Lord I believe ~ Help my Unbelief

Lord I believe, Help my unbelief ~  Mark 9:24

Our scripture this week is from the story of the Father with the epileptic child. We find the story in Matthews gospel chapter 17 as well as Mark 9:14-30. 

This father meets the disciples, whom we know were given power to heal and cast out demons by Jesus.  They had worked and experienced the results.  Now we find them met with a situation that did not respond as they expected.  I imagine they had done everything the way they always had and now it wasn’t working. Ever been there?

In this scenario we see where Jesus addresses three heart conditions; faithless, unbelieving and believing.  Strongs’ Concordance shows this word unbelief to be the negative form for the word faith.  It is defined as distrust. Unbelief is a faith.  Its just in the wrong thing.  In others words, you have something you are rejecting. You won’t reject the promises without holding to some other belief system. So unbelief is faith in the wrong thing.  Its a negative faith.   

You can have faith in cancer’s ability to kill you.  You can have faith in lack.  You can have faith in broken relationships.  You can have faith in sickness.  Unbelief is still faith, it is just faith unto death.  

This fathers cry was, Lord, I believe but help my unbelief.  Could he have been saying ~ I came to you because I believe, but I’ve met some circumstances here with the disciples who are your representatives and I’m now believing that if they can’t do this maybe you can’t either? 

A questioning of God’s ability or His will only serves to remind us that faith in God is waning.  FF Bosworth said, Faith begins where the will of God is known.  Hearing all things are possible to Him who believes is our constant reminder to check our hearts!  Keep our eyes on Him and His promise.  We don’t look at others we look unto Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith.  

So ~  Lord I believe, Help my unbelief.  How is we get to a place of unbelief or confidence in something other than God’s promise?  Simply by looking at; attending to and communicating, all the wrong things.  We feed our faith in whatever we attend to.  Again, unbelief simply a lack of faith, but a negative faith, a believing of the wrong things. 

I want to stir up our pure minds to remembrance with the following scriptures:

• Hosea 4:6 tells us what happens when we are ignorant about the word - when we forget what the word says or when we absolutely reject it - We perish.  
• Romans 10:17 reminds us faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.  
• Proverbs 4:20 Tells us we must attend to the word.  Let it not depart from our sight.  Keep it in the midst of our heart for it is life and health to all our flesh.   

The word of God is our faith food.  Apart from Jesus, who is the word, we can do nothing.  God is a faith God.  Without faith it is impossible to please God.  Webster's’ Dictionary says Impossible means incapable of being.  But the Bible says - no word of God is impossible of fulfillment.  God said the word He speaks goes forth and does exactly what He has decreed.  It does not return void or empty.  Every word of God starts as a seed and bears fruit absolutely dependent on the condition and content of my heart. Hebrews teaches us the children of Israel were unable to enter into the promise of God because they did not mix faith with the word they heard the word.  Can I add here the word they heart from God, but they did have faith in those giants ability to kill them.  

So ~ Lord I believe but help my unbelief. 

The wonderful thing about this father’s cry for help is Jesus’ response.  He rebukes the unclean spirit and raises the boy up.  Above and beyond our “perfection” every ‘I dotted and every T crossed’, is the heart of God to help us.  We must always remember from the Fathers heart ~ He is unwilling for any to perish and simply coming to him, believing He is a rewarder, is enough to be met with mercy and grace to help in our need. 

Delight in His Word ~

His delight in in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.       Psalms 1:2

Meditation is simply a form of focus, what we are giving attention to. The Hebrew word meditate means to speak, or mutter or muse.   Our minds attend to thoughts, words, and feelings on a continual basis.  We are constantly processing data in our souls.  The Psalmist declared his delight was in the law of the Lord with the promise of a fruitful and prosperous life. 

The law held instructions to attain righteousness which in turn enabled people to inherit the blessing of God.  If they did - He did.  The law was, and continues to be, unable to touch the heart of man where all desire flows from.  When we view the word as a system of rules and regulations there will be no delight in; now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due, Romans 4:4.

With a new heart, there is a new hunger.  There is delight and joy from learning and knowing who the Father is and what He delights in.  We are filled with this insatiable hunger to know Him and desire the sincere milk of the word to grow.  

If we meditate daily upon the word, Proverb 6:22 says the word guides us, it watches over us when we sleep and talks to us when we are awake.  It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to bring to our remembrance all things that Jesus has said.

Christianity is not to be drudgery. It is our system of truth that enables each of us to live abundantly in the Kingdom of God. Meditating in the word is suppose to be a delight. Jeremiah declared ~ Your words were found and I did eat them and they became the joy and rejoicing of my heart! Jeremiah 15:16. 

Let us delight in His commands! Let us love them. Let us honor them and let us meditate on His decrees, Psalm 119:47.48, and know that in giving place to His word we are blessed.    

Pursue Love.

35: But love your enemies and be kind and do good [doing favors so that someone derives benefit from them] and lend, expecting and hoping for nothing in return but considering nothing as lost and despairing of no one; and then your recompense (your reward) will be great (rich, strong, intense, and abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind and charitable and good to the ungrateful and the selfish and wicked. 36 So be merciful (sympathetic, tender, responsive, and compassionate) even as your Father is [all these].

 Luke 6:35-36Amplified Bible

In conducting our Wednesday night bible study from the book of Acts,  I’m struck with the selflessness of a people who are able to live from a place of heart that says “nothing is my own”, Acts 2: 41-47.  I’m mindful of the last days where we are assured of two dynamics taking place; Jesus said, the love of many will grow cold and the Apostle Paul wrote men will be lovers of self .  The Amplified bible adds “utterly self-centered”. Isaiah prophesied darkness would cover the earth and dense darkness the people, but the Lord shall arise upon you and His glory shall be seen on you.  What is the expression of the glory of God, but His overwhelming goodness displayed in acts of mercy. 

If it is the love of God that first teaches us about giving and living from this place of selflessness, it must be the worlds standards that teach us to withhold in a place of self preservation. The proverb declares there is one that has but withholds more than is right and it tends to poverty.  The book of James reminds us it is only as I shut off my heart that I can be unmoved by the need I see. 

In a day and age where we must be known as disciples of Jesus Christ by the love we display, how important is it that we are open handed, willing and generous givers!  This means giving must be in every area of our lives; from our thoughts and words about others to the very actions they motivate.  

Love believes the best. Where I make the willful choice to think the best and speak the best I am able to reflect the goodness and mercy of God.  He does rain upon the just and the unjust.  He is good to ALL.  My growth process in conforming to Christ requires that I hold this value andexpression for my life.  

But love your enemies and be kind and do good [doing favors so that someone derives benefit from them] and lend, expecting and hoping for nothing in return but considering nothing as lost and despairing of no one; and then your recompense (your reward) will be great (rich, strong, intense, and abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind and charitable and good to the ungrateful and the selfish and wicked. 

36 So be merciful (sympathetic, tender, responsive, and compassionate) even as your Father is [all these].         

  A righteous standard to conform to.

"Lord, save me.”

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”   Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter…..Matthew 14:30-31

I'm celebrating Peter for stepping out of the boat.  I'm celebrating Peter for trying to follow Jesus' example.  I'm celebrating Peter for learning that Jesus is a Savior and God's mercy will always catch you.  

Fundamental to a healthy relationship with our heavenly Father is an understanding of who He is.  The purpose of Jesus on this earth was not only to redeem mankind but to reveal His Father.  Family is huge to Him.  Belonging and a sense of well being which produce security in us all begins with understanding that He is good, He is good to all, and He is good all the time. 

We must, must, MUST begin to operate from a place of wholeness in our hearts and souls in order to raise a generation holding undaunted confidence in who our Father is and what He has created us and them to be; unstoppable, mountain climbing, overcoming, giant killers!  Fearless in the face of adversity because we are so rooted and grounded in the love of the Father that His goodness to can not be shaken fromour minds. 

From our scripture today, we see this lesson as Peter learns the true nature of not only Jesus but ultimately the nature of the Father.  Jesus was the express image of God and when we see Jesus we see the Father in thought, in word, in action.  

Peter, like all of us, steps out in faith with that innocent trust that He can do what he sees Jesus doing.  As long as he keeps his eyes on Jesus nothing is impossible to Him.  He’s walking on water.  We know this; it is only as Peter takes his eyes off Jesus and begins to look at the circumstances taking place around Him that he is moved by what He sees.  His focus is diverted.  His attention captured and held and the result is fear.  

It is in this very place that He cries to the one He believes can save Him.  Did you ever notice he didn’t holler for the guys in the boat?  Peter is learning some things.  He’s learning Jesus is a very present help in time of need and that’s good.  He’s learning Jesus saves and that’s good.  He’s learning that He imparts wisdom without condemnation, correction with love and that’s not just good it’s great.  

I trust as we all continue our personal journeys that we come to know and believe the love He has for us, experience His goodness and find the safety and security we need to be open hearted and open handed to others just as He is to us.  

The Spirit hovered …

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.    Genesis 1:1

We had a glorious worship time yesterday at Keystone Victoria. I’m always grateful for these times that we are fully engaged and can sense God inhabiting our praises.  It was in this place the Spirit of God began to move and said “this is the place of creativity ~ the Spirit hovers and the word creates”. As I began to meditate on this I was reminded of John 14:26, the Holy Spirit will teach us all things and bring to our remembrance all that Jesus has said.  

Proverbs 8:22 tells us regarding wisdom, “the Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old, ages ago I was set up, at the first before the beginning of the earth when there were no depths I was brought forth… I was beside Him like a master workman and I was daily his delight.”  Proverb 4:7 reminds us wisdom is the principal thing, to get wisdom first and then get understanding.

How do we do this?  By allowing the Holy Spirit to hover, by creating a heart that is receptive to His working.  We don’t resist the Holy Spirit and we don’t grieve the Holy Spirit.  We welcome Him and His work to be done in us.  

When the angel came to Mary with the promise of God, Gabriel said the Holy Spirit will sow the seed. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the most High will overshadow you.”  Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel was a simple “be it unto me according to your word.” Luke 1:38.  The greatest work we are required to do is just believe. John 6:28,29.  

The Holy Spirit hovers to create. He will deposit wisdom into our hearts and souls.  This word must be received, agreed with and then spoken.  We must learn to create a constant environment for the Holy Spirit to hover over our lives. 

When Jesus was baptized by John, the Bible tells us the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus.  He didn’t just hover, he landed.  The book of Acts tells us when the disciples were waiting on the promise of the Holy Spirit, He came in as a sound of a mighty rushing wind and filled the house.  Acts 2:4. “the divided tongues AS of fire appeared and rested on each one of them”.  

Our lives are to be filled with the presence of God on a continual basis.  He’s not looking for these solo Sunday experiences, as good as they are, He is looking for the ongoing abiding, where His presence is sought and He is able to abide.  

Giving Glory to God

Romans 4:20 No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God but he grew strong in His faith as he gave glory to God. 

David preached a great word on Sunday which I’ve been reflecting on. He asked the question, “Have you ever wondered how Abraham gave glory to God?”   I think with my North American culture I’ve taken this scripture and fit it with our expression of worship today and made it applicable to my life by my own private worship times as those that give glory to God.  While Im sure they do, David presented a broader thought.

David talked abut the promise God had given to Abram to become a Father of many nations and changing his name to Abraham.  David’s point was ~ in the place of agreeing with God, Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness, Romans 4:3, Abram changed his name.   

Everywhere he went from the point of receiving the promise of God, he was declaring, I am Abraham, the Father of many nations.  Every time he used that name he was agreeing with God.  His declaration of the name Abraham was his worship to God.  

Amos 3:3 asks, how can two walk together unless they be agreed?  Jesus said a Kingdom divided cannot stand.  The blessing of God rests in the place of unity.  Jesus’ prayer is that we are one with the Father.  To be one with the Father requires us to agree with Him.  To agree means to have the same opinion. 

Agreement is essential and our agreement to the promises of God are not only how we receive all salvation, how we inherit the promises but it is also how we give glory to God. Abraham grew strong in faith as he gave glory to God. The more he decreed I am Abraham, the more he was reminded of the promise to be a Father of many nations. You’ll notice it was “Abraham” who believed God, not Abram.

There may be many seemingly dead and impossible situations in our lives, but they are all birthed(Mary conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit sowing seed) or resurrected (God gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist) by simply taking Gods promise as the ultimate truth you hold.

As we believe Him and agree with Him, we are giving glory to Him and it is counted right in the sight of God.  

No distrust made him waiver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 

He sent out his word...... Psalm 107:20

.......and healed them and delivered them from their destruction.

Earlier in this psalm, the writer tells us starting in verse seventeen that “Some were fools through their sinful ways, and because of their iniquities suffered affliction. 

18 They loathed any kind of food, and they drew near to the gates of death.

19. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 

20. He sent out his word and healed them and delivered them from their destruction. 

21. Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,  for his wondrous works to the children of man!  

22. And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving, and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

I love verse 20 and spend most of my time meditating on that truth. Hebrews 13:6 goes right along with this.  The Lord is my helper ~ boetheia ~ I cry and He runs in response to that cry, which serves to remind me that He has sent out (past tense) his word (which is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, who is the word made flesh) and healed us and delivered us from destruction.

No matter what circumstance I may be facing there is a word that holds my deliverance.  There is wisdom that flows from the mouth of God. There is no temptation that comes our way, according to 1Cor. 10:13, that God is not faithful to make a way of escape so we are able to bear it.  

The deal is, I’ve got to find the way and Jesus is the Way, the truth and the Life.   My part is to separate myself to find it and hear it.  It starts with the logos, the written word and then moves to the Rhema, the word the Holy Spirit breathes into me, that is MY WORD for MY DELIVERANCE When it comes, my part is to believe it.  This is where most of us stumble.  We don’t take the time to find the word of our deliverance, or if we do find it, we don’t receive it.  James tells us in chapter 1:21 that we must receive the word with meekness so that it gets into our hearts and saves our souls.  We might believe it for a while and if things don’t change, we cast off our confidence in it. 

BUT GOD is not a man that he should lie.  He DOES hasten over His word to perform it. Our one vital necessity is to attend to it and make sure we keep believing it. Having done all to stand, stand. Be stedfast, immoveable. 

Yet in all the greatness of verse 20, the following verses serve to remind us this is the declaration of the one who is receiving, attending and believing the word that has been sent. 

O that men would praise the Lord for His great Love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.  Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about his glorious acts. 

He has sent out that word. O that men would praise the Lord for His great love and the wonderful things He has done.  He has healed us and delivered us from destruction.  Let us offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about His glorious acts. 

A good day to check our hearts and establish them with our praises. 

Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly….Psalm 1:1

Walking in the counsel of the ungodly would be walking in any word that stands against the counsel of God.  There isn’t anyone ( or anything) more ungodly than Satan and his lies. He is going to use every voice he can to influence us.  This is why it is absolutely vital that we attend to the word.  We must meditate on it day and night.  We must keep our eyes upon it and our ears hearing it.  Faith can only come by hearing His word. 

Whose report will you believe? We can’t lose sight of the fact the devil is a liar and the Father of all lies.  There is no truth in Him.  Conversely, Jesus is Truth.  His word is truth.  It is impossible for God to lie. His word is alive and powerful.  Paul said the word is the power of salvation, Romans 1:16.   The devil is the accuser of the brethren and Jesus is the redeemer. 

The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has set us free from the law of sin and death.  There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ.  We must learn to faithfully and diligently bring every thought captive to truth.  Does the thoughtaccuse?  Does the word condemn?  Those things are not to be allowed into our thinking. Doesthe thought build up?  Doesthe word strengthen?  We meditate day and night on these truths, in His truths.  We pay attention to what God says.  

Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. Without giving attention to what God says we are INCAPABLE of receiving every good and perfect gift already given us in Christ. 

Jarius, in Mark chapter 5 has finally got Jesus to move on to his house only to receive the news, ‘…don’t bother Jesus any more, your daughter is dead’.  Jesus, overhearing this,  says to Jarius, “Do not fear. Only believe”. 

Can you imagine how difficult it is in that moment to make the choice to continue to put your trust in Jesus and what he has said? Yet the words eventually spoken by Jesus had enough power in them to raise that child from the dead.  

Jesus understands the natural condition of man.  Always remember He is touched with the feeling of our infirmity.  Whatever weakness we are facing he knows what it’s like to face it. He is moved with compassion and, in the moment, he offers salvation that can only come IF we choose to believe him in the face of an evil report.  He sends out his word and it delivers us from our destruction, Ps. 107:20.  What is your word of deliverance for today?  It is your daily bread.  It is the word that will sustain you as you walk through every temptation that comes to your spirit, soul or body!

Jarius had to overcome the fear that was gripping him.  His mind had to be going crazy with every thought and lie assaulting him. When Jesus said, do no fear, grace was attached.  Johns gospel says grace and truth came by Christ Jesus.  That simply means, that every word that Jesus speaks is not only truth but it is filled with grace and the power to accomplish.  It holds the ability to produce a desired result. It is in seed form and must be received to be sown into a heart of good soil.  

There is enough negativity in this world that you and I must keep our heart and mind filled with the counsel of God and know that we are Blessed, Blessed, Blessed as we give heed to what He is saying and reject the counsel of the ungodly,  We do not stand in the way of sinners.  We do not sit in the seat of the scorner. BUT, our delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law we meditate day and night.  We are like trees planted by streams of water which yield its fruit in its season and our leaf does not wither and all we do prospers. 

Amen.  

John 13:3 NEB ~ During supper, Jesus well aware that the Father had entrusted everything to him and that he had come from God and was going back to God rose from the table….”

Responsibility, accountability and judgment are the three thoughts I have from this verse.  In this context, we find Jesus, knowing(English Standard Version) that the Father had entrusted to Him the redemption of all humanity.   Making a choice, He rises, and through the rest of the gospel, we find Him continually making choices to meet the circumstances laying before Him. Ultimately knowing those choices will end in His death and separation from the Father, while yet believing in His ultimate resurrection and restoration. 

The English definition for the word “entrust” is assign the responsibility for doing

something to (someone).

Jesus lived His entire life mindful of the Divine mission he carried. For example, Luke 4:43 “They came to Him and tried to keep Him from leaving, "But Jesus told them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well, because that is why I was sent.”  From ~ 1 John 3:8 we read, “For this purpose was the son of God manifest….”  And, Hebrews 10:5 we learn “when Christ came into the world he said, … a body have you prepared for me. (7) Behold I have come to do your will, O God as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.”

The Father had entrusted to Jesus everything.  

Somehow, in all of this, we understand Jesus had a choice.  He’s called the second Adam and just like the first failed the obedience test, Jesus too could have opted out of His assignment.  It’s hard to fathom Jesus being judged for disobedience, but if that was not possible, the plan of redemption would not have been complete.  Hebrews points out ‘He was a man tempted like we are, yet without sin.’ 

It’s hard to consider Jesus failing, but it would not have been a valid redemption if He was not capable of choosing self over submission to God.

Jesus’ ministry was met with crowds, followers, disciples, those he loved and those who loved him; praise, criticism, opposition, betrayal, plots to assassinate him and ultimately death and yet none of these things altered His choice to always move forward into the purpose and destiny assigned to Him.

Jesus was a man, NEB in Hebrews 4:15 reads, “one, who because of his likeness to us, has been tested every way, (tested in every way as we are) only without sin.”  

How many times do we excuse ourselves because we do not believe eternity hinges on our choices?  I’ve strongly believed, my entire spiritual adulthood, Mordecai’s warning to Esther; ‘…relief will come; but you and your fathers house will perish.’ (Esther 4:14) Ihave believed there is an ultimate judgment for any known step I refuse to take believing God in His great love will not allow my disobedience to alter His purpose for another.  BUT WHAT IF, my choices really don’t affect me only? What if my choices do impact another's destiny?  Whose salvation may we have neglected in our choices?   Are there, have there been, divine connections we’ve refused to make?

So the questions I bring before all of us today are these; 

What has the Father entrusted to us that eternity does hinge on?  

What has the Father made us responsible for?  

Do we live with an awareness we are accountable for those and that we will be judged for the choices we made (make) regarding them? 

O death where is your Sting?

Brothers we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. 1 Thess. 4:13

David and I had a conversation with a visiting minister, a few years back, discussing a season we had just come through, with many of our colleagues, through sickness, moving to heaven.  We had fought the good fight alongside of them, we had endured in faith to the end, but ultimately their battle for life was lost. 

In this conversation, the minister stated “the problem with you word of faith people is that you have no theology about death.”  While admitting many might not, David and I heartily disagreed about ourselves and those we were connected with.  Faith is the first and last response required in fighting against the last enemy to be destroyed.  Facing death for ourselves or others is nothing to be apologized nor diminished when it appears the battle is lost, because truthfully it isn’t.  We win Christ, regardless of the outcome. 

As overseers in the body of Christ, our heart is to engage in others battles when called on to support their place of faith.  Encouraging a hope, we hold tightly to our trust in God knowing through Him we overcome.  To Live is Christ but to die is gain. 

Our terminology speaks much to the way we view death and while there is a very natural loss, there is no cessation of life to the spirit of man.  While it is our loss it is another's gain..  It’s a move.  It’s a personal graduation.  It’s a crossing over a finish linethat for a child of God always ends in victory.  Oh death where is your sting, oh grave where is your victory?  Death is the last enemy to be defeated.  Hebrews states in chapter 11 the heroes of faith, ALL died in faith.  They had not received their promise but looked to an eternal reward.  Even so, we understand that the best way to pass from this life into eternity is in faith. Eternal life is the ultimate promise and reward of our life of faith.

Paul wrote, we don’t grieve like those who have no hope, but we do grieve.  Jesus wept.  We do experience a very personal loss.   Loss is not lost, but certainly feels that way. There are so many emotions that an individual goes through it is impossible to set any kind of standard for grieving.  Everyone must find their own way through to the place of rest and peace. Paul’s admonition is that we do not lose sight of the hope we have about heaven and spending eternity in the presence of God.

We weep with those who weep and we allow them to set the standard of processing their loss. We are helpers of their faith, while they find their way through the dark moments.  Words are not always necessary but love demonstrated in acts of kindness are always appreciated. For those who are living in the first few days of separation we can only trust God to bring comfort through the Holy Spirit, assured that we are never alone, never helpless and never abandoned.   

We grieve, but we don’t grieve like those who have no hope because in the alone moments, we move to the God of all hope who fills us with all joy and peace in believing that we might abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Soliders

“Take your share of hardship like a good solider of Christ Jesus.  A soldier on active service will not let himself be involved in civilian affairs; he must be wholly at his commanding officer’s disposal.”  New English Bible ~ 2 Timothy 3:3-5

Hardship is something we all like to avoid, Christian or not. We are all looking for the place in our lives of comfort and ease.  However, to have this place, naturally, in this world is just not possible. We might find moments but nothing lasts.   The ONLY place there is absolute comfort and joy, peace and rest, is in Jesus.  My yoke is easy, my burden is light, come to me and you will find rest for your souls.  He leads by green pastures and quiet waters that restore our soul.  He who waits on the Lord is renewed with times of refreshing in the presence of the Lord.  

Jesus himself said, “In this world you will have tribulation.”  The troubles of life, naturally, will always be with us.  Spiritually, as we join with Christ, we meet opposition aimed at separating us from the Father and His word. 

A man going to battle knows he will not be experiencing the comforts of home.  He has a different mindset.  He must be hardened to difficulties (Isaiah 41:10).  What does this mean?  Every solider is trained to do what he doesn’t want to do, to go further than he feels he can and to remain under authority in adverse circumstances.  If we are hardened to difficulty, the circumstances of life are not shaping us.  They are not directing us.  They are faced, challenged and overcome.   Jesus promises that he that endures to the end shall be saved. If we faint not, if we don’t give up, if we don’t lose heart, we are promised to reap in due season.   

We live in days where lawlessness abounds, the love of many grows cold, men love pleasure rather than God, in the church!  If we take our cues from “others” we fall into the deception that these things are not “to bad”.  Yet we know it just takes “a little” leaven to leaven the whole lump.  The natural man is looking and seeking the place of ease.  Where the natural man finds that acceptable, he will indulge it. 

If we walk after the Spirit we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  A solider on active service will not let himself be involved in civilian affairs.  What takes us away from His presence and our daily feeding upon him, weakens us.  He is the author and giver of life.  We must have ears that hear, wholly at our commanding officers disposal.  He leads us into paths of righteousness for His name sake.  These paths hold His life and blessing, which is not the same thing as saying they are flat and smooth roads, but as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, we are learning how to march on rocky and rough paths. 

anakainōsis ("the going up to a new level, renewal")

There is this great word in the Greek that speaks to the process of change in us. Much of the time we think that we must effect the change in ourselves; yet the bible is clear that it is God who is at work in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure AND He is the one who does exceedingly abundantly above all we could ask or think. 

The Greek word ~ 

342/anakainōsis ("the going up to a new level, renewal") occurs twice in the NT ~

 ▪    Ro 12:2,3: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal (342/anakaínōsis) of your mind, 

  ▪    Tit 3:5: "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing (342/anakaínōsis) by the Holy Spirit" (NASB).

The verb form, (341/anakainóō) also has the same core meaning and is found in… 

        Colossians 3:10: "And have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him" (NASB).

342 (anakainōsis) is associated with ongoing, process action. J. Calvin said that this renewal is what repairs the image of God in us now defaced by sin. R. Trench wrote “anakainosis brings the restoration (renewal) of the divine image.” 

God knows our frame.  He understands our humanity.  We have a high priest who can be touched with the feelings of our weaknesses. We are not perfect.  We make mistakes.  We speak before thinking.  We act from impulse and emotions and we cause others pain in our process of growth; but this is what life is all about for disciples, growing up INTO HIM in all things.  

The best we can all do is simply take responsibility for the failings we create and move on.  I remember a preacher saying, “faith can’t work in an atmosphere of guilt and shame”.  It’s never failure until I quit trying.  Failing is not failure until then.  Many times I have to remind myself that the blood of Jesus is enough to cleanse me from all unrighteousness when I confess my sins. Owning my sin is pretty big in God. If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord does not hear me; but when I confess, He is faithful and just to forgive.  The more attached we are to the value of performance and perfection the harder humility becomes.   

With the ultimate goal of our conformity to Christ, the Spirit works in us, reminding us, leading us, guiding us, shaping us. I’m thankful God is never weary or fainthearted in His work, Isaiah 40:28!  When we are, it is simply because we have misplaced our confidence with to much attention on self’s inadequacies.  

As we continue to look into the perfect law of liberty we are changed from glory to glory because we see HIM.   I believe.  He works.  Since we are His workmanship and He who began a good work shall complete it, we can have confidence that He will never leave us as He finds us.  We are renewed by the Holy Spirit and hopefully that is a constant in our lives.  

A Father's Day Message ~

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  Ephesians 3:15

If we want to know the real nature of a Father, we are to look at Jesus.  He came as the express image of God to reveal the nature of His Father.  Every deed, every word, every expression was exactly what God, the Father would have done.  Jesus said he who has seen me has seen my Father.  

Father’s Day may be a Hallmark creation it is still a biblical principal that can only begin with my heart towards God, learning to hold His value for all. We see from Revelation 4:17“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”  We are commanded to honor our Fathers and Mothers for it is the first commandment with promise from Ephesians. 

Honor is a tricky thing because ,while it is something we are entitled to, we can’t demand it.    It’s like love, freely given because it is in the heart of a man. We are commanded to honor everyone from 1 Peter 2:17 simply because of their human value.   

If we live doing all lives for the glory of God, who gets the glory and honor?  Does it truly belong to Him for He is the one who has first made us, then graced us and strengthens us daily to do His will.  Paul asks the question in 1 Corinthians 4:7. What do you have that you did not receive?  If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? 

When Peter wrote his second letter we learn we are called to His own glory and excellence.

When we value and esteem our Heavenly Father and his creation, honor is easily seen and taught in our homes. We find a culture of honor being created within our sphere of influence which is always, first and foremost, our homes.  The epistle of James reminds us every good and perfect gift comes from THE Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.  He is consistent and dependable.  He does not lie.  He does not change.  He is always good and good to all. 

Hebrews 12:9 tells us our word respect from the Greek means reverence.  There is a place every natural Father deserves this honor and respect and He will have it as he is able to love as He loves and can say like Jesus, He who has seen me has seen THE Father.  

My prayer for all Fathers today is for the honor due them to be given to them.  May we start with honoring our Father in Heaven, the Father of our spirits, who has given us life and may His name be glorified in us and through us in word and deed. 

Whose report will you believe?

                                                                                                                                                                      Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night. Numbers 14:1

Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2.For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3. For we who have believed enter that rest….

We’ve all had days of hearing evil reports, those words that strike heart and soul tempting us to be discouraged, overwhelmed, fearful and unbelieving. We know it is in those times we are most vulnerable and how important it is to meet them with solid faith in the Scriptures. 

“Whose report will we believe?  We shall believe the report of the Lord!”  A phrase from a song written by Ron Kenoly from the 90’s, reminds me in that moment of decision, we have a place to stand and choices to be made.  It’s not the circumstance that destroys us, it is the processing of our thoughts, either succumbing to fear and dis-believing God’s word or to a place of trust and rest that sets our future.

If you read Hebrews chapters 3 and 4 in context, it teaches us that unbelief leads to disobedience and that disobedience holds no rest but this evil heart of unbelief leads us astray from God.   Conversely faith in what we hear (or read) (or see) from God leads us to obey.   Obedience takes us to this place of rest knowing we are in the will of God.  With everything working together for good to those who love Him and called according to His purposes, Romans 8:28 is the ultimate “no worries” verse.      

Most of the time we are looking for circumstances to make us happy, but success isbeing joyful in the midst of unhappy stances.  We have all learned we aren’t able to control many of life’s happenings, but we are always able to control us.  Our thoughts, feelings, emotions and ultimately choices direct us to life and that more abundantly or they find us yielding to the temptation and trying to be our own salvation.  

Numbers 13 shows us it’s not just what you hear it’s what you choose to believe. We have to remember the issue here is that there were two reports; one affirming natural circumstances and one affirming the promise and power of God.  The response in Numbers 14 verse 1 tells us what the people chose to believe.  

The book of Hebrews assures us ~ we who have believed (God and His promise) enter that rest….

When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. Mark 5:27

As I was reading this account of the woman with the issue of blood for 12 years the phrase “ came in the press” jumped alive and I heard this, “What are you prepared to press through to get to Jesus?”

Such a simple question, but the impact of it makes you realize that you are not always “pressing into Him”.  

As we read this account, what we don’t read are the tremendous obstacles she would have faced in moving to Jesus.  First of all, this was a long term condition in her life.  She had sought the care of many physicians and the bible says, she had spent all she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. That is seriously discouraging.  Twelve years is a long time to live with any limiting condition.  

Then, we have to realize this woman would have been known in the community.  If you take the time to read the laws of Leviticus, it tells us that this woman would have beenconsidered unclean.   Anything she touched or sat on became unclean.  Anyone who touched her became unclean. Can you image living for 12 years with a label of “unclean” over your life?  That is a life defining word.  That’s something you would adapt to in twelve years. It would not just control your activities and your relationships, but would seriously limit them. These are obstacles, strongholds that would have shaped her soul.   

She had heard the reports about Jesus.  They were enough for hope to rise within her.  In the scriptural context, Jairus is endeavoring to get Jesus to his house to heal his daughter who is on the point of death. I imagine we have panic in this man, urgency which is driving Jairus and consequently pressing Jesus on. This crowd is moving in mass.  Take a look at Mark 3:9 to compare the press. 

Think of all the people she touched and who touched her as she moves to get to Jesus. This woman who had for twelve years this continual hemorrhaging came “in the press” to get to Jesus.  There was this natural press but don’t you know there was an internal press that drove her to disregard the law, the people, the condition occurring in her body, her mind screaming unclean, until she could finally, simply reach out and touch the hem of Jesus’ robe. 

What press(ures) do we have in our lives? Do they drive us to Jesus or do we simply adapt to our situations? Do we find the conditions greater than the promise waiting on us? When we hear the reports of Jesus, does hope rise and press us towards Him?

How desperate are we in life?  Are prepared to move past thoughts, perceptions, even natural realities to get to Jesus?

This woman did. She presses into this crowd.  She touches the hem of his garment and immediately she knows (the greek is emphatic here, she really knows something has changed in her body, the flow had stopped). 

Here’s what I find profound in this moment in the works of Jesus. Jesus stops moving.  He knows!  He knows someone has drawn that healing power from him.  He did not initiate this.  He was simply the conduit she drew from.  Powerful.  Her faith pressed through.  Her faith reached out.  Her faith touched.  Her faith received.  Her faith, not Jesus’ faith, hers.  

We think we are waiting on God to move but in reality Jesus has a finished work and now He waits on us. He waits for us to press in.  He waits for us to overcome our fear and doubts and move through every obstacle to get to HIM. Luke's gospel tells us the power of the Lord was present to heal.  Mark’s gospel tells us Jesus was not able to do any mighty works when he met unbelief. He who comes to God must believe!

Jesus looks around and asks, “…Who touched me?”.  She is no where to be found right now,  She’s not shouting hallelujah. She’s not leaping for joy.  She’s hidden. I’m sure she’s stunned.  Processing.  Now she hears the question, “Who touched me”?  What does this question mean to her? She knows the flow has stopped.  She knows “technically” she is no longer “unclean”  but the law had processes for being cleansed. Processes she hasn’t followed.  What could happen here?   Verse 33 tells us she comes to him with fear and trembling, falling at his feet, she tells him the whole truth! 

We know Jesus’ response, Daughter your faith has made you well.  Go in peace and be healed of your disease.  The Prince of Peace, speaks Shalom; health, well-being to her entire person. To this woman He literally says, continue in this place of wholeness and well being.  

The woman with the issue of blood for 12 years is simply one story to show us what we can have if we choose to press through our limitations. His power is present to heal.  His power is poured out.  The question before each of us every day is do I believe? 

If my hope is in Jesus, I will press into Him.  My faith will move me to Him.  My faith will reach out. My faith will touch him.  My faith will receive the goodness of God and I too will be filled with Shalom, peace, nothing missing nothing broken and every whit whole.

Let today be that day.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Philippians 4:5

Tucked away in the midst of rejoicing in verse four and not being anxious from verse six, enabling us to pray about everything andhave the God of peace which surpasses our understanding guard and keep our minds in Christ Jesus, we find this command ~ Let your moderation be known unto all men. 

Let’s consider this word, moderation and see how we can work to develop some “sweet reasonableness” in our lives.  Paul said, “Deliver me from wicked and unreasonable men, for all men have not faith.”  Meaning some have never learned how to take the words of the Lord and make them the words of life. 

A definition of “moderation” from E.W. Bullinger,  in his‘A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament (Fifth Edition, Revised, 1908., p. 317). London: Longmans, Green, & Co. - reads ἐπιεικής, fitting upon, i.e. fit, meet, suitable; hence, fair, reasonable, esp. opp. to δίκαιος (righteous), i.e., not insisting on the letter of the law, considerate, forbearing, kind, fair, (occ. Phil. 4:5; 1 Tim. 3:3.)

The often quoted J.H.Thayer states in his work (1889). A Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: being Grimm’s Wilke's Clavis Novi Testamenti (p. 238). New York: Harper & Brothers. Comments ~  ἐπιείκεια  mildness, gentleness, fairness, [‘sweet reasonableness’ ](Matthew Arnold)]:

We are looking at our ability to process thought to the end that achieves sweet reasonableness.  That isn’t held or insisting on holding to the “letter of the law” but each situation is allowed to be judged by the Spirit of God so the words that come are filled with life, hope, edification, comfort, correction all delivered from the right heart (the Father’s) and not from our religion.  

I’m keenly aware it was the Pharisees and Sadducees that Jesus rebuked for making their converts twice the disciple of hell.  Hebrews 4:12 reminds us it is only the word of God that has the ability to rightly divide soul and spirit and discerns the thoughts and intent of the heart.

We may know what the word says, but it is knowing the right word to use in the right way that is proof of moderation.  The woman caught in adultery, John 8:27, exposed before Jesus was met with the indisputable wisdom of God in a moderate, gentle, fitting, way.  Jesus states, “He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone.”  The law said stone her.  The scribes and pharisees wanted to kill her.  Jesus gave her life. 

Just as in every circumstances there is a right response, there is a right thought that we are to hold.  I like to remind myself about Isaiah 55.  While his ways and thoughts are above mine, they are not impossible to know or hold.  We have the mind of Christ and it is always, according to 1 Corinthians given and discerned through the Holy Spirit.  

Discovery Bible ‘Word Study Helps’ offers this insight from the Greek word # 1933 epieikēs(an adjective, derived from 1909/epí, "on, fitting" and eikos, "equitable, fair"; also see the noun-form, 1932/epieíkeia, "equity-justice") – properly, equitable; "gentle" in the sense of relaxing strict standards when that is necessary to keep the "spirit of the law."

1933/epieikēs ("justice beyond ordinary justice") builds on the real intent (purpose) at stake (note the epi, "upon") – hence, true equity that fulfills the spirit (not just "the letter") of the situation.

1933/epieikēs ("in true equity") expresses "sweet reasonableness" that  takes into account "the whole picture" and does not enforce a standard that would be "unjust because of its generality" (Wm Barclay).  1933/epieikēs ("equitably fair") then suggests what is suitably lenient or strict.  This works in accordance with all the facts of the individual situation, i.e. as it stands on its own (unique) merits.

    1    This root (epiek-) is difficult to translate with a one-word equivalent because it expresses justice (equity) that goes beyond the strict letter of the law, to keep the true intent (spirit) of the law (Wm Barclay, G. R. Berry).  1933 (epieikēs) conveys elevating substance over form, i.e. the spirit of a matter strictly over the letter.

1933/epieikēs ("appropriately reasonable") treats a situation on its own merits, and hence is "appropriately (aptly) yielding" when the case truly calls for it (note the epi, "upon its own merits").   

1933/epieikēs ("truly equitable") relates to weighing the facts according to God's perfect standard of justice (see also the LXX at Ps 86:5).  The Holy Spirit reveals true justice through faith ("God's inbirthed persuasion," 4102/pístis).  Here God leads (persuades) us on how to "match up" the letter of the law with its inner reality (the spirit of the law).  Without this, people ruin opportunities and relationships – like when "shooting a flea with an elephant gun" (acting disproportionately).

True justice is always divinely-determined, i.e. beyond the parameters of human justice.  God's justice comes by hearing His voice and obeying it.

Reflection: Thomas a Kempis, "It is easier to be silent altogether than to speak with moderation.”

As I considered all of this, I couldn’t help but think of 1 Corinthians 2.14 “The natural

person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is

not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual

person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has

understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” 

Let’s strive for some of this “sweet reasonableness” in processing of all our

judgments.  Let us make sure if we err, we err with mercy being exalting above 

judgment, knowing it is with the same measure we meet that it is measured 

back unto us. 

and having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him….

During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered, 9 and having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him….  Hebrews 5:7-9

We saw last week that this word perfect means: to carry through completely; to accomplish, finish, bring to an end.  This word is used in the epistle to the Hebrews 13 times.  4 times in regards to the OT which we find could make nothing perfect, chapters 7:19 and again in 10:1; with sacrifices, as touching he conscience, not making the worshiper perfect chapter 8:9. and finally in seeing that the children of Israel under the law should not be made perfect apart from us,  chapter 11:40.

However the law was to point us to a perfection that Jesus was to bring under a new covenant established on better promises. Hebrews talks about how Jesus prepared himself and worked out the perfection He came to impart to us 

Here in our main verse today, we see he was made perfect through the things he suffered and learned obedience in 5:9 and finally 7:28 tells us now he is perfected for evermore.

Since we are predestined to be conformed to the image of God, this then is our press: to be found in Him, perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  

I want to point out, any “suffering” we experience - from God’s perspective - gives us the opportunity to learn obedience. There is a right attitude and a right action through every place of suffering that can only be manifested as we deny our flesh and embrace the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome.  He is the author of salvation to all who OBEY Him.

He knows what we face.  He knows the weakness of man.  and the strength of the flesh. He knows the miracle working power of the Holy Spirit.  He knows greater grace and He knows how to overcome!  He imparts to us that perfected human nature found in obedience to the will of the Father. 

Obedience is the seed. It is the power of Christ's Perfection and ours as well. 

Through obedience he was perfected and became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.  Shall we come any other way?

Selah.

The God of peace…. make you perfect in every good thing to do his will..

The God of peace…. make you perfect in every good thing to do his will, working in us that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever Amen.  Hebrews 13:20-21

Jesus tells us in Matthews gospel chapter 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” 

Thayer renders this word perfect as ‘brought to its end, finished; lacking nothing necessary to completeness; perfect.’ 

We have been predestined to be conformed to the image of His dear son according to Romans 8. The working of God in the life of a believer is to make Him perfect and complete in all the will of God, Colossians 4:12.  Paul declared his purpose was shaped by teaching and admonishing every man to be found perfect in Christ, Col. 1:28.  Paul wrote while I have not attained this, I do follow after this.

The God of peace works in us so we may be found in a place of rest in the midst of all circumstances.  Knowing that God, in these circumstances, is working for my good and ultimately to conform me to the character and nature of Christ enables His peace to remain.  

Andrew Murray wrote in 1894 An Exposition of the Epistle to the Hebrews called The Holiest of All.  The following is an excerpt from this book. 

 “ This is the name by which we are invited to call upon and trust our God.  Peace is the opposite of enmity, of war, of care, of unrest.  Where everything is finished and perfect there is peace and rest.  God hath set the Holiest open for us, in token that we may enter into His rest, and trust Him to perfect His work in us.  The peace of God, which passes all understanding, can now keep our hearts and minds by Christ Jesus.  Peace, an end of all care and fear and separation, has been proclaimed; the God of peace is now waiting to do His work in us.” 

At the conclusion of his chapter, He sums up with these comments, “Peace is rest.  To know the God of peace is to enter the rest of God.  And until the soul rests in Him in Sabbath peace, God cannot do His higher, His perfect work.  The work of the Father and the Son for us find their completion in the work of the Holy Spirit within us.  All the objective revelation is for the sake of the subjective experience, the mighty power of God working in the heart of His child what He longs to see.  It is what God makes us, that the power of the redemption in Christ is proved. ” 

While He works in us our position is to be one of rest.  The children of Israel, as Hebrews points out, were unable to enter into the rest of God simply because of their unbelief.  

“Because you have kept the word of my patience….” Revelation 3:10

 The Greek used for ‘word’ here is Strong’s #3056 (lógos) is a broad term meaning "reasoning expressed by words.”. This word is used over 300 times in the NT.  Thayer reads “….those things which are put together in thought, as of those which, having been thought, i. e. gathered together in the mind, are expressed in words.”

Primarily we know there is the Word of God from the New testament and that it is described as a Word of Life from Philippians 2:16, the Word of Truth from James 1:18, a Word of Righteousness from Hebrews 5:13, and from Matthew 13:19, we find they all are Words of the Kingdom.

We know there is the “Word of Faith” that Paul preached from Romans 10:8 and we have settled this as a firm foundation from which to build our lives, knowing that every word from God has life inherent in itself and carries within itself the power for us to believe it.  

Even so, let us consider how this Word of Patience is to be as foundational in our lives as these other “words”.   Hebrews 10:36tells us we have need of patience that after we have done the will of God, we might receive the promise. Apparently regardless of the Word we believe, without patience there will be no completed promise.

Ultimately our patience is exercised to this end: keeping us vitally connected to the Father.  The confidence we do not throw away is that Jesus is coming again and we are holding fast to the hope of eternal life.  There are crowns and rewards to be received at his appearing so we know our labors here are not in vain.  Romans 2:7 ~  those who through patience in well doing are seeking glory and honor and immortality and are assured the gift of eternal life.  

Patience (you know) literally means to remain under. Here in Revelation 3:10 it is the word hypomonḗ (from 5259 /hypó, "under" and 3306 /ménō, "remain, endure") – properly, remaining under, endurance; steadfastness. 

Circumstances endeavoring to move us away from God, require us to remain under the authority of God and submitted to His will.  While we steadfastly trust His promise, patience is to be exercised.  We must simply settle down and WAIT for God to work.  Here in this place we are practicing, learning, building a heart condition that is not moved away from Him, but presses into Him, believing. Because, God looks at the heart, we must always be truthful about its condition. Where there is unbelief, it will cause us to depart from God (Hebrews 3:12).

Romans 5 reminds us in every temptation God is working to develop patience.  James 1:4 patience must have its perfect work so we can be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. In other words, without the exercise and development of patience something important is lacking in our conformity to Christ.   

There are so many things in this world designed to press us to doubt and to deny.   Just as Eve considered the tree long enough to believe a lie, we too, must know that we are continually being pressed to DIS believe every word God has spoken, concerning any and every part ofour life.

Satan comes to challenge God and His Word: Has God said?  He comes to rob the word being sown thus we engage in the good fight of faith. We resist Him, stedfast in the faith, with a strong, robust, working, active, energized faith that holds us to the Father and propels us into the areas assigned. We do our job ~ destroying works of darkness and advancing the Kingdom of Light.  

The promise in Revelation to the church at Philadelphia is because they had kept His word and had not denied His name. He promises to keep them from the hour of trial coming on the whole earth. 

His admonition:  “I am coming soon.  Hold fast what you have so that no one may seize your crown.” 

Let patience have its perfect work. We have need of patience that after we have done the will of God, we may receive His promise.

“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer." 1 Peter 4:7 KJV

The NASB reads “sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.”

ESV“be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.”

AMPLIFIED: “keep sound minded and self-restrained and alert…”

I think you’ll remember how much I’ve enjoyed the study notes from the Discovery Bible so I thought I would share the notes on the word we see translated as sober in the KJV.  

My overall thought through this study is without this place of thinking correctly, as in,   according to the thoughts of God, we can NEVER pray effectively.  This causes me to consider James 4:3regarding ‘asking amiss’ and 1 John 5:14 where ‘our confidence’ for answered prayer is fixed on praying according to His will. 

Isaiah 55:7 reads “Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. 8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.  Verse 9 goes on to tell us His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, but in saying that, it does not say we cannot hold His thoughts. Note we our to forsake our wrong thoughts and return to Him, which by implication would mean hold his thoughts and ways.Jesus has been made unto us wisdom and we have been given the mind of Christ with the power of the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us into all truth.  Thus, like in James 5:16, we are assured our prayers are righteous and avail much.  

Here are the notes from Discovery Bible on sober: (please excuse the length but it’s all so good)

4993 sōphronéō – properly, safety-minded; having an outlook regulated by true balance.  See 4998 (sōphrōn).

[This word-family (root, sōphro-) comes from two words: sōos ("safe") and phrēn ("what regulates life,"  the root of the English term, "diaphram").  Example: An opera singer controls the length (quality) of their tones by their diaphragm, which also controls breathing and moderates heartbeat.  This is "safety" for the body because it is properly regulated.]

     1.    4993/sōphroneō ("thinking smart") for the believer is hearing God's voice and doing what they hear (cf. Gal 3:2-5) – i.e. "staying on God's line" by living in faith (4102/pístis, "the Lord's inworked persuasion").  Accordingly 4993 (sōphronéō) and faith (4102/pístis) are directly connected.

Ro 12:3: "For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment (4993/sōphronéō), as God has allotted to each a measure of faith (4102/pístis)" (NASB).

Reflection: The Holy Spirit does more than reveal what is wrong.  He also reveals what is right (gutsy!) . . . which means living on "God's line"!  Compare Jn 16:8-13 with Phil 4:8,9.  For believers, 4993/sōphronéō ("think shrewdly") reflects what God defines as true moderation.  This God-controlled perspective blends the extremities of truth on both sides of a matter.

    2.     Showing true moderation (4993/sōphronéō) brings the Lord's fullness (His maximum).  "Fullness-living" lives up to our privileges in Christ (on "God's line") – boldly, at "His resolution-point" (compare Eph 3:16-19 with Jn 10:10).

Reflection: True moderation is often more "risky" and more "conservative" than what people think is "moderate!"  We sin by going over God's line to "impress" people – or under it because of fear (living in compromise).

In brief ~ 4993/sōphroneō ("thinking smart") involves hearing (obeying) God's voice which alone defines true moderation.  This acts with "extreme-balance" which blends "both sides" of the truth-spectrum (Ecc 3:1f, 7:18).  Having this "presence (prudence) of mind" prevents us from committing the common sin of longing for more than what God has apportioned to us . . . and failing to appreciate what He has given.

Exemplifying biblical moderation is not "self"-control in the ordinary sense.  Rather it shows the Holy Spirit bringing His "radical balance" into each scene of our lives – discerned through faith (cf. Tit 2:2-9) and doing what God considers necessary (Tit 2:2,5,6).

Reflection: Real balance honors "God's line" which He reveals what is "more important." This subordinates what is transient (passing) to what is eternal.  4994 (sōphronizō) and 4993 (sōphronéō) are both verbs formed from the same root (4998/sōphrōn).  4994 (sōphronizō) emphasizes passing on what the Lord reveals is true balance.  4993 (sōphroneō) exemplifies a settled state of mind that embraces what the Lord defines is true (radical) moderation

To sum it up ~ this state of mind has the ability to pray effectively into any and every situation and I find that very encouraging.