Shiloh Baptist Church

What if we fail the test of authenticity? Suppose we are not what we say we are and we know it but we assume that no one else knows? Is our praise being affected by the façade some of us put on every Sunday? Some of us know that we failed the ‘genuinely real’ test but our conscience won’t allow us to stop coming to church. Guilt keeps many of us coming back to church and it’s what brought the prodigal son back to his father, “The son realized that he had been very foolish”, (Luke 15:17 ERV). We are guilty of hoping that someday the lie will be broken. Unfortunately, many of us are afraid to let others hear us praise God with our mouths or visibly by putting our hands in the air or physically by jumping up and down or with all our might by running around the church. We are afraid to let other people see us visibly, physically, verbally, and mightily praise God. Hypocrites also jump up and down and shout as loud as they can in church but the Lord commands us to not be deterred by them and focus on examining ourselves. It’s God’s job to deal with the hypocrites and the Pastor’s responsibility to expose them (1 Timothy 5:20). God even emphasizes the point of us examining our own selves by stating that we shouldn’t even be concerned about examining Him when we take the ‘truth’ test, “Examine yourselves [not me]” (2 Corinthians 13:5 AMP).

The on-going experiences in our lives are testimonies about the truth in our lives. We know for ourselves whether we are obeying or disobeying God’s commands. Our negative and positive experiences tell us so. We may be able to lie and fool others, but we can’t lie to ourselves and it’s impossible to fool God (Numbers 5:19-21). No matter how much we lie, no matter how hard we try to cover ourselves up in front of others, and no matter who we fool, it’s impossible to get away from the truth that’s found in our Lord. He finds us every time and examines us all the time (Jeremiah 29:13). Therefore, it is imperative that we interpret God’s Word in the right way (2 Timothy 2:15). God also says that we need to examine ourselves in the right way (1 Corinthians 11:31). To lie to ourselves just makes our dilemma more complicated and allows confusion and chaos to dominate our lives and families (1 Corinthians 14:33). Eliminating confusion and preventing chaos starts with acknowledging the truth. Judging ourselves in the right way includes avoiding hypocrisy but it also includes being honest about why we are concerned about what other people will think about us if we jump up and down and throw our hands in the air praising the Lord. Many of us remain reserved in church when it comes to praising God because we are too concerned about what other people think. The Lord says we don’t need to worry about what other people think. People are going to have thoughts about us regardless of what we say and do. Let’s just make sure that the things we say are right (Romans 14:16).

We need to also be ready to answer everyone who asks questions about what we believe in but we must be careful to do it in a gentle way with respect so that we can live with a clear conscience. Unkind words bring on guilt (Proverbs 15:1). People will see the fruits of our obedience to God’s commands and the good that we do as followers of Jesus Christ. Those who say bad things about us will be ashamed of the bad things they say (1 Peter 3:16). The best way to ensure that we are living the right way is to evaluate ourselves to see if we are holding on properly to our faith in Jesus and check to see if we are producing proper fruits in our lives (2 Corinthians 13:5). If there is no fruit in our lives then it’s possible that the Lord may just cut us off (Luke 13:9). King Saul got cutoff (1 Samuel 28:6). Getting cut off from God means not having our prayers answered and having our prayers hindered because of disobedience is a bad place to be in (1 Peter 3:7). Like King Saul, God stops answering the prayers of disobedient people. Like King Saul, people that go to palm readers, call psychic hotlines, and read horoscopes are folks that have been clearly cutoff. If we examine ourselves and judge our own selves in the right way, then we don’t have to fear being cut off from our Lord who is the source and Savior of our lives.

A tree that is cut off from its source withers and dies. Being dead doesn’t always necessarily mean that the body is in the coffin. There are a lot of dead spirits that are people that look like they are alive but are “dead men walking”. Pharaoh was a dead man walking (Genesis 20:3). Spiritual death leads to physical death if people don’t turn their lives over to Jesus Christ who offers both abundant life while on earth and eternal life with Him in Paradise. In some Bible translations, the word ‘worthless’ is used approximately 14 times to describe the lives of useless people. To ensure that we live a vibrant life while on earth free from withering and ultimately dying we must not be ashamed to praise God with the fruit of our lips (Hebrews 13:15). Our spiritual lives are strengthened by our praising God (Psalm 31:24). If we are ashamed of Jesus then He will be ashamed of us (Luke 9:26). King David wasn’t worried about what other people thought about him dancing with all his might before the Lord (2 Samuel 6:14). Some people refused to express themselves before the Lord in church this way because of their conservative lifestyle. Some people see themselves as too shy and conservative that must preserve the existing conditions of their lifestyles so they choose not to behave out of the ordinary. They want to make sure that they keep their ordinary way alive or in existence. The fear is that if we run around the church in excitement before the Lord and our fellow congregants see that then we think people will expect us to behave differently afterward which could create the potential of a feeling of hypocrisy.

There is a struggle going on within ourselves between good and evil in many of these cases. The Holy Spirit is telling us to let go and celebrate the Lord like David with all our might by dancing, jumping, shouting, and running around the church but Satan is saying, “It don’t take all of that to praise God”. The truth is, “Yes it does and much more!”. Not only can we rejoice in the Lord but God allows us to rejoice within ourselves (Galatians 6:4). This is good news for those that have low self-esteem and great news for those that are on their way to college.

We can compare ourselves to ourselves utilizing Jesus as the standard. The Lord is the measuring stick for our lives. To compare our lives to anyone other than Jesus means we are comparing ourselves to someone who is well below the standard. Each of us should test our own work and be happy with doing a good job. The truth is that we don’t need anyone else to tell us when we’ve done a good job because, if we are honest, then we know when we’ve done a good job or not. Just look at your own work to see if you have done anything to be proud of. When we’ve found those things that line up with the high standards of our Lord then hold on to them (1 Thessalonians 5:21). The same Biblical principles that apply to the ones that bring us the truth every Sunday morning from the pulpit is the same Biblical truth that we all can apply to our own lives (2 Timothy 2:15). The result of this type of living is peace, confidence, courage, hope, and a future life full of abundance. There’s no need to be ashamed of a successful life that is grounded in God’s Word (John 10:10). God even told King David that if he had obeyed God’s commands that the Lord was ready to give him more and more and more (2 Samuel 12:8). Of course, we don’t live for Jesus in order to acquire things (1 Peter 5:2). Yet still, there are advantages and profits that belong to servants of God (1 Peter 5:2). J. Oswald Sanders says in his book titled, ‘Spiritual Leadership’ that desiring to excel is not a sin and the Lord never taught against the urge to high achievement because desiring to excel is motivation enough to help determine the character of one’s ambition. It’s the selfishness of people that perverts high achievements and makes the motivation by some unworthy. For true obedient Christian believers, living a holy God-fearing life does come with fringe benefits and the blessings sure didn’t hurt Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, or Job. If you can’t shout in the classroom, then go back to your own room and shout. If you can’t shout in public, then find a church that has no problem praising God and do like King David did and give God all your might because God’s blessings are something to shout about!

Submitted by Trustee Stanley Ridley

Do you remember the last time you forgave someone? Some people find it hard to forgive. Living in an “eye for an eye” society, most people don’t even consider forgiveness anymore. Most people find it hard to just look past things. These days, people enjoy seeing others suffer. For some reason, it makes them feel better. The lack of forgiveness in our world has allowed people to think it’s okay to get revenge. I’m here to tell you that’s it’s not.

Let me first explain what forgiveness is. The standard definition of forgiveness is the action or process of forgiving or being forgiven. The biblical definition is giving up my right to hurt you, for hurting me. Now that you know what forgiveness is, let me explain to you why it’s important. In life, we are going to deal with negative people. Sometimes it can be friends, family members, classmates, co-workers, managers, or even your brothers & sisters in Christ. The intentions behind some people can be really evil. In most cases, if a negative person sees you doing better than them, they try to find ways to bring you down. Some might try to talk about you or some may even try to hurt you physically. Once when they attempt to bring you down, some might expect or want a reaction out of you. This is what some people call a “testing period”. Not only are they testing you, but God is also testing you. Sometimes the negative people are placed in your life just to test your faith. This is why it’s so important to forgive people even when you really don’t want to.

We also have to remember that if God forgives us for all of the bad things we’ve done, then we can forgive as well. “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15). In some cases, people can’t bring themselves to forgive someone right away, which is fine, but you would want to eventually get to the point of forgiveness. When you hold on to grudges, it brings you down too. If you’re constantly thinking about what a person did to you years ago, you’re not going to be able to focus on the blessings that are in your life right now. You need to let go of things that are no longer important. “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins” (Mark 11:25).

To successfully get through these hard times, you need to pray for the person that has done you wrong. You don’t know what that person could be going through. Pray that they find happiness. Ask God to forgive them and to bless them with wisdom and knowledge. Don’t forget to pray for yourself too. Ask God to place the right words in your mouth. Also, ask God to keep you away from negativity. Once you get to this point, this allows you to grow in your spiritual life and it might even allow the negative people to ask you for forgiveness. Once God sees you forgiving those that tried to bring you down, He will bless you.

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

The Language of Prayer 

It is continually through our walk through the Book of Psalms, that Pastor has taught us so eloquently, and preached, we’ve learned that prayer is talking to God. And when we approach Him, we ought to talk to Him based on who He is. He is El Jehovah; I Am. His covenant name is Jehovah. He is self-sustaining. He is self-maintaining. He needs nothing outside of Himself to exist. The literal meaning of His name is, “I Be!” He is, because He is. He is the “IS-NESS” of God. The fact that He “IS” causes Him to be active, and He specializes in taking nothing and making something out of it, and that is His creative power on display.  

How then do we, who have been made something by the One with creative Power, talk to Him? What language do we use? What do we say? In the Book of Psalms, David has been our example of how to talk to God, and not so much by instruction, but more by relationship. Have you ever been in a prayer setting, and wanted to pray but did not? Why not? Did you think that what you had to say was not important? Or that your speaking was not eloquent enough; that your prayer would sound elementary? I have had all those fears and concerns, and I have sat in many prayer meetings where I lacked the boldness to pray. In those times, while prompted to say something to God (to pray) what I had to say seemed inadequate, beyond a simple “Thank You!” But the language of prayer is just that; the prompting of the Spirit of God in your heart to compel you to speak to Him out of the abundance of your heart; to burst out in praise, song, word or worship, in your own unique way.  

Knowing the Word of God is important when talking to Him because it reminds you & Him of His promises. It’s not that He forgets, but rather that you be reminded that He has not forgotten you. Over the years we have had lectures on prayer; numerous prayer breakfasts and sat in many prayer seminars. We have read & studied many books, and prayer methods, and still, what God requires most of us (time spent in fellowship with Him) we find difficult to do. But we’re learning from David in the Psalms, that talking to God ought to be as simple as talking to an old friend, based on relationship. And in those times when we don’t know what to pray, we have an Advocate; an Intercessor who speaks on our behalf. Perfect love casts out all fear, and God wants our focus to be on the One who blesses, and not what people think about how we pray. 

The Languish of Prayer 

If I don’t know you, I may consider time spent with you as unimportant. Our conversation, indeed, our prayer with God is the same. It’s built on relationship, and it works the same way. How do we build relationships? How do we get to know one another; or to a place where we’re not just passing one another by? By stopping to look at self, seeing who I really am. Knowing my own strengths, and weaknesses. By recognizing my own needs. When I am confident of who I am, and when I can confess my own faults, I have no need to fear you. Our prayer life with Jesus is the same way – seeing ourselves considering who He is, helps us in our prayers, and in our communication with Him. We can come boldly to His throne. We can come casting all our cares upon Him. We can enter His courts with praise – and we can leave it all on the altar as sweet savor and sacrifice to Him. We ought to do it often, and with courage and the confidence of knowing that God Hears Us. He cares for us. And even if delayed, He Will Answer! 

The Lack of Prayer 

If I am intimidated by the prayers of others (corporately or privately) and fail to enter into relationship with Christ, first by receiving His free gift of salvation, and then failing to forsake the assembling of myself with other believers, there is a tendency to miss out on so much because we only pray by ourselves. Yet when Jesus gave us the model for prayer, He emphasized praying together… “Our Father…give us this day…Lead us not into temptation” (Matt 6:9-13). There is power in group prayer. Likewise, if we are failing to grow in His Word, we might live a life of hopelessness – like an eagle in a hen house – not knowing that if I just start flapping my wings – I can fly above all that would keep me down.  

When we pray, we should be persistent in our prayers. God is not a vending machine, waiting to spit out answers instantly. So, we are to keep praying even when we have no answers. It’s important to remember that when you make a request to God, He always wants to answer in a bigger, better way than you’ve prayed. If you’re asking too small, He may delay, because He wants to give you something bigger and better, but He has to prepare you first for it. A delayed response gives you time to clarify exactly what you want and refines your prayers. It separates deep longings from mere whims. We can be confident in our prayers when we realize that insemination is where life begins. Birth is where life evolves; and Eternal Life in Christ has guaranteed New Life with Him, forever. Prayer is the way we talk to Him now but in Eternity, we will be face to face…with Him. What will you say to Him, then?  

Come, Let Us Pray! 

Prayer, with its manifold and many-sided forces, helps the mouth to utter the truth in its fullness and freedom. A holy mouth is made by praying, by much praying; a brave mouth is made by praying. Praying gives sense, brings wisdom, broadens and strengthens the mind. The best, the greatest offering is an offering of prayer. Prayer has no magic, potent because it gets the Omnipotent God to grant its request. In the Christian system, unction is the anointing of the Holy Spirit, separating unto God’s work and qualifying for it. Preachers need the prayers of the people, and the people need the prayers of the preacher. Our Wednesday night prayer meeting and Bible Study are under-attended in comparison to our Sunday Morning Worship and somehow the practice of corporate praying by the church has fallen into disuse or become discounted. Prayer, to the preacher, and to the congregation at large, is not done simply out of duty, or privilege but it is a necessity. It is an absolute necessity that the people pray for the preacher and that the preacher prays for the people. God’s call on us is to pray for the Man of God, that He may be able to meet his responsibilities that God has set him apart to do. This is our call to pray. Come Let us Pray!  

Submitted By Deaconess Irene Gardon