I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God
hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Psa 66:17-19
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God
hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Psa 66:17-19
From the first day of my salvation in March of 1978, alone in my house that morning, God started my walk with Him by teaching me a very fundamental truth regarding prayer. He is right there, His presence is more real than my own. He is instant in prayer, and can change any situation in a moment. He uses every opportunity and every trial we go through, as an object lesson. If we truly desire to walk with Him, and know Him, He will teach us, and unveil Himself and His ways to us, in everyday circumstances.
He knows our frame, that we fall, and fail. He knows that the trials and attacks that come our way, are a constant warfare against the forces of evil in this world, and that we will face them daily. Jesus makes it clear, the devils plan is to kill, steal, and destroy and he'll use every means he has to bring you to ruin. God takes all this into account, and is very merciful to his saints, when they are under great pressure, and adversity. But, He doesn't condone our sin, He'll bring conviction and show us where we've allowed a sin to have a foothold in us, and the Holy Spirit will keep dealing with us, to bring us to repentance and be restored in fellowship with Christ.
One of the most obvious ways a Christian can know when He's out of the will of God, and in serious sin, is if you find your prayers aren't being answered. It's a fact that some prayers take years to see the answers, such as praying for the salvation of a wife/husband or family member, and many other issues that takes time for God to work through the circumstances.
But, if you find your prayer life becoming a thing you dread, when you have no desire to pray, and avoid doing so, and years go by, and your not seeing any of your prayers answered, you need to stop praying for anything else, and just focus on asking God to show you where you've gotten off into a ditch, into a serious sin, and ask Him for the help to get back in right standing with Him again. The story of King Saul is a good example of someone who allowed sin to take him over, and he lost the anointing of God, and his prayers were no longer answered. He ended up going to a witch of Endor to conjur up Samuel, but, it cost him his life. He was killed the next day in battle, as Samuel said he would be. See the story in first and second Samuel. Other references: Psa_6:9, Psa_34:6, Psa_116:1-2; Lam_3:55-56; Heb_5:7; 1Jn_3:20-22
There is no substitute for knowing the abiding presence of the Holy Ghost, and His guidence in my life. I cannot live without Him, and His covering in my life. When I know He is with me, there may be geat trials, adversity, attacks from various situations, but with Him present within, no weapon formed against me will prosper. This is a solid fact, and necessity in my life. I will never promise anybody that a close walk with God will make you rich, or give you a life of luxury. The false teachers and pastors who preach this are preaching another Jesus-not the one who died on the cross, and rose again. He has never failed to supply my needs, but not my lusts, or my greed. There's a big difference.
I've also learned you can't make the mistake as we may at times, in thinking that when we are attacked from many directions and trials are almost overwhelming, that we are in some great sin. I've been in the midst of great adversity, and still seen God answer prayers in a such a way that it left me in awe of His power to intervene, and see situations change before my eyes. Many prayers have been answered for me, before I finished praying. What we need to remember is, God gives people the free will of their actions and choices, and we can get caught in the middle of circumstances that we had nothing to do with. That's a reason why it's important to make wise choices in the people we associate with, and keep company with.
I've learned that the closer you are to God, the more Satan will hate you, and will make you a target of constant attacks. People do not like to hear this, and it causes many to fall behind, and leave Jesus. Jesus said to the disciples "will you also go away"? This battle is real, and it's to the death.
I've learned that the vast majority of people have no desire to have a real ongoing relationship with God, the pagans don't believe He exists. He's more real than this entire realm of existance-He is the SOURCE of all life. The companionship, love, and fellowship with Him cannot be described, I can't seem to find the words that can manifest the truth of His glory. That's why I have little to say to this world, most have no desire, or faith to believe it. What they're eyes see, God's creation all around them, that shows only a glimpse of His greatness-they ignore, take for granted, and much of it is being destroyed by the day. Jesus said in his day is that all people wanted was to see signs and wonders, it's the same today. But even if they see a true sign from God, they don't believe it, it's a source of ridicule, and mocking, or they just yawn.
In my life, surrender is the key, and examining myself on a regular basis, to see if I need to do some sincere repenting, or correct something in my life, to maintain this walk with Christ, that I cherish.
Satan knows I'm totally sold out to Christ, and over the years, I've lost everything that's meant anything to me in this world. I'd do it again. The mistakes I've made, and the thing's I've learned from them, would help me make some different decisions, but, not my love for Jesus.
I'm coming to the finish line of my walk in this world, and do not intend to forsake Him now. God has blessed me with a long life, and seen me through many health problems, I don't have any serious disieases and am thankful for the goodness of God, and His blessings. But, the distant shore of heaven is closer in view, and I'm looking forward to a reunion with many loved ones, when God says it's time to leave this world behind.
Lorna Couillard
He knows our frame, that we fall, and fail. He knows that the trials and attacks that come our way, are a constant warfare against the forces of evil in this world, and that we will face them daily. Jesus makes it clear, the devils plan is to kill, steal, and destroy and he'll use every means he has to bring you to ruin. God takes all this into account, and is very merciful to his saints, when they are under great pressure, and adversity. But, He doesn't condone our sin, He'll bring conviction and show us where we've allowed a sin to have a foothold in us, and the Holy Spirit will keep dealing with us, to bring us to repentance and be restored in fellowship with Christ.
One of the most obvious ways a Christian can know when He's out of the will of God, and in serious sin, is if you find your prayers aren't being answered. It's a fact that some prayers take years to see the answers, such as praying for the salvation of a wife/husband or family member, and many other issues that takes time for God to work through the circumstances.
But, if you find your prayer life becoming a thing you dread, when you have no desire to pray, and avoid doing so, and years go by, and your not seeing any of your prayers answered, you need to stop praying for anything else, and just focus on asking God to show you where you've gotten off into a ditch, into a serious sin, and ask Him for the help to get back in right standing with Him again. The story of King Saul is a good example of someone who allowed sin to take him over, and he lost the anointing of God, and his prayers were no longer answered. He ended up going to a witch of Endor to conjur up Samuel, but, it cost him his life. He was killed the next day in battle, as Samuel said he would be. See the story in first and second Samuel. Other references: Psa_6:9, Psa_34:6, Psa_116:1-2; Lam_3:55-56; Heb_5:7; 1Jn_3:20-22
There is no substitute for knowing the abiding presence of the Holy Ghost, and His guidence in my life. I cannot live without Him, and His covering in my life. When I know He is with me, there may be geat trials, adversity, attacks from various situations, but with Him present within, no weapon formed against me will prosper. This is a solid fact, and necessity in my life. I will never promise anybody that a close walk with God will make you rich, or give you a life of luxury. The false teachers and pastors who preach this are preaching another Jesus-not the one who died on the cross, and rose again. He has never failed to supply my needs, but not my lusts, or my greed. There's a big difference.
I've also learned you can't make the mistake as we may at times, in thinking that when we are attacked from many directions and trials are almost overwhelming, that we are in some great sin. I've been in the midst of great adversity, and still seen God answer prayers in a such a way that it left me in awe of His power to intervene, and see situations change before my eyes. Many prayers have been answered for me, before I finished praying. What we need to remember is, God gives people the free will of their actions and choices, and we can get caught in the middle of circumstances that we had nothing to do with. That's a reason why it's important to make wise choices in the people we associate with, and keep company with.
I've learned that the closer you are to God, the more Satan will hate you, and will make you a target of constant attacks. People do not like to hear this, and it causes many to fall behind, and leave Jesus. Jesus said to the disciples "will you also go away"? This battle is real, and it's to the death.
I've learned that the vast majority of people have no desire to have a real ongoing relationship with God, the pagans don't believe He exists. He's more real than this entire realm of existance-He is the SOURCE of all life. The companionship, love, and fellowship with Him cannot be described, I can't seem to find the words that can manifest the truth of His glory. That's why I have little to say to this world, most have no desire, or faith to believe it. What they're eyes see, God's creation all around them, that shows only a glimpse of His greatness-they ignore, take for granted, and much of it is being destroyed by the day. Jesus said in his day is that all people wanted was to see signs and wonders, it's the same today. But even if they see a true sign from God, they don't believe it, it's a source of ridicule, and mocking, or they just yawn.
In my life, surrender is the key, and examining myself on a regular basis, to see if I need to do some sincere repenting, or correct something in my life, to maintain this walk with Christ, that I cherish.
Satan knows I'm totally sold out to Christ, and over the years, I've lost everything that's meant anything to me in this world. I'd do it again. The mistakes I've made, and the thing's I've learned from them, would help me make some different decisions, but, not my love for Jesus.
I'm coming to the finish line of my walk in this world, and do not intend to forsake Him now. God has blessed me with a long life, and seen me through many health problems, I don't have any serious disieases and am thankful for the goodness of God, and His blessings. But, the distant shore of heaven is closer in view, and I'm looking forward to a reunion with many loved ones, when God says it's time to leave this world behind.
Lorna Couillard
Charles Haddon Spurgeon--Treasury of David
Psalm 66:18-19
Psalm 66:18-19
Psa_66:18
“If I regard iniquity in my heart.” If, having seen it to be there, I continue to gaze upon it without aversion; if I cherish it, have a side glance of love towards it, excuse it, and palliate it; “The Lord will not hear me.” How can he? Can I desire him to connive at my sin, and accept me while I wilfully, cling to any evil way? Nothing hinders prayer like iniquity harboured in the breast; as with Cain, so with us, sin lieth at the door, and blocks the passage. If thou listen to the devil, God will not listen to thee. If thou refusest to hear God's commands, he will surely refuse to hear thy prayers. An imperfect petition God will hear for Christ's sake, but not one which is wilfully mis-written by a traitor's hand. For God to accept our devotions, while we are delighting in sin, would be to make himself the God of hypocrites, which is a fitter name for Satan than for the Holy One of Israel.
Psa_66:19
“But verily God hath heard me.” Sure sign this that the petitioner was no secret lover of sin, The answer to his prayer was a fresh assurance that his heart was sincere before the Lord. See how sure the Psalmist is that he has been heard; it is with him no hope, surmise, or fancy, but he seals it with a “verily.” Facts are blessed things when they reveal both God's heart as loving and our own heart as sincere. “He hath attended to the voice of my prayer.” He gave his mind to consider my cries, interpreted them, accepted them, and replied to them; and therein proved his grace and also my uprightness of heart. Love of sin is a plague spot, a condemning mark, a killing sign, but those Prayers, which evidently live and prevail with God, most clearly arise from a heart which is free from dalliance with evil. Let the reader see to it, that his inmost soul be rid of all alliance with inquiry, all toleration of secret lust, or hidden wrong.
“If I regard iniquity in my heart.” If, having seen it to be there, I continue to gaze upon it without aversion; if I cherish it, have a side glance of love towards it, excuse it, and palliate it; “The Lord will not hear me.” How can he? Can I desire him to connive at my sin, and accept me while I wilfully, cling to any evil way? Nothing hinders prayer like iniquity harboured in the breast; as with Cain, so with us, sin lieth at the door, and blocks the passage. If thou listen to the devil, God will not listen to thee. If thou refusest to hear God's commands, he will surely refuse to hear thy prayers. An imperfect petition God will hear for Christ's sake, but not one which is wilfully mis-written by a traitor's hand. For God to accept our devotions, while we are delighting in sin, would be to make himself the God of hypocrites, which is a fitter name for Satan than for the Holy One of Israel.
Psa_66:19
“But verily God hath heard me.” Sure sign this that the petitioner was no secret lover of sin, The answer to his prayer was a fresh assurance that his heart was sincere before the Lord. See how sure the Psalmist is that he has been heard; it is with him no hope, surmise, or fancy, but he seals it with a “verily.” Facts are blessed things when they reveal both God's heart as loving and our own heart as sincere. “He hath attended to the voice of my prayer.” He gave his mind to consider my cries, interpreted them, accepted them, and replied to them; and therein proved his grace and also my uprightness of heart. Love of sin is a plague spot, a condemning mark, a killing sign, but those Prayers, which evidently live and prevail with God, most clearly arise from a heart which is free from dalliance with evil. Let the reader see to it, that his inmost soul be rid of all alliance with inquiry, all toleration of secret lust, or hidden wrong.
