HOW FREQUENTLY SHOULD I PRAY?

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Ephesians 6:18 KJV

How is your prayer life? Is prayer a central and significant part of your life, or is it something you only do when you are with other believers? Is prayer a daily discipline for you, or do you mainly pray when you get in trouble or when you're in the mood? Do you pray when you are home alone, or only when you come to church? 

To pray regularly requires discipline. Unfortunately, most people act like a switch. It's “on and off” when it comes to prayer. They are faithful for a while, but then they fall out of prayer because they are too tired to or they are distracted by other things. How often are we supposed to pray? Our text verse gives us the answer. It says, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit...” This means we are to pray anytime there’s an opportunity, no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Use every occasion, every season, and every possible moment to pray. 

This clearly tells us that prayer is not optional for the Christian who is serious about his or her spiritual life. You must make prayer a top priority. Yet, unfortunately, prayer is largely disregarded by the average Christian today. If it’s truly in your heart to pray, you can find the time, and if your schedule is as busy as you think it is, take Ephesians 6:18 to heart. Grab any available time you can find, and make it your prayer time. 

Further Scripture Study: 1 Timothy 2:8 

Declare This: Dear Father, I have the power to say no to the distractions that keep trying to steal my time with You. I'll make prayer a top priority in my life and remain consistent from this moment onward in Jesus name Amen.

NO FEAR IN LOVE

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18 KJV

How do we combat fear? How do we make fear non-effective? It would seem logical if all we need to do is just say the word I will not fear, however, that isn’t God’s antidote for fear. In fact, we are told very clearly in Scripture what the cure for fear really is.

“There is no fear where love exists. Rather, perfect love banishes fear, for fear involves punishment, and the person who lives in fear has not been perfected in love. Our standing in the world is identical with Christ’s and there is no room in love for fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life is not fully formed in love.” Well-formed love banishes fear.

True love has no room for fear, because where fear is, there is pain; and he who is not free from fear is not complete in love. If we understand His perfect love, we would know that we are now covered by a love that says I have given my angels charge over you, I have good plans for you to prosper you. Love that guards us, guides us and provides for us. If we are in that love, we'll understand that if God be for us who can be against us?

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. His love is steadfast. His love is strong.

Further Scripture Study: 2 Timothy 1:7 

Declare This: Dear Lord, I stand in Your perfect Love, I refuse to fear or allow fear dictate my life in Jesus name Amen.

SPIRIT OF LOVE

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

Paul is writing to encourage Timothy while he is in a Roman prison facing the death penalty. Many who had been with Paul are no longer there, and some had even deserted him. So he is writing to Timothy to come to his side, to be with him in Rome. He challenged Timothy to be a bold, fearless leader because God has not given him a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and a sound mind. 

God has given us something to do...a place to be...and gifts to give but there's more, because if all we have is a spirit of power only, it is not enough. I have known people who've had great spiritual power but their Love level is low, God has given us a spirit of power...but also a spirit of love. The word Love is the same as Agape, this kind of love is practical and when it is let loose in the world, it will cast out all fear.

The spirit of love will allow you to do things you never thought you could do and it will take you to places you never expected to be. If you can truly begin to love the unsaved, as Christ does, you will be elevated by God and He will place an hedge around you against any form of fear. This kind of love frees us up to serve. As a Christian, the Scripture says that God has already given you Love. He's given you gifts necessary for you to function properly and to give you a fulfilled life. He's given you all the power necessary to use those gifts for His glory, the rest is up to you. 

Further Scripture Study: 1 John 4

Declare This: Dear Father, I thank You for Your love. The spirit of love is at work in me now and forever in Jesus name Amen.

CLING TO GOOD

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.". Romans 12:9 NIV

There are two sides to the Christian life; we must hate what is evil, but even more importantly, we must cling constantly, strongly to what is good in life and in the lives of people. Even though we are to hate what is evil in life, we must never become hate-mongers like the haters out there.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, when they came to get Jesus, Peter pulled out his sword and cut off the ear of Malchus. And Jesus plainly told Peter to put his sword away and then he put the ear of Malchus back on his head (John 18:10). Jesus was trying to teach Peter that you don’t cure the world’s evils by fighting it with hate and we don't cure the evil that exists in people's lives today by twisting their arms or by any means of force. Jesus converted people from their evil ways, not by beating them over the head physically or mentally with the gospel, but by loving them. 

We are often quick to criticize people, but slow to commend and compliment. And sometimes commending does a whole lot more good to help people do right in life than by being critical of them. Cling to the good in people and see what is good in them. Commend and Compliment that good, and no telling how much good you will do for them and do for yourself.

Further Scripture Study: Jude 1:23 TLB

Declare This: I am a love being and I cling to that which is good only. I do not see hate but God's genuine and sincere love in Jesus name Amen.

LOVE SINCERELY

"[Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good." Romans 9:11 AMPC

Love must be sincere. You have to love others sincerely, honestly and genuinely. There isn’t anything, any situation, any relationship, etc. that true sincere love can’t change and make it go right.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says "Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." Powerful! This is the truest and most sincere love there is and when it is at work in our lives, it will always make things right when things go wrong.

Jesus was and is the best when it comes to loving people. As Christians, we are supposed to follow His exact footsteps and lifestyle. Don't fake Love because you will be exposed in due time. Love never diminishes, there is always something left to give even when all hope is gone; It's Love. To demonstrate love when someone is at their lowest point in life is what I call sincere and genuine love. This kind of love will make things right when the situation is helpless and when all hope is lost.

Further Scripture Study: 1 Peter 4:8 

Declare This: Dear Father, thank You for displaying Sincere Love to me on the cross. I will always show pure and genuine love to myself and to others in Jesus name Amen.