The Real Issue - The Real Answer by F. Joe Ellis    fjewt@purposeinstitute.com "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."   Matthew 6:6 (KJV)

"Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."   Matt 26:41 (KJV)


All of life is made up of fundamental laws and principles that serve as the foundation for everything we do. In the kingdom of God, the discipline of daily prayer is the most fundamental principle of them all. Because of this, NO ONE can afford to substitute prayer for any other religious practice regardless of their position or years of Christian service. 

In almost thirty years of ministry, every person I counsel because of a backslidden condition confesses (most of them with bitter tears) that the only time they pray is when the church is together collectively. 


Why is it such a struggle at times to keep our prayer life consistent? Is it really possible to win the daily war within that fights against our desire for spiritual things? What… you mean you struggle too? Then let me encourage you to keep reading. 


A Process ~ By Choice ~ Over Time


Spiritual growth at any level is not an event, neither is it a guarantee. It is a disciplined process that one chooses to engage in over time and through experience. I am personally convinced that this truth must be understood to effectively maintain spiritual balance. This is especially true when it appears that all of hell’s fury has been loosed against you and heaven’s answering service is turned off. The apostle Paul addressed this issue with the Philippian Church. He said…

"…for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  Phil 4: 11-13 (KJV)


Paul understood some very important things about the spiritual growth process…

• Trust God to choose your comfort level.

• Learn to be content with HIS will for your life.

• Be committed to do the WILL of God… at ANY Cost!

• Spiritual development IS a process... NOT an event. 

• Spiritual processes involve time and experience. 

• Divine Instruction is part of the process.

• Divine Instruction will include lessons and tests from both extremes of life.

• God WILL strengthen you to do what you could not do on your own.

• You CAN succeed at what ever HE has ordained for your life. 


Be sure of one thing, if you or I ever have the privilege of being used by God in any measure, it won’t be by accident. God will never force anyone to take the spiritual journey that is necessary to fulfill HIS purpose in our lives. The road to spiritual maturity and promise can only be traveled by those who choose it willingly. For those who make that choice however, consistent daily prayer, more than any other discipline, is necessary for completion. We must remember… WITHOUT HIM, WE CAN DO NOTHING! 


Are you willing to make the journey? Then the more important question really is… Have you prayed today?


God Moments vs. the Process

One of the more exciting parts of the process is the special God moments that serve as a catalyst to our spiritual development. Do you remember the night you received the Holy Spirit or that camp meeting service when you left forever changed? Do you recall that special message that was preached at a time when you desperately needed an answer? What about that week you set aside for a season of consecration, not knowing beforehand that it would birth a special calling and ministry on your life? Do you remember your God moment? Sure you do because every born again child of God has them! So what is the point you ask? Let me try to explain…


God moments are not designed to sustain your spiritual growth over time, only to transition you to the next level of service so that you can continue in the process. No one ever spiritually arrives because of any one moment or event. God’s momentary blessings as life changing as they may be, must never be mistaken for a guarantee of lifetime approval and promotion. God moments only serve as important but temporary agents of transition to assist those who are willing to continue in the process.


The Real Issue ~ The Real Answer 

Being a pastor, working very closely with people through the years, has taught me many things about human behavior. One very simple truth is, regardless of language, culture, or skin color… people are people. That is why the same bible is relevant in every nationality of the world! 


A common tendency in our human nature is to let up on the need for discipline right after a spiritual victory, when momentum has been gained. (Celebration seems to be synonymous with indulgence and gluttony. Doctors and lawyers earn a lot of money between January and March of every year because of this. Doctors treat people who are sick from overeating, attorneys work with people who have over spent and can not pay their bills.)


This same tendency holds true when we have been blindsided by some unexpected adversity. In either extreme however, prayer almost always seems to be the first discipline compromised. Israel’s continual inability to maintain spiritual consistency became their demise. Inconsistent behavior at any level is not unique or limited to the antiquities. It is still a very real challenge today. 


Can you relate? Sure you can, and so can everyone else who is honest and has willingly accepted the process of spiritual growth. Is there an answer to this madness, and if so, what is the real issue that we all face? 


The apostle Paul writing to the church at Rome very openly and candidly addressed this. He not only exposed the Real Issue, but he also gave us the Real Answer!


 
"…It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God's law with all my heart. But there is another law at work within me that is at war with my mind. This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…!"  Rom 7:21-25 (NLT)


 
"Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God."  Rom 8:5-8 (NLT)

The Apostle Paul understood the sin issue and how it wars constantly against a mind seeking to be spiritual. Here was his answer and what he personally did on a daily basis to win… 


 
"But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified." 1 Cor 9:27 (NKJV)


 1 Cor 15:31 (KJV)
…I die daily.


 Eph 6:10-18 (KJV)
• Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might… 

• Put on the whole armor of God…

• Pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit… 

• Watch with all perseverance and supplication for all saints…

As I bring this lesson to a close, I would like to offer seven final key points that I have personally gleaned from Jesus speaking directly to HIS disciples concerning prayer. 


• Luke records… "Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart…"  Luke 18:1 – 8 (NKJV)


• Matthew records… "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak…"  Matt 26:41 (KJV)


Seven Key Points from the Master


1. Consistent Prayer is the only answer to defeat discouragement, especially when it appears the enemy has already won! 

2. Unlike the unjust judge, HE will answer quickly if we will pray continually.

3. The greatest demonstration of our Faith is consistent prayer. When Jesus returns, will HE find faith on the earth? HE will if HE finds a praying church!

4. Keep your spiritual guard up at all times. Temptation comes in many different disguises.

5. Temptation must surrender to the one who surrenders their will to God through a consistent discipline of prayer!

6. Spiritual desire alone can never be a substitute for prayer! Only prayer produces prayers results! 

7. Prayer is the ONLY spiritual weapon given to consistently overcome the carnal desires of the flesh!


What a privilege! We do not have to live trapped and without hope under the law of sin. Our daily victory is found in the fundamental principle and discipline of consistent prayer! And for those who take advantage of the opportunity; HE WILL reward you openly!


 
"...But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."    Matthew 6: 6 (KJV) 



JESUS IS THE ANSWER… THE REAL ANSWER!

HAVE YOU PRAYED TODAY?

 Home Page             Order DVDs and CDs here