Redeeming The Time Ministries - SA

Pray without Ceasing in 2022
Acts 12:1-5
1.Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the Days of Unleavened Bread. 4So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four [a]squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover. 5. Peter was therefore kept in prison, but [b]constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

In this account, hatred is directed towards the Church. Herod the king exercised his power against the Church. He killed James, an apostle of God. His actions made the Jews happy. He proceeded to capture Peter with the intent of killing him. What is interesting to note is that the church is not recorded as having done anything. God did not do anything about James’s death.

When Peter was imprisoned, the church jumped into action. Peter was therefore kept in prison, but [b]constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. The churched prayed for Peter’s release. The key phrases are “constant prayer”, “to God” and “by the church”. If the church had not prayed, God would not have moved. The Church did not pray for James and God did not send help. When the church prayed for Peter, God sent an angel to release Peter.

Child of God, in the years 2020 and 2021, the church was humbled by Covid 19. Restrictions were given against assembling of the saints. The economy of the world was destabilised. We are now in 2022. If the church does not pray, it does not require guessing, humbling situations can come. If the Church decides to pray, God will answer them and respond to their requests. The choice is yours. Are you going to pray or look at events unfolding anyhow?
James 5:16-18 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, [k]fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

God answers pray. The responsibility is with us to be men and women of prayer. God remains faithful. He will answer.

Stay blessed in the name of Jesus our Lord and Saviour.

Sunday Service message: The church has authority over the devil.

Acts 12: 1. Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 4. And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. 5. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

Herod a ruthless king killed James the brother of John, an apostle of Jesus Christ. He went on to put Peter into prison, intending to kill him after Easter.

The church had suffered humiliation at the hand of Herod. The church changed their attitude and started praying for Peter.

Acts 12: 5. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

The church prayed earnestly unto God for Peter. The KJV says "Prayer was made without ceasing unto God for Peter".

God intervened. God sent an angel and set Peter free. It was miraculous. Guards were there. The prison was shut BUT OUR GOD saved Peter from the hand of Herod.
Why did James die? Why did Peter escape?
Because the church prayed for Peter. The church took its stand against the devil. The church called the name of Jesus. God responded.

Had the church complained and grumbled over the situation, Peter would have suffered the same fate as James.

Ephesians 2: 6. And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

In the eyes of God, the church has a glorified position. The church is seated in heavenly places in Christ. This is far above the devil and his cohorts.

Ephesians 1: 20. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

The position of Jesus is the very same position of the church because the church is the body of Christ.

James 4: 7. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The church decided to exercise their authority and put the devil on the sprint.

Child of God, as the church we have authority over the devil. We can use our authority over our families, our churches, our working places and communities. Crying and complaining will not help. It is high time the church realises who she is and take the stand against the devil over every area of concern.
What are you doing about your situation? What are you doing about the situation of your nation? You have authority over the devil.
Matthew 16: 18. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Take your stand again evil. You have the authority and the right amour. Stay blessed in the name of Jesus

Bible study: Faith Basics part 2.

Hebrews 11: 6. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

The Bible says that it is impossible to please God without faith. Not difficult but practically impossible. People try to move God with their tears. Others with self-pitying. The Bible says it is impossible to please God without faith. One sure way of getting the attention of God is by standing in faith. Christians should learn and practice what the Bible says.

2 Corinthians 5: 7. For we walk by faith, not by sight:

If a Christian does not learn faith basics, he is in great danger of walking by sight.
Romans 1: 17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

The just shall live by faith. Hope alone is not enough. Faith is the gold standard for Christian living.

Faith can be classified as great faith, little faith and even faithless. What causes one to fall into the category of little faith?

John 20: 24. But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27. Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Thomas refused to believe the report of other disciples that Jesus had risen from the dead. This is despite the fact that Jesus himself had told His disciples that He would rise from the dead. Thomas wanted to prove that it was really Jesus whom the other 10 disciples saw.

Jesus emphasized that those who believe from just hearing the Word of God are blessed than those who want to see first for them to believe. The order of God is believe first and you will see. The world would like you to see first so that you can believe. Today people who do not believe the rapport of God are nicknamed the "doubting Thomases".

Abraham is referred to as the father of faith. He believed God at all cost.

Romans 4: 17. (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb: 20. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21. And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

He believed God all the way. Imagine receiving a promise at 75 and getting the son at 100. Many would have staggered. Many would have talked themselves out of the promise of God. Abraham chose to stand upon the promises of God against all hope.

One cannot just wake up with the magnitude of the faith of Abraham. One has to have the knowledge of the Word and exercise their faith. Faith has to grow.

The church at Thesalonica was commended for their exceedingly growing faith. This church was purposely exercising their faith. Paul commended them.
2 Thessalonians 1: 3. We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth;

Child of God, are you of little faith? Is your faith growing exceedingly? You have a part to play for your faith grow exceedingly. You have to learn to take God's Word at face value.

Romans 10: 17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.