cultures without back up resources like we have here, report often of spectacular things that God is doing. I have witnessed some rather “flashy” expressions of God’s power and work. True acts of God are always consistent with the written Word of God and exalt our Mighty God. They never are for mere show or exhibition to dazzle a crowd.

-David Corts

 

 

 

 

 

When Christians oppose another Christian…how do you deal with that?

It is sad but true that there are Christians who oppose other Christians. It is certainly not the Lord’s desire. The Apostle Paul said, “I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

 

Your question, however, is how to deal with that. First, it is important to identify the issue at the heart of the contention. It has been said that if one can write down the problem in a clear sentence, it is 90% solved. From the Christian viewpoint, if there is some violation of God’s Word, we have clear biblical instruction how to handle that in the Christian community. Jesus gives us those instructions in Matthew 18:15-17. If it is a grievance, the Apostle Paul says it should be handled by mediation arranged by the community of believers (1 Corinthians 6:1-8).

 

If the issue is over methods or style and not a sin or not a grievance, we have a couple of examples of steps to take.

 

Paul and Barnabas went on a very successful missionary journey and returned to Antioch to give a report. Next, they planned a second trip but had a disagreement over taking Mark along with them. He went on the first trip but returned home prematurely. Barnabas wanted to take him the second time; Paul didn’t. The Scripture says in Acts 15:39, “…They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.” Barnabas took Mark and went to Cyprus. Paul took Silas and went to Syria.

 

They both continued to do the work of the Lord, they just didn’t do it together. We know from reports years later that they still loved and respected one another.

 

Whatever the resolution, love for one another is very important. Jesus said by this (your love of one another) you’ll know that you are my disciples. John R. Stott said in his book Between Two Worlds, “The price we’ve paid for a divided Christendom is an unbelieving world.”

 

There is a verse in Romans 15:7 that ought to serve as the Christian community’s Magna Charta. “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” When Christ accepted us, we had many flaws in our understanding and in our character. All of us are a work in progress.

-David Corts

 

 

 

 

How can we challenge the status quo with those close to us and still show the love of Jesus?

The answer to this question is not easily answered with a simple reply. If you could subtract the phrase “with those close to us” for a moment, we can list the options the Bible demonstrates for us through the Prophets and Jesus.

 

Pastor Steve’s lessons from the Chronicles of Elijah have shown us the method Elijah used on Mount Carmel and at other times with Ahab. It was confrontational. This will certainly be one approach you will need to use from time to time according to circumstances and the Holy Spirit’s leading even with people close to you. Some call it tough love. Elijah’s message to the people of Israel was, “"How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." This was very frank and straightforward.

 

Jesus also shows us this confrontational style when he overturned the money changer’s tables (Matthew 21:12-13). He did it again with his straight-forward response to the Pharisees in Matthew 23.

 

Jesus sometimes used stories (parables) with a point to expose intransient positions. Mark 2:18-20 is an example and so is the parable of the Prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32.

 

Another method was the artful use of questions to help the status quo person discover a clearer reality on their own. A couple of examples would be Mark 2:18-20 and Matthew 22:15-22.

 

I must mention that Jesus never manipulated the Pharisees so as to overcome their status quo position but he did assert truth and/or used stories and questions to expand their understanding so a better decision could be made for their lives.

 

Now let me get as practical as I can and hopefully this will be useful in dealing with people close to you. The artful use of “how” questions is a technique that a Psychologist taught me several years ago. You frame such questions more specifically than the following examples, nevertheless they will follow a pattern that reflects, “How does this help you?” and “How does this not help you?” These questions do not usually prompt defensiveness in the same way that “why” questions do. A person may not answer, but it will most likely stay lodged in their mind as they reach for reasons to justify their action or inaction to themselves.

 

When there is imminent danger, confrontation is necessary? Most other situations can be helped by the use of story and questions that allow for self-discovery. One other thing, the endorsement of another person whom they respect, will go a long way toward changing their status.

-David Corts

 

 

 

 

 

Does God still do acts like the fire on the bull today?

Yes, I believe He does. One reason is because God says, “I the LORD do not change” (Malachi 3:6). I think we sometimes don’t recognize the mighty works of God in America. It may be because God has blessed this country with such abundance that we believe we can handle all contingencies on our own. It may be that we simply don’t have eyes to see or ears to hear what God has done. But there are many parts of the world where it is absolutely necessary for the purposes of God and it does happen. If you have opportunity to read about what God is doing in China today, you will find testimony of some spectacular things still being done. One thing you can be sure of, God never does acts like this for mere show. It is always connected directly to his purposes.

-David Corts