TAKE NOTES - October 11, 2020

October 11, 2020

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2020

"PRAYER - IN CONVERSATION WITH GOD" sermon by Pastor Kevin Rutledge


THE WORD OF GOD

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THE GIFT OF PRAYER

       Deuteronomy 4:7 - What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?

THE CHALLENGE OF PRAYER

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PRAYER AS CONVERSATION

Isaiah 55:8-11 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

READING THE BIBLE FOR LIFE TRANSFORMATION

       It must be read slowly and thoughtfully

It must be read under the illumination of the Holy Spirit 

1 Corinthians 2:12-14 - We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to them, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

       Meditate on each verse or the passage

Joshua 1:8 - Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

       Talk to God about what he is saying to you and your concerns

       Respond in obedience to God 

AN EXAMPLE FROM PSALM 23

       The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

      He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.