I Timothy 4: 4-6    Paul reinforces that Every Creature that God Created is Good. This is to directly contradict the false doctrines which were being taught by those who have turned away from the faith and whose conscience is seared, as mentioned in verse 2. These people teach to abstain from certain meats and animals, which are considered God’s creatures as well as not to marry - which is considered an honorable action of God’s creatures. In Genesis 1:31 we see where God has declared His creation to be good. It was not until the fall of man when God cursed creation: Genesis 3:14-19 (the ground, man and woman). It is the blood of Jesus; the Ultimate Sacrifice; and the Perfect Lamb that breaks the curse from the fall of man. Both creations animals and humans are to be received with thanksgiving and not to be refused. They are sanctified (rid of all impurities) by the Word of God, Jesus, and through our prayers - the unclean is made clean.   In Roman 14: 5-6, Paul states that God cares not about sacred days or meats, but it is the “Thanksgiving” of the heart that God hears and receives. In Proverbs 18:22, Solomon states that he who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. So any teachings that teaches that one MUST sustain from these two creatures, does not teach the Truth of God or the Word of God.    In verse 6 (AMP), Paul tells Timothy if you continually remind the brethren (fellow Christians) of the Truth he would be a good steward and a good minister of Jesus Christ.   II Peter 1: 1-15 (AMP) reveals to us a progression of growth for ministers of Jesus Christ.  In verse 1 Peter identifies himself as an apostle (one who is sent by Jesus). Peter also identifies to whom he is writing to, those who have also obtained like-precious faith; to those who have received and also know as brethren or fellow Christians. Notice that after Peter’s greeting he goes right into a prayer of impartation.   Grace (God’s favor) and peace be multiplied (which implies an increase thru progression). Peter goes on to show that such a progression can only be gained through the knowledge of God, and thru Jesus our Lord. In verse 3 you see where Peter clearly shows that it is through Jesus divine power that He has given us or has bestowed ALL things that pertain unto a life of godliness. Looking at the words “has bestowed” indicates that this is something that has already occurred. Understanding the word “pertains”, which mean requisite and suited. Let’s define the words requisite, suited and the word life: Requisite means required, indispensable, can not be exempt or excused. Suited means needed to adapt. Life means the property or quality by which living organism are distinguished, (recognized as being different) from dead organism. A quality that separates being alive from being dead.  II Peter 1:3 is telling us that Jesus Christ through His divine power has already equipped us with ALL the required, indispensable Things that can not be exempt or excused, needed to adapt to a life of godliness, and a quality that distinguishes between being alive or dead.   In verse 4 Peter tells us  the purpose of the given of such a impartation, is so that through these precious and great promises we can escape from moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world and become partakers/sharers of the divine nature.         Roman 8:29 {AMP: “For those whom He foreknew (of whom He was aware and loved beforehand), He also destined from the beginning (foreordaining them) to be molded into the image of His Son (and share inwardly His likeness), that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.”    In verse 5 Peter says, “Add your diligence (preserving, continue despite obstacles) and employ every effort in exercising your faith to reach a development”.    Natural Definition:                                                              Add- To join or unite                                                    Employ- to put into service                                           Develop - To realize the possibility of; or to grow unfold; expand gradually          Spiritual Definition:   Add- In agreement with Employ- exercising your faith Develop – To mature spiritually II Peter 1: 5-7 lists seven (7) steps of progression to spiritual growth: Virtue Knowledge Self control Steadfastness Godliness/Piety Brotherly Love Christian Love/Charity  Step 1: Virtue - Moral excellence which can only be gained through Jesus Christ   Romans 5:1{AMP}: “THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)”   II Cor.5:21 {AMP}: “For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].”   Step 2: Knowledge - Enlightenment, not Intelligence or memorizing.   II Tim. 2:15: “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.”   * The next five (5) steps are manifestation of faith in action:   Step 3: Self Control- Temperance, even tempered   Step 4: Steadfastness- Constantly and becomes habitual Step 5: Godliness/Piety- Devoutness to God Step 6: Brotherly Love- Choosing to extend to another Step 7: Christian Love- Unconditional, choosing is not a factor.    In your spiritual development to maturity you must apply these steps in order to be victorious. First one must come into the fold as a believer of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savoir (virtue). Next one must study the Word of God to be enlightened about God’s desires for and from us. Next we have to put into service (employ) self control to train the flesh. Once this step is mastered you enter into steadfastness which is constant exercising of ones faith and understanding of God’s principles. After the application becomes habitual ones understanding becomes deeper and then one sees God’s will over their own and therefore applies God’s principles as a service unto God and no longer unto man. One begins to no longer seeks mans approval but seeks God’s approval. With the next step although one realizes God approval is far better than mans. There is still a tendency to pick and choose when we like to operate on such a level which is then consider brotherly love, indicating that you are feeling like extending yourself. The last maturity step is Christian love which means it has nothing to do with how you feel. It is unconditional with no questions asked. These steps are to be applied to every area of life.   Question: Can one operate in level 3 (Self Control) in one area of life and on level 6 (brotherly love) in another area and have a full grasp of level 7 (Christian love) in another area?   Answer: YES. For no one is perfect and we as the body of Christ will not reach perfection until we are reunited with our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ.   Question: Is it possible to fall off a step/level? And what do we do when we fall?   Answer: YES. Again we are not perfect because of the flesh that we carry with us. But thank God that we have a mediator who paid the penalty for our sins and because of this we can go directly to God through Jesus Christ and ask for forgiveness. Once we receive God’s forgiveness we are to get right back on the step we were on. Now in some case one may have to refresh their understanding of God’s principles and therefore have to go back to step 2 (knowledge) and then continue on from there.   I Timothy 4: 1-3 Paul wrote the book of Timothy. The purpose of this book/letter is to counsel Timothy in regards to Reverent Worship and the organization of the “Church.” In Chapter 4 Paul instructs Timothy in exhortation to the faithfulness in maintaining truth amid surrounding errors.   Definitions: Exhort - urge to a course of action; incite; admonish Maintaining - preserve; keep; support; provide for Amid- in the midst of or surrounded by Errors- a deviation from truth; a mistake; an inaccuracy   Accountability Factor: The church, the body of Jesus Christ was left behind here on earth just like Timothy was in Ephesus to complete a work. To exhort, urge, incite and admonish others to faithfulness in preserving, keeping and supporting the Truth ( the Gospel) while being surrounded by errors. “Kingdom building while here on earth.”     In Chapter 4 Paul address three points: 1. Paul retells briefly what is to happen during the period of Apostasy. 2. Speak on Christian liberty 3. Gives Timothy direction/instructions in the area of respect to/for himself and conducting himself  in dealing with the people in Ephesus.   Note: Paul starts off this chapter with “Now the Spirit speaketh” [KJV] or “But The Holy Spirit distinctly and expressly declares” [AMP]. Establishing and recognizing that the Holy Spirit – God’s Spirit is the author and the inspiration of the scriptures.   In verse 1: It tells us of a time when some shall depart, turn away from the faith. This time will occur during the Dispensation of Grace, which covers from the Day of Pentecost to the end of the Tribulation [Acts 2:1 through Rev 19: 21]. This time is also called the time of Apostasy.   Understanding of the word Apostasy: Apostasy - total desertion of one’s professed principles, faith or party. Abandonment of a former allegiance (loyalty owed to) as to one’s religious faith. During my studies a word that was used in the place of Apostasy was defect. Defect means abandon one cause to join another cause.   Now with this understanding lets view these terms in a spiritual eye. Apostasy: total desertion of one’s professed (Rom. 10: 9-10) principles, faith (I Tim. 3:16) or party (Mat. 6:24). Note that the knowledge and understanding of a principle must first be reach and agreed with before one can turn away as Paul states in I Tim 4:1.   Note that during the Dispensation of the Law we saw the spirit of rebellion for various reasons: lack of knowledge, understanding, and impatience from God’s chosen people the Israelites. This is not to be confused with the spirit of Apostasy which is a deliberate turning away once and understanding and professing of one’s faith has already occurred. It is the turning away from one party to join another. In the Spiritual realm there are only two parties, The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. Paul only briefly speak of this time in I Timothy 4:1 to get in depth understand see II Thessalonians 2:1-7.            Paul states in verse 2 that the only way one can turn away from the faith and persuade others to join along with them is a person of a seared [cauterized] conscience.   How does one who once believed evolve into such a state? In verse 1 it is shown that it is a progressive evolvement. Phase One        Paying attention to deluding and seducing spirits Phase Two       Entertaining their (the deluding and seducing spirits) False doctrine Phase Three     Sitting under demonic teachings The first phase is designed to be an eye catcher, then once one decides that they enjoy the view. The next step is entertainment of the mind. Considering and visualizing one self engaging in false doctrine [Gal 1:7 ]. Final step is agreeing and joining and sitting under demonic teachings. Basically choosing to entertain and practice any command or doctrine or teaching that God forbids is man, angel or demonic worship. God has approved all meats [ Acts 10:15] and marriage [Gen. 2:18]. These are the two example that Paul mentions in verse three. With all things search and study what Gods word says.   “In all Things get Understanding”. May God Bless You     Minister Trish Thomas     The Only Way to God is Through Jesus   Many people believe that all religions are equal, that God had revealed Himself to different people and cultures in different ways and that, basically - all roads lead to God.  Actually, it is not wise to follow a religion – you must know that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior and follow His lead, since salvation can only be found in Jesus. According to John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me”.   I bring this up because I believe that there are many people out in the world who are similar to that man, people who pride themselves on being "accepting" and all-inclusive in their view on the various faiths and religions. Some people feel that as long as you believe in a higher power, you will be all right. As long as you are "spiritual" (whatever that means), then everything will fall into place. Well, although it is well and grand to respect the views of others, the Bible teaches us that there truly is only “One” way to God - and it is through Jesus Christ! Here are a few study verses:   John 11:25, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the Life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” Acts 16:30-31, He asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” 1 Corinthians 3:11, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” John 3:36, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” The Bible makes it very clear that all roads do not lead to God. And if you believe that every “religion” is fine or that they are all basically the same - you are obviously not reading your Bible.   People and religions will try to teach you that you have to perform certain rituals to be saved; do good works;  follow some man's teachings; or pay homage to some idol. The Bible says that there is nothing we can do on our own to merit grace and that our works are as filthy rags. Again, there is only one way and through one Person that we can be saved:   Romans 10:9-10, 13, “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” John 3:18, “He that believeth on Him (Jesus) is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Mathew 10:32-33, (Jesus speaking), "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God; and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” It is very clear of how we must proceed to see the kingdom. Sacrificing fruit and cigarettes to statues and idols will not get you saved nor will it get you any closer to the kingdom. Following the Torah, Koran or Buddha will not save you. nor will positive affirmations. You don't need to do penance or ask Mary to intercede for you.  Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” What name is being referred to? The name Jesus Christ! Many people want to lump Christ in with a bunch of other so-called religious leaders. But you cannot say that Jesus was just a great teacher or only another prophet. Jesus did not claim to be teaching mankind the truth; He claimed that He was Truth! Christ is not just a religious leader among many religious leaders. Only Jesus Christ claimed to be and was God in human flesh. As a matter of fact, when Jesus asked the Jewish authorities why they wanted to stone Him, they replied, “For a good work we stone thee not: but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God” (John 10:33). Did Jesus lie when He said that He was God?   Only God can forgive sins. Only God could make a way for a sinful man to make it to heaven. And Jesus Christ came down to earth to do just that:   1 Corinthians 15:21-22, "For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." 2 Corinthians 5:21, "For he hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 1 Peter 3:18, "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit." 1 Timothy 3:16, "God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory." John 3: 17 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” So if you believe in Jesus, you must believe that He was who He said He was, God, and that He did what He said He did, which is died on the cross for the sins of the world. Jesus did not say choose a way. He said, "I am the Way."   And if you don't believe in Jesus and, instead, you choose to reject His shed blood in exchange for some other way, expect to face an eternity of suffering in hell.   John 3:36, "He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." We live in a world of many. There are many places to visit or live, many different styles of clothes and music, and many people from all walks of life with varied backgrounds and heritages. You have 500 cable channels with an assortment of programs to watch, 10 or more Internet providers, and even at the ice cream parlor there are 31 flavors to choose from. But there is only one way and one correct choice concerning matters of the soul -- Jesus Christ! You may think that that sounds narrow, but that is what God has proclaimed.   Matthew 7:13-14, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”  I hope that you are not someone who gets lost on the way on the rainbow of religions, but that instead you find the straight path to Jesus Christ.   And, remember, those other religion leaders or idols were just sinful men or man-made materials. Jesus Christ is God. Those other religion leaders died and the dust of their bodies is still in the grave. Only Christ rose from the dead. Those other religions say that you have to "work" towards an ultimate prize. Only Jesus came down from heaven to be crucified for your sins so that He could make a way for you to be with Him in heaven. Why would you even want to try some other way? When the bible teaches us that there is only “ONE” way.   God Bless You, and we pray that you choose the only way to the kingdom.     Biblical Women that were Changed by Jesus   One great thing about the Bible is that although it is filled with different people from different times, it speaks to each and every one of us right where we are today. In this lesson, we want to introduce you to three different women - three women who met Jesus and their lives were forever changed for the better, but first answer this question:   Are you a “crooked” woman? Have you done some things that if you had to face God right now, you would not be able to hold your head up proudly?  Do you have a lot of “personal” issues? Have you been running here and there trying to find the one thing that would be the answer to all of your problems?  Have you done some sinful things that you are “ashamed” of? Are you living in sin right now?  Are you still looking for Mr. Right, but settling for Mr. Right now?  If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, then maybe one of these women that you are about to read about will speak to your heart. And maybe you will come to see that you, too, need to meet Jesus, as these women did.   The first story is about a woman who was crooked. Now, I don't mean that she was doing things that were illegal or dishonest. This woman's body was actually bent over and crooked, but even though your body may not be crooked and bent, some of you may be able to relate to this woman because you haven't been living your lives as straight as you should.   Here are some examples of some "crooked" behavior: Are you someone who lies so much that it has become second nature? You lie on your taxes, you lie to your boss, you lie to your friends, and you lie to your children and husband? Sure, to you they are just little white lies, but they are lies nonetheless.   Or maybe you steal. You haven't ever robbed a bank, but maybe you steal "small" stuff. For example, that illegal cable that you've got hooked up, or those bootlegged videos and CDs that you bought. And what about sneaking your children into the movies at the kid's price, when you know that your child is already a teenager. And remember that time that cashier gave you too much change or did not charge you for an item in your basket? Well, when you kept your mouth shut about it and walked out the store feeling as though it was your lucky day or a blessing - you were stealing and walking crooked. So if you now see that your walk has been a little bit crooked, let's read about another crooked woman:   Luke 13:10-12, "And He (Jesus) was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no way lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him, and said unto her, “Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And He laid His hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.”   For 18 years this woman was walking crooked. How many years has it been for you? How long have you been rebelliously doing things your way? When you are living a crooked life, it can be fun for a while. But the thing that you may not realize is that sin has a price. ·         Romans 6:23 tells us. “For the wages of sin is death." ·         Galatians 6:7 says, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."   Some of us have been walking crooked so long, that we don't even have a guilty conscience about it anymore. But someday you will face God and be accountable for every crooked act that you thought you got away with. You will reap what you have sown. Don't you know that when you sin and live a crooked life, you end up wasting your time? You are settling for the devil's trinkets when perhaps God wants to unloose you and really show you His power. You are letting Satan rule you and you may not even know it. This woman in the Bible could not enjoy life to the fullest because of her crooked condition, and neither will you if you continue on that way. Don't you want Jesus to set you free and straighten out your life? He is waiting to tell you the words, "Woman, thou art loosed." You don't have to be crooked. You can choose to be free and upright. Meet Jesus and let Him straighten out the crooked areas of your life.   And if you have already met Jesus heart to heart, you need to do what this woman did. The end of that verse said, "And she glorified God." Christian woman, glorify God in all that you do!   Now, here is the second type of woman. This was a woman who had some problems, and she spent a lot of time and money going from person to person trying to find the answers, but one day she finally came to the one and only person who can truly help you to solve your problems - Jesus.   Mark 5:24-28, "And Jesus went with him; and much people followed Him, and thronged Him. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, when she had heard of Jesus, came in and pressed behind, and touched his garment. For she said, “If I may touch but his the hem of His garment, I shall be made whole." How many of you resembled this woman at first? She spent all that she had going to physicians to heal her problem. We, too, have problems, "issues" in our life, and we run here and there trying to find a solution. We often think, maybe this relationship will make me happy; maybe this money will bring me joy; maybe getting high or drunk will make my problems go away; maybe I won't be lonely if I have sexual relations with him or her; maybe speaking to a therapist will help me sort out my life; maybe if I go back to school, I will feel worthwhile; or maybe if I just keep busy, I won't see how empty my life really is.  Just like this woman, we try and have time for everything, except for the only thing that could deliver us from our problems – the Lord. But then this woman came to her senses. It took 12 years, but then she finally said, If I go to Jesus and just touch the hem of His garment, I know I will be made whole. What do you think happened once she went to Jesus?   Mark 5:29-34, "Straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that virtue had gone out of Him, turned Him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto Him, “Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest Thou who touched me?” And He looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before Him, and told him all the truth. And He said unto her, “Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague."   If Jesus is your Lord, you need to have the faith that this woman finally had and take all of your cares and concerns to Christ. Stop trying to fix things your way, you way is the wrong way. And stop going to all of those other people seeking fulfillment. That godless therapist or flesh-seeking man can't help you. None of them will love you the way Jesus will. That book or manual from school doesn't even have the answer. You don't need a manual. You need Immanuel! And here is some more good news for you: If you are still carrying the emotional scars because your earthly father or ex-husband has made you feel worthless, Jesus is ready to call you "daughter." Go to Jesus. Ask Him to adopt you into His family and become a child of God. The Lord will hear you when you call. He will feel you when you share your heart with Him. And He will put back together the broken pieces of your life and make you whole, like He did with that woman. So woman, if you don't yet know Jesus, you need to meet Him today! And now let's look at one final woman. This woman was a known prostitute. She was looked down upon in the city, but she too, sought out Jesus Christ, because she knew that He had the power to change her life.     Luke 7:37-38, “And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with ointment." How many women can you think of that are prostituting themselves with Mr. RIGHT-NOW? We do it for love, lust or material gain. Either way, if you are having sex outside of marriage, the Bible calls that behavior fornicating, and the Bible is against this act. If that man does not want you to be his wife, you don't need to be with him!   Well, the prostitute we read about in Luke finally saw her sins for what they really were and went to seek out Jesus. She did not care what other people thought of her -- the Pharisee or anybody else. She knew they would talk about her behind her back, but getting to Jesus was the most important thing to her. She was ready to humble herself at Jesus' feet.   Christian woman, are you letting the opinions of certain people keep you from admitting your need for Jesus? Maybe you know that your life isn't right, but you are too scared of what people might think if you suddenly started talking about your need for Jesus, so you say and do nothing. Maybe your family or your boyfriend are not Christians, and you don't want them to think that you have suddenly gone "Holy." Or maybe you just don't go to Jesus because you don't want to give up the "benefits" of your whoredom. Don't you realize that Jesus will love you more and give you more of the things that really matter than any man here on earth? But be warned, Jesus said if you are ashamed of Him here on earth, He will be ashamed of you when He stands before His Father in heaven. And, if you are already a Christian woman, here is a question for you: Does your faith show publicly, or are you an undercover or closet Christian? Are you so busy trying to be politically correct and so sold out to this world, that the Lord can't even use you? Well, this woman in the Bible cried real tears of repentance. She saw her life and knew the mistakes she had made and was ready to make a change. She realized that Jesus would accept her if she humbled herself. She had heard of Christ's love.   Well, let's see how the hypocritical Pharisee responded and what Jesus said of the woman. Luke 7:39, "When the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him; for she is a sinner. "And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he (Simon) saith, Master, say on. "There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed 500 pence, and the other 50. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? "Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. "And he (Jesus) said unto him, thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. "He said unto her, thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he (Jesus) said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." Again, this woman realized how big of a sinner she was, and when she saw Jesus, she was not ashamed to fall at His feet and worship Him. She did not care what other people thought of her. She knew that Jesus had the power to forgive her of her sins. And she loved him so much for forgiving her, that she publicly humbled herself before him. But that verse says, "To whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." So if you have not yet humbled yourself at Jesus' feet, maybe it is because you don't realize how much you deserve hell. Have you ever really looked at your life and saw yourself for the sinner you are? Have you ever realized how much God has forgiven you for and that He hasn't punished you as you deserve to be punished? If your love for the Lord is not great -- so great that your life has been transformed -- maybe it is because you don't have a clue about the sacrifice Christ made or what He has done on your behalf. Woman, you cannot wash Christ's feet, but you can worship Him by the way you live your life. Turn from your wicked ways, ask for the Lord's forgiveness, and then go out into the world and make the Lord proud. Your life will never truly have peace until you do what all of these women did and get right with God. Let Jesus change you!   God Bless you, and we pray that you will find that ever-lasting peace with the Lord.     Satan’s goal is to Steal your Sword, so Protect your Weapon!   Do you know one of the surest ways to defeat your enemy? Disarm them. Your enemy will easily defeat you if they themselves are strong and you are standing before them powerless - without a weapon.   Our “weapon” is our bible. Our bible is our Sword, and Satan knows that there is power in God's Word, so he will go out of his way to try to steal your Sword from you. He does this by persuading you to not read your bible at all. Then if that doesn’t work, and he realizes that you still have an interest in the bible, Satan will try to get you to doubt that you have the ability to understand your bible. He will make you believe that you need someone “stronger” in the word to tell you what the bible really says. Then once he has planted the seed of doubt, he will lead you on a wild goose chase and paper trail of reading and believing everything, except your bible. Please, don't neglect the reading of God's Word, and don't let your bible be stolen from you!   Today, so called biblical “experts” may tell you that we no longer have God's Word in its perfect form and that "the originals" were lost, but God's Word promises us otherwise.   Isaiah 40:8, “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.” Luke 21:33, "Heaven and earth shall pass away; but My words shall not pass away”. Psalm 12:6-7, "The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purifid seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O’Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation forever”. Matthew 5:18, “For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”  God’s Word promises us that God can and has preserved His Word for us. Why would you think that this would be something too hard for God to do? Who are you going to believe, God or man? If God says He has preserved His Word, I believe Him. I say let God be true and let every man be a liar. One sure way to know that we do not need the commentaries of so called bible experts to help us to understand God's Word:   1 John 2:27, “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you, but as that same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him.” James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Psalm 19:7-8, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.” Proverbs 2:1-7, “My son, if thou wilt receive My words, and hide My commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous.” God promises us that all of the knowledge we need can be found in His Word. God promises to reveal to us His Word. When we don't understand a passage in the Bible, God tells us that all we have to do is seek His face and He will show us what His Word means. God wants us to come to Him for the answers. He wants us to study His Word, not man-made commentaries. He wants us to put our faith in Him.   1 Peter 2:2, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby.” 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him: For he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Don’t you know that the Word of God is where the wisdom and the power is? God didn't promise to preserve man's commentaries. God didn't say you would grow by reading an expert’s thesis on the Bible. What did God say? Hebrews 4:12, “For the Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” There is a place for other study material, but study God's Word above all else! Read the Bible for Yourself:   The reason why you should pray, read your Bible, and ask God to provide understanding of His Word instead of relying on and being carried by the words of others, is very simple. You will never grow spiritually in understanding if you are always relying on someone else to break it down for you. You will miss out on the wonderful blessing that occurs when you yourself seek knowledge straight from the Bible and God reveals His Word to your heart. You will never truly trust that you know what you have learned if someone else has given you all the answers.   Isaiah 28:9-10, “Whom shall He teach knowledge? And whom shall He make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.” Ephesians 4:14-16, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” Hebrews 5:12-14, “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” A Masters Degree does not make you an Expert: Have you ever been so impressed by bible “experts” and people with Master degrees that you are allowing them to take you away from the one and only true Master - our Lord? Are you so busy looking for a manual to teach you Biblical truths that you have forgotten about trusting in God to teach you? Have you spent so much energy reading thousands of books, journals, and papers, but have yet to read your bible all the way through even one time? Stop what you are doing, and start trusting and believing in God’s promises. Pray that the Lord opens your eyes and speaks to your heart and then READ YOUR BIBLE. God has already told you that you have no need for anyone else to teach you. Don't you want to put away the “milk”, and start eating solid “meat” straight from God? Psalm 118:8, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”  Ignore the so-called bible “experts” who tells you that we no longer have God's infallible Word:   As a Christian, you should have already read and know that God promised that we would have His Word forever. Therefore, for a man to tell you otherwise, that man is obviously either in rebellion against God, or that man is very confused - why would you waste your time reading the ramblings of such a man?   Warnings against those that rebel against God’s Word:   Colossians 2:8, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." 2 Timothy 3:1, 5, 7, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers ... having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." 2 Peter 2:1-3, "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you." For someone to contradict God by saying that we no longer have the inspired Word of God, this shows that that person is a scorner of God and a fool. Some men get so puffed up with their own knowledge that they become blind to the truth that is right in front of them. Proverbs 14:6, "A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not; but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth." Ezekiel 13:3, "Thus saith the Lord God; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!" Proverbs 15:14, "The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness." Romans 1:22-23, "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man..." Please do not be overly impressed with these men. They are themselves lost and unstable. Do you think God is impressed with the man with the Ph.D. who is telling the brethren that the Lord was unable to preserve His Word? Do not let such men confuse you or cause you to doubt God. 2 Peter 3:17 “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.” 1 Corinthians 3:18-23, “Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God: for it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men: for all things are yours...And ye are Christ's and Christ is God’s.” 2 Timothy 4:2-4, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” Jude 1:17-18, “But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.”   Lastly, you must know that you have a Bible that is without error that you can understand with only the Holy Spirit's help, and you should not allow anyone to take away your Sword.   God Bless you!   Are you Saved, or Ready to Die?   To be “saved” does not simply mean that you know that Jesus died on the cross and that He is God. Even the devil knows that much, but the devil is not saved. Being saved does not just mean that you know John 3:16 by heart (For God so loved the world...). Even the devil can quote scripture. To be saved does not mean that you walked to the front of church when they had an altar call and that you mumbled a few words and then continued to live any way you pleased.   To be saved means that at some point you realized that you are a sinner that is destined for hell! Why are you destined to enter hell? You are destined to enter hell because you have broken God's commandments. You have either stolen, lied, cheated, lusted after someone, hated, had false gods in your life, used God's name in vain, dishonored your mother and father, coveted something that belonged to someone else, have not obeyed other teachings within God’s word, or you have not loved the Lord , your God, with all of your heart, mind and soul. And if you say you have not done one or all of those things, you are breaking God's commandment right now by lying! For the Bible reads, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8).   1 John 1:10, "If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us”.  So, again, being saved means that “first” you must see God's righteousness and realize that you have broken God's laws and commands by your unrighteousness.   Understand that being saved means that you recognize that a righteous, just, and Holy God requires that a price must be paid by those who have broken the Law, and His commandments. Just as a judge in a courtroom requires those who break the laws of society to pay for their crime. What is the penalty for breaking God's laws?   Revelation 21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”   So even if your only transgression was a lie, you are counted as a lawbreaker who must pay the price.   Understand that being saved means that you realize that nothing you could do on your own could save yourself, i.e., church membership doesn’t save you, joining the choir does not save you, good works alone doesn’t save you, and giving an offering doesn’t save you. You are saved by being “washed in Christ's blood”. Jesus died on the cross to pay our debt, He did not owe because we owed a debt that we could not pay.   2 Corinthians 5:21, "For He hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”   John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”   Acts 4:12, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” It is God's grace, Christ's blood, and our faith that saves us, not our good works.  Ephesians 2: 8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast”.  Salvation can be yours if you turn from your sins, turn to God, believe that Jesus died for your sins, and ask Christ into your life as your Lord and personal Savior: "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19). "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).   So, have you asked Christ to be your Savior and Lord?   If your answer to the question was “Yes”, then this is for you.   If you are truly saved, evidence of it will be revealed in your life. Nothing that we can do on our own will save us, but if you are truly saved and born again and Christ is your Lord, then it should be His voice and instructions that you obey. You should walk and talk the way that He wants you to. His will must come before all others.   As long as you live on this earth, you will be tempted by sin, but as believers we should strive to live holy and righteous lives. If you are still comfortable sinning, then maybe you are not really saved. 2 Corinthians 5: 17 reads, "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new".   Are you a new creature? Has the old flesh been renewed by God? Don't fool yourself into believing that Jesus dying on the cross automatically gives you the liberty to do as you please. If today you are still lying, stealing, fornicating, hating, dishonoring your mother and father, taking the Lord's name in vain, or breaking any of God's other commandments with no fear of the Lord and no concern over your unrighteous behavior, I would say you are probably not saved at all. You are just fooling yourself and will one day face God's wrath. You require another “dose” of God’s mercy.   Romans 6:1-2, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"   Hebrews 10:26-27, "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries."   We pray that you are truly saved, it would be sad for even one person, especially an assumed Christian, to die and go to hell because we didn't take the time to tell them how to get to heaven. Now you have been shown the truth. You can make a decision today that will change where you spend eternity!   John 3:36, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." Are you Saved? Choose life over death.   God Bless You!     God's Word Is Vitally Important Matthew 4:4 (NIV): “Jesus answered, It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. " When Jesus faced the devil's temptations as recorded in Matthew chapter four (The Temptation of Jesus), His first response was to quote Deuteronomy 8:3. God wants you to learn the same lesson that Jesus knew, nothing is more important than God's Word. Without the Word, your life will be less than what God intends. The Word of God is vitally important! Deuteronomy 8:2-3 (NIV):  “Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands”. “He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” This lesson was what God intended for Israel to learn in the wilderness, but sadly, most of them missed it, and countless shared regret. When Joshua was taking command of the Israelites after Moses' death, God wanted to make sure Joshua understood the lesson. So, He gave him directions for success - which are: speak God's Word, think God's Word, and do God's Word. Those instructions have never changed. They are as valid for you today as they were for Joshua then. Joshua 1: 8 (NIV): “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Please repeat this sentence three times aloud: “God's Word is necessary for me to enjoy life as God intended it to be.” May God bless you, as you begin to meditate on His word day and night. God Bless You. WACC   Does God not Feed the Birds?   Matthew 6:26 (NIV) “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”   Have you ever watched birds eating on a snowy day? It takes some effort on their part. They don't just sit in a heated house waiting for someone to bring them food.   What do you think, is God feeding them, directly or indirectly? Jesus stated clearly that God is the one who provides food for the birds. This implies that God provides for every creature. Yet, if a bird sits still, instead of gathering the food God has provided for them, they will starve. Yes, the birds can be a good lesson for us. They don't worry. Neither should we. They gather what God provides for them. So should we. Does this make sense? I don't know whether the birds are thankful to God, or not. But we should be thankful. And we should recognize that God is the “Source” of all the good that we enjoy in life. So work, but don't worry. If you are unable to normal work, still don't worry, because God cares for All of His creation and He will provide for you somehow. Please repeat this sentence three times aloud: “God cares for the birds, so I know He will take care of me”. May God bless you, as you see His provisions for you come to past. WACC     Keep Thanking God 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 CEV Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do. There are many things in life we may not understand. But we can understand this verse, and know that God gave these instructions for our benefit, to help us -- not because God is so insecure that He needs constant thanks. When bad things happen, what should we do? Will it help to gripe and complain and feel sorry for ourselves? No. That only makes things worse. When bad things happen they seem to contradict belief in the goodness and care of God. But we must remember that there is an enemy, the devil, who is out to steal our faith, our peace, and our joy. We are commanded in Scripture to resist him, staying strong in our faith. Giving thanks is a powerful way to resist the devil. Even when we do not understand, and it seems like things are out of control and going downhill fast -- we must force ourselves to stay in faith and be thankful. (I am not saying God is responsible for evil, or to thank God for evil. Instead, I am saying we can thank God for what He is doing, and what He has already done for us in the sacrifice of Jesus -- no matter what may be happening.) 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 NLT   No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Please repeat this sentence three times aloud: I will keep thanking God, no matter what happens. Merry Christmas: WACC   Good Will Overcome Evil Roman 12:21 (NIV) “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” There seems to be no lack of evil. That gives us an opportunity to overcome. We will be tempted to respond in kind, to strike back at those who hurt us, but that is a bad choice, and one that God does not honor. All it leads to is more pain and misery for more people - including ourselves. The answer is “Divine Love”, the kind that God shares. With God's love inside us, and God helping us, we can return good for the evil that is done to us. That breaks the vicious downward cycle of iniquity and also breaks the power of any demonic stronghold that may attempt to affect us. There are many Christians that think that this will not work in their own situation. Outside of my own testimony, I have personally heard the victorious testimonies of many believers who were tortured, ridiculed, sexually exploited and even beaten by friends, family members, and/or spouses, yet walked in love and overcame the evil situation. It will work! Love is stronger than hate. Good is more powerful than evil. You can walk in victory no matter what anyone does to you, because God loves you and will make a way out of no way. He will bring you light, when your way appears to be dim. God is love, and as long as He reside in you, and you in Him – evil do not stand a chance. Romans 5:5 (NIV): “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.” Hebrews 13:6 (NIV): “So we say with confidence, the Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Please repeat this sentence three times aloud: “With God's love, I will overcome evil with good”. May God bless you, as you begin to overcome evil with good. WACC   Many See God as an Artist Ephesians 2:10 NIV “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”   Look around. See for yourself. God is an artist extraordinaire! When we gaze amongst the heavens, and envision the sun, clouds and birds flying, or look at the infinitely varied forms of life we find surrounding us, and realize that God designed it all, it is easy to be impressed. God is an artist. He is the most brilliant, creative artist ever to exist. But when we look at our own lives and consider what God is doing there, we tend to forget that God is an artist, but He is making something beautiful out of you and your life. You may not see the beauty now, you may not even see any design or evidence that God is working, but you will recognize it someday. God's intention for you is to be much more beautiful and glorious than a sunset or a school of multi-colored fish. And you will be! God will not fail. Some Christians often say, "Wait a minute, I can see plenty of people that God has failed on, and they are anything from beautiful and glorious - inwardly or outwardly." Yes, today, but God is not finished. Many great works of art take a long time. Don't judge too soon! Please repeat this sentence three times aloud:   “God is an artist and He is working on me. Go ahead, God. Let's see what you can do.”   May God bless you, as you see His work or art begins in you. WACC     An Exchange for Prayers   Isaiah 40:31 (NIV): “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint”. Time is precious, our lives are full, and life is always so busy. Many of us think we are too busy to spend time in regular daily prayer, but is that a wise choice? In the Scripture above, the literal meaning is “Those who look to the Lord expectantly will exchange strength.” Prayer is an exchange of strength. God offers to exchange what He has for what we have, and as we spend time looking to Him, this exchange takes place. What strength does God have? He has wisdom, knowledge, understanding, insight, guidance, favor, influence, health, love, and anything else you can think of and everything that we need! When you give your time to God, He reciprocates by giving His time to you. He goes ahead of you and makes your way smooth, giving you favor and guidance so you can walk in victory. God will give you ideas as you wait on Him. Ideas of how to do things better. (For example, I got this message while trying to figure out ways to share God’s word with you). You may think that you don’t have anything God would want, but God wants your love and your trust. As a Christian, you also have God’s delegated authority on Earth, especially as a member of the Body of Christ. Exchanging the little strength you have for the strengths of God is a great trade! Don't miss this wonderful benefit! Please repeat this sentence three times aloud: “I will invest time looking to the Lord expectantly in Prayer” May God bless you, as you begin to seek His Face through Prayer. WACC   Through Christ All Things are Possible   PHILIPPIANS 4:13 NIV “I can do everything through Him who gives me Strength”.   God often makes statements in the Bible that appears to go against how we feel sometimes. There are times when we do not feel so strong. God is trying to move us to a higher plane of faith where we depend on Him and not on ourselves or how we feel.   Some Christians try to evade the issue by saying that a verse only applies to someone else, for example, the Apostle Paul, and not them.   Well, if you don't believe you won't receive help, but help is available. The same help and strength is just as available to you as it was to the Apostle Paul, because the Lord does not play favorites.   Paul didn't say, "I can do all things because I am an apostle." No, it is "through Christ" that he was able to do what he needed to do. And you, as a believer, are in Christ just as much as the Apostle Paul was.   It’s your choice to either step out in faith in God, say you can do it with His help, and watch God raise you up to that level, or slide backwards in fear, and say you cannot do it.   Please repeat this sentence three times aloud:   “I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” May God bless you, as you begin to accomplish All things through Him. WACC     Reverent Worship and the Organization of the “Church” Minister Trish Thomas   Focus Scripture: I Timothy 2:1   Background Information: Paul wrote the book of Timothy.  The purpose of this book/letter is to counsel Timothy in regards to Reverent Worship and the organization of the “Church.”      Teachings: In Timothy 2:1 Paul list four types of Prayer and urges Timothy, that these types of Prayer are fundamental to the organization and worship of the Church.   The Four types of Prayer: ·         Supplication ·         Prayer ·         Intercession ·         Prayer of Thanksgiving   The First type that Paul list is Supplication: The definition of Supplication is an earnest request, earnest meaning serious in purpose or effect; sincere. The Amplified Version uses the word Petition. Jesus’ teachings on Supplication or Petition can be found in the book of Matthew 7:7-11   In Matthew 7:6 Jesus instructs us “Do not give that which is holy (the sacred thing) to the dogs, and do not throw your pearls before hogs, lest they trample upon them with their feet and turn and tear you in pieces.”   We know that our Prayers as Christians are not only our communication with the Father, but it is also our Tool for releasing our Blessings, which makes this communication sacred in itself.    Looking at Prayer as a sacred communication with God the Father through Jesus Christ, we are being warned not to give such things (requests) away to those who do not have the understanding or have gain access to the Father through His Son Jesus Christ. This explains to the word “dogs” being used in the above scripture (Matthew 7:6).   Or to throw your pearls (which are valued as a gem; a precious stone; an object of great beauty or worth) to the hogs. Meaning once you have experience the value that the prayer supplication holds, which is the obtaining things form God in the form of a request. Do not waste your request to hogs, which during the Biblical times were considered unclean.   In Matthew 13:44-46, Jesus gives a couple of parables regarding the Kingdom of Heaven. In these parables it shows that once one has realized what the Kingdom of Heaven holds for them, they are willing to sell all that they have in order to obtain the Kingdom of Heaven. Anyone that does not view gaining the Kingdom of Heaven as a privilege is not worthy of such an access to the Father and of His Blessings.    Supplication is also for the purpose of averting (the warding off; preventing; and the turning away of) evil.   With this understanding of the Prayer of Supplication it is clear that this type of Prayer is for Believers of Jesus Christ only.  Matthew 21:22, John 15:7 and John 14:13-14.   The second type that Paul list is Prayer: Prayer is talking and listening to God. It is an intimate fellowship with God. Prayer is not only asking and asking and asking it also includes listening. Look at the natural relationship.  When there is a relationship where one person does all of the talking and no listening the relationship is consider one-sided and unhealthy. Communication has two sides, talking and listening. A Relationship can only become intimate if there is effective communication.   The Third type of Prayer is Intercession: The Purpose of Intercession Prayer is for both the Believers and Non-believers. It is defined as the act of interceding (to mediate between two contending or opposite parties). When one prays the prayer of intercession it is to request Mercy.  Mercy for a Non-believer, which is asking for compassionate leniency towards an enemy or wrongdoer:  In Romans 11:26-33 Paul goes into detail of how the Judicial Judgment of the Jews came about and how because of this judgment the Gentiles are able to be engrafted into the Kingdom of God. Paul reminds the Gentiles not to be high-minded (puffed up and conceited) due to this fact. Because in verse 26 Paul brings out the fact that God made a covenant with the Jews and God is always faithful to his Word.  Verse 30-32 shows why God put into place this Judicial Judgment of the Jews and included the Gentiles in the engrafting into His Kingdom. IT WAS DONE JUST TO SHOWS GOD”S MERCY ON ALL. In verse 33 it states we cannot find out, search out, or explain GOD’S WISDOM OR KNOWLEDGE OR JUDGMENTS. For “OF HIM” and “THROUGH  HIM” and “TO HIM” are “ALL THINGS”.  “TO WHOM BE GLORY FOREVER! AMEN.”   In Eph. 2:1-7, looking at verse 4-5 it states God who is rich in Mercy has quickened us together with Christ. Or Mercy for a Believer, by requesting care and compassion when it is undeserved:  Believers pray for God’s Mercy because although we are made righteous through Jesus Christ we still do unrighteous acts/sins because of our flesh/sinful nature. This is the Mercy spoken of in Hebrews 8:12  “I will be Merciful and gracious towards their sins and I will remember their deeds of unrighteousness no more.” (Amplified Version)    In the parable of the lost son, Luke 15: 11-21 you see that the son in verse 21 says to the father, I have sinned. In Titus 3:5 which states, “Not by works of Righteousness which we have done, but according to his Mercy he saved us...” You see although we as believers know and have a relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ we still sin.   The Fourth type of prayer is the Prayer of Thanksgiving: Giving thanks for Mercies and Grace (God’s favor) received. Also render through faith of the Mercies and Grace that have not yet been manifested in the natural realm. Jesus teachings on this type of prayer can be found in Luke 17:11-19. This is the parable of the ten lepers.   Note: In verse 13, they lifted up their voices, and said Jesus, Master, have Mercy on us. This establishes that there was already a relationship - they were believers.  In verse 15 you see that out of the ten, there was only one individual that turned back and glorified God, the Amplified version clearly states that one of them, seeing that he was cured, turned back, recognizing and thanking and Praising God with a loud voice.  In verse 19 Jesus told the one who turned back and gave thanks to “Arise and go thy way, Your Faith has made you Whole.”  This command is not only speaking of his physical wholeness but his Spiritual wholeness. In verse 14 Jesus has already told the ten to show themselves to the priest and as they went they were healed. Understand that when the one individual turned back the physical healing was already clear. This shows us that a prayer of thanksgiving, for those things seen and not seen can increase our physical condition as well as our Spiritual state. A believer who has first petition the Father in prayer through Jesus Christ our Mediator can only use this prayer of Thanksgiving.   Paul ends I Timothy 2:1 by instructing that these four types of prayer, Supplication/Petition; Prayer (communication); Intercession and the Prayer of Thanksgiving are designed to be used for All men. As revealed in the above study, there are definitely specific types of prayers that we are to utilize depending on what is the desired result.   In all things gain understanding.   May God Bless You!