On Praying Through...

By Marjorie Kinnee
Editorial

Text: Matthew 25:1-13 ~ Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
Key Verse: "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." (Luke 21:36)

The old-timers called it "praying through" and frequently mentioned it in victorious testimonies. Because I was a rather obstreperous child, my mother would say, "It's time you prayed through, Marjie Jean! You're so much easier to deal with when you've just prayed through." Bro. C.C. Kirby, my pastor for the first 16 years of my life, frequently said we should all be, "Prayed up... packed up... and ready to go up."

Praying through is an accurate description of its definition. As the old-timers used it - it meant that one had prayed until they felt they had overcome something and then given a release in their Spirit. Hence - "Praying Through!" It might have taken minutes or hours, but it was earnest, sincere, serious praying.

There is another realm beside the flesh and blood world in which we currently live and move around. This "world" is more real than the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the chair we sit on. It's not spooky, nor is it science fiction; it's the Spirit world in which God Himself and His heavenly host of ministering spirits (angels) dwell. It's not a restricted world, oh no! It's unfettered by time and space, and it's focus is on the redeemed and those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. All angels serve as ministering spirits.

This spirit world is also inhabited by God's arch-enemy, Lucifer, who was called the son of the morning. (See Isaiah 14:12-16; Ezekiel 28:12-19; Luke 10:18; and Jude 6.) Lucifer, now know as Satan, rebelled against God and drew one-third of the holy angels under his sway. These, though evil and unrepentant, continue to minister; but now for evil and to thwart God's desire that all should come to repentance.

The Bible reveals that these ministering spirits (angels, both good and evil,) take an active interest in humankind. Both are transfixed by, and intrigued about our salvation.

• They desire to look into our salvation - I Peter 1:12
• They are "watchers" - Daniel 4:17; I Corinthians 11:10
• They herald tidings - Daniel 9:21-22; 10:12-13; Luke 1:26; Matthew 1:20; and Luke 2:9-10 (See I Kings 22:14-23, 28 also.) 
• They intervene - Genesis 18:2-22; 19:1-20; and Hebrews 13:2

Key in all this is our response. Drawing from the inference in I Corinthians 11:10 - "because of the angels," (See also Ecclesiastes 5:6.) we can see that angels"watch" for signs every human displays - by their responses to life, to events, and especially to the preached Word. A rebellious heart is revealed by acts and words of disobedience, even small ones! Our rebellions stir up angelic activity - the good, to rescue if possible without violating our will; the evil, to foster further signs of open rebellion.

Our flesh is one-third of our three-fold enemy. John told us we should, "love not the world, neither the things that are in the world," which are - "the lust of the eyes" [world], "the lust of the flesh," [flesh] and, "the pride of life" [the devil], (See I John 2:15-17.) Paul said we must fight it, subdue it,and make it obey the Spirit that dwells in us. He referred to it as "spiritual warfare" and likened it to soldiering. He said, "Put on the whole armor of God." This armor is needful when fighting off our enemies. Finally, Paul also said that this spiritual battle is daily. It must be fought at a moment's notice. We must be alert, prepared, and ready to fight - not against persons or even personalities. We fight against spiritual wickedness as it attacks us! We do not fight alone, but we must do our part.

Praying through speaks of the ability to press past the opposition (the world, the flesh, and the devil,) and into the freedom of victory, a.k.a. overcoming! Praying through is first and foremost... Praying! Jesus said, "Men ought always to pray." and, "Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation." He led by example in that He consistently prayed and taught His disciples to pray. In Acts 2, those disciples became empowered apostles. They were men of prayer; they also gave themselves to studying the Word. If prayer is our friend and helper, then the Word of God is our arsenal. Jesus overcame the enemy with the words, "It is written." So, hiding the Word of God in our heart becomes our weapon; and "praying through" presses past the enemy's onslaught.

If the five foolish virgins had been "praying through" - "prayed up, and packed up," they would have been "ready to go up." The wise had prayed through; they were ready when the midnight cry came, needing only to trim the wick and light the fire in their lamps. When one prays through they refresh their Holy Ghost experience. They speak in tongues, they light the fire, stir up the coals, and put fresh fuel on them. Note that when the apostles prayed through they were all filled with the Holy Ghost again! (See Acts 4:31.)

Praying through strengthens and helps you win in your battle against the enemy of your soul. It parallels the birthing process in that it includes travail and bearing down. It's a desperate struggle to bring forth new life, (death hovers nearby,) yet, when the battle is over and that new life is now visible and tangible, the celebration begins.

Praying through is wisdom. Keeping prayed through is essential - something no one else can do for you. You must do it for yourself. You can "intercede" for others, but your "praying through" cannot do their part, nor can they do your part. We need the refreshing winds of the Holy Spirit to fill us and fuel us in our quest for the victory known only to those who overcome. It's a daily thing! Staying prayed through will help you be ready for and aware of the midnight cry, "Behold, He cometh! Go ye out to meet Him!" Just before He ascended, Jesus said, "Go, and tarry in Jerusalem [wait in prayer] until ye be endued with power from on high." (Acts 1:4-5)

Pray Through!

Sit On It!

By Pastor Ken Foreman

Text: Matthew 28:1-8
Key Verse: "And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came, and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it." (Matthew 28:2)

The women came to the sepulchre in sorrow, wondering who would roll away the stone so they could care for the body of Jesus. They were prepared to do so, but, before they arrived, the angel of the Lord had already descended. Unknown to them, he had rolled away the stone and was now sitting on it, waiting for the women to arrive. Imagine their surprise when they came around a corner and saw the angel! But not only did they "see" an angel - he had words of comfort for them!

• Fear not!
• You seek Jesus...
• who was crucified
• He is not here!
• He is risen as He said
• Come, see the place where the Lord lay
• Go quickly, and tell His disciples...
• that He is risen from the dead, (and,)
• behold, He goeth into Galilee before you;
• there - ye shall see Him
• Lo! I have told you!

It is interesting to note that what the women perceived as a problem, (rolling away the stone,) the angel was powerful enough to not only take care of it, (do the work,) but also to sit on the problem in Victory!

Get Back Again!

By Joyce Stclair

The world does not believe in suffering and it taught me how to find relief through medicine, mental therapy, and body reconstruction. I pushed the angel of the Lord off my shoulder to my back side, and there it stayed. with every bumpn the road of life it would swing around to the front and punch me in the gut of my spirit, but I would puch it to the backside again.

As my body bore the battle scars of life, the angel cried with a loud voice, "Lord, Lord, how long will Your child rebel against You, that I should see the destruction of Your Spirit within them?"

The Lord said unto the angel, "Depart not from them for they were Mine from the beginning. In them shall the sight of the Lord be seen in all generations."

The world's attempts at relief were at best temporary. I could find no joy. I screamed to the world, "Where is your joy?"

With this great opportunity, the Lord's angel swung around and whispered in my ear, "Get back again."

I threw down the world's so-called deliverance, accepted the suffering for Christ, and found joy for my soul, joy for my spirit, and peace for my mind. "Likewise I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." (Luke 15:10)

Now the countenance of my joy radiates like a flame of fire. It is in these moments that the world gets a glimpse of the glory of God. My suffering became everlasting joy.

It was once said, "better late than never." I say, if you are late, you are already at never. You never were at first. Those who hesitate are lost. "For he sayeth, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee; behold, now is the day of salvation." (II Corinthians 6:2)

Your call is to get back again - now!

Editor's Note: Sis. Joyce is the daughter of Bro. Don and Sis. Carol Warfield. Bro Warfield heads our Home Bible Study program and teaches the Adult Sunday School Class in rotation each month. A beautiful smile that radiates the peace of God adorns Sis. Joyce's face and she has been instrumental in bringing others to Christ. She's a blessing to the New Life Apostolic Church family!

Angels

By Betty D. Austin

"The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God..." (II Corinthians 10:4)

Angels Defined:
Hebrew[Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance] – mal’ak [mal-awk] From an unused root meaning to dispatch as a deputy; a messenger; spec. of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher). Interestingly, the same word is used when Scripture speaks of "evil" angels. Throughout Scripture – be it Hebrew, Greek or even Chaldean (Daniel 3:28) the definition is the same.
Other Old Testament Words Translated "Angels" Define Character, Position, or Power:
Psalm 8:5 [El-o-heem] "a little lower than the angels." Meaning: of the supreme God.
Psalm 68:17
Psalm 78:49
To break to pieces,
To make good for nothing... ...all powers that challenge God or His people!
Psalm 78:25... {abburr, ab.beer} "angel’s food." The meaning here denotes mighty, stouthearted, strong, valiant or chiefest ones... "He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, & indignation, and trouble, by sending evil" [to bind; lit. or fig.,] "angels among them." [the Egyptians]. [shin’an, shin-awn] "thousands of angels:" the Lord is among them. The word translated angels in this passage means change – to alter (situations).This is the definition, without exception, in the New Testament...
Greek – aggelos (ang’el-os), to bring tidings; a messenger. A pastor, by implication.
From a word meaning: to lead; by implication to bring, drive (reflex), go, (spec.) pass (time, or (fig.) induce; be, bring (forth), carry, (let) go, keep, lead away, be open.

Scriptural Definitions of Angels:
Hebrews 1:7, 14
Revelation 22:8-9 – "I am thy fellowservant."Fellowservant: A co-slave; i.e. servitor or ministrant of the same master (human or divine). From a word denoting union; with, together by association, companionship, instrumentality, resemblance, pos-session. Frequently therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subservience.
of thy brethren the prophets
of them which keep the sayings of this book
Conclusion: "Worship GOD!"

Delivering Angels:
Psalm 91:11... "give His angels charge of thee ...lest thou dash thy foot against a stone."A stone: To build (with). Something, (in a spiritual sense) intended to be a building block.
Matthew 4:6; Luke 4:10-11... Satan quotes this passage out-of-context at the temptation of Jesus. The word used here means stone [lit. or fig.] as a millstone or a stumbling stone. – Ministering spirits, flames of fire ... sent forth to minister for the heirs of salvation.
Guardian Angels:
Matthew 18:10 "...their angels do always behold the face of My Father."Our "guardian angel" is always...
looking toward the "face of our Father,"
waiting & watching" for directions or orders from our Father,
always at attention for ministry on our behalf.

Observing Angels:
I Corinthians 4:9 "...for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men."Spectacle: [theatron: theatre] something to look at – a place for public show, a general audience. By implication, "a show itself." Thus, angels are always interested & watching us.
I Timothy 5:21 – "I charge thee before..."
God
The Lord Jesus Christ
The elect angels
Paul understood that God manifest in Jesus Christ and the elect angels are always beholding us. We are always in the presence of the omnipotent God and His elect angels. Therefore, worship God – praise God – pray to God – and the elect angels will be dispatched for the occasion or need.
Hebrews 12:22 – "Ye are come unto..."Mt. Sion, city of the Living God, the
heavenly Jerusalem
To an innumerable company of angels.
I Peter 3:22 – "Angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him."
So, we pray – asking in Jesus’ Name – and He hears. The result: Angels, authorities, and powers respond to His Authority and minister to the heirs of salvation – His heirs!

Considering this Scripture, do you believe it is necessary to ask God to dispatch a specific angel for a specific situation, location or need?

Prayer Mingled with Incense, Offered by Angels, Before the Throne:
Revelation 8:3-4 – "And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand."[Anyone who has lived in the south and had to call in the exterminator or "fumigator" to be rid of pests understands the context of this word. Life is so much more pleasant after the fumigator has done his work!]Our prayers ascend upon the altar before God. Angels stand before the altar with censors, offering incense. The incense goes up, before God, with our prayers. The incense and prayers mingle together – angels are dispatched on our behalf – and we become a "sweet smelling savour" to God.

"Thanks be unto God which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, ...for we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ."
(II Corinthians 2:14)

Editor’s Note: – mjk Sis. Betty Austin is involved in the writing ministry, teaching and reaching out to enlighten and encourage the Body of Christ. She attends the Apostolic Church (Pastor Steve Warman) in Auburn Hills, MI.

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 Incense: [Greek: qitter – kit-tare] means "perfume". It comes from a word meaning fumigation in a close place, thus driving out occupants. [Jesus Christ] (3 witnesses)