New Christian Question on Prayer and "how long".

Long prayers, special prayers? Here is a question that we answered about 3 months ago and thought it might help someone.

Question (that was fired in):

Every Christian should be doing Prayers daily and giving thanks but i have never had a long prayer before..i just give thanks..People say tat they have long prayers because they have a conversation with God

I want to have a long prayer too..i don't mind starting slow but how does one do a sincere prayer and slowly make it long?

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Answer (we gave) after asking the LORD:

JESUS said:

When you pray, don't talk on and on as people do who don't know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers. Matthew 6:7

Prayer is simply conversation. Conversation with JESUS.

Ok, what kind of conversation do you like?

Long boring conversation, pre mediated and all spelled out?

Or spontaneous, lively (short or long) it doesn't matter, because it is
real, it comes from the heart!

That is exactly what GOD wants in prayer.

Lively, real, spontaneous -from the heart.

-eric

Question on "The differences between the Jehovah Witnessess and Christians"?

Growing up, going to Christian school and ultimately Christian college, and being a youth leader for years as well, I was taught that the J.W's are a 'cult', as they do not teach or believe in the deity of JESUS (meaning: JESUS is GOD, which I would assume most of us here in Christians believe).

But...

As much as that above statement is 100% true, what I've received from the LORD
in revelation is this:

Everyone from bikers, to theives to the J.W.'s to the average church going christian,
is all the same.

Same?

Yes, we've all sinned and GOD has placed us all in/under sin.
We all have our own laws, even bikers and thieves do.
We all have our own ways of worship or prayer to 'whom ever is GOD/god' to them.
We all have our own special days, holy/special books, special occasions/times.
There is a code of honour even among thieves, there is only certain things they will do and not do. The same said for every religion out there - including the christian religion.

Here is where I am getting at.

They all have they're own laws/rules.
Paul argued that those that claim they have 'no law', are still a law to themselves.
They still hold onto some integrity if you will. Romans 2:14-15

The problem?

We are never good enough - no matter if we are bikers or the 'christian guy' that
goes to church (building) everytime the doors are open - or better yet, have the keys
to open the building up! They are no different.


But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
23 Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. Galatians 3:22-23

JESUS and HIS GRACE (alone) is what this 'faith' is, trusting JESUS (only).

These laws (whether they are your current church laws, or the bikers laws, or JW laws) all 'lock us up' in sin (we are controlled by it, dominated by it) until we throw ourselves at JESUS (GRACE) alone. Leaving behind all those rules, laws, traditions and take HIM as a person. The more you give up, and die to, the more of HIS LIFE will flow through you.

I see it as all the worlds religions (some of them seemingly very good), and all those that we judge evil or wrong (because ours is never wrong) on one side - and JESUS alone on the other.

Religion/ rules/ traditions/ laws/ my effort here - - - - JESUS here.

What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. Romans 3:9

For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
Romans 11:32

It is Great GRACE
It is Amazing GRACE!

-eric

Amazing "the trees of the fields will clap their hands"

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12

This may be a hard picture to see, what we are about to explain to you, but those that have been to our home can maybe understand a bit better, but believe me, what we are saying is very neat.

Luke our oldest son, said "wow, thats almost creepy". We think its wonderful, but what do you expect from a 14 year old?

In this photo (of our kitchen) we have on the right on the edge of the counter our small kitchen stereo where we play lots (almost everyday) Christian music - Newsboys, Toby Mac, Petra, KeithGreen, TFK , Disciple to Chris Tomlin and many of the newest tunes as well.

Anyway, you get my point, lots of music actually lots of praise and christian music!

The plants are on the opposite side (directly across) from the mini stereo.

If you can actually look at these plants they are all leaning (there are about 5 of them and all different) towards the stereo - towards the music! They are growing and, reaching, if you will to the praise!

The picture doesn't really do it justice, but its real neat to see!

We know that in heaven, the plants and flowers sway with music and the entire place
is alive with joy and melody and song.

We also know that George Washington Carver, (look him up on google, if you never heard
about this incredible man). Invented hundreds of products and held patents on the peanut
and many other items. Was best friends with Edison, who in the early 1900's asked Carver
to work for him, offering him $100,000.00 to do it.

Carver, was a devout believer in JESUS, and as a scientist would talk to the LORD (Prayer)
and also talk to the plants and talk to the LORD about HIS creation and the plants.

Carver said it something like this: 'what you love, opens up to you, and reveals itself to you'.

Anyway, there is much to learn about love and joy - two fruit of the SPIRIT.

Which means they are part of GOD'S SPIRIT (what HE is like, a part of HIM).

-eric

Katja's Cat Dream - telling us exactly what to do!

It seems often, Katja (my wife) has dreams and they usually have meaning.


Then in many cases, we ask the LORD to interpret the dream, and HE by HIS never failing GRACE, shows us what they mean.

This time, the dream came before our request.

Let me explain...

My wife, has been open, to doing some part time work here and there and stumbled on an opportunity, with a company that had 8 products in their product line.
We had a meeting with the gentleman, and he was pleasant and encouraging us to invest, for some inventory and start to market his product (8 products - remember? that's a key).

But I am getting a head of myself, as I am telling you about this meeting, before I told you about the dream, because in this case, the dream came first!

Cat Dream

In her dream, she is in her old work's cafeteria, eating and enjoying her lunch, when a big white cat (larger than normal) walked into the lunch room, and started to 'spray', all over the walls in the place! This of course both shocked Katja, as well as disgusted her, and this sight (in her dream).

Later, she sees 8 cats (normal sized) all chained together!

Order of events as they occured:

1. Weird Cat Dream
2. Prayed for Intrepretation
3. Met a man, with 8 products and heard his business opportunity.
4. Got Intrepration from the LORD JESUS

Ok, so Katja has this dream and we pray, but hear nothing (from the LORD).

Then, we have this business opportunity and that night I (Eric) awoke and in the middle of the night asked the LORD if Katja should go ahead with this opportunity or not.

The LORD spoke to me and said - that was what the dream was for!

You see, we have to be in step with the LORD, and HE is always right on time, often miles ahead of the world or obviously our own thoughts. The scripture says "before you call I will answer, and while your speaking I will hear". Isaiah 65:24

Here is the intrepretation as the LORD JESUS told us:

The big white cat represents the owner of the product line and business opportunity. The old (x-job) in the cafeteria, represents where she gets 'fed'. The big cat, is white but does bad things (spray all over) because you can't see its true colors, all that you see isn't what you think.

He is spraying because he is in charge, and he will do things that you wont like. Maybe those things might be ok in the sense that they are not illegial, but the point is they wont be helpful to Katja. She will be shocked and disgusted. But a cat spraying is not something a cat can't do or is necessarily evil.

The 8 normal sized cats chained, represented the 8 products in the product line that he (the big white cat) controlled, hence the chains.

Bottom Line:

When HE (the SPIRIT of TRUTH) comes, HE will lead you in to ALL TRUTH!

We are constantly looking to the SPIRIT of GOD, to lead us into ALL TRUTH, and we are learning that ALL TRUTH is ALL TRUTH...All is All - correct?

Bless the LORD!

-eric

Katja' Candle Dream

My wife Katja, had a dream and its dream were these exact two candles.

In this picture, you can see the 2 candles on each side being the same.

In her dream, these 2 (end) candles went missing and she couldn't find them. They were gone, and now she was missing their beauty, their light, their charm.

So, in the dream, she is looking everywhere for these candles.

She then found (in her dream) that they where broken by me, and they were hidden (by me again) so that she wouldn't see they were broken!

Here is what the LORD says: "The candles represent unity (sometimes candles are called 'unity candles'). They also represent light, so wisdom and safety/protection and comfort come from light as well.

Unity, because the candles stand together.

Here is what the LORD explained to me:

When LOVE (which is HIMSELF) flows by HIS SPIRIT, properly amongst family or friends its natural outcome is unity. LOVE in a group = Unity!

When a candle breaks, there is sin which breaks the unity.
Sin does not like exposure, so it is hidden from the light. Any sin against one another can break the candle, causing disunity, disharmony.

But when the 'sin' is brought out in the open, it is exposed to the light, where love and forgiveness comes, bringing unity and healing!

1 John 1:6-7 "if we claim to have fellowship with HIM, yet walk in darkness, we lie and don't live by the TRUTH. But, if we walk in the light, as HE is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of JESUS, HIS SON, purifies us from every sin!

-eric

What Has GRACE done for you?

Had this question thrown our way:

Thought it was good, to share it here.

The question is again, "in what real way has the GRACE of JESUS effected or done for you?"

I really like what Paul says to Titus about GRACE:
Paul says: "It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age."
Titus 2:12

When folks around here, leave everything and learn about HIS GRACE, these same things take place (we've seen them over and over again!) Praise the LORD!

They:

• Start to understand the Scriptures like never before, its like the lights go on, when reading/studying scripture.
• Sin starts to simply 'fall off', of you. You will sin less, and then much less!
• 
  Joy and the fruit of the SPIRIT, manifest. You start to love the unloveable and care like you never have before.
• 
  You start to manifest, more of the 'gifts of the SPIRIT', which run on LOVE/GRACE
  You now have the 'true Gospel', and a true message to the 'lost' out there.
• 
  You will usually offend (not intentionally) many of the church going folks out there. They stumble over the simplicity of the GOSPEL and stumble over CHRIST Himself.
  
• Your finances will change, and you will live under real, experienced favour. And now able to give out to those around you.

We've experienced this and seen these same results many times over.
It all manifests, as you grown in GRACE.

Its Awesome, its the beginning to everything in the Kingdom and we never exhaust HIS LOVE nor get to the bottom of GRACE.


-eric

Grace Pt 3 - Debate Answer.

I've been in my share of debates, which become much more serious when you learn and fall into GRACE.

You see when you are under the Law (legalism) or what is sometimes called 'self effort', it doesn't matter what religion you are in. They all have their 'set of rules', even the Christian Religion. Its simply; 'here are the rules, and now you follow them'!

The problem is no one can!

So this debate when on!

I changed the name to 'Allen' in this post, from the real person.

Here is my answer of GRACE and JESUS alone - nothing else, no religion only HIM!
______________________________________

Note: Allen had a home church, but ran it like normal church or IC is what we call it.
institutional Church
______________________________________

Dear Allen, simply if you ADD anything to JESUS you put yourself under
man made religion. Because its simply "JESUS ONLY" not JESUS plus (something).

JESUS ONLY!

And the only law left for those in GRACE (as some definitely are here)
is LOVE.

LOVE is ONLY what is best for the other person, its never for self (thats lust).
LOVE does no harm to anyone. Romans 13:10

Trying to keep or make issue of any laws like tithing, sabbath keeping, bible reading, going to church (this place to worship or that place) etc..
is forcing to control people, instead of allowing them freedom to
worship the LORD directly and spontaneously.

In marriage and family, I would rather have my wife or sons give me
something written on a scrap piece of paper, spontaenously out of love, (from the heart) rather than go out and buy the fanciest card, and simply sign their name to it.

You see one is 'of the heart', the other is 'mechanical, out of duty'.

GOD reminds us to seek HIM with our whole heart. Jeremiah 29:13

OR to LOVE the LORD your GOD... which is the first and greatest and only command. Luke 10:27

So there is absolutely no obligation but rather a willingness, a desire.

Once you enter GRACE, which is really what HIS kingdom is all about,
everything will change for you, and your spiritual eyes will be opened
as Paul prayed that same prayer for the Ephesians 1:18

You will read the Bible in a whole new way.
Your prayer life will change, and answer will come forth in the miraculous.
Your fellowship will grow, and you will do nothing to make it such.
Your quality of worship will be a complete joy (great fun) as you experience the 'joy of the LORD' in HIS presence, where
is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for ever more.
Psalm 16:11

The true secret is in dying to gain.
Weakness becomes strength.

Are you ready to 'die' to all your legalistic ideas?
How do we all know?
We were all at one time, just like you! We know!

This 2011 could be the greatest year for you and your family and your friends
as you enter into HIS Kingdom of GRACE, and have HIS Kindom enter you.

-eric