"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." - 1 Peter 2:5.
The first three parts of this message were to convince our readers of the need to build a spiritual storehouse of faith - to impress upon our readers the significance of the appointed time that is fast approaching - to persuade our readers to "align" his/her "time and purpose" with the "time and purpose" of God's - to cause our readers to decide to "rise up and take action" before it is too late. We are trusting that the Holy Spirit has moved upon many of our readers and they now have "a mind to work" (Nehemiah 4:6).
The conclusion of this message will be one of a more practical nature, in that, it will no longer define the problem, nor seek to persuade or stir up our readers. This message is for those who have made an intentional decision to move forward, take action, and begin to build the storehouse. If there are still those not yet convinced of the need for a storehouse, Watchmen Ministries will continue to pray and hope for the continuation of the "long-suffering" of God and that His mercy will be mingled with the judgement.
"Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls..." - Jeremiah 6:16.
The first few tools for building your storehouse of faith that will be addressed will appear at face-value to be things many people feel they have already mastered. Many readers may feel tempted to "jump ahead" in this message, looking for something "new and fresh" or "profound". However, Watchmen strongly urges its readers to revisit these tools with an open-mind; or better yet, an "open heart" - if the Body of Christ had truly "mastered" the use of these familiar tools, there would be no need for this message and the church would not be in the shape it is currently in. So....are you ready to build? Then....let's get started.....
"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit." - Hebrews 6:1-3.
First, let a brief mention be made of the foundation on which we are to build our storehouse. Just as Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 3:11, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Watchmen is writing this message with the understanding its main audience are those who are already called "believers"- if there are any readers that do not yet know Jesus as Lord and Savior....this message will be of no benefit to them. The intent of this message is to have the believer "work toward perfection" - to build on an already existing foundation that is true.
1.) Reading God's Word -
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." - Romans 10:17.
In order to "know" God - communicate with Him - and build a storehouse He will dwell in, one must first know His language. For example, someone may live near people of another nationality, such as Hispanics, and be close enough to hear an Hispanic group conversing in the Spanish language - but if that person does not "know" the language; he/she may hear the words being spoken, but will not be able to understand or gain knowledge/instruction from it. The same holds true for the believer. Many Christians today do not "hear" the voice of God simply because they do not know His language! God speaks in the language of the Bible!
If one truly wants communion and fellowship with God, he/she will read His word! Let Watchmen be frank and concise - if the only time someone reads the Bible is at church - that person is not a true disciple of Jesus and will not survive or "endure till the end"! Many believers today are easily deceived and tempted by Satan simply because they do not know God's word. Remember, the word of God is our sword! (Ephesians 6:17) - without it, you are weaponless and no threat to Satan!
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2 Timothy 2:15.
There are several ways to read and study God's word, but the two most productive ones are "saturation" and "meditation".
Saturation - First, make sure it is a good study Bible - preferably King James Version, as in most other versions are inaccurate and corrupt. Today's world is one of technology and innovation - we have the whole Bible on cassette, CD, video, and even mp3 - so, take advantage of every opportunity and moment you have - as you work, prepare meals, clean the house, drive, walk, relax - fill your mind with God's word.
The object of "saturation" is not to concentrate on a small amount/one chapter; but to inundate/flood/saturate your mind. The human mind has been blessed by God with the ability to record every second of life - every sight, sound, taste, touch, smell, etc. Filling your mind with His word will create a protective barrier and fortress against the enemy and his attacks - furthermore, "as a man thinks in his heart(mind), so is he." (Proverbs 23:7). Basically stated, "Garbage in....garbage out."
Meditation - This is where you take a small amount of scripture and really consume it, digest it, dwell on it. Whether it is a chapter/verse you are wanting to understand more/better; or you are "led" to a particular part of the Bible and the Holy Spirit has something in mind that He wants to teach you - show you - reveal more about God through it to you - this is where you will discover, with the help of the Holy Spirit, the "secret riches" and "hidden manna" of God. This will begin to give you "ears to hear" when God speaks the "intimate" things about Himself to you. You will also have more powerful weapons of warfare with which to engage the enemy!
2.) Prayer to God -
"And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." - Luke 11:1.
It is amazing how many ministers, teachers, and pastors that have defined prayer as simply "talking to God" - it is so much more than that! That is - if you want your prayer life to be effective. Think about it - both the disciples of Jesus and John the Baptist had to be "taught" how to pray. Why? Because when they compared their own prayer life to that of Jesus and John - they saw examples of a real, powerful, effective prayer life and realized theirs came up short! It should make us all "cringe" and tremble at the thought that no one is asking his/her leader to teach him/her how to pray today because the examples of the prayer lives of today's church leaders are nothing to be desired!
"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." - James 5:16.
In order to have an effective prayer life, it must be "fervent"! The word "fervent" means "pain-staking hard labor". Ask yourself.....when has my prayer life ever been "painful" or "hard work"? Many believers will claim to have a strong prayer life these days, also claiming they are "intercessors" or "prayer warriors", when all they are really doing is simply "talking to God". So, how does one do more that just "talk to God"?
"....for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." - Hebrews 11:6.
First, if we want to begin effective communion and fellowship with God, we must approach God the right way. We must first "believe that He is" - He is what? He is God! Yes, He is your Father - but He is also God - the almighty, the all-powerful, the maker of heaven and earth! He is not your "buddy", your "pal", your "chum", or an "ole Joe"! We must approach Him with fear, reverence, respect and awe - knowing He has the very next beat of your heart - the very next breath of your lungs - in His hand. There is a wise old saying that if someone wants to be successful at a particular venture, that person should find someone else who was successful and do it the same way. A great example we can use for prayer is King David....for David knew how to pray!
"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." - Psalm 100:4.
Before you begin giving God your list of requests, demands, and petitions....LOVE on Him. Spend the first part of your prayer time in thanksgiving, praise, and worship to Him. Don't get in a hurry....remember, this is not just your time, but it is His time - if you want Him to stop commanding angels, creating worlds, governing the universe, and take time to listen to you - get His attention! Nothing gets a Father's attention like His children opening up their hearts and mouths and, in reckless abandon, loving on Him. According to Jesus' example of prayer in Luke 11 - we should start and end every prayer to God this way!
"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." - 2 Corinthians 9:6.
It has been said that "quality is more important than quantity". This is a true statement; however, one must not ignore the fact that "the more seed that is sown, the larger the harvest". There was once a church billboard that stated, "Don't expect a million dollars from a ten-cent prayer". How much of God do you want when you are in trouble? How much of God do you need when you feel overwhelmed? How much of yourself do you want God to take to heaven when He returns? If you want all He has to offer, then He expects no less in return.
Furthermore, be specific! If a farmer just throws any type of seed into the ground without first confirming what type of seed it is, should that farmer expect one certain crop to grow? Remember, "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7) If your prayers are vague and ambiguous to God, you can expect God's answers to you to be vague and ambiguous as well.
3.) Praying "in the Spirit" -
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." - Romans 8:26.
There is a powerful prayer tool that comes by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. Paul makes mention in several different scriptures of instances in his own life when the Holy Spirit "took over" and prayed through and for him on his behalf and others. However, there is a large misconception about praying "in the Spirit" that must be addressed and placed in its proper prospective. Many believers have not tapped into this powerful tool of praying "in the Spirit" due to a great miss-teaching that praying "in the Spirit" solely means praying "in tongues." The Bible does teach that there are "heavenly" prayer languages and Watchmen Ministries stands firm on the belief that these types of prayers are still in effect today.
However, praying "in the Spirit" actually means praying "according/for the direct will of God", whether that be in a heavenly language or with understanding. For example, the word of God states, " If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5) So, if someone prays for "wisdom", he/she is praying "in the Spirit" - because the scriptures expressly command us to do so. So, in your endeavour to build your storehouse of faith through bible study, when you discover God's will for your life through the scriptures - pray for it! That is truly praying "in the Spirit". Praying for those things that God has already stated in His word that He wants for you will guarantee your prayer life to be "fervent and effectual". To give our readers a good "kick-start" to an "effectual and fervent" prayer life that is "in the Spirit", the Holy Spirit has permitted Watchmen to provide this list of things "directly pertaining to God's will for your life" -
1) Those who have not yet received - The Baptism of the Holy Ghost - Acts 2:38-39.
2) Those who have received - a fresh infilling - Ephesians 5:18.
3) All believers - to "align" your time and purpose with that of God's - Ecclesiastes 3:17
4) Serious, intentional believers - an intimate "heart-covenant" relationship with God - John 17:20-24. (More about this one in an upcoming message!)
"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." - James 4:3.
The main key to having an effective prayer life is "motive". Most believers do not experience an effective prayer life because their prayers are selfish and focused inward - 90% of the prayer is all about the one praying and 10% praying for others. Beloved, make the main intent of your prayers about becoming more like Jesus, seeking God's glory, about being a blessing to God and others - this will insure your prayer life is the most effective it can be - this is truly praying "in the Spirit"!
4) Eliminate all the distractions -
"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." - Mark 1:35.
Consider the following question....How can one be intimate with his/her spouse unless the two are alone? Oh, yes....there are those who pervert themselves and share those things meant for privacy in front of others or for all the world to see - but this is not true romance - not true intimacy. If a believer would make a honest effort to pursue intimate fellowship with God, he/she must take those steps needful to remove the distractions....to get alone with God.
No one can truly study God's word in front of a television. No one can truly pray in the middle of a public place and expect to reach God in an effective way. It takes effort and determination on the part of a believer whose desire is to discover the "secret riches" and "hidden" glory of God. "Hidden" glory? Oh, yes, beloved....the "hidden" glory of God - not hidden "from" us - but "for" us...and for Him. (Matthew 13:44) And only those who truly seek Him will find out how marvelous....how breath-takingly beautiful our God is....and what a tender lover He is.
Is that something you desire? Then take the time to consecrate a place....dedicate a time...to meet with God! Without being able to fully explain it, meeting with God regularly at a specific time/place honors Him. At first, the enemy will attempt to discourage this from happening - the phone will continuously ring, people who never call or visit will suddenly beat a path to your door, problems will arise - constant "distractions" that seem to be "coincidental" will actually be Satan's efforts to stop you from dedicating a time/place to God.
But when God sees your determination, He will move on your behalf for this purpose. Soon you will discover with delight that God yearns to spend time with you just as much, if not more, than you do. Soon, you will go to the "secret place" at the "appointed time" and find Him already there....waiting for you!
5) Fasting -
"Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." - Matthew 6:16.
Notice the Lord said in this scripture, "...when ye fast", not "if". In the main-stream "civilized" church of today, fasting has become an object of antiquity - placed in the same category with things like "foot-washing" or "snake-handing" - reserved for "radicals"....practised only by those "back-woods" folks. Oh, today's Christians will state they "believe" in fasting....but can you truly "believe" in something you seldom, if ever, participate in?
As a matter of fact, fasting has profound benefits for a person physically. Many physicians have reported that most people get sick simply because "they eat too much" and that a person that fasts on a regular basis will depleat the countless bateria and toxins inhabiting our bodies from the all the foods we consume and actually be heathier than those who never fast. But spiritually, fasting does for a believer's prayer life and Bible study the same thing an amplifier does for a guitar - and it will take your prayers and devotional time to a whole new level!
There have been many debates and opinions on what true fasting really is. Some state a fast isn't truly honorable to God unless it concerns only those things necessary for sustaining life - namely, food, water, and sleep. There have also been those who have stated that they have "fasted from television" or "fasted from coffee". The Bible gives us guidelines for an honorable fast to God as well as accounts of particular fasts - the "one-day" fast for direction, the "three-day" fast for deliverance, and the "forty-day" fast...a super-natural "God-called" fast that should only be done by the direct leading of the Holy Spirit.
"Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?" - Isaiah 58: 5-7.
The unmistakable guideline for an honorable fast to God is the fact that it must be a sacrifice! It must cost the believer his/her comfort and be a true affliction. So, when one decides to fast or is led by the Holy Spirit to fast, he/she should ask himself/herself these questions, "Is the fast from something that is truly an afflicting sacrifice for me?" and, "What is the reason/motive for my fast?" Let's be honest with ourselves....giving up television is not a "sacrifice" nor an "affliction". On the contary, that would actually be a blessing! Just remember, anything you give God that is a true sacrifice and has a pure motive will honor Him. And the reward?
"Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward. Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am...." - Isaiah 58:8-9.
Why is fasting so powerful a tool for building your storehouse of faith? There are two reasons that can be clearly verified through the scriptures -
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." - Romans 12:1.
1) The word of God teaches us that the flesh is an enemy of God. (Romans 8) From our flesh come all the corruptions, enticements, lusts, and sinful deeds that separate us from God. Paul stated that the flesh cannot be redeemed; it must be crucified. (Galatians 5:24) Fasting is one of the tools for doing just that.
2) Fasting is also a form of "intimacy". When one gives himself/herself to God in fasting, it is submitting to God completely - spirit, soul, and body. Sacrificing the needs and wants of the flesh is "becoming naked' before the Lord. That why Paul admonishes us to obstain from any other forms of intimacy while fasting. (1 Corinthians 7:5) You are being intimate with God; and one cannot truly be intimate with two people at the same time.
6) Journaling -
"And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." - Habakkuk 2:2.
Watchmen of the Wall Ministries has only shortly became aware of the powerful tool that keeping a journal can be. We were specifically instructed by the Holy Spirit to begin keeping a record of the the thoughts, words, and "secret things" that God has revealed to us. And we feel impressed to encourage anyone who desires to have another powerful tool for building, another weapon of warfare in his/her spiritual arsenal, and another resource of strength and encouragement to do the same! But don't just take our word for it - there are examples of this very thing in God's word!
"And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." - 1 Samuel 30:6.
Beloved, how how do you think David "encouraged himself"? What "tool" can you recall David having available that would remind him of God's goodness?...His faithfulness? How about the vast amount of songs, testimonies, and recorded victories that God gave him stated in the Psalms? There is no doubt that, more than once, David would reflect on the very Psalms that countless numbers of saints throughout the ages have used as well to draw strength, encouragement - even use as prayers! It was David's own "storehouse of faith" that is still being used today due to the abundance that "storehouse" contains.
Beloved, we can also use our journals for that very same purpose. And one never knows if perhaps, just as David, the "storehouse" of your own songs, testimonies, and victories given by God becomes the "storehouse" that the next generation is sustained by too! Begin keeping a journal - perferably one that is plain and not pre-fabricated, meaning it is not already filled up with someone else's accounts, opinions, and ideas - God will provide you with plenty of your own songs, testimonies, and victories. Do it! - it will be a powerful tool - that's a promise!
7) Praise & Worship -
"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord...." - Ephesians 5:19.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." - Colossians 3:16.
Never under-estimate the power of praise and worship to God! It destroys the walls of most fortified stronghold of the enemy! (Joshua 6:20) It breaks the chains of the oppressor a
opens all the prison doors! (Acts 16:26) Praise and worship to God acts as a battering-ram to the Gates of Hell and repels every evil spirit of heaviness and oppression! (Isaiah 61:3) The power of praise and worship unifies the church and manifests itself in a tangible force that causes creation to tremble around us! (Acts 4:31) Praise and worship to God is so powerful - it moves the heart of God into action and is, right now....at this very moment, causing the door-posts of Heaven to shake! (Isaiah 6:4) Why is there so much power in praise and worship to God?
"But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them." - Psalm 22:3-4.
Beloved, when you begin to praise and worship God, you create around you an atmosphere that contains the very presence of the living God! When there is a song of praise to God in your heart and worship to God from your lips; the Spirit of God will surround you....go before you....permeate you....and, "where the Spirit of the Lord is...there is freedom!" (2 Corinthians 3:17). Moreover, we are commanded in God's word as ambassadors of Christ to demonstrate this very thing .
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light...." - 1 Peter 2:9.
Praise and worship is an important tool in building your storehouse of faith....and a very powerful weapon of warfare! Therefore, "....let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand...." - Psalm 149:5-6.
Beloved, these are the fundamental tools for building your storehouse of faith. These is another tool, one that is essential for the believer who would survive the days ahead - but it will be expounded on in a message of its own in the near future. It is imperative that you use them. Fail to take these tools and put them to use and you will "fall by the wayside" in these last days, a victim of Satan and a casuality of war! But for those who "purpose" thier heart to use them in these last days, they will endure to the end - they "shall be strong, and do exploits (rise up, take action, fight back, prevail)!" - Daniel 11:32.
So, what are you waiting for? Start building!
