Sermons and Biblical Studies

Out of my own experience at this point I wrote a few words years ago which have long been my constant prayer: “O God, let me die right, rather than letting me live wrong. “Keep me, Lord, from ever hardening down into the state of being just another average Christian. “Lord, I would rather reach … Continue reading “PRAYERS;
FINISHING WELL”

The problem is self. Selfishness is never so exquisitely selfish as when it is on its knees.… Self turns what would otherwise be a pure and powerful prayer into a weak and ineffective one. I may, for instance, pray earnestly for the glory of God to be manifested to this generation of men, and spoil … Continue reading “PRAYER:
WRONG USE OF; SELF-INTEREST; PRIDE: SPIRITUAL”

In all our praying, however, it is important that we keep in mind that God will not alter His eternal purposes at the word of a man. We do not pray in order to persuade God to change His mind. Prayer is not an assault upon the reluctance of God, nor an effort to secure … Continue reading “PRAYER:
WRONG USE OF; GOD: HIS SOVEREIGNTY”

We go to God as we send a boy to a grocery store with a long written list, “God, give me this, give me this, and give me this,” and our gracious God often does give us what we want. But I think God is disappointed because we make Him to be no more than … Continue reading “PRAYER:
WRONG USE OF; EVANGELISM: WRONG EMPHASIS”

Many prayer meetings are being called these days. And no wonder, for the need is great. But if my observation is correct much effort is wasted; very little comes of them. The reason is that motives are not sound. Too many praying persons seek to use prayer as a means to ends that are not … Continue reading “PRAYER:
WRONG USE OF”

Intensity of prayer is no criterion of its effectiveness. A man may throw himself on his face and sob out his troubles to the Lord and yet have no intention to obey the commandments of Christ. Strong emotion and tears may be no more than the outcropping of a vexed spirit, evidence of stubborn resistance … Continue reading “PRAYER:
UNANSWERED; REVIVAL: CONDITIONS FOR; OBEDIENCE: NEED FOR”

If unanswered prayer continues in a congregation over an extended period of time, the chill of discouragement will settle over the praying people. If we continue to ask and ask and ask, like petulant children, never expecting to get what we ask for but continuing to whine for it, we will become chilled within our … Continue reading “PRAYER:
UNANSWERED; UNBELIEF”

It is characteristic of human nature to turn to God only after every other avenue of help has been explored and been found useless. This is one of the many evils which sin has visited upon us—the bent to look everywhere for aid but in the right place, and if we do look in the … Continue reading “PRAYER:
PRIVILEGE OF; SPIRITUAL VICTORY”

Most of us go through life praying a little, planning a little, jockeying for position, hoping but never being quite certain of anything, and always secretly afraid that we will miss the way. This is a tragic waste of truth and never gives rest to the heart. There is a better way. It is to … Continue reading “PRAYER:
PRIVILEGE OF; FAITH: CONFIDENCE IN GOD”

Dr. Moody Stuart, a great praying man of a past generation, once drew up a set of rules to guide him in his prayers. Among these rules is this one: “Pray till you pray.”… The habit of breaking off our prayers before we have truly prayed is as common as it is unfortunate. Often the … Continue reading “PRAYER:
PATIENCE IN”