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July 18, 2022 3:00 am
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A New Beginning is the daily half-hour program hosted by Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Southern California. For over 30 years, Pastor Greg and Harvest Ministries have endeavored to know God and make Him known through media and large-scale evangelism. This podcast is supported by the generosity of our Harvest Partners.
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Learn more and sign up@harvest.org Ray Tinsley as we have been ready when we have the goal of generally greater connections with Raj here in good times and pastor Greg Laurie shows we should call on him constantly suffering are things going well. He was going to open. You need healing. The Lord pray pray pray pray what's it take away message. Pray. Pray traffic lifeline wins redirection.
I was the correct had to keep them safe in the right direction. Silliest thing I would do is turn off the radio and I got some believers to do that with the privilege of talk to God I got pastor Greg Laurie shows great going away all their actually answer God answers prayer three-way right yes no other dreaded weights. He waits so some of the Lord will say noble Civil War didn't answer my prayer executed said no that's an answer.
Sometimes he says wait, because God has his time and sometimes he says yes and sometimes he says yes, even more quickly than we expected. That's it will get a look at in the message. But before I tell you how to pray in a way where you get answers in the affirmative, working to give you five reasons why our prayers are not answered in the affirmative, number one, your prayers are not answered in the affirmative, because you don't have a relationship with God less on the promise of answered prayer is not given to every human on earth today. Sure, anyone can call upon the name of the Lord, but having a prayer life.
Having this fellowship and communion with God is a privilege for the child of God. So when you over relationship with God, and you call upon him, he will hear you and he will answer you, but it starts there but the number two reason why our prayers are not answered as unconfessed sin. Unconfessed sin. Psalm 6618 says if you regard iniquity in your heart.
The Lord will not hear you. And the word regard means to cling to, or hold onto listen if you are practicing sin as a Christian it will bring your prayer life to a screeching halt.
I didn't save you sin is a Christian because we all sin. But there's that there was between a Christian who sends in a Christian who is woefully and habitually sinning without remorse without any plans to stop. If you're practicing emphasis on that word sin as a Christian it will bring your prayer life to a screeching halt number three selfishness can hinder our prayers. Selfishness can hinder our prayers James for three says when you pray, you do not receive it is because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend it on your pleasures. So sometimes selfishness can hinder our prayers. Number four having idols in our life can hinder our prayer idols in our life. Ezekiel 14 three says these leaders have set up idols in their heart, and they've embraced things that make them fall in the sin. Why should I listen to their request to God is saying.
If you have an idol in your life.
I will not hear you.
What is an idol and idol.
Is anyone or anything that takes the place of the true God in your life and idol can be a car and idol can be a house and idol can be your own body and idol can be a relationship that's more important to you than God and idol can be your career and idol can be some other thing.
There might be something like that in your life and you need to just pitch it over the side. Safe I've done with this, but listen to this unforgiveness can hinder your prayers. Unforgiveness can hinder your prayers. Mark 1125 Jesus says when you stand praying, if you're holding anything against anyone, forgive him that your father in heaven may forgive you your sin. Also in Matthew 523 Jesus says if you are offering your gift at the altar. Remember your brother or sister is something against you, leave your gift in front of the altar and be reconciled to your brother and sister and then come and offer your gift. So let me ask you this is her somebody right now your bitter toward if you have that attitude toward someone that can hinder your prayer life. But there's one other thing that keeps our prayers are being answered in this one may surprise you a supernatural battle is raging behind the scenes. So why is it that my prayer is not answered. A supernatural battle is raging behind the scenes. I know that sounds strange but that's exactly what's happening here in Daniel chapter 10 I were looking at the final vision that God gives to Daniel in this book were almost done with this book, this vision is a glimpse into the end time and so is Daniel is sort of surveying the situation is spirit is deeply grieved because as it turns out, God chronologically.
This is during the reign of Darius remember Nebuchadnezzar will Babylon. He was replaced by his grandson Belshazzar who was overthrown by Cyrus in the Medo Persian Empire right and then ruling over the Medo Persian Empire was Darius and this is the Darius that sent Daniel to the lion's den. So were in the reign of Darius chronologically here in the book of Daniel.
Darius had given the announcement that the Jews could return to their homeland had been captives in Babylon for 70 years but sadly most of them did not return 50,000 went back home and among those who did return many were not working they were doing anything that word rebuilding the walls of the city and we dealt with that in the book of Nehemiah. So, Daniel was grieved by this any praise Daniel. Chapter 10 verse two.
When this vision came to me. I Daniel had been in morning for three whole weeks all the time I had eaten no rich food, no meat, wine across my lips and I use no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed. So these fasting entities grieving and he doesn't understand why these things are happening. He's hurting and maybe you felt that way your grieving over something your morning over something your life is not going the way you hoped it would go. Others have disappointed you. You even feel as though God has let you down. So as he's crying out to the Lord. Look at Daniel. Chapter 10 verse 10. Suddenly I had touched me which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. He said to me oh Daniel man greatly beloved understand the words that I speak to you and stand upright for I have now been sent to you while he was speaking this word to me. I stood trembling and then he said do not fear Daniel, for from the first day you set your heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I've come because of your words. So basically the angel selling Daniel repair was certain heaven and I was dispatched but a problem developed verse 13 but the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me for 21 days, and behold, my goal, one of the chief princes, came to help me bribe and left alone there with the king of Persia, and now I have come to make you understand what will happen to people in the last days for the vision refers to many days to come. So we'll get into that vision. In our next message, but here's a behind-the-scenes look of a goes on of the supernatural world sometimes when we pray for Greg Laurie will have the second half of this message just a moment. Hearing about listeners whose families are impacted because of the Ministry of harvest is so encouraging predatory anger,] Harry when 25 years every morning and the guy down here family today. Writing pathways. What a great story of how Pastor Greg's teachings from God's word made an impact on this family if you like to listen to Pastor Greg's podcast.
You can do that through Google, Apple, or spot a fine or just go to harvest.org that's harvest.org today. Pastor Greg is showing there's those things that can hinder our prayers including a battle in the supernatural realm. Let's continue. Here are some things we need to know about prayer. When we are properly aligned with God number one God hears and answers the prayers of those he loves. God hears and answers the prayers of those he loves the givers to the angel says you are greatly loved by God, and you might say, well, that's fine. That's Daniel. I'm sure he was loved by God, but I'm not loved by God. Oh excuse me. Actually your did you know you are greatly loved by God and because you are greatly loved by God and your relationship with God. You can have expectation to have your prayers answered by God so will I don't know if God really loves them well then you have to ignore what the Bible says because many many times.
The Scripture reminds us of God's love toward us. One of my favorite passages is when Jesus in John 17 is praying to the father and he says this may they experience. Speaking of us such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me that you love them as much as you love me now let me ask you a question.
Do you think that God the father loves God the son yes or no. If he does, and Jesus is saying help them to realize you love them as much as you love me. God loves you as much as he loves God the son. You are loved by God.
Just as Daniel is love by God. And because you are loved by God, your prayers are heard in heaven. So the Lord sent an angel with an immediate answer. Sometimes our prayers are answered later than we hope sometimes are answered so quickly. It's mind blowing you ever had that happen.
You present to its answer. So here's what I'm at Daniel praying the Lord says send an angel with an answer so often. Angel is sent from heaven. You know you can get same-day delivery on Amazon now right. This is same day delivery.
An answer from heaven on the same day not brought by a drone brought by an angel of God, but the problem was is the angel was on his way to deliver the answer to the prayer of Daniel the prophet, he was overcome by a higher ranking angel identified as the prince of Persia, so I don't think this was a person of the guy was an angel because a person could not stop an angel. Even the lowest of angels are more powerful than any person this phrase. Prince of Persia is a phrase used elsewhere of the devil is called the prince of the power of the air.
You see, so this was a high ranking demon power, no, the question arises that we did this demon rule over Persia. It would appear so. So are demons which are fallen angels, by the way, rule over certain areas.
I think that may be true in the book of Revelation we read that God says Pergamum.
This was the place where Satan's seat was so it appears that the devil may have a place he likes to hang out a certain geographical area, and demons have certain regions. They may be assigned to you think will wait I thought the double rule from hell no friend. He doesn't rule from hell he's headed to hell. There's a big difference. Sometimes we think God wills in heaven and the double rule from hell no, God will from heaven. The devil is headed to hell right now. The devil just moves about on the supernatural realm with this demon powers that do his bidding is awarded demons even come from, why would God create demon seated God created holy angels, but he gave them a free will and ability to choose Scripture tells us that Satan once known as Lucifer led a rebellion against God, and one third of the angels joined his ranks and those are what we now call fallen angels or demons. So these demons seem to have rankings or throbbing generals and corporals and sergeants and privates. I suppose different rankings of demons that do this work kisses are different rankings of angels told me while this angel is Saskatchewan. We went to story in this angel. Why was the overcome was you like a rookie angel was he trying to earn his wings know that that's an Hollywood little wings. Maybe you need to work out at the gym more can a puny a daughter now but I just know that a more powerful angel called the Prince of Persia stopped him. So the Lord brought out the big guns. Okay Michael you better go take care of this. Michael is an archangel Michael is the mega angel.
He's the only angel in the Bible, called archangel now.
Maybe Gabriel is an archangel to we don't know.
He's given to us by me. He's very powerful as well, but only Michael is called the archangel. It's interesting when in the book of Revelation we read about a war in heaven.
In Revelation 12 and we read that Michael and his angels fought against the devil and his angels, but the devil was not strong enough and lost his place in heaven.
Michael is stronger than Lucifer effect the only one stronger than Michael is the Lord himself.
So when Michael gets dispatched not going to happen after that is he's gonna clear the playing field.
Just like that.
And by the way Michael plays a role in the end time because we read that when the rapture happens, it'll be the voice of the archangel and the trump of God and the dead in Christ will rise first.
We were dry. Live and remaining will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. There's only one archangel, that's Michael. So he's going to be the one that gives that shout, so a spiritual battle has been raging.
So from this we learn we should keep on praying, even when an answer does not come quickly in your praying for something right now and you been waiting. It's been 21 days or longer, and maybe 21 years.
I don't know but all I know is, God has his timing. We don't know how that works. We don't know what's going on behind the veil if you will, in the supernatural world when we pray, but here's what Jesus tells us to do. In Matthew seven in the sermon on the Mount. He says ask and it shall be given to you seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be open and you know there's an ascending intensity in those words, ask, seek and knock each one is a little more aggressive than the word before it. So first I asked and I see can I not, it speaks of her persistence. It speaks of non-giving up. It's a continuous ongoing process. Listen, we should never stop praying. Sometimes God allows calamity in our lives. So our first inclination is to pray Lord to get away. I don't want this calamity. Even Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, said father if it's possible let this cup pass from me and sometimes the Lord will take the cup away. Sometimes the Lord will look for calamity. Other times he won't, but sometimes when he does lifted. Here's my question do we pray as intensely as we have been praying when we have the calamity generally now I pray what I need to pray.
I pray when I'm in trouble. Then the Lord answered my prayer and I frequently say thanks God CNX crisis.
So maybe the Lord will allow another calamity to get you on your knees again. Listen, here's the bottom line we should just pray whether things are going good or bad. James 513 says is any among you suffering.
Let them pray. Is anyone cheerful let them sing the Psalms is anyone among you sick let them call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him.
So are you suffering today them. Pray are things going well, you blessed right now then frames you need healing from the Lord. Then again, pray pray pray pray what to take away message.
Keep praying. Don't stop praying. That's what Jenny was doing.
He kept praying and calling out to the Lord. Let me tell you one last thing the devil does not want you to pray the devil does not want you to pray she will do it.
Ever he needs to keep you from pray why because that my friend is a source of your power you know really were the spiritual battle and everything in this battle were either winning or losing, breather gaining ground over losing ground so the Bible tells us to put on the whole armor of God, and the helmet of salvation and the breastplate of righteousness and the shield of faith, and the sword of the spirit right.
But before a word is mentioned about putting on the various pieces of armor first. Ephesians 6 says stand in the Lord and in the power of his might.
So the ideas first you stand in your relationship with your fellowship with God and you don't go outside of that, and the devil doesn't want you to do that.
That's what you tried to get a wedge in their with unconfessed sin or unforgiveness or whatever it is as if you can separate you from the Lord and you're not communing with the Lord your more vulnerable. Using and so first we stand on the Lord and the power of his might. As this battle rages on. But God will give us the strength that we need so I know maybe some of the things I've shared today kind of our little scary while Greg talked about today. Do you means that devil all these bad things spiritual warfare and I am sorry, but it's in the Bible we need to understand these things. But here's the good news, yes it's true there's a double.
Yes, it's true, is powerful. Yes, it's true he has demons doing his work, but it is also true that God is way more powerful than the devil, that's number one. Because greater is he that is in us and he that is in the world says number two though the devil managed to take one third of the angels with them two thirds are still on our side.
So we have thousands and thousands, millions and millions of angels, and then finally we know that at the cross that Jesus died on a decisive blow was billed against the devil and his demons. The Bible tells us that there at the cross, he boiled or deprived up our principalities and powers in spiritual. Mike and I places so when we believe in Jesus, we come under kids protection altogether.
Demons can house Leslie can tempt us all, but friend they cannot overcome you. Your safe and your secure in the strong arms of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Don't be afraid to be some of you enjoy this day and you're not sure if your life is right with God. There's nothing you can do to keep the devil away apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ will still come even if you're Christian, but your protected but when you're not a Christian, your vulnerable religion doesn't keep Satan away. You need to know the Lord and right now you can come into a relationship with God and ask him to forgive you of all of your sin and start this communication with the Lord who loves you so much and I want to give you an opportunity to do that in the moment but let's all bow our heads right now and pray that heavenly father we are so thankful that you offer us forgiveness through Jesus Christ and I pray for anyone here right now who does not yet know you, they don't have a relationship with you.
They don't know what it is they have their sins forgiven Lord, would you help them to come to Jesus now. Help them to realize you died on the cross for them, and rose again from the dead, help them determine from that sin here from Pastor Greg Laurie and if you'd like to make a change in your relationship with the Lord today. Pastor Greg wants to help you do that will do so before today's addition of a new beginning.
Concludes, and they were so excited about making a new DVD available to look at the colorful history of contemporary Christian music featuring interviews with those who played a key part DVD is called Jesus mission features Amy Grant a lot of scanners are close your eyes seem to guide I wanted to sing songs with my eyes wide open singing to Michael W Smith for sure that man ought to recommend this couldn't get enough of it.
It was called the everlasting living Jesus music concert where another one broke new ground back in 1971 this thing called Jesus and his which exploded in Southern California. So now on its way in my hometown and change my life. So this is a new movie produced by the Irwin brothers, who by the way are also producing the brand-new film that will come out next year. Based on my life in the last great spiritual awakening in America that will be called Jesus revolution, so the Jesus music is a special documentary film that tells the story of how this music came to be. I mean it's an industry now. In fact, we call it contemporary Christian music but it did not start out as an industry. It started out as a movement, it started out as an expression of faith.
One of the unique features of the early Christian songs which were rapidly back in the 70s is they were proclaiming the gospel to the culture so it wasn't really designed to be our own music as much as it was designed to be our message brought to the culture around us will lot is change since then and now we have categories of it and in different versions of it and I think that's all great but if you want to see the big picture and how this all started.
And if you want to see great artist talk about how they produce and create this incredible music we enjoy so much.
Then you will want to order your own copy of the Jesus music.
It's available on DVD, Blu-ray, and you can also download it will be a special code provided with the DVD. We send you and you can watch it on your phone and your tablet on your computer, or maybe even on your big screen TV. So this is something that I think you all love to have. It's entertaining. It's fun, it's insightful and it also gives us a history of what God did, and a sense of what God still wants to do in our future. To order your copy of the Jesus music for your gift of any size to our ministry. Whatever you send. We will put it to good use to continue to preach the gospel and teach the word of God. Yeah that's right is a great investment and eternal investment. You know, we saw more than 1700 people made professions of faith at Boise harvest a few weeks ago, more than 1500 more by people watching online, your investment helps us reach out with the gospel through those outreaches and through our daily outreach here on a new beginning. And when you give will thank you. With this new film called the Jesus music come to you on DVD, Blu-ray, and in downloadable form to contact us today our 24 hour phone number is 1-800-821-3300.
That's 1-800-821-3300 or write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or go online to harvest.org and then the pressure just before we go. Would you mind praying with the person listening who wants to make a change today, and their relationship with the Lord. I'd be happy to Dave you know is you been listening to this today.
Maybe you've heard another voice.
By that I mean, you heard me say a few things, but you heard God's voice speak to you deep in the recesses of your heart and it suddenly dawned on you. This is what I need artist data more accurately. This is who I need I need Jesus. And I want Jesus, but maybe you don't know how to make that connection. Let me help you pray this after me right now if you want Jesus Christ to comedy your life Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and I am sorry for my sin and I need your forgiveness right now. Would you come in the my heart, my life as Savior, as God as friend. I choose to follow you from this moment forward.
Thank you for calling me and accepting me and for giving me in Jesus name I pray, amen.
I know there was a relatively short prayer.
Maybe you felt something as you prayed it. Maybe you felt nothing, that doesn't really matter because God's word says these things we write to you that believe on the name of the son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. It doesn't say so. You may think you have it or you may hope you have it of gods in a good mood. No that you can know it and I want you to know if you prayed that prayer and minute Jesus Christ, the son of God has come into your life. So congratulations, you're now a Christian now continue to follow the Lord and to help you like to send you some materials we call our new believers growth package will answer many of the questions you might have and get you started off right in your new relationship with the Lord.
So get in touch and ask for it will set it free of charge.
Call us at 1-800-821-3300. That's a 24 seven phone number so call right now. 1-800-821-3300 or write a new beginning. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514 or go online to harvest.org and click on know God will next time.
Pastor Greg continues our study of the example set forth by the man of God name Daniel see how you live a godly life in an ungodly culture we can to join us here on a new beginning. Pastor and Bible feature Greg Laurie and I knew beginning of the podcast, made possible by harvest partners, helping people everywhere know God if this show has impacted your life. Share your story, leave a review on your favorite podcast and help others find help