Bible Study: "Prayerful Preparation for the Promised Power"

 "Before His ascension, His being “taken up into heaven”, the Lord had commanded His apostles and believers “that they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the promise”. He promised: “ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence”. What were they to do during the waiting period? Were they to be busy on some personal projects while waiting? Were they to be idle while waiting? While waiting for the promised power, were they to think, plan and strategize on networking with religious bodies in the land? “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and HE SHALL DIRECT THY PATHS." Prov 3:5,6

Have you been waiting and seeking God's face for His promises concerning your life? Are you almost giving up because you feel as though God isn't hearing your prayer? Below are seven (7) tips that you can utilize as you wait upon the Lord for His promises to be materialized in your life.

Wait upon the Lord by... (Acts 1:1-26)
1. waiting in prayer
2. waiting with perseverance
3. waiting for the promise
4. waiting according to His purpose
5. waiting for purity of heart
6. waiting for His power
7. waiting until we prevail and posses that which we are waiting for

"Judas Iscariot was one of the disciples of Jesus Christ. He was “numbered with us and obtained part of this ministry”. He was called by Christ to “be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out devils” (Mark 3:14,15). Judas, with the others “went out, and preached that men should repent” (Mark 6:12). He also had a unique and special responsibility among “the twelve” (John 13:29). Though he was continually outwardly associated with Christ, his heart was divided and he had departed from the Lord in his heart (Hosea 10:2; Hebrews 3:12-14). “The cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful” (Mark 4:19). He soon became a thief (John 6:70;12:6) and stole from the bag. He covered up his sinful character so cleverly that the other disciples did not know of his backsliding and apostasy (John 13:25-30). “The love of money” was the root of all his evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Covetousness had stolen his heart, he “erred from the faith and pierced himself through with many sorrows” and eternal damnation. The Lord, in mercy, warned him many times, but all the warnings fell on deaf ears. For Judas, the pull of money was stronger than the pleading of the Master."

While we wait upon the Lord for the fulfillment of His promises concerning our lives, it is likewise greatly important that we pray seriously and fervently for the intactness of our Salvation. The devil through the cares and desires of this life can easily steal our attention and if we aren't cautious our Salvation may be stolen away from us. But if we communicate to God through prayer and meditation of His Word, yearn to do His Will, and ask Him to shower much of His grace upon our lives in order to obey and submit ourselves to doing that which pleases Him, He will empower us to live above the passions of and be dead to sin and our sinful nature in Jesus' name. As the pastor said "whenever you are tempted to commit sin, remember Judas Iscariot." May we not end up like Judas in the name of Jesus'. Amen.

(Quoted paragraphs were taken from tonight's Bible Study outline.) 

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May you be blessed!
Have a great night.

Love,

-Charity