Sin's Consequence in Adam

Thank God, it is only a step over to the place of prayer. The story of our first parents is important to know. When they came upon the scene they deliberately and willfully chose their own way instead of God’s way.

The Lord had done all He could to make them want to choose the right, provided for their comfort and chose to commune and fellowship with them, yet they chose the wrong.

Justice required that God must bring upon them the consequence of their choice. They became sinners by their own willful action. Everyone that comes into the world from that moment is then born with that sinful nature and requires salvation through Jesus Christ.

The Story: Genesis 3:1-19

“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Psalm 51:5

Pastor Winston

The Power of The Blood

Let’s understand each other carefully. In order to pray and get the answer you ought to be a Christian. If you’re not a true Christian, you’re trampling underfoot the thing which God holds to be most precious, the sacrifice of His son. You’re holding the blood of Christ to be unimportant, which God holds all important. You’re defying the instructions of God which commands that without the shedding of blood there is no remission, but death only. How can God answer your prayers when this is your attitude?

You can never please God without faith, without depending on him. Anyone who wants to come to God must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely look for him. Hebrews 11:6 TLB

Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God. John 3:3 AMP

Pastor Winston

God Has Good Plans For You

God’s relationship to us is like our human parenting, only increased to an infinite scale. His love is unfathomable, his wisdom omniscient. God loves us as He loves His Son and so He love us. He wants for us the very best. He delights to answer our prayer for we are dear, so very dear to God; Nothing will he allow to come between Himself and us.

For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Jeremiah 29:11 AMP

Pastor Winston

A Wise Father (Parent)

God's wisdom can be seen in our own human relationships. The wise parent hears every request of his child. Some he gladly answers immediately. Other requests he refuses because he knows them to be either harmful or unnecessary. Still other wants he plans to answer, but in his wisdom and because of His foresight, he knows that this is not the time to answer. Still other wants and needs of his child he grants even though the child does not know that he needs them.

… for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:7-8 NIV

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26 NIV

Pastor Winston

My Grace Is Sufficient

With other prayers God waits to answer. Often into the Christian life we experience trials and difficulties. The purpose of these messengers is to form and mold us into the image of Christ. Many times the lessons are difficult and the challenge seems formidable but we must endure and stand on God’s word.

God is faithful the lesson continues until we actually get it! It could be as we pray for relief God responds, “My grace is sufficient.” Don’t ever mistake this response for God’s inaction, He is always concerned and will work out the issue in your life to benefit you.

Even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NLT

Pastor Winston

God Answers Our Prayer

Let me be clear, God answers every Christian's prayer. God is never indifferent to any petition of His child, even the least of his children. But of necessity many of the answers to the things we want may be no. And for that we should be profoundly grateful.

If we could remember the shortsightedness and folly of many of our prayers we should praise God for His refusal to grant foolish petitions.

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. Matthew 21:22 KJV
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:11 KJV

Pastor Winston

God Answers His Children

God answers the prayers of His children. You see, there is a vast difference between the Christian and the unsaved. The Christian has God as his Father. The unsaved has Satan. The Christian is bound for heaven, the unsaved for hell. The Christian is in God’s eternal plan, the unsaved out of it. The Christian has been washed clean of all his iniquities, the unsaved is dead in trespasses and sins. The Christian has the promise of God to answer every prayer, the unsaved has no promise whatsoever.

Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. John 8:42-44 KJV

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Matthew 6:8 KJV

And whatsoever we ask , we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. 1 John 3:22 KJV

Pastor Winston

God Hears All Prayer Part 5

What have you asked the Lord about recently? Are you patiently awaiting the result or are you anxiously trying to work it out yourself? We sometimes are so anxious to have our answer that we birth Ishmael’s in our lives that become thorns in our flesh.

When we pray, listen to the Lord, wait on Him for you know He will answer you.

I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1 KJV

Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself Psalm 37:7 KJV

Pastor Winston

God Hears All Prayer Part 4

Who does God hear in prayer? Many of you may wonder as you live with a commitment to Him. Does He hear my prayer? Will God answer me when I ask him to help me? God responds to those that are in relationship with Him.

Do you want to have access to the presence of God, then there is one prayer that is a prerequisite, ask the Lord Jesus to become head of your life and come into relationship with Him.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.... James 5:16 KJV

Pastor Winston

God Hears All Prayer Part 3

God’s ears are attentive unto our prayers. As we pray for protection and preservation God is always attentive to our petitions. Are you a child of God? Then He hears you.

We serve a God that cannot lie and does not change. When He speaks there is no shadow of doubt in his purpose or ability to follow through on your petition.

Let us pray fervently knowing that God hears the prayer of the righteous Proverbs 15:29.

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his… 2 Timothy 2:19 KJV

Pastor Winston

God Hears All Prayer Part 2

The scriptures overwhelmingly support God’s presence in the world. He notes the sparrow’s fall. He cares for the lilies of the field. He knows the number of the hairs of our head. He takes note of the insincerity of those who loudly profess to effectual pray. He compares the prayer of the proud and the prayer of the humble.

Prayer, it seems, is one of the topics of God’s greatest interest. He hears them all.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Matthew 6:7-8 KJV

Pastor Winston

God Hears All Prayer Part 1

There can be no doubt but that God hears all our prayers. The universe is His, and He is fully aware of all that goes on within it. The unsaved individual who, under stress of circumstances, promises to turn over a new leaf or vows to live differently is quite clearly heard by God.

When God hears us, He is willing to move on our behalf. Will you allow him to do so for your today?

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17 NIV

Pastor Winston

God Answers Prayer Part 5

Daniel prayed three times a day. Even when it was against the law of the land, he prayed three times a day. This gave his political enemies an occasion to accuse him and forge a plot to have him executed.

So he was discovered praying and sentenced to to a den of lions to be torn to pieces. But, as he prayed, the lion's mouth was shut and Daniel was delivered. Prayer nullifies and disarms your enemies.

Read Daniel 6:1-24

Pastor Winston

God Answers Prayer Part 4

Nehemiah was the cupbearer of King Artaxeerxes, a heathen King. He was a part of the King's inner circle and so expereienced all the privileges of such a high office. But, there was another side to this lauded position. If the King was displeased with him, his life was worth nothing.

Nehemiah had heard that his beloved home and place of his heritage was lying in ruins and his people were despondent and depressed. He wanted to return to the land of his heritage and rebuild it but how will he ask the King? Would the King be displeased with him or would he find favor?

It was so heart rending for Nehemiah as he prayed by placing himself between God and the people, he became an intercessor for his people. Then he prayed for God's favor and he went to the King and made his request. King Artaxerxes favored him tremendously and blessed him with the resources and endowed him with authority to fulfill his desire.

It is amazing what God is empowered to do when someone prays.

Read Nehemiah 1:5-11
Read Nehemiah 2:1-8

Pastor Winston

God Answers Prayer Part 3

Next, there was Dorcas, a godly woman who was greatly loved. She was a loving, caring and giving member of the early church. She had used her gift to be a significant blessing to her brothers and sisters in Christ. But, Dorcas died and the people greatly mourned.

Then, Peter was asked to intervene and address the situation which to all was filled with finality. Peter entered the death chamber and he earnestly prayed. As Peter petitioned the Lord in prayer the power of God filled the room and Dorcas rose from her death bed, fully alive and well. Peter presented her to her friends ... PRAYER CAN REACH IN THE REALM OF DEATH AND RESTORE LIFE!

Read Acts 9:36-43

Pastor Winston

God Answers Prayer Part 2

In another event, Peter was caught and imprisoned. It was a political move by King Herod who had executed James and had found his act applauded by the people.

What was to be Peter's fate? The time of execution drew near and humanly speaking nothing could save him. But the church prayed! And when they prayed, no prison walls, iron gates or a squadron of guards could hold him, Peter was freed. There can be no doubt about prayer's power to change the situation.

Read Acts 12:1-16

Pastor Winston

God Answers Prayer Part 1

We must be courageous and bold with our prayers. In the book of Acts we see how the religious leaders were against the early church apostles.

On one occasion they were commanded to be silent and to cease their testimony. They were clearly admonished to stop teaching and preaching in the name of Jesus although there were miraculous events occuring. So, what did they do? They prayed. And when they prayed, God answered and filled them with an invincible courage and holy boldness.

Read Acts 4:13-31

Pastor Winston

God Is Abundantly Able Part 5

Let’s look at Elijah’s (and God’s) triumph on Mount Carmel before all Israel. Throughout the long day the air had been filled with the voices of the prophets and priests of Baal. Hundreds of them praying in unison to a false god and nothing was forthcoming.

Then about the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah comes forward in simple reverence to God. He sets the altar in order, prepares an almost impossible to be consumed sacrifice and voices a simple yet profound prayer to Jehovah.

The result is electrifying! God answers by fire, and His testimony is preserved for men of all ages to see. There was no doubt about His answer that day.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. – Psalm 19:7 KJV

Pastor Winston

God Is Abundantly Able Part 4

We are reminded of the story of the young and inexperienced David as he stood before the giant of the Philistines, Goliath. Arrogant and defiant to Israel and God and issuing threats of violence Goliath engages the people of God. I’m sure Goliath and the Philistine army were anticipating their imminent victory. God will not be defeated by a heathen people or by gods of wood and stone.

The people were victorious in answer to the simple prayer of a humble boy of Bethlehem. God fought on the side of David that day and gave an unequivocal victory to His people.

6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. 7 The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. - Nahum 1:6-7 KJV

Pastor Winston

God Is Abundantly Able Part 3

So, to increase our faith God has faithfully recorded His past answers to the prayers of His saints. Witness the story of the arrogant insolence of pagan Sennacherib as he defied the God of King Hezekiah to save Jerusalem out of his bloody hands. The humor of the account is dry indeed as we read concerning the heathen army that “when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.” Our enemy does not have a chance to defeat us when we are people of prayer and we dwell in God’s presence.

Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. - Hebrews 11:11 KJV

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 KJV

The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. - Deuteronomy 28:7 KJV

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God Is Abundantly Able Part 2

Based on God’s own word, it is an unquestionable fact that God loves us with an everlasting love. He has overwhelmingly shown, for the scrutiny of all ages the validity of His love, in that He gave his well beloved Son to die to redeem us. Throughout the Bible He has promised again and again to help us. The pages of His book are filled with expressions of His willingness to aid us in answer to our prayer.

“… I have always loved you, so I continue to show you my constant love.” - Jeremiah 31:3 TEV

Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand). – Jeremiah 33:3 AMP

Pastor Winston

God Is Abundantly Able Part 1

There scarcely can be any doubt about God’s ability. This vast and ordered universe is the product of His hand. Minute by minute He maintains its intricate embrace and laws by the word of His power. Every creature looks to Him for direction; every living thing grows by the power of His might. Nothing is too hard for His omnipotence. No enemy is able to oppose His will.

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power , when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; - Hebrews 1:3 KJV

For with God nothing shall be impossible. - Luke 1:37 KJV

And He said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. - Luke 18:27 KJV

Pastor Winston