Page 303 - Bible Writers Theology Original

The Church was chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, to be "the praise of the glory of His grace" (Ephesians 1:4-6;12; 14). The bom- again believer has become the temple of God. That is to glorify Him in his body, which is indwelt by God's Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19-20). The exhorta tion to the whole body of Christ, which is the Church, is to "offer the sacri
fice o f praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name" (Hebrews 13:15).
The Church is the assembly of the spiritually circumcised which, "wor ship God in the spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:3; I Peter 2:9). Prayer and unfailing diligence to the teaching of Christ should be seen as part of worship (Ephesians 6:18; John 8:18; II John 9).
C Prayer and Fasting
We must know that we saints of the Lord Jesus are called to serve God in His Kingdom. We are called to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. A good soldier of Jesus Christ being in the battlefield cannot entan gle himself with the affairs of this life, but fight a good fight to please Him, who hath chosen him to be a soldier. II Timothy 2:3-4. Jesus said: "He that
loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:37-38).
Prayer and fasting is one of the most important weapons of our warfare that brings us mighty power from God. A soldier cannot be used in the bat tle without gun and bullets, so we are useless without the power of prayer andfastingweapons (Mark9:29;Joel2:12-18;IICor.10:3-4).
• Jesus was our good example. He fasted and prayed 40 days and 40 nights before He entered to the battlefield, and was victorious (Matthew 4:1-11).
• Moses fasted 40 days and 40 nights and was able to deliver the Israelites.
• Elijah prayed and fasted 40 days and 40 nights, he did neither eat bread, nor drink water and was able to destroy the work ofthe devil. • Moses' face shone after fasting and praying in the presence of God
(Exodus 34:28-29).
® Prayer and fasting is talking with God with brokenness of heart and
spirit(Psalm51:14-17;Luke18:9-14;ISamuel 12:16-17).
• It requires repentance and making peace with every one. (Matthew 5:25; Isaiah 58).
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