Prayer and Promises

THE PROMISE 

And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can approve the things that are superior and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ. 

— Philippians 1:9,10, HCSB 

THE TESTIMONY 

Let us follow Christ. Do not forget that He is to be our pattern in all things. 

Did not the first disciples have to meet the sayings of men? did they not have to listen to false theories; and then, having done all, to stand firm, saying, “Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid”? 

We have a Bible full of the most precious truth. It contains the alpha and the omega of knowledge. The Scriptures, given by inspiration of God, are “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” [2 Timothy 3:16, 17.] Take the Bible as your study-book. All can understand its instruction.

Christ calls upon His people to believe and practice His word. Those who receive and assimilate this word, making it a part of every action, of every attribute of character, will grow strong in the strength of God. It will be seen that their faith is of heavenly origin... Before angels and before men, they will stand as those who have strong, consistent Christian characters. 

Let us go to the word of God for guidance. Let us seek for a “Thus saith the Lord.” We have had enough of human methods. A mind trained only in worldly science will fail to understand the things of God; but the same mind, converted and sanctified, will see the divine power in the Word. Only the mind and heart cleansed by the sanctification of the Spirit can discern heavenly things. 

Christ is waiting to kindle faith and love in the hearts of His people... By prayer and confession of sin we must clear the King’s highway. As we do this, the power of the Spirit will come to us. We need the pentecostal energy. This will come; for the Lord has promised to send His Spirit as the all-conquering power. 

Let your hearts be yielded to the power of the Holy Spirit, and they will be made susceptible to the teachings of the Word. Then you will be able to discern the deep things of God. 

May God bring His people under the deep movings of His Spirit! May He arouse them to see their peril, and to prepare for what is coming upon the earth! 

— Gospel Workers, p.306-310 

THE RESPONSE  

Take the Bible, which is full of the most precious truth, as your study-book. Through faith, believe and practice His word and make it a part of every action. 

Yield your heart to the power of the Holy Spirit seeking to be made responsive to the teachings of the Word and able to discern the deep things of God. 

Cleanse your mind and heart by the sanctification of the Spirit. With a mind that is converted and sanctified, seek to understand the things of God. 

Clear the King’s highway by prayer and confession of sin. Claim the promise of His Spirit as the all-conquering power that kindles faith and love within your heart.