Prayer Lessons

May 13, 2025 — jwwealand

Praying a Prayer For Power

Perhaps the best prayer ever prayed for power is from the apostle Paul in Ephesians 3:14-21. Four times Paul uses words like strength & power on his knees in prayer in this written prayer passage. To identify passages of scripture as prayer is important because they can help shape our prayers in the will of God. All of God’s “fullness” v19 is requested to be directed towards the Christian’s “inner being” or inner person (eso anthropos), v16. Regarding the life of the church in Ephesus, what happened to them in Revelation 2:3-5 ?

What is this “Fullness” defined as being in John 1:16? 

T______________  and G_______________

“Fullness” is from the same Greek word used by Paul in Ephesians 3:19, “PLEROMA”.

Jesus is not on record in the gospels as using this exact phrase “inner being” (eso anthropos), but he did refer to our “anthropos” or PERSON getting defiled, see Matthew 15:15-20. So it is clear that God’s concern for our inner person is to cleanse and make holy our inner being. How do you describe a human being’s inner person? The word of God is able to discern between spirit and soul, so are any of those words describing something physical or are these words describing only the spiritual nature of humanity? See Hebrews 4:12.

Acs 8:13-22 is a passage that points us clearly towards using prayer in the need for the f_________________ of hearts in the church that are erring in sin. Especially personal is the bondage to sin, some Christians suffer even after they are faithfully baptized. This bondage we sometimes assume is freely released, but Paul teaches Timothy that God grants repentance, from a “trap” in 2nd Timothy 2:25-26. 

Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to use prayer to guard our hearts & minds against a____________

Colossians 4:3 helps us understand that prayer can be used to help us make o___________________ effective.

James 1:5-8 makes it clear that prayer is essential in obtaining the w___________ of God, and the sick who ask Elders in faith to pray for them with oil, can bring about h______________. James 5:14-16.

Do you see the word & power of God emphasizing prayer to affect the life of Christians?

It takes power to forgive hearts trapped or in bondage to sin.

It takes power to guard hearts & minds from anxiety.

It takes power to make any opportunity effective for God’s word. 

It takes power to use wisdom and heal people. 

Christ’s Prayer for Glory, Unity, Faith & Love

(John 17)

Jesus repeats these words in his prayer, as follows:

(Glory  x 8)     (Unity and/or “to be one”  x 5 )     (Believe  x 4 )    ( Love  x 4 )

An interesting note about the word “glory” is that “glory” is used to describe the Spirit of God as the Spirit of Glory, see 1st Peter 4:14 & Philippians 3:3. 

Christ defines God as g_______________  in the completion of His work, see John 17:4.  Was Christ’s work “complete” when he actually prayed this prayer? (Rev. 13:8)

The Apostle Paul later understood glory, using phrases such as Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27) and noting that God’s work in us moves from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18).

What exactly does Christ want The Father to give the apostles in order to experience unity? (see v11)

What did Christ want “fulfilled” in the lives of the apostles? (see v13)

Whose unity did Christ pray for in verse 20?

“So that the world may _____________ that you sent me” v21

The world will know whose disciples we are by what? _______________ John 13:35

The New Testament tells us that Jesus has an ongoing, present work of intercession for His people (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25). His goal isn’t to let us know what He said on a special occasion in the past, but rather to show His constant attitude now. His unceasing ‘intercession’ for us while His disciples wait for his reappearance must be purposeful. Do you believe Jesus still prays for us today? 

Jesus did not pray for uniformity or institutional unity among believers, but for unity rooted in love and a shared nature, which should bring together the many different nationalities, tribes & classes of Jesus’ one body. This isn’t a legislated uniformity seeking to unite wheat and weeds, into the same plant. Jesus had in mind the true unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3). We should believe that this prayer was answered, and that the church is one. Our failure is in failing to recognize this and walk in that divine fact !

CONFESSION & INTERCESSION IN PRAYER

Intercession is necessary between a God who is “holy, holy, holy” and sanctified christians who are weak or growing in their struggle against sin. Christians are not of the world, but because we are in the world, this new creature has a very real struggle. The Hebrew writer says…

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our W___________

 But one who in every respect has been tempted as we are yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15)

When Jesus came, he would forever change how God’s people would receive help and intercession with sin. In order for us to learn about this change and implement it, Jesus gave us the example of the Pharisee & the tax collector to teach us the direction his change would be in, see Luke 18:10-14. Some Jews were tax collectors for the Romans, which was a very controversial lifestyle in Israel. The tax collector admitted he was a sinner in public by his work in the eyes of other Jews, but his CONFESSION of being a sinner to God was paramount to Jesus. Christ pointed out that in his teaching, there were two facts that helped the tax collector become justified, and live a justified life. What are they?

  1. H____________________ in prayer
  1. C____________________ in prayer

As Christians, we need confession in order to walk in the light and experience growth in our faith. See 1st John 1:7-9. Surely sin and repentance in the Corinthian church was in need of prayerful confession and intercession, 2nd Corinthians 2:1-11.

“If we say we have no S_____, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us, if we 

C____________ our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us”

Do we pray about our sin?                                                        If not, why not?

Even under the old covenant, if God’s children confess sin, what do we see God gives?

M________

Read Proverbs 28:13. How much more and better under a new covenant!

We have a better covenant, based upon the blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins which we should confess in prayer, see Matthew 26:28.

ADORATION & THANKSGIVING IN PRAYER

Jesus shows us that we should be thankful for the Gifts God gives, for…

Matthew 11:25, revelation of wisdom. Matthew 26:27, the blood of the covenant. John 6:9-11, the boy’s food. John 11:41, hearing us!

Teaching on Thankfulness to God: Ephesians 5:17-21 (His will in submitting to one another), Colossians 4:2 (devote ourselves), 1st Thessalonians 5:17-18 (His will in every situation), Philippians 4:6 (The Lord is at hand, make requests!)

Do we understand adoration of God in the opening words of Christ’s model prayer? Luke 11:2 & Matthew 6:9

Mary gives us a great example of adoration in prayer, Luke 1:46-55.

Try to identify the verses where we see four virtues of God that Mary rejoices in?

God’s power in Mary, verse ___

God’s holiness, verse ___

God’s mercy, verse ___

God’s power in Israel, verse___

God’s goodness, verse ___

God’s faithfulness, verse ___

If you were expressing thankfulness for God’s virtues, what virtues would you thank him for showing or sharing with you?

We should not discount the importance of thanksgiving in our prayers, especially if we expect God to answer us as we make so many requests for future blessings. Remember King Hezekiah, 2nd Chronicles 32:23-31. When is our heart testedor tried? Thanksgiving & adoration can help us pass the test! To grow effective and strong in prayer we should recognize the connection between Hearts & Knees! James 4:6-10 proskuneo means “Worship”, adore!

Parallel Prayers Between Old & New Testaments?

In Genesis 4:26 is recorded the first mention of prayer, note a comparison between this  and the last prayer in the New Testament “Come Lord Jesus”, Revelation 22:20.

Hannah – 1st Samuel 2:1-10 & Mary – Luke 1:46-55. Do you see a general theme between these two prayers akin to one another?

1 Kings 3:3–9 – Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom, “And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” Like Solomon, we can pray for wisdom, expectant of an answer, for as James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” 

The great prayer of Solomon in 2nd Chronicles 6:13-42 postures humility, and repeats the request for forgiveness 5 times, and repeats the desire for repentance 4 times. Jesus points out that the kind of prayer that brings justification is one that postures humility, confesses sin and begs mercy, Luke 18:13-14. 

Numbers 6:24–26 – Aaron’s Priestly Prayer for a Blessing

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

Sin brought the curse into the world, but God promised to bless the whole world through Abraham’s seed, a promise fully realized in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:3). When we pray this blessing for ourselves or others, we ask God to fulfill His purposes in blessing His people with His peace and presence. Genesis 48:16 CSB — the angel who has redeemed me from all harm — may he bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow to be numerous within the land.

Romans 12:14 CSB — Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

1 Peter 3:9 CSB — not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing, since you were called for this, so that you may inherit a blessing.

Nehemiah’s prayer in 1:4-2:5 begins with faith based on God’s covenant of love, and ends with God’s strength in redeemed people to give him success before the King as a cupbearer. Paul’s prayer for love, power & glory in Ephesians 3:14-21, precedes his instruction for Christians in Ephesus to dress themselves in the whole armor of God, in preparation for a spiritual war.

The same themes of answered prayer in the Old Testament are prayed for from within the New Covenant. Do we have the same goals in our prayers?

Reasons to Pray for One Another!

James 5:16

LOVE & SALVATION

Philippians 1:9-11 “And this is my prayer: that _______’s love may abound more and 

more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that ________ may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ; to the glory and praise of God.”

KNOWLEDGE

Ephesians 1:17-19 “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious

Father, may give _______ the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that _______ may

 know Christ better. I pray also that the eyes of _______’s heart may be enlightened in

 order that _______ may know the hope to which God has called…”

STRENGTH & PRESENCE

Ephesians 3:14 “For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may 

strengthen _______ with power through His Spirit in his/her inner being, so that

 Christ may dwell in _______’s heart through faith. 

PHYSICAL WELFARE & SPIRITUAL GROWTH

3rd John 2  “I pray that _______ may prosper in all things and be in health, just as ________’s soul prospers.

Every single letter the Apostle Paul wrote, actually contains a prayer or tells Christians what he is praying about! See the verses for yourself. 

Romans 1:8-10 & 10:1.  1st Corinthians 1:4-9  2nd Corinthians 13:7-9.  

Galatians 6:14-18.  Ephesians 3:14-21.  Philippians 1:3-11.  Colossians 1:3-14.  1st Thessalonians 1:2-3,  2nd Thessalonians 1:11-12. 

1st Timothy 1:12.  2nd Timothy 1:3-7.  Titus 3:8-15.  Philemon v4-7 

A Priority in Paul’s Prayers

The strongest statements Paul made about salvation is in Romans 1:16 & 9:3, knowing God’s power to save was in the gospel, yet if his fellow Jews could be saved in his place, he would accept being accursed! The Roman Christians must know this:

“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be __________.”  (Romans 10:1)

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,  that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of 

our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, __________________ in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1st Cor. 1:4-8)

Pray for me also, that I may be given the right words when I begin to speak—that 

I may confidently make known the mystery of the ____________ (Eph. 6:19)

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same 

time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the _________

to declare the mystery of __________, on account of which I am in prison, that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. (Colossians 4:2)

Three times Paul is on record having “knelt down and prayed” (Acts 20:36; Eph. 3:14). And also with the whole congregation of Christians of Tyre, “knelt down … and prayed” (Acts 21:5). Paul did this to emulate Jesus, he “knelt down and prayed” (Luke 22:41). The prayers of Jesus were for our spiritual welfare, strength and unity, Luke 22:32, Matthew 9:38 & John 17:1-26. Jesus also taught that we should ask for His Spirit, Luke 11:13. In view of Paul’s priority, we should remember Jesus teaches us to pray for workers in harvesting souls, see Luke 10:2. What subjects have a priority in our prayer?

 

PRAYER & FAITH

This discussion may help us conclude a series of studies on prayer that we started with Matthew 21:22 on the subject of believing prayer. Some scholars have claimed that there are over 642 recorded prayers in the Bible, and approximately 431 of them have recorded answers. In view of this record, we are reminded that James instructs us that we should pray ‘believing’ (James 1:6-8) and that we should not pray “amiss” or selfishly ~ James 4:3. Let us consider how important faith is, while we pray effectively and/or fervently. 

The prayers of Jesus were heard and answered, but do you know WHY his prayers were heard and answered? 

“During his earthly life Christ offered both requests and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was 

heard because of his _______________.”  (Hebrews 5:7) 

Is it possible for us to pray without reverence? 

Here are 5 other places the word ‘reverence’ is used: Hebrews 12:28, Luke 2:25, Acts 2:5 & 8:2 & 22:12. It describes both worship and the character of a person.

Did the man who was justified in his prayer, (Luke 18:9-14) show reverence?

Faith is essential, in order to be reverent or devoted over any length of time because temptations and trials will inevitably challenge anyone’s devotion. Jesus expressed faith while praying distressed in Gethsemane, being in anguish he finally was strengthened by an angel (Luke 22:43) and courageously trusted in His Father’s promise of glory. Jesus followed through all the suffering and even death on a cross in view of his Father’s answer to that prayer being “no”. Our faith is tested at best when we receive a “no” from God. 

Do you know of anyone in the Bible, praying without faith?

Do you think perhaps there were any members of the church praying without faith, for Peter while he was imprisoned? See Acts 12:5-16.

THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST AND

HIS ROLE IN OUR PRAYER

 Romans 8: 25- 27  “if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with endurance. In the same way, the Spirit __________ us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself 

___________________ for us with inexpressible groanings.  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit 

___________________ on behalf of the saints according to God’s will. 

Jesus taught that we should ask for His Spirit, Luke 11:13, and he taught that we better not run out of oil, Matthew 25:1-13. What does the oil represent?

Seven Symbols of Christ’s Spirit:

  1. Dove, Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, John 1:32
  2. Oil, Matthew 25:1-13, Ephesians 1:17-18
  3. Anointing Truth, 1st John 2:24-27 & 5:6
  4. Rush of Wind, Acts 2:1-4
  5. Flames of Fire, Acts 2:1-4
  6. Seal, Ephesians 1:13-14
  7. Water of Life, Jn. 4:13-14 & 7:37-39, 1st Corinthians 12:12-13

What these symbols may be pointing us towards in prayer?

  1.  Peace? (dove)
  2.  Enlightenment? (oil)
  3.  Wisdom? (anointing truth)
  4.  Power? (rush of wind)
  5.  Purity in Holiness? (flames of fire)
  6.  Being set apart and/or identified as Holy? (seal)
  7.  Cleanliness & Refreshment? (water of life)

HOW DID CHRISTIANS

IN THE NEW TESTAMENT PRAY?

Three times the New Testament specifically says Christians were or are to be “devoted” to prayer. See Acts 2:42, Colossians 4:2 & Romans 12:12. Twice in the book of Acts the apostles Peter & John prayed regularly during certain hours of the day, Acts 3:1 & 10:9. Twice in the book of Acts, prayer is enjoined with fasting, Acts 13:3 & 14:23

Do we have a prayer life that can be described as devoted and regular? Since we are the church, wouldn’t devotion and regularity create a prayer-life that experienced fasting? When was the last time you prayed and fasted? Have you ever fasted at all? Since Jesus intended his followers to fast, (recorded in Luke 5:35) why is there so little fasting in our prayer-life? Is it possible that we are not as devoted as we should be?

Here are topics of prayer as the church was born:

1 – Bold proclamation

  • 2 Thess 3:1 – prayer request for bold gospel proclamation
  • Eph 6:19 – prayers for bold gospel proclamation
  • Col 4:3-4 – prayers for bold, clear proclamation

2 – Praying during tests & trials.

  • Acts 4 – prayers following persecution
  • Acts 12:5 – prayers for Peter when he was in jail
  • Acts 16:25 – Paul and Silas in jail, they are singing and praying

3 – Praying for leadership, particularly at times of transition

  • Acts 1:24 – the replacement of Judas
  • Acts 14:23 – the appointment of elders

“…Dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit, maintain yourselves in the love of God….” 

~ Jude v20 

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Psalm 26 from a Christians Perspective

February 19, 2025 — jwwealand

Despite the danger of evil associates, David remained confident that he would not slip, and that he would securely stand in an even place!

v1-3, It is not David’s reputation in the eyes of other people that concerns him but rather God’s reputation that he desires. What does our heart really desire? Read John 3:19-21.

David expressed a desire to be “evaluated” by God from inside himself “kidneys & heart” is a Hebrew phrase of expressing all our inner feelings & even logic. Today we talk about “mind & heart” containing logic & feelings but in ancient times, people spoke of this internal examination as focusing on our kidneys & heart.

Are we brave enough to ask God to evaluate us? Consider 1st Corinthians 11:26-28 and ask ourselves this: Do we really know who’s presence we are in when we are being instructed to examine ourselves?

“God’s Loyalty motivated David’s integrity” Do we really believe God is faithful? 

v4-8, David tried to live pure, under the assumption that at least some kind of association with these people was morally wrong. We might say that he took 1st Corinthians 15:33 to heart a thousand years before Paul wrote the words by inspiration of the Holy Spirit: Evil company corrupts good habits. If we considered the possibility of not being able to “appear before God’s altar”, then maybe more of us would make it to worship with God’s people, but instead, church attendance remains small. See Hebrews 10:24-25.

Most of a Christians’ associations in the world begin in this threefold order: 1-Entertainment. 2-Employment. 3-Education. Then when we are grown adults, we have already grown well rooted associations with evil. Consider how evil entertainment can be? Or how school sports is presented as ‘fun’ but quickly turns into the no#1 priority for getting into college? How money from employment can be an object of love? Also, consider lies we are taught in our education by the actions of teachers, which speak louder then their words. The biggest lie we are all told in school is this: “Religion is valuable and good for you, but not important enough to be in your curriculum” , or, “The muslim’s God is the same monotheistic God of the christian”, and also, the lie that says “The theory of evolution is more credible than the theory of creation or the theory of a supreme designer over all the design we see in our universe & biology.

v9-12, Note David’s confident proclamation. Despite the danger to his life, despite the presence of the wicked, (with God helping him) he would walk in his integrity. David’s declaration of his “foot standing in an even place”, may be a reminder of what Jesus taught about building our house on the rock and not sand. Compare Psalm 40:2, Luke 6:48 with Matthew 16:18, and decide who the rock is on which we should stand?

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The Theme of Psalm 22, 23 & 24 United in Christ Jesus

January 31, 2025 — jwwealand

The Cross of sacrifice, Psa. 22 has parallels with every gospel account of the crucifixion of Jesus. For Christians this is in the past tense. “God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.(Rom. 5:8) The Lamb of God had to be perfect, as well as the first-born. So he was good in two aspects: 1, Good intrinsically without sin. 2, Good in humble service as sacrificially demonstrating love on the cross. This kind of goodness, only God can share. We see this point taught by Jesus in Matthew 19:17, Mark 10:18 & Luke 18:19.

 “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only ______ who is good.”

Can you ‘see’ someone being crucified in Psa. 22:14-18 ? 

The Crook of the Shepherd’s Staff, Psa. 23:4 & John 10:1-17 has an obvious parallel for Jesus as the Good Shepherd, which for us today is present tense. The Staff was used in two ways: to help hold the sheep in a position for inspection & treatment when sick or injured or suffering from parasites. Also, to help rescue a lost sheep if it was trapped or stuck, else it would become a predator’s meal.

The Spirit of Christ is active, seen in the New Testament;

Now may the God of peace who by the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from 

the dead the __________ shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, Heb. 13:20.

How much bigger and more capable does a Shepherd seem to mere sheep, when sheep are in trouble or suffering?

The Crown of the Savior, Psa. 24:1-4 & Revelation 21:27 Share a sentiment about the utopian earth with the sovereign security of a King who rules to protect his domain and citizens. The reason “earth” is used is because the Rule Jesus demonstrated before he became a glorious King after the resurrection gives him control over all forces on earth. 

That is why Peter calls him the __________ Shepherd in 1st Peter 5:4. A shepherd who became a King, writing in the Lamb’s book of Life, everyone’s name who is secure in the Kingdom of Heaven. This has a futuristic glory in fulfilling the promise of our home in heaven. 

In Psa. 24:7-9, Four times the words “gates and/or doors” are used to describe the King’s entry into a holy place of security & glory.  Do you see the importance of being “in Christ” as the Chief Shepherd or Door of the Sheep (Jn. 10:1-9)?

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Virtues of Christ ~ a summary

January 19, 2025 — jwwealand

Humility, Compassion, Kindness, Patience, Forgiveness, Joy, Peace, Faithfulness, Holiness or Self-Control, these 9 subjects covered during the past few months only touch on the fruit of the Holy Spirit growing in the new creation Christ creates in every Christian. Let us continue to grow in the grace & knowledge of Christ by looking into some of the synonyms the New Testament uses to fully describe the fruit of the Holy Spirit. There are 12 words in His description.

  1. Love, Gal. 5:22
  2. Joy, Gal. 5:22
  3. Peace, Gal. 5:22
  4. Patience, Gal. 5:22
  5. Goodness, Gal. 5:22, Eph. 5:9.
  6. Faithfulness, Gal. 5:22
  7. Kindness, Gal. 5:22
  8. Gentleness, Gal. 5:23
  9. Self-control, Gal. 5:23
  10. Holiness, Romans 6:22
  11. Righteousness, Ephesians 5:9, Hebrews 12:11, James 3:18
  12. Truthfulness, Ephesians 5:9

In the field of Botanical Reproduction, scientists have learnt that fruit is distinguished from vegetables as any flowering growth from the plant that has it’s seeds inside (except for the strawberry) Botanists have given fruit 12 different general characteristics. Every fruit has at least 12 parts.

The following parts are AROUND the seed

1. Exocarp (outer skin)

  1. Mesocarp (flesh of fruit)
  2. Pericarp (flesh around seed, usually higher in fructose)
  3. Endocarp (material around seed) in peaches it is the stone.
  4. Pedical (part of stem which goes inside the fruit)

The following parts are all INSIDE the seed

6. Endosperm,   7. Scutellum,    8. Cotyledon,   9. Plumule,   10. Hypocotyl,   11. Radicle and

12. Coleorhiza.

There are over 300,000 species of flowering plants that bear fruit, the majority have these 12 parts in them. This is the result of a Designer, we believe Our God, who made physical fruit also grows spiritual fruit. Do you notice how the seed is packed with parts? If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, it begins there. This is why Jesus teaches on the work of God being in believing! See John 6:28-29 & Ephesians 2:4-10 to see how Paul put this work in our hearts to mature the new creature in Christ.

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Virtues of Christ ~ Faithfulness

January 4, 2025 — jwwealand

The idea of being faithful, usually falls into three different contexts for our modern vocabulary. Firstly, marriage, secondly, worship and lastly, we sometimes use the word faithful in the context of allegiance in support of an athletic team. Christ is the perfect example of what it means to be faithful from God’s perspective. He always did the will of His Father, see John 8:28-29, this is the very essence of faithfulness as a virtue, it is pleasing!

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven – only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.” 

This shows us clearly, the command of Christ is to faithfully obey the will of God in Him, without this, we will not be saved in His Kingdom!

Christ was, is and will always be faithful in doing the will of God in our lives. Jesus said, 

(Matthew 23:23-24) “Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You give a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, yet you neglect what is more important in the law – 

justice, mercy, and _________________________. You should have done these things without neglecting the others. 

Jesus often spoke of faithfulness as the exact opposite of honesty, see Luke 16:10-11.

“The one who is _________________ in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you haven’t been 

_______________________ in handling worldly wealth, who will entrust you with the true riches? 

So to be honest with the gifts God gives us, and also to be obedient to the commands Christ has for us, is the essence of faithfulness as a virtue of Christ in the Christian.

Are we honest with our spouse?

Are we honest with our income?

Do we have integrity in ourselves, when faced with the commands of Christ? Faithfulness is not measured by the number of times we attend worship services in a year, but it is measured by what we do during worship. Loyal love in our hearts towards Christ for all he is, has done and will do is the driving force behind real faithfulness.

The answers to these questions help us evaluate our own faithfulness. A virtue the world does not emphasize. We must rely on Christ’s Spirit to grow His fruit, Gal. 5:22-23, which includes faithfulness.

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Virtues of Christ ~ Peace

January 3, 2025 — jwwealand

Jesus Christ Himself is our peace. This is easily understood when we accept the definition of the Greek word for ‘peace’, eirene. In Gal. 5:22 & Eph. 2:14. Peace is a part of Him, which He wants us to enjoy at all times and in every way we can enjoy it, 2Ths. 3;16. Peace is His ability to make friends, overcoming anxiety and conflict between Him and us individually and personally. If it were not for the loving self-sacrifice of Jesus, we would have no hope at all, of ever becoming friends with our Creator, God, the Father and Lord of Heaven and Earth. Because of our sinfulness, we are often enemies towards Him and maybe more often in frustration against His will, because of our own sinful selfishness. The whole passage of Ephesians 2:11-22 needs to be read for a real good grasp of God’s peace in your mind and/or heart.

Don’t forget the reality of Acts 9:31

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed ____________, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.  

When His fruit grows in our heart, we find a friendship with God as Abraham himself had such a continual and growing relationship with Him. Abraham is called the Friend of God, James 2:23, so lets consider the faith of Abraham and make it our own so we can enjoy the same friendship Abraham had. A faith that obeyed God’s word, against all the odds, Abraham travelled on a journey not knowing exactly where he would be finished. When he got there, he found it was famine stricken, but still gave thanks for it, and offered a sacrifice of thanksgiving. For survival he fled to Egypt and when strengthened he returned to the land God promised and showed to him, that is real faith! Abraham also was patient and waited on the promise of God for a son, for several long years and despite all the odds of old-age, he continued with his barren wife, not forsaking her, but in a normal marriage relationship, she conceived and successfully bore a son in old age, what faith! And then if that wasn’t enough faith, Abraham showed more, when God asked him to sacrifice his son, Abraham tried, but God’s angel stopped him. Can we faithfully obey God, even when it seems dangerous? Abraham did, so can we. Greater is He that is within us, than he that is in the world. 1st John 4:4

Jesus condemned worry, in Matthew 6:25-34. But we all fall into that type of sinfulness all too often. Why? Maybe we should ask, Why should we avoid it? Firstly, it’s no good for us whatsoever! Secondly, it’s a complete waste of time. Thirdly, if we are worrying, we are not trying to find God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. Therefore, we are lost, without His rule and with out His goodness in our lives. His peace can help us rest on Him for answers and solutions coming at the right time after we have fulfilled His righteousness in our lives and done what is good to the best of our ability. There comes a time in every problem we approach, when we must stop and pray, casting our cares upon Him because He cares for us, 1st Peter 5:7. Or do we really believe He cares for us. This may be why we worry too much, because we don’t REALLY believe God does care. If we do believe this, then we are walking in His friendship and are at peace with Him.

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The Virtues of Christ – Joy

December 19, 2024 — jwwealand

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” Proverbs 17:22. Joy is a word that describes the fruit of the Spirit of Christ, see Galatians 5:22. Fruit takes time to grow, and even in the life of Christ, it grew full to maturity. Jesus had joy and expressed it best in his constant sense of gratitude. The Christ was prophesied to be the “man of sorrows” (Isaiah 53:2-5) and indeed Jesus had sorrows heaped upon him in various ways, but he was still able to be thankful and express joy. During the teaching ministry of Jesus, he could break out in praise to God, when he saw how people were believing and understanding what he taught, even while rebuking the religious leaders of Judaism, see Matthew 11:23-25. He is also recorded as “rejoicing in the Spirit”, Luke 10:20-21. Try to name two things which you think made Jesus able to rejoice?

  1. Watching People Get Access & Receive The Truth of God’s Wisdom.
  1. Watching People Do The Will of The Father & Having Their Names Written in Heaven.

When Jesus taught about joy, he used the word “blessed” (Matthew 5:1-16) which is not a fleeting feeling of euphoria, but rather an attitude of contentment that gives a person a feeling of satisfaction which can’t be taken away. Fleeting feelings of sorrow may interrupt our joy, but deep grief and great sorrow can not steal the joy of Jesus away forever. The joy of Jesus was something he wanted his disciples to experience, see John 15:10 -12. In fact he prayed for the purpose of his disciples to live lives that would experience his joy, see John 17:13-14. When our lives are not joyful, we should remind ourselves of what it was, which Jesus found joy in. 

When Jesus told the parable of the lost sheep, Matthew 18;11-13, do you think that only the angels rejoice when a lost sheep is found? Or does Jesus rejoice as well? Everytime Jesus pronounced the forgiveness of someone’s sins, do you believe he was happy or sober?

The most ironic fact about the joy of Jesus is that he went to the cross with a focus on the “joy” that was set before him, Hebrews 12:2.

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