Bible Study "How to Pray"
New Lesson every Monday Thru Friday.
Prayer
DBS POP #014
Motivation, Thought, and the Will of God
Today's Lesson:
Motivation, Thought, and the Will of God
Introduction:
1- Most petitional and intercessory prayers have two parts: What is expressed to God, and the desire, or motivation that lies behind that expression.
2- With immature believers, both the content and the motive are often at odds with the will of God.
3- With believers who know a little Truth, sometimes the motive is wrong and the content is right, while at other times the content is wrong and the motive is right.
4- With believers in spiritual adulthood, both the motive and the content begin to line up more and more with God's will.
5- God considers both the motive and the content in answering your prayers.
The answers:
1- Positive - Negative. Your petition is answered yes, but your desire behind it is answered no. Often God gets to express his since of humor in this case.
a- In 1 Sam 8:5-9 and 19-20, the Jews wanted to have a human king they could see (petition), so they could be like other nations (desire to be happy). God answered their petition yes, and permitted them to pick out their own king. They wanted someone who was taller, stronger and more hand-some than the kings of the nations around them; by this criterion they picked Saul. Their desire to be happy with a human king was answered no; Saul turned out terrible and the Jews suffered miserably as a result.
b- In Ps 106:13-15, the Jews were tired of the great divine provision of manna, the greatest health food ever. They longed for the Egyptian meat and food they used to eat. God answered their petition yes; He sent them quail. But the desire for satisfaction or "food happiness" was not answered; instead, they suffered terribly from it and thousands died.
2- Negative - Positive. The answer to the petition is no; the desire behind the petition is answered yes.
a- In Gen 17:18, Abraham prayed that Ishmael, the son of Hagar, might be his heir. God said no to Ishmael becoming his heir but yes to the desire behind it--to have an heir; for he eventually had Isaac.
b- In Gen 18:23-33, Abraham prayed that God would spare Sodom. After bargaining with God, Abraham settled with asking God to spare Sodom if there were ten believers; he was sure there were at least ten believers in that large city of perhaps 200,000 people. He was wrong; there were only three believers. The petition to spare Sodom was answered no; the desire that Lot and his two daughters be preserved was answered yes.
c- In 2 Cor 12:7-10 Paul prayed three times that God would remove his thorn in the flesh. God answered no to the petition, because his suffering was the blessing of providential preventative suffering, designed to strengthen his spiritual self-esteem so that he might advance to spiritual autonomy, the more stable stage where one is less prone to arrogance. Hence his desire, to continue to grow in grace and so glorify God was answered yes.
3- Positive - Positive. Both the petition and desire are answered yes.
a- In Judges 16:28, Samson was blinded and tied up in the temple of Dagan. "Then Samson called to the Lord and prayed saying, `O Lord Jehovah, please remember me and please strengthen me just one time, O God, that with one blow I may get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.'" Both his petition, to strike the Philistines, and his desire, revenge, were answered yes. Why? Not because God approves of revenge, but because of the degeneracy of the Philistines. Samson was the instrument that God used. He got his strength back, wrapped his arms around two pillars of the temple, and pulled the whole thing down on all of them.
b- In 1 Kings 18, Elijah built an altar, dug a trench around it, and prepared a sacrifice for the Lord. Then he instructed that water be poured on the offering and on the wood three times. So much water was poured that it filled the trench. Elijah then prayed that God would light his offering on the altar with fire. God answered yes. 1 Kg 18:38, "Then the fire of God fell down and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, the dust, and also licked up the water in the trench." His desire was expressed in 1 Kg 18:36, "O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today let it be known that You are the God of Israel and that I am your servant, and I have done all these things at Your Word." This was answered yes.
c- In Luke 23:42-43 is the petition of the dying thief. "Then he kept saying, `Jesus, remember me when You come into your kingdom.'" This petition was answered yes. His desire was for salvation, and Jesus answered this affirmatively in verse 43: "Jesus replied to him, `I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise."
d- In John 11:41-45, the petition was for the resuscitation of Lazarus, the desire was that the bystanders who witnessed this might be saved. Both petition and desire were answered yes. Verse 45, "Therefore, many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary saw what He had done, and they believed in Him."
4- Negative - Negative. The answer is no to both the petition and the desire; in other words, God doesn't answer either.
Prov 28:9 "If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable."
Isa 1:2-17 Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: "I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. {3} The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner's manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand." {4} Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. {5} Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted. {6} From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness-- only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with oil. {7} Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers. {8} The Daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a field of melons, like a city under siege. {9} Unless the LORD Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah. {10} Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah! {11} "The multitude of your sacrifices-- what are they to me?" says the LORD. "I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. {12} When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? {13} Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and con-vocations-- I cannot bear your evil assemblies. {14} Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. {15} When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; {16} wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, {17} learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
Free Online Bible All Versions
"You Version" Bible Software all versions and lots of translations including Duetsch, Espanol, Italiano and many, many more. No d/l.
http://www.youversion.com
Remember, send your questions to (PastorJeffLilley@Gmail.com).
or
Ask any questions you may have below in the comments.
Abundant Blessings
Pastor Jeff
Many of You have asked How You can Help our Ministries:
There is no charge for our JJL Ministries Bible Studies.
You can help further this work by your prayer and by sending a contribution to:
JJL Ministries
1463 Senita Dr
Beaumont, CA 92223
"How to Pray Bible Study" is a dynamic life changing ministry of JJL Ministries Inc.
Please Support our ministry online, JJL Ministries
is a Federal 501(c)3 Org on file with the IRS.
Remember donations are Tax Deductible.
http://bit.ly/19PY0f
Who We Are at JJL Ministries
Pastor Jeff & Janette Lilley
PastorJeffLilley@gmail.com
JanetteLilley@gmail.com
Copyright © 1999-2009
All Rights Reserved
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New Lesson every Monday Thru Friday.
Prayer
DBS POP #014
Motivation, Thought, and the Will of God
Today's Lesson:
Motivation, Thought, and the Will of God
Introduction:
1- Most petitional and intercessory prayers have two parts: What is expressed to God, and the desire, or motivation that lies behind that expression.
2- With immature believers, both the content and the motive are often at odds with the will of God.
3- With believers who know a little Truth, sometimes the motive is wrong and the content is right, while at other times the content is wrong and the motive is right.
4- With believers in spiritual adulthood, both the motive and the content begin to line up more and more with God's will.
5- God considers both the motive and the content in answering your prayers.
The answers:
1- Positive - Negative. Your petition is answered yes, but your desire behind it is answered no. Often God gets to express his since of humor in this case.
a- In 1 Sam 8:5-9 and 19-20, the Jews wanted to have a human king they could see (petition), so they could be like other nations (desire to be happy). God answered their petition yes, and permitted them to pick out their own king. They wanted someone who was taller, stronger and more hand-some than the kings of the nations around them; by this criterion they picked Saul. Their desire to be happy with a human king was answered no; Saul turned out terrible and the Jews suffered miserably as a result.
b- In Ps 106:13-15, the Jews were tired of the great divine provision of manna, the greatest health food ever. They longed for the Egyptian meat and food they used to eat. God answered their petition yes; He sent them quail. But the desire for satisfaction or "food happiness" was not answered; instead, they suffered terribly from it and thousands died.
2- Negative - Positive. The answer to the petition is no; the desire behind the petition is answered yes.
a- In Gen 17:18, Abraham prayed that Ishmael, the son of Hagar, might be his heir. God said no to Ishmael becoming his heir but yes to the desire behind it--to have an heir; for he eventually had Isaac.
b- In Gen 18:23-33, Abraham prayed that God would spare Sodom. After bargaining with God, Abraham settled with asking God to spare Sodom if there were ten believers; he was sure there were at least ten believers in that large city of perhaps 200,000 people. He was wrong; there were only three believers. The petition to spare Sodom was answered no; the desire that Lot and his two daughters be preserved was answered yes.
c- In 2 Cor 12:7-10 Paul prayed three times that God would remove his thorn in the flesh. God answered no to the petition, because his suffering was the blessing of providential preventative suffering, designed to strengthen his spiritual self-esteem so that he might advance to spiritual autonomy, the more stable stage where one is less prone to arrogance. Hence his desire, to continue to grow in grace and so glorify God was answered yes.
3- Positive - Positive. Both the petition and desire are answered yes.
a- In Judges 16:28, Samson was blinded and tied up in the temple of Dagan. "Then Samson called to the Lord and prayed saying, `O Lord Jehovah, please remember me and please strengthen me just one time, O God, that with one blow I may get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.'" Both his petition, to strike the Philistines, and his desire, revenge, were answered yes. Why? Not because God approves of revenge, but because of the degeneracy of the Philistines. Samson was the instrument that God used. He got his strength back, wrapped his arms around two pillars of the temple, and pulled the whole thing down on all of them.
b- In 1 Kings 18, Elijah built an altar, dug a trench around it, and prepared a sacrifice for the Lord. Then he instructed that water be poured on the offering and on the wood three times. So much water was poured that it filled the trench. Elijah then prayed that God would light his offering on the altar with fire. God answered yes. 1 Kg 18:38, "Then the fire of God fell down and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, the dust, and also licked up the water in the trench." His desire was expressed in 1 Kg 18:36, "O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, today let it be known that You are the God of Israel and that I am your servant, and I have done all these things at Your Word." This was answered yes.
c- In Luke 23:42-43 is the petition of the dying thief. "Then he kept saying, `Jesus, remember me when You come into your kingdom.'" This petition was answered yes. His desire was for salvation, and Jesus answered this affirmatively in verse 43: "Jesus replied to him, `I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise."
d- In John 11:41-45, the petition was for the resuscitation of Lazarus, the desire was that the bystanders who witnessed this might be saved. Both petition and desire were answered yes. Verse 45, "Therefore, many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary saw what He had done, and they believed in Him."
4- Negative - Negative. The answer is no to both the petition and the desire; in other words, God doesn't answer either.
Prov 28:9 "If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable."
Isa 1:2-17 Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth! For the LORD has spoken: "I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. {3} The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner's manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand." {4} Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on him. {5} Why should you be beaten anymore? Why do you persist in rebellion? Your whole head is injured, your whole heart afflicted. {6} From the sole of your foot to the top of your head there is no soundness-- only wounds and welts and open sores, not cleansed or bandaged or soothed with oil. {7} Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire; your fields are being stripped by foreigners right before you, laid waste as when overthrown by strangers. {8} The Daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a hut in a field of melons, like a city under siege. {9} Unless the LORD Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah. {10} Hear the word of the LORD, you rulers of Sodom; listen to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah! {11} "The multitude of your sacrifices-- what are they to me?" says the LORD. "I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. {12} When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? {13} Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and con-vocations-- I cannot bear your evil assemblies. {14} Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. {15} When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; {16} wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, {17} learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
Free Online Bible All Versions
"You Version" Bible Software all versions and lots of translations including Duetsch, Espanol, Italiano and many, many more. No d/l.
http://www.youversion.com
Remember, send your questions to (PastorJeffLilley@Gmail.com).
or
Ask any questions you may have below in the comments.
Abundant Blessings
Pastor Jeff
Many of You have asked How You can Help our Ministries:
There is no charge for our JJL Ministries Bible Studies.
You can help further this work by your prayer and by sending a contribution to:
JJL Ministries
1463 Senita Dr
Beaumont, CA 92223
"How to Pray Bible Study" is a dynamic life changing ministry of JJL Ministries Inc.
Please Support our ministry online, JJL Ministries
is a Federal 501(c)3 Org on file with the IRS.
Remember donations are Tax Deductible.
http://bit.ly/19PY0f
Who We Are at JJL Ministries
Pastor Jeff & Janette Lilley
PastorJeffLilley@gmail.com
JanetteLilley@gmail.com
Copyright © 1999-2009
All Rights Reserved
