2024.05.19.Pentecost Sunday. Make your Life a Prayer. Walking out our Inheritance
William Akehurst, HSWC
BIG IDEA: Today is Pentecost according to the Greek/Christian Calendar.
Per the Jewish Calendar, Pentecost, or Shavuot is not until June 11th to 13th.
Regardless of the calendars, it’s a day for prayer and waiting on the LORD. As we the Church are called to pray for Israel.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “Pray Without Ceasing”, “Never Stop Praying”, and “Make your life a prayer.”
Harmonized Prayer – All as One.
Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:9-24, Acts 4:12, Acts 1:14-15, Acts 2:1, Jude 1:3, Ephesians 6:10-13, Philippians 4:8, Philippians 1:3-6
1 Thessalonians 5:9-24 (The Passion Translation—TPT)
9 For God has not destined us for wrath but to possess salvation through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One.
10 He gave his life for us so that we may share in resurrection life in union with him—whether we’re awake or asleep.
11 Because of this, encourage the hearts of your fellow believers and support one another, just as you have already been doing.
WE HAVE SALVATION BY NO OTHER NAME THAN JESUS, THE ANOINTED ONE.
Acts 4:12 (NKJV) 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12 (NLT) 12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
LET PEACE REIGN AMONG YOURSELVES.
Luke 24:49 (NKJV) 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
Acts 1:8 (NKJV) 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
AS THE DISCIPLES AND OTHERS GATHERED IN THAT UPPER ROOM AFTER JESUS TOLD THEM TO GO TO JERUSALEM AND WAIT FOR THE COMFORTER TO COME. ABOUT 120 PEOPLE GATHERED, PRAYING, AND WAITING ON THE LORD, TOGETHER IN THAT UPPER ROOM, FOR ABOUT 8 DAYS.
Acts 1:14-15
14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty),
Acts 2:1 (NKJV) 1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
A TIME OF HARMONIZED PRAYER, ALL AS ONE.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
12 Dear brothers and sisters, make sure that you show your deep appreciation for those who cherish you and diligently work as ministers among you. For they are your leaders who care for you, teach you, and stand before the Lord on your behalf.
13 They value you with great love. Because of their service to you, let peace reign among yourselves.
INSTRUCT THOSE WHO ARE NOT IN THEIR PLACE OF BATTLE.
BE FAITHFUL TO STAND YOUR GROUND.
Jude 1:3 (NKJV) 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
1 Thessalonians 5:14
14 We appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not in their place of battle. Be skilled at gently encouraging those who feel themselves inadequate. Be faithful to stand your ground. Help the weak to stand again. Be quick to demonstrate patience with everyone.
Ephesians 6:10-13 (NKJV) 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
1 Thessalonians 5:15
15 Resist revenge, and make sure that no one pays back evil in place of evil but always pursue doing what is beautiful to one another and to all the unbelievers.
Romans 12:16-19 (NKJV)
16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-21
16 Let joy be your continual feast. (LOVE THAT, REJOICE ALWAYS, FEED AND FEAST ON THE JOY OF YOUR SALVATION)
17 Make your life a prayer. (A LIFE OF CONSTANT PRAYER, PRAYING WITHOUT CEASING, NEVER STOP PRAYING)
18 And in the midst of everything be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus. (GOD’S PERFECT PLAN FOR YOU – GIVE THANKS IN ALL THINGS, ALL CIRCUMSTANCE, MOUNTAIN TOP HIGHS AND DEATH VALLEY LOWS)
19 Never restrain or put out the fire of the Holy Spirit. (BE ATTENTIVE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT SEALED IN YOU BELIEVER, WHO WILL LEAD YOU IN ALL TRUTH)
20 And don’t be one who scorns prophecies, (TOUCH NOT MY ANOINTED)
21 but be faithful to examine them by putting them to the test, and afterward hold tightly to what has proven to be right.
Philippians 4:8 (NKJV) 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
22 Avoid every appearance of evil. (AVOID EVEN THE VERY APPEARANCE OF EVIL, SO AS TO NOT CAUSE OTHERS TO STUMBLE. BE HOLY, AS I AM HOLY)
BENEDICTION
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
23 Now, may the God of peace and harmony set you apart, making you completely holy. And may your entire being—spirit, soul, and body—be kept completely flawless in the appearing of our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One.
24 The one who calls you by name is trustworthy and will thoroughly complete his work in you.
May GOD who has begun this work IN you, complete it…
Philippians 1:3-6 (NKJV)
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
FATHER,
We come to praise and worship YOU, In SPIRIT and TRUTH. We give thanks for YOUR Saving Grace, that keeps us from YOUR JUDGMENT by the WAY of our Salvation WHO IS, JESUS CHRIST. And for the Promise that we will share in Resurrection being made One in HIM, through the Seal of Promise, HOLY SPIRIT. We pray for peace within ourselves. We pray for peace within our nation. We pray for peace within Israel and Jerusalem. JESUS said, it’s not the kind of peace we know, its HIS PEACE, HIS SHALOM. Peace with YOU FATHER GOD. We pray for the nations of the world to come to know JESUS as LORD and SAVIOR. We ask YOUR forgiveness where we have not taken our Place of Battle, Standing Firm in YOU against the enemy, even the leaders of the nations that have gone against the moral compass of YOUR WORD. As we see these individuals, we realize that YOU will have the last word. We pray for those who are going the wrong direction, that YOUR SPIRIT would turn them around. Let our joy be full. Let our lives be that “life of prayer”, a living testimony of YOUR LOVE and FAITHFULNESS. Let us be a praise unto YOU LORD, in every circumstance. Help us to hear and know YOUR VOICE above that of the enemy. HOLY SPIRIT, lead us in all truth. Open our understanding and give us discernment of the things we see and hear. Keep us from falling. Hold us up by YOUR PRESENCE within us. Complete us in YOU LORD JESUS as YOU are Trustworthy and will accomplish YOUR Purpose in us.
All in the Mighty Matchless Name of JESUS, YESHUA, our Savior, Redeemer and Soon Coming King! Amen.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Bill
