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Category Archives: Prayer

The True Spirit of Worship

02 Oct
The True Spirit of Worship

In my last post, we began looking at Philippians, chapter 3. Paul is writing about true worship. A lot of people are going to churches to “worship” today. How much of it is truly worship? What is worship? Here’s what we looked at last time.

For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh – though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

Philippians 3:3-4 NIV

The question we need to answer is; do we really put no confidence in our flesh? Especially when it comes to our relationship with God, many believers are driven by their flesh. Paul knew that this was something to watch out for.

He saw the temptation in his own life.

If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

Philippians 3:4-6 NIV

He had the lineage and training to be at the pinnacle of spirituality…if that was what God looked at. However, it’s about our heart, what’s under the surface.

We’re proud of our trained voices and our professional sound. We want to be moved emotionally by our corporate experiences.

Please understand me. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with any of those things – if you’re talking about praise. But here, Paul is talking about true, scriptural worship.

In worship, we put no confidence in our praise, our singing, how long we practiced or even our obedience. The only confidence we have is in Him. That’s why most of what we do in church is actually praise.

Praise can be done loudly and in a group. As a matter of fact, the bigger the group, the more stirring the praise – usually.

Worship is different. It’s intimate. It’s personal – one on one, just me and God. Even if I’m with a crowd of believers, I have to zone them all out and just focus in on the Lord.

This is the essence of worship. Not clapping, shouting, preaching or praying. It’s simply standing in the presence of a holy God and acknowledging who He is. Most of the time worship is done in silence.

Praise is public and exciting. Worship is one on one with the God of the universe. It is where I humble myself before Him and offer Him the glory that is due Him. The Greek word used for worship in the New Testament literally means to lean forward like you do when you are about to kiss someone.

It’s a time of intimacy with God. Worship is coming into the presence of God, and meeting with Him spirit to Spirit. Don’t be satisfied with the status quo, Sunday morning experience. Press into that intimate place with God. Truly enter the spirit of worship and let your inner man find the fulfillment you were created for.

The easiest way to do this is to begin praying in the spirit. That’s how our relationship with God is built, spirit to Spirit. It’s time for God’s people to stir up the spirit of worship within them. Let’s stop calling everything we do in church “worship”. It’s time to simply bask in the presence of a holy God and spend some quality, intimate time with Him.

Question: How often do you worship God in the spirit?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on October 2, 2023 in Music, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Walk, Worship

 

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Spiritual Intimacy

27 Sep
Spiritual Intimacy

We’re continuing our walk through the letter to the Philippians. As we start chapter 3, Paul begins to talk about our spiritual walk with the Lord. There are those who only look at our outward existence.

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh…

Philippians 3:1-3 NIV

In this section, Paul is talking about those who were trying to place Old Testament rules on Gentile believers. It’s about the overcoming church that he writes, “It is we who worship God in spirit.” We are the ones who boast only in Christ. True Christianity places no confidence in flesh.

The Scripture is clear that flesh and blood cannot worship at the level of the spirit. The Biblical picture always shows that in worship, our flesh must be prostrate and silent. That’s why we read things like, “I fell at His feet like a dead man.”

This means that my hands cannot worship God. Neither can my mouth, my feet or my entire body.

Worship can only be an act of my spirit. So, if I don’t understand how my spirit operates, then I really can’t understand true worship.

Let’s start with the basics. God created us all in His image. He is a three-part being – Father, Son, and Spirit. God created us with the same three parts. We have a body, a soul, and a spirit.

Our soul is who we are. It’s the seat of our mind, memories, personality, and emotions. My soul is the real me. When I want to talk to you, it’s not your body I want to talk to, but your soul – the person inside the body.

Your soul is housed in a thing called your flesh or your body. This is the part of your being that allows your soul to interact and communicate in the physical, natural realm. It’s the part of you that can taste, smell, touch, hear, and see.

Unfortunately, this is the part of your being that’s marred by sin. Because Adam chose the path of rebellion, the flesh now desires to be first place in your life. This is what causes most of our trouble.

The third part of our being is our spirit. This is the part of us that allows our soul to interact and communicate in the spiritual realm. This is the dimension where God, angels and demons usually dwell. It’s with your spirit that God desires to have fellowship with you on His level.

At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.

Revelation 4:2 NIV

This is the Apostle John describing what took place just as the Lord was about to show him the Revelation he recorded in the Scripture. He went out of way to let us know that he was not just eating breakfast or reading the newspaper. He was in the spirit.

It sounds like this is a special place. Of course, that’s only logical. Even in our natural lives intimacy with another person requires a special time and place. A man could not be intimate with his wife in the stands at a hockey game.

In the same way, intimacy with God requires a special time and place – that’s being in the spirit. When Jesus talked with the woman at the well, He explained it to her this way…

“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

John 4:24 NIV

That’s the underlying truth – God is spirit. This word, worship, speaks of intimate relationship. How do you have intimacy with a spirit? There’s only one level of interaction, and that’s in the spirit.

That’s why daily prayer in the spirit is so important. It’s the vehicle by which we have intimacy with the Father.

Question: How intimate is your walk with the Lord?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on September 27, 2023 in Legalism, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Walk, Worship

 

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Grace, Faith, and Works

22 Sep
Grace, Faith, and Works

As we go through Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he begins to talk about his purpose. In my last post, we saw that the church was exhorted to walk in purity, shining the light of Christ, and holding forth the Word of God.

Paul told them these things…

…in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

Philippians 2:16 NIV

Paul did not want his labors in the Philippian church to be in vain. Literally, that word means to be empty. But, what is Paul trying to get across to them?

It’s actually an important concept that we need to take note of. Our desire should be that our walk before God is not an empty walk. I want to explain it to you from Scripture.

We first have to start with the grace of God. His grace has been poured out on all of mankind. Some choose to receive it, while others either reject or ignore it.

As believers in Christ, we must receive it with a purpose. Scripture is clear.

As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.

2 Corinthians 6:1 NIV

This is where it begins. The receiving of God’s grace. He has poured it out on us in abundance. But, what are we doing with it? That’s the real question.

So it’s not a matter of obtaining grace. You’ve already got it. You have the grace of God for everything you need. So what’s the problem?

Notice that Paul refers to his audience as God’s fellow workers. Do you see yourself as working alongside God in His field? If not, then that’s where you need to concentrate your prayers.

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

You have the grace, now you need to start putting it to work. Your work, alongside God as a fellow worker, is not empty. It will have an effect. It will make a difference in your life and in those around you.

Grace always has a destination – a purpose – in mind. Receiving God’s grace, and not acting on it, makes for an empty life. All the work you’re doing is worthless.

That brings me to the final piece of the puzzle. We can’t act on God’s grace without a knowledge of God’s will. God’s Word is His will revealed to us. We should already know that faith comes by hearing that Word (Romans 10:17).

This faith has a relationship with grace.

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.

Romans 5:1-2a NIV

Faith gives us access to use the grace we’ve received. We hear God’s will. Faith is birthed I us. We trust that God’s Word is true. Then we act on it.

James understood this concept.

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

James 2:20 NIV

This is an interesting verse because that word, foolish, is the same Greek word, vain that we’ve been talking about. If you don’t take the grace and faith that you’ve been given, and act on them, you’re empty and unfulfilled.

I don’t want an empty, unfulfilled life. I want to accomplish my destiny in the Lord. That will require me to take the grace and faith I’ve been given and use them to work alongside the Lord in His kingdom.

Let that be the desire of your heart!

Question: How are you putting God’s grace to work in your life?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on September 22, 2023 in Faith, Ministry, Power of God, Prayer, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel, Word of God

 

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Work It Out

18 Sep
Work It Out

As we go through Paul’s Philippian letter, we see that he used Christ for our example of victory through obedience. The Lord is now exalted to the highest place of authority. Based upon that, there’s a response we need to walk in.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Philippians 2:12-13 NIV

Now that we’ve seen Christ’s example, we should follow that lead. We must have an obedience to God that takes place even when no one is around to watch us. It’s not about impressing other people.

But, there’s a deeper truth here. He tells us that we need to work out our salvation. That’s something important that we don’t hear preached very much these days. However, in order to understand it, we need to grasp the full scope of our salvation.

First of all, our salvation in Christ is not a “one prayer and it’s done” event. Salvation is an ongoing process. The first step was our redemption from sin, the curse, and hell. In that sense, I was saved.

Then, there’s more that goes along with this. Christ wants to perfect His righteousness and holiness in me. The Holy Spirit is cleaning up my life.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

2 Peter 1:3 NIV

The deeper my knowledge of God, the more I see His hand at work in me. I continue to grow and mature in the spirit. I see more of His will being accomplished in my life. In this sense, I am being saved – the ongoing process.

In order for that to happen, I need to submit to God’s plan for my life. That’s a daily decision to follow His ways. That’s what Paul means by working out your salvation.

The apostle actually says that we work it out with fear and trembling. That’s important. The Greek word for fear in this verse is where we get our word, phobia from.

Think about what that means. For example, if someone has claustrophobia, they will not go into a small space. It affects what they will and will not do.

In the same way, we need to fear not working out our salvation. This fear should affect all that we do. Not because we’re afraid of going to hell – our initial salvation took care of that. But what I fear, is ruining something that Christ paid such a high price to accomplish.

You may be thinking that you could never be good enough or strong enough to do all of this. Well, you’re absolutely right!

That’s where the second half of the passage in Philippians comes in. It literally says that it’s God who energizes you to do what He’s called you to do…. And He gives you the desire to do it. The Lord will put the determination in your heart to follow through on His will in your life.

As you spend time in His presence, you begin to know Him on a deeper level. Then, you find out His plans for your life. As you remain in that quiet place, the Holy Spirit places the desire, and the strength to accomplish all of this, into your heart.

I’ve said it more than once – we serve an excellent God!

Question: How has your desire to serve God changed over time with Him.

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on September 18, 2023 in Encouragement, Ministry, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel

 

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Directed Thinking

11 Sep
Directed Thinking

We’re now going through Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. The apostle was talking about the attitudes needed for a powerful church body-life. He continues with this thought.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…
Philippians 2:5

This literally means that the direction of our minds should be the same as Christ. Is this evident in our current church experience? So many of our prayers seem to go unanswered. We think we’re praying “in the will of God.” But we don’t see anything happening.

Many times we don’t receive when we pray because we’re headed in a different direction than Christ. We want the blessings of God. We just want them for a different reason than He does.

We need to direct our mind like Christ. When the Lord walked the earth, His mind was directed by the Spirit. That’s what renewal is all about. It’s not just changing what we think about, but how we think.

This is a difficult thing to do in the natural. Actually it’s pretty close to impossible. Trying to get the mind to renew itself is a losing proposition.

Instead, the best way is to activate our spirit in order to keep our mind Christ-centered. Look at how Christ dealt with His apostles.

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.
Luke 24:45

The word understand in this verse literally means to put together. The Lord opened up the minds of these disciples to put together all that was happening. This included the events surrounding the death and resurrection of Christ, as well as the Scripture that foretold it. They had to walk in a supernatural understanding in order to grasp what was happening.

We need this ability of the Holy Spirit in us to put together – understand and apply – all that’s in the Scripture. If I don’t cultivate my spiritual prayer life, then where will all of this understanding come from? We can receive these blessings nowhere else but from the spirit.

Paul understood this and tried to make it clear to his readers. In the following verse, the apostle is taking an Old Testament verse and revamping it for a spiritual people.

“For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians 2:16

What this verse actually says in the Greek is, “Who has known the mind of the Lord well enough to be knit together with Him.” But we hold, possess the mind of Christ.

What an incredible truth! In the spirit we have access to the mind of the eternal God. The big question is; will we lay claim to this gift by the spirit?

It’s clear that the Holy Spirit is needed in order to renew our minds. But this renewal is more than just accessing God’s knowledge. It’s much deeper than that. It’s a transformation so that we think like He does.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2

This would be quite a challenge for us to do in our own power. I know I can accomplish this temporarily. I wanted to see how long during the day I could make myself think about the things of God. I found it to be a lost cause. The littlest things would distract me and refocus my attention on the things of earth.

Prayer in the spirit, however, allows you to zero in on things above for an increasingly longer time. Your mind will begin to follow the lead of your spirit. You will begin to understand the things of the spirit like never before.

In this way your mind will start to become reset and refreshed. When this is taking place it goes a long way to changing how the outward man reacts to life. If we’re going to win the battle of the mind, then we must pray in the spirit regularly.

Question: How have you noticed your prayer life affecting your thought life?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on September 11, 2023 in Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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United Together

06 Sep
United Together

We’re currently studying Paul’s letter to the Philippian church. In my last post we saw Paul’s assumption concerning our life in Christ. Now the apostle shows us the results of these things.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Philippians 2:1-2 NIV

If verse 1 is at work in you (I talked about those in my last post) then these things should be the result. The apostle was rejoicing at the thought of the church living on this level of ministry. We should be striving for the same things.

Being like-minded. This means that we have the same view of things. It’s all about our agreement. This is something that gives power to a ministry.

Too often we see churches that are a conglomeration of warring factions. Each one is trying to outmaneuver the other. That’s not the way things should be.

If we have the same view of Christ and the leading of the Holy Spirit, then we should be able to work together in harmony. There doesn’t need to be total agreement on every subject, but submission to God’s plan should be the number one priority.

Having the same love. The same as what? I believe that this is referring back to verse 1. That verse talks about His love, meaning the love of Christ.

We need to walk in that same agape love that Jesus manifested. If you remember from my last post, I talked about the Lord’s love persuading us. The more I learn of His love, the more I love like Jesus did.

It seems to me that this is something we lack in this generation. When I see the discussions online, I wonder where the love is sometimes. Doctrine without love is never correct. People should be able to see our love in spite of any doctrinal differences.

Being one in spirit. This is actually a poor translation of what Paul said. The word, spirit (pneuma) is not in this verse. It’s the word, soul (psuche) that the apostle uses. So, in essence, he’s telling us to be co-souled. (Yes, I made up that word, but it’s what Paul said!)

The Lord wants the church to look like it has one soul. That’s why I’m against a church being run by democratic voting. It should be based upon prayer, and a consensus of what God is speaking to His people. If there is sharp disagreement, then that’s a sign that more prayer is needed.

The one mind that this talks about is not our humanity. It’s being in submission to the mind of God. That’s harder to do. It’s easy to take a vote. It’s more inconvenient to seek the heart of God’s will.

Being one in purpose. Of all the things on this list, that’s by far the toughest to accomplish. The word, purpose, means our thought process, opinions, and interests. This doesn’t just happen overnight. And, it for sure doesn’t happen by argument and debate.

It’s all about what I taught in my last post. That was how Paul led into this whole subject. There’s only one way that individual people can have the same purpose. We must submit to the coaching of the Holy Spirit, the persuasion of Christ’s love, the participation with the Holy Spirit, and a passion for God’s will.

As long as we want to walk in our own wisdom, the world will never be affected. This was the prayer of Jesus right before He went to the cross.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

John 17:20-23 NIV

That prayer says it all. We need to have that same devotion to Christ. Then, the world will be drawn to the cross.

Question: What will it take for the church to reach this level of unity?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on September 6, 2023 in Anointing, Fellowship, Ministry, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Relationships, Revival, The Church

 

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The Basis for Unity

04 Sep
The Basis for Unity

We’re continuing our walk through the book of Philippians. We now come to chapter two. Remember, this letter deals with the church as a body of believers joined together in Christ.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion…

Philippians 2:1 NIV

Paul is now setting the stage for how we work together as one body. He starts with the word, “if”. But don’t get the idea that these things are optional. The assumption Paul is working with, is that all these statements are true.

These are actually four truths that are the foundation of our unity in Christ. We need to understand them so that we can see them manifest in us.

Encouragement from being united with Christ. The word, encouragement, literally means to call beside. That’s the job of a coach on a winning team.

Actually, it’s a word used by Jesus to describe the Holy Spirit.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 14:26 NIV

When the Holy Spirit is called the Counselor, the same word is used as encouragement, above. I personally would use the word Coach for that aspect of the Holy Spirit. He’s the one who calls alongside us. He’s training us to become what we need to be.

Comfort from His love. This word for comfort actually means a persuasive address. This word for love, agape, is not emotional. It’s a choice to make a positive contribution into the life of another. As we spend time with Christ, His love begins to persuade us.

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.

2 Corinthians 5:14 NIV

All of our old prejudices and hatred must be nailed to the cross. Our old life was crucified with Christ. Now His love can persuade me to minister as He would. I just need to allow that persuasion to have its way in me.

Fellowship with the Spirit. This is another important truth. The word, fellowship, means a participation. We need to learn to participate with the Holy Spirit.

It seems to me that for the most part, we ignore the Holy Spirit. We should be working with Him as our great Coach. He’s the One who will lead and guide us into our destiny in Christ. How closely do we follow His plan for us?

We should be spending quality time with the Spirit. Not just rattling off a list of needs, but listening for His gentle voice speaking to us. That’s where the true power of God is found.

Tenderness and compassion. Here, Paul uses two words for our internal organs. Both the Greeks and the Hebrews saw them as the seat of our passions and emotions.

As I look at the previous three truths, I notice that they are choices we need to make. I choose to submit to the coaching of the Holy Spirit, the persuasion of Christ’s love and the participation with the Spirit.

However, there’s one more factor that makes our walk with God and each other complete. We need passion and emotion in our spiritual life. That’s what makes our Christian experience exciting.

Too many believers act like spiritual robots. They just seem to be going through the motions, doing what they feel they need to do. If that’s you, then you need to spend time in the Holy Spirit, picking up His passion for ministry.

Then you’ll find that serving God is not something you have to do, but something that you get to do. You’ll pick up the joy of the Lord.

Question: How well are you participating with the Spirit in these four areas?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on September 4, 2023 in Fellowship, Power of God, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Relationships, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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Together in Spiritual Warfare

01 Sep
Together in Spiritual Warfare

As we go through the book of Philippians, we now come to a very important truth. This is one of the epistles that the Holy Spirit used to concentrate on us as a body of believers.

After explaining the possibility of persecution for the faith, Paul gives the church this command.

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved — and that by God.

Philippians 1:27-28 NIV

In the past, I’ve posted about the connection between prayer in the spirit, unity, and the fight of faith. Did you know that they all go hand in hand? To read these posts, click here.

This is one of many Scriptures where we’re told to contend for the faith. I’ve read through this verse many times. After careful study, I’ve developed a very different take on this passage.

When I read it now, it sounds to me like an army general giving a final speech to his troops on the eve of battle. Listen to what Paul says. Stand firm in ONE SPIRIT. Contend as ONE MAN for the faith. How can this be done in the natural?

We know from God’s Word, that it can’t, it must be a work of the spirit. We must pray in the heavenly gift together, and so line up our spirits with each other and with the Holy Spirit. Only then can we stand firm in one “spiritual wind”. (The Greek word for wind and spirit is exactly the same.)

It’s without a doubt that prayer in the spirit unifies the church for war. This gift is the unifying factor in the body of Christ. There is, however, a deeper reason for using prayer in the spirit as a part of our warfare. I found this, of all places, while watching the Weather Channel.

They were airing a special about wind. Scientifically, the wind is simply air molecules in motion. They talked about everything from light winds to severe winds.

You would think that a 40 MPH wind is twice as strong, does twice the damage of a 20 MPH wind. So did I, and I was wrong. The effect of wind on its environment is an exponential increase as the speed increases.

This means that because of the nature of wind, a 40 MPH wind is actually ten times the strength and effect of a 20 MPH wind. Take hurricanes for example. A Category 1 hurricane, the weakest, is about 75 MPH. The strongest, a Category 5, is about 135 MPH. Even though it has twice the wind speed, a Category 5 hurricane does ten times the damage of a Category 1.

What does any of this have to do with prayer in the spirit? Well, all of this talk about the exponential increase of wind should remind you of a spiritual truth.

How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up? For their rock is not like our Rock, as even our enemies concede.

Deuteronomy 32:30-31 NIV

We usually quote this by saying, “one can put a thousand to flight and two shall put ten thousand to flight.” Whether you know it or not this verse is speaking about the exponential increase of the move of the Spirit of God.

The truth we need to learn is that prayer in the spirit has an exponential effect on the object of that prayer. This is the true power of corporate prayer in the spirit.

This is an important truth for us to learn. That’s because of the generation we’re living in. There’s a rise in persecution against the church taking place. This is what Paul is referring to. He continues that thought.

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Philippians 1:29-30 NIV

We need to begin contending together, as one man for the faith. The requires corporate prayer in the spirit.

Question: Why is the power of corporate prayer in the spirit largely untapped in our generation?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on September 1, 2023 in Faith, Fellowship, Power of God, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Warfare, The Church, Word of God

 

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Moving Forward in Faith

30 Aug
Moving Forward in Faith

We’re continuing to study Paul’s letter to the Philippians from his imprisonment in Rome. He’s awaiting the outcome of his trial.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

Philippians 1:18b-19 NIV

Paul uses some important language in these verses. It’s one of those things that you miss in translation. If we understood it, we’d be a lot less worried about the future.

There’s a very good reason why Paul is rejoicing over the outcome of his situation. When Paul says the phrase, I know, he literally says I’ve seen, in the Greek.

This is not a quote from some modern-day faith preacher. This is Scripture through the Apostle Paul. I’ve heard people criticized for talking like this, but it’s perfectly Biblical.

Paul was a man of prayer. He spent enormous amounts of time communing with the Holy Spirit. It was during those times that the Spirit showed him that he would be acquitted and released. He’s not just speaking from wishful thinking.

Paul was going forward in joy because he had a knowledge beyond what any man could see. Understand this, God is no respecter of persons. The Lord wants to do this in us as well. We just have to take the time to remain in His presence and listen for His voice.

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:20-21 NIV

Paul makes it clear that because he is earnestly watching and expecting God’s intervention, he can be as bold as he needs to be. It’s always easier to be courageous if you know the outcome ahead of time.

Please understand what Paul is NOT saying here. He’s not thinking that there’s a chance they’ll find him guilty and put him to death. He’s already settled that matter. He’s letting these supporters know that, as always, his goal is to glorify Christ either in life or death.

And just so the church will understand this truth, he continues.

If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.

Philippians 1:22-26 NIV

Paul makes it abundantly clear that God’s will for him is to continue his ministry. He will be back in Philippi some day and they will see him again. This is not some “name it and claim it” foolishness. It’s a faith in a holy and powerful God.

The Bible makes it clear that faith comes by hearing a Word from God (Romans 10:17). But hearing a Word from God requires time in His presence. This is where the Lord is trying to lead His church in this generation.

God wants a people who hear and obey His voice. Then we can move forward in faith, courage, and boldness. That’s because we’ve seen how our labors will turn out before we even start. True faith is a product of our time with the Holy Spirit.

Especially in our generation, we need men and women of God who are willing to seek His face. It’s a complicated road that we’re traveling, and we need the wisdom of God to see us through. Don’t neglect intimate time with the Spirit.

Question: How does hearing from God produce faith?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on August 30, 2023 in Faith, Ministry, Power of God, Prayer, Prayer in the Spirit, Revival, Spiritual Walk, Word of God

 

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How Love Grows

25 Aug
How Love Grows

We’re continuing through the book of Philippians. Paul is able to open up his heart to these people.

God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:8 NIV

This church had a special place in Paul’s heart. They were one of his greatest supporters. He loved to fellowship and worship with them. The love he had for them was very emotional.

As a result, they were constantly in his prayers.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11 NIV

Paul’s prayer for them was that they would abound in love. Love is relationship. He wanted the depth of their relationship with the Lord and each other to grow in a big way.

Obviously, this was a church that knew how to love. They had a love for one another and for the lost. However, even loving people can experience growth in their area of strength. This should be a lesson to us in how our love is to grow.

The first area is in our knowledge. That’s simply the learning of facts. If you love someone, God included, you want to know as much as you can about them.

That’s a big problem in many relationships. A couple stops relating to each other. Then, after years of no communication, they say, “I don’t know you anymore.”

A relationship grows as we learn more and more about each other. With God, there’s no end to learning about Him. We’ll never know all there is to know of His ways.

The next area of growth is depth of insight. This is a tough one to describe. It means a total perception of who the other person is. This includes both the physical senses and the mind.

That’s why when a couple gets very close to each other, it’s like they can read each other’s mind. They know what they’re thinking and what they’re about to say or do.

With my wife and I, a common phrase that comes up is, “I knew you were going to say that!”

Of course, when it comes to God, this should be our goal. We should want to think His thoughts. We want His goals to be our goals. That’s a healthy relationship with the Lord.

According to the above verses, the goal of this growth is to be able to discern what is best. That literally means that you approve of your transport to a higher level of walk. That’s not just understanding good and evil, but an agreement with God’s direction and plan for your life.

That in itself is great, but what I consider the best part of what the Apostle wanted for them is that they be filled to overflowing with the fruit of righteousness. Where could they obtain this fruit? It only comes through Christ.

The Apostle John saw the tree of Life in his vision of the Revelation. He describes it as being in our future, eternal home.

On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Revelation 22:2b NIV

Because of our relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, we have access to the tree of life right now. We don’t have to wait until we die or the Lord returns. It’s available to you today.

Do we really understand the power of that statement? We can have unbroken fellowship with the God of the universe – Creator of Heaven and earth! He will allow His power to work through us. His life will be our strength. What greater gift could we ever ask for?

Question: How do you access this life?

© 2023 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on August 25, 2023 in Fellowship, Power of God, Prayer, Relationships, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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