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 Christian Prayer - Part 2.
There were many instances of prayer given this past week in America to thank God for the prosperity and blessings bestowed upon America. This was done in the celebration of the National Day of Prayer set aside on the first Thursday in May each year. This was an example of one aspect
of prayer but another aspect of prayer is shown in the prayer that Paul makes in Colossians 1:9-14 for the Colossians. The Colossians (those
from Colossee) received their letter from Paul through Tychius (just like Philemon). They were dealing with a particular problem of gnosticism. The Gnostics were pagans who followed a pre-Christian religion which pursued
knowledge above all else. Their fundamental beliefs centered around several ideas: 1) There are two different Gods, the Creative God, and the
Redemptive God (Jesus who is more powerful). 2) There were two
divisions of Christians; A) Those that are spiritual, and B) those that are carnal. 3) They put emphasis on secret type
teachings of knowledge, and 4) They put knowledge over faith. It’s better to know things than to show faith through your
works. In Paul’s prayer, he acknowledged the Christian faith in Christ that was demonstrated in Colossee by their love of
the saints. Paul gives us another aspect of prayer in this passage. 1) We are to be filled with all the fulness of God and
the knowledge of His will through the love of Christ. This is in place of philosophy and vain deceit, and the tradition of this
world which is what the Gnostics taught. 2) We are to walk worthy of our calling. 3) We are to be strengthened with His
might that he gives to us. 4) We should be giving thanks (with patience and longsuffering). 5) We have been delivered
from the power of darkness, and 6) We have redemption through His blood. The lesson on May 4, 2003 continues the lesson on prayer.   You may listen here now or you may also want to view all the lessons on prayer here.
Sarah’s Example. The first woman mentioned in the great chapter of faith (Hebrews 11:11) is Abraham’s wife Sarah. The lesson on May 11, 2003, celebrates Mother’s Day with a lesson about Sarah, the mother of Israel. There was something special about Sarah since she was
identified by God in Hebrews 11:11 as a “heroine” of faith. Not only do we learn about her faith
, but this lesson teaches us all about the pursuit of Godliness, which applies to both men and
women. God does not expect us to live a perfect life, that’s why Christ died for our sins. As
we learn about Sarah, we find she wasn’t perfect. She was attractive both outwardly and
inwardly but the inward beauty (of the soul) is what counts with God. She was submissive to
her husband, yet she was also impulsive and vindictive as demonstrated by her handling of
Hagar and Ishmael. Sarah’s example teaches mother’s four ways to be the BEST mom: 1) B = Bold in your witness to
your children. Proverbs 1:8 tells us about mom’s responsibility of teaching kids the law of the Lord. 2) E = Encourage your
children in their walk with the Lord. They will make mistakes but be an encouragement to teach them the right path. 3) S =
Strength is in your weakness. Trust in God when you are at your wits end and turn your troubles over to God. 4) T =
Tenderness is how you handle your kids while you teach them the principles of Godliness. Be tender in your willfulness as
you don’t let them have their way. The lesson on May 11, 2003 is one to celebrate Mother’s Day but also has application to
anyone who wants to learn more about Godliness. Click here to listen now or go to the audio lessons for the month.
Pleroma - Part 1. When approaching scripture, you can do it dispensationally which looks at
the different periods of administration of God. Yet, there is another way to look at an overview of God’s plan and that is identified in
Ephesians 1:8-10 (KJV) which states “Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and
prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure
which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might
gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him”. God in His infinite grace has given us the wisdom of His will. We don’t have to try
and find it in philosophy and vain deceit. God has given us the wisdom we need to understand
his will. It was a mystery but is now revealed and no longer hidden from us. God calls us to
grow up in scripture so we may know this will for the perfecting of the saints as stated in Ephesians 4:11-13 (KJV) “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of
the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of
the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: The lesson
on May 18, 2003 begins a new series on Pleroma, the fullness of Christ. Click here to listen now.
Pleroma - Part 2. The lesson on May 25, 2003 continues the lesson on the Pleroma but first remembers Memorial Day in America which is the holiday that honors America’s war casualties.
A handout was given showing how many Americans have died in each war but emphasis was
put on what they died for... preserving the freedoms that were endowed by our creator and
embraced in the founding of America. The freedoms we possess of life, liberty, and the pursuit
of happiness (or property) truly come from God and are celebrated in the founding documents
of America. Spiritually, the bible declares you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. True freedom is in
Christ, who has destroyed the bondage of sin and paved the way for true happiness yet there are those who are still
focused on themselves instead of Christ and what He has accomplished with His eternal purpose. The focus that God
has in scripture is for the ages. Consequently, studying the Pleroma is an exercise in understanding the big picture and the
plan of God for the ages. This study takes the focus off of ourselves and places it on God and his plan for eternity. This
lesson refers to a chart by Charles Welch on “The Pleroma” which you can  download here. Be sure and
review the chart while you listen to compliment your studies. Click here to listen now.
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Audio Lessons for this Month
