Treasures of Hope
"Precious instructions from the Word
for optimistic Christian Living!"
By: Ptr. Rasty C. Montorio
for optimistic Christian Living!"
By: Ptr. Rasty C. Montorio
MAY 2008
THE HANDS THAT UNSHACKLES - Part 2
(Prayer’s Secret, Revealed)
TEXT:ACTS 12:1-19
There are lots of things prayer can do to us as we continue to practice it in our lives. In the last issue we have enumerated some of it. Let us continue to discover to unravel the treasures we can discover regarding this matter…
(Prayer’s Secret, Revealed)
TEXT:ACTS 12:1-19
There are lots of things prayer can do to us as we continue to practice it in our lives. In the last issue we have enumerated some of it. Let us continue to discover to unravel the treasures we can discover regarding this matter…
Read previous articles from Treasures of Hope:
JANUARY 2008 - THE PLAN! (Putting our future in the right path.)
We are all concern of our future. That is the reason why out of curiosity people are resorting to any ways just to find out what lies ahead of them. But for the people of God, we shouldn’t be resorting to any belief or occult thing that this world is offering. We can be sure of our future because it all lies in the hand of the Master Planner.
FEBRUARY 2008 - THE LOVE JOURNEY (Steps to step into the realm of Christian Love Affair.)
One of the well-known topic that most of our young people in church wants to discuss is about Boy-Girl Relationship. Well, we cannot avoid it because almost all of us in some point of our life have experienced to have some crushes and puppy loves.
MARCH 2008 - FAITH AND FEAR (The difference makes the difference.)
The word fear has always been connected or equated in the life of a person. Each one, regardless of status in life, rich or poor, strong or weak has fears. Maybe that’s the reason why the word “phobia” has been invented and connected to almost all kinds of things.
APRIL 2008 - THE HANDS THAT UNSHACKLES - Part 1 (Prayer’s Secret, Revealed)
It has always been said that when we pray, 90% of the task is already done. If that is so, why is it that a lot of Christians are not really serious in the ministry of prayer? As we study the text, let us try to discover some facts about prayer and unveil the truths that will benefit us as Christians.
JANUARY 2008 - THE PLAN! (Putting our future in the right path.)
We are all concern of our future. That is the reason why out of curiosity people are resorting to any ways just to find out what lies ahead of them. But for the people of God, we shouldn’t be resorting to any belief or occult thing that this world is offering. We can be sure of our future because it all lies in the hand of the Master Planner.
FEBRUARY 2008 - THE LOVE JOURNEY (Steps to step into the realm of Christian Love Affair.)
One of the well-known topic that most of our young people in church wants to discuss is about Boy-Girl Relationship. Well, we cannot avoid it because almost all of us in some point of our life have experienced to have some crushes and puppy loves.
MARCH 2008 - FAITH AND FEAR (The difference makes the difference.)
The word fear has always been connected or equated in the life of a person. Each one, regardless of status in life, rich or poor, strong or weak has fears. Maybe that’s the reason why the word “phobia” has been invented and connected to almost all kinds of things.
APRIL 2008 - THE HANDS THAT UNSHACKLES - Part 1 (Prayer’s Secret, Revealed)
It has always been said that when we pray, 90% of the task is already done. If that is so, why is it that a lot of Christians are not really serious in the ministry of prayer? As we study the text, let us try to discover some facts about prayer and unveil the truths that will benefit us as Christians.
H. It saves you from people’s bad intent and from shame. (v. 11)
Peter realized that no matter how bad the intentions of other people to him the Lord’s hand of protection is with him. We have to realize that no one shall happen to him because he is protected by the brethren’s prayer.
I. It produces miracles that results for the Lord to be glorified. (v. 9-11)
Prayer can open up the door for miracles and supernatural thing to happen. You may not totally agree but it is the truth. Prayer is our vehicle to operate in the supernatural. We can move the hand of God and thwart the situation we are in, thus, will lead for God to be glorified.
J. It gives an encouraging testimony that will give joy to the people and praise Him. (v. 13)
How would you respond to an answered prayer? It depends; you can never really tell how you would be responding. But one thing is sure, that would be the happiest and most faith strengthening moment of your life. Answered prayer will give you an opportunity for encouraging testimonies.
K. It reverses the enemy’s evil plans back to Him. (v. 19)
If you are protected by prayer, every evil plan that coursed through you will not succeed unless it is allowed by God. And definitely the Lord doesn’t want us to be destroyed by the enemy. Through the prayers of the brethren, Peter was saved and the perpetuators were put to shame, and the guards were killed.
L. It gives you strength and encouragement to continue to be a witness for God. (v. 16-17)
Experiencing the miracles of prayer will not only encourage us but will give us more drive to continue doing it and be a living proof of God’s goodness.
II HOW DO WE RESPOND TO IT?
If prayer does a lot of things in our life, then, we should be responding positively to prayer. Let us not think of things that would discourage us nor let us discontinue praying. Let us do concrete actions to practice it.
A. Expect for results. (v. 13)
When we do things, we should be expecting that something should happen as a result of what we’ve done. Same with prayer, when we pray we should expect for results. We should be thinking of the end result of what you have been praying for.
B. Tell others of the coming answer. (v. 13-14)
Confession is part of having faith in the power of prayer. When you pray the Lord will give you certain assurance that He is has answered your prayers. Proclamation helps strengthen our faith just like what happened to Abram and Sarai; they had seen the answer and proclaimed it by changing their name into Abraham and Sarah - the father of a multitude and princess.
C. Don’t doubt - believe. (v. 15)
When praying, the words are not the most important thing; it is the content of your heart. Do you really mean what you are saying in your prayers? Do you really believe them? Be sure to believe and do not doubt what you have mentioned in your prayers, how can God answer your prayers if you yourself find it so hard to believe it to happen. The servant girl Rhoda is a simple girl with a simple faith in prayer. And she is the best example of praying with faith.
D. Don’t mistake the answer to another one. (v. 15)
How many times we heard the phrase, “I can’t believe it… is it really happening? I don’t think it’s true.” If something good happens to our prayers, we find it hard to believe and if nothing happens, we are upset. If our prayers are answered, let us accept it and praise God and complicate our situation. Sometimes it is so overwhelming to see how God answers our prayers but please let us not commit a mistake of thinking it’s not the Lord’s answer to our prayers.
Prayer is powerful and can teach us to know God more. Let us not be weary and get tired of doing it if at times we can’t see positive results at the moment. If we will continue to keep on praying we will one day see the how awesome god answers our prayers. I encourage you to live a lifestyle of prayer… as Ephesians 6:18 says, keep on praying!
There is hope for you… Be blessed!
Peter realized that no matter how bad the intentions of other people to him the Lord’s hand of protection is with him. We have to realize that no one shall happen to him because he is protected by the brethren’s prayer.
I. It produces miracles that results for the Lord to be glorified. (v. 9-11)
Prayer can open up the door for miracles and supernatural thing to happen. You may not totally agree but it is the truth. Prayer is our vehicle to operate in the supernatural. We can move the hand of God and thwart the situation we are in, thus, will lead for God to be glorified.
J. It gives an encouraging testimony that will give joy to the people and praise Him. (v. 13)
How would you respond to an answered prayer? It depends; you can never really tell how you would be responding. But one thing is sure, that would be the happiest and most faith strengthening moment of your life. Answered prayer will give you an opportunity for encouraging testimonies.
K. It reverses the enemy’s evil plans back to Him. (v. 19)
If you are protected by prayer, every evil plan that coursed through you will not succeed unless it is allowed by God. And definitely the Lord doesn’t want us to be destroyed by the enemy. Through the prayers of the brethren, Peter was saved and the perpetuators were put to shame, and the guards were killed.
L. It gives you strength and encouragement to continue to be a witness for God. (v. 16-17)
Experiencing the miracles of prayer will not only encourage us but will give us more drive to continue doing it and be a living proof of God’s goodness.
II HOW DO WE RESPOND TO IT?
If prayer does a lot of things in our life, then, we should be responding positively to prayer. Let us not think of things that would discourage us nor let us discontinue praying. Let us do concrete actions to practice it.
A. Expect for results. (v. 13)
When we do things, we should be expecting that something should happen as a result of what we’ve done. Same with prayer, when we pray we should expect for results. We should be thinking of the end result of what you have been praying for.
B. Tell others of the coming answer. (v. 13-14)
Confession is part of having faith in the power of prayer. When you pray the Lord will give you certain assurance that He is has answered your prayers. Proclamation helps strengthen our faith just like what happened to Abram and Sarai; they had seen the answer and proclaimed it by changing their name into Abraham and Sarah - the father of a multitude and princess.
C. Don’t doubt - believe. (v. 15)
When praying, the words are not the most important thing; it is the content of your heart. Do you really mean what you are saying in your prayers? Do you really believe them? Be sure to believe and do not doubt what you have mentioned in your prayers, how can God answer your prayers if you yourself find it so hard to believe it to happen. The servant girl Rhoda is a simple girl with a simple faith in prayer. And she is the best example of praying with faith.
D. Don’t mistake the answer to another one. (v. 15)
How many times we heard the phrase, “I can’t believe it… is it really happening? I don’t think it’s true.” If something good happens to our prayers, we find it hard to believe and if nothing happens, we are upset. If our prayers are answered, let us accept it and praise God and complicate our situation. Sometimes it is so overwhelming to see how God answers our prayers but please let us not commit a mistake of thinking it’s not the Lord’s answer to our prayers.
Prayer is powerful and can teach us to know God more. Let us not be weary and get tired of doing it if at times we can’t see positive results at the moment. If we will continue to keep on praying we will one day see the how awesome god answers our prayers. I encourage you to live a lifestyle of prayer… as Ephesians 6:18 says, keep on praying!
There is hope for you… Be blessed!