Dusting God

What is your view of the Lord?

Is He out "there" somewhere?

Does He only come when we need Him?

Is He only there to answer prayers?

Many might say that God is a force or somewhat of a being that is there for us when we need Him.  Some can't totally understand who He really is.  I understand how some may not understand Him completely.  But why is that?  

When a situation arises are we quick to FIRST run to our friend, spouse, computer, etc, and not to the Lord?  How about when life is good?  Are you still coming to the Lord on a daily basis?

Picture a fireplace mantle with many different "idols" on it.   On this mantle there are smaller idols and then there's the one of God.  He's the largest of them all, right smack in the center of this mantle.  The rest are labeled such as: Our traditions, church leadership, our image,  $$$,  our jobs,  our homes, entertainment, sports, politics, computer time, friends, shopping, etc...

At anytime, depending on what we are going through in our day, we in our subconscious mind pick up these idols and give our heart, soul, and mind to.  We will literally spend hours on end with these smaller idols but then give God a few minutes of the day.  Oh yeah, God is still the biggest in our lives.....HE REALLY IS!!  Yes, he is the biggest, but He is an invisible "idol". 

"But God is with us all the time!" you might say.  Yes, of course, He never leaves us nor forsakes us.  He is with us always.  But why is it when something serious in life happens is it then we place more value on who God is in our lives?  We then dust off God and give Him more time than the rest.  Our TV's and computers, and whatever else are great tools, but when we start to tune into them more than to God then that will produce a problem.   

These things are not a sin, and God is not mad at us for spending more time on the computer or on the television, than spending time with Him.  He loves us unconditionally!   We need to consider what we are feeding on.  When times are good and everything is going our way, we should still feed on Him.  We should continually desire to be with Him when life is good.  We should always be aware of Him every second of the day.  He is speaking.  

We should be conscious of His word and His presence in us continually.  This means when we are bad mouthing a neighbor, we should be aware of God's correction.  When we are sitting in front of a movie and there is prevalent sex, adulteries, and cursing we should be aware of God.  What is He telling us during this movie?  Is He laughing with us or leading us to turn it off?  How about when we are working on the computer and see a picture of a skimpily dressed young woman and click on the link and it leads us to a pornography site.....was not the Lord warning us from the moment we let our subconscious mind become lulled and now we have fallen into the trap of the enemy!   Or when we are out shopping and realize we are on a budget but really want to buy that cool item that seems to be calling out our name.   Is not God telling us to stop and not buy it?  What is He saying?

Can you see how the Lord is with us in all our ventures?  He is there guiding us and leading us.  But how would we know it's Him telling us to turn off the computer, the TV, to stop bad mouthing a neighbor or not to go over the budget?  By being conscious of Him 24/7!!  We become more conscious of His presence by minimizing all other distractions in our lives and make God real. STOP making Him into an idol.  Make Him your best friend....Above your spouse,  girlfriend or boyfriend; above your friends, above your computer and television; etc...

During your break time instead of flipping through the newspaper or latest fashion magazine, chat with the Lord or read the bible.  Instead of waking up late, make time to wake up early and have an in-depth bible study.  Instead of watching yet another show on TV, go online and listen to your favorite minister.  If you are home most of the time, put the bible on cd while doing housework.   There are many ways to grow in the Lord and make Him more real in our lives.  Find something that works for you. 

The more we fill our flesh with Godly activities, we draw out the goodness of God that already dwells in our spirits.  Then when the trials and tribulations of life get thrown our way we will not even flinch or crumble because we know our God and know He will not let us down.  We can walk through "hell" with a smile on our face, confident, and with great faith, knowing we will come out untouched. 

FREE IN CHRIST 

Who are you?

And why do you hide?  Why are you anonymous?  


These are the questions I have gotten.  Does it really matter who I am, what I do and how I express myself.  If  those who come on my blog for simple accusations and biting, then you can go off to another blog and throw your venom another direction.  Obviously you are not coming in the name of the Lord and definitely NO LOVE.  


I am here to share the GOODNESS OF GOD, because it is that simple HE IS GOOD.  

Why do I not share who I am?  

I have other blogs where I am very expressive in who I really am.  I don't want those friends or followers to form opinions on my thoughts of the Lord because I have (Christian) friends who don't believe like I do (blog friends).  


In the real world I am bold and I don't hide my views and my GOD with those I encounter in my daily life.  Many say I am passionate for the things of the Lord, I am quick to pray for those in need, I LOVE my brothers and sisters in Christ. 


This blog was created because God has transformed my heart once again after walking in the wilderness seeking for answers from the Lord.  I was a Christian with no power (yes even being spirit filled), but walked in much defeat.  But now the WORD of God flows through my bones and I want to express and share those things that He is teaching me. 


I also want to debunk the many "traditions of men" that are prevalent in Christendom.  As Jesus said in 

Mark 7:13    

"making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

The Word of God is powerful and more sharper than a two edged sword.  And there are many weak Christians out there that are taking and accepting things that are not from God and thinking it is sent from God.  These same people make Christianity just another religion and in a way trampling over the powerful blood of Jesus. 

This is why I am here to GLORIFY THE NAME OF THE KING OF KINGS!

FREE IN CHRIST

The "Almost" Sacrifice of Isaac

The story of Abraham and Isaac is power filled.  To me it depicts the testimony of true faith, trust, and knowledge of who God is.  Abraham was a man who heard the voice of the Lord and never once flinched at the promises that God made to him.

Hebrews 11:8-12

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.  By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise;  for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.  Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

Many might say that Abraham struggled, feared, or doubted when God asked him to take Isaac and lay him up as a sacrifice.  Many theologians might say that he was fearful and must have doubted during the time when he took his only son and laid him up as a sacrifice.

Genesis 22:2

 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

Abraham was a man who knew His Lord, His word, and His will. The Will of the Lord for Abraham's life was steadfast on his heart.  He never once considered that the Promise of God made to him could not be accomplished.  His mind, heart, and thoughts were steadfast focused on the Lord.

Genesis 17:21

But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

So when God tested Abraham for the word sake to truly know if Abraham trusted in the promises of the Lord, I believe Abraham was eager to do the Lord's will.

Hebrews 11:17-19

By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,  of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,” concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

There was no hesitation on Abraham's part.  He knew God wasn't going to let Him down.  He knew God is a friend and not the enemy.  He knew the voice of His Father.  He BELIEVED and never once doubted.  He even made mention to his servant of what the end result would be:

Genesis 22:5

 He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."

This, my friends, is a man who knows His Lord.  He knew in his heart what the Lord was going to do and knew that it was "WORSHIP" to obey the Lord and trust in Him. 

As they are approaching the mountain, Isaac asks "where is the lamb?" and Abraham answers with confidence saying: 

Genesis 22:8

  Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.


Abraham still acting and working in faith bound his son, laying  him on the wood and lifting up his knife was about to "sacrifice" Isaac.   I am sure in his heart he kept hearing the words and promises of God.  They must have been repeating over and over in his mind and he was probably speaking them out of his mouth.  It doesn't say this in the bible, but I know this is what we would do in prayer or in place of confession repeating the word of God.  So I am guessing Abraham was praising, praying unto the Lord while binding his and about to stab him.  When we speak forth the words of God, we are declaring with our mouths those words He, the Lord has spoken to our hearts, which is supernaturally prophetic. 


The end result of this act of faith is that God DID provide and it was accounted to Abraham for righteousness and he was called a friend of God.

Galatians 3:6

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

and 

James 2:23

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

The Lord is looking for those who have the faith and the trust Abraham had.  He knew the heart of God. He trusted in the goodness of God.  He knew God would NEVER, EVER let Him down!!

How do we get to a place where we can trust in the Lord just as Abraham did?  We need to fill our minds with the words of the Lord, and from the fellowship we have with Him.  We need to not fill our minds and heart with unbelief of the world.  Unbelief and ungodliness is so prevalent in today's society.  This unbelief can choke any faith we may have in God.  If we turn on the news, there's unbelief!  If we go to work there is unbelief!  If we watch TV there is unbelief!  So how do we tune out all of this unbelief?  We need to be a people who are willing to lay down those things that can easily ensnare us by reducing those things in our lives that may bring unbelief. 


I encourage you to look at your lives and figure out how you can eliminate weights of unbelief, those weights that hold you down from trusting God like Abraham did.  If it is to lay down some of the news you are listening to; To not watch movies that portray people dying of cancers; To stop speaking words of lack, doubt, death; etc...  You will know by the Holy Spirit what you need to drop or limit.  He will let you know.  Remember don't let anything bring guilt and condemnation and know that you are 

FREE IN CHRIST 

Is God the Godfather?

A common belief in Christianity is that God allows the devil to "attack" us.   Let me say it in a way that will make you think twice.  Some believe that God allows evil to overtake us.  Did I just say this right?  Yep.  Some believe that God is somewhat like the Italian mobster character, "The Godfather".  Do you believe this or not?  I know you are thinking I am nuts.  So, if you don't believe what I am saying, then stop saying that God gives the devil permission to kill, steal, and destroy.  


In a sense those who say God is Sovereign and that He allows all things, good or bad are saying that God is the leader of the mafia.  I know, I'm still trying to understand why Christians believe this perverse thinking.  Actually, I had believed this also. 


In this doctrinal belief, it is common for people to say in a not so clear way, that God allows babies to die; good and bad people to be struck with illness and disease; for people to die in car accidents.  Wait....I thought God is Love and He is good so why is he acting like the Godfather?  Why is He sending His hit man the devil out to get us?  I am still searching for answers, but it just doesn't make sense that a Good God can be the hit man.  I don't believe it!!  Not one little bit.  


I challenge all of you who call on the name of the Lord, to come before Him and ask questions.  Ask Him to show you truths.  Here are some truths He has revealed to me:  


Jesus clearly says in John 10:10

¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 

So why are we saying that God allowed these awful tragedies or sickness to come upon us or our loved ones.  We are quick to blame God with most of our biblical basis coming out of the Old Testament especially in the Book of Job.  We bring Job into the picture and say that God allowed these things to happen.  It says in Job 1:12...

¹² And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” 
So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Before Jesus came to die for our sins, the devil had great liberty to wreak havoc and accuse those before the throne room of God.  It says that Satan, the devil is the accuser of the brethren...Revelation 12:10 says:

 ¹⁰And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Psalm 74:10-12

 O God, how long will the adversary reproach?
         Will the enemy blaspheme Your name forever?
 ¹¹ Why do You withdraw Your hand, even Your right hand?
         Take it out of Your bosom and destroy them.
 ¹² For God is my King from of old,
         Working salvation in the midst of the earth.

Today, he still does try to accuse the brethren day and night.  Satan is still looking to see whom He can devour.  Those who believe and trust in Christ are covered by the blood and shouldn't even be touched by Satan.  So then why do some of our Christian brothers and sisters still suffer tragedies and sickness. And I am not talking about persecution here....There is a difference between suffering for the cross and getting a sickness or being killed in a car accident.  The sickness and accident cannot be of God.  Why would God want to take a person who is doing good for the kingdom, strike them down and kill them off?  Or how can a person who has suffered an illness be any good in the kingdom of God?  They are sitting at home sick and useless.  

Please understand my questioning.  I am not attacking a sick brother or sister saying they are useless.  But, I am saying that those who say they have a sickness because God allowed it are plain wrong.  Or saying that God has allowed this to happen to teach a lesson or there is a purpose to this tragedy.  I don't believe it!

When we open the door to sin in our lives be it anger, strife, adulteries, gossips, any sin etc... and even fear (yes fear is the opposite of faith).  We are allowing Satan, not God, to cause havoc in our lives.  When we are not dwelling in the presence of the Lord or putting Him first in our lives, then we are allowing Satan to come in and take over.  It says in Ephesians 6:10-13...

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. 

It clearly says that we wrestle with the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Satan is looking for who has opened the door because he rules in darkness.  When we live in darkness and allow sins to take over our lives whether we are aware of them or not, Satan will come in and try to kill, steal and destroy.  Jesus says in His prayer to the Father in John 17:14-16...

⁴ I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵ I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 

Jesus asks the Father to keep us from the evil one or in other translations it says  "keep us from evil". 

When we dwell in the secret place of the most High we are sheltered from the wiles of Satan.  Yes, we still live in a fallen world and not free from his attacks but when we are close to the Lord, we then sin less which gives satan no power over our lives.  I know it can be difficult to keep from sinning at times.  There are many times we can loose our temper or maybe even bad mouth a neighbor but we need to be sensitive to hear Holy Spirit's conviction in our hearts so we are quick to repent and not give Satan a foothold.  It says in Luke 12:58

When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.

Since Satan is the accuser of the brethren, he is quick to run with judgement and condemnation, first speaking his lies in our thoughts and then to the throne room.  Before Satan steps foot before God, we need to settle whatever he is bringing against us.  Settle it in your heart and do not take thought of his lies.  Know what Jesus has done for us and know we are clean before God.  Realize the power of forgiveness and His blood.  Jesus is our mediator.  He is standing in between the Father and us as a peacemaker or similiar to a lawyer, defending us!  

1 Timothy 2:5

  For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus

I am so thankful today for the Blood of Christ and what He did on the cross those 2000 years ago.  We have Him standing for us and not against us.  Praise the Lord. 

If you have never come forth and asked the Lord to reveal His goodness to you, I encourage you to be a person who asks many question and seek out the answers because He does want to reveal His goodness to you today!

Free in Christ

What is the Perfect Will of God for YOUR Life?

Are you doing exactly what God wants you to do in this life?

How are you sure you are doing what He wants?

What if you're missing out on His perfect will for your life?

How do I go about finding out?

Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:1-2 encourages believers to lay down their lives to prove what is the perfect will of God.   What does this mean to a follower of Jesus?  What does it mean to lay down your lives?  

By laying down your lives you are saying unto the Lord and unto this world, that nothing is going to stop "you" from doing the perfect will of God.  When you make Jesus the Lord of your life, you are saying acknowledging God has a specific purpose and plan for your life and you want to know what this is.  You want to accomplish every part of this perfect will in your life.  

How do you begin to recognize the direction the Lord has set before you?  It comes down to emptying yourself completely and by choosing to follow His voice, His leading.  You do this by ridding yourself of all your past desires, your longings, and your own path to life and saying unto the Lord "I will do your will Lord, whatever this may be!"  Then start getting to know who the Lord is in your life.  Come to Him in the secret place and become a student of the Lord (a true disciple of Christ).  Pour your desires at the foot of the cross and become that living sacrifice  and allow Him to reveal His purpose, destiny, will for yur life!  You are now delighting in His presence!

Psalm 37:4

 Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

So many of us will take this scripture and think..."Oh, God will give me the desires of my heart".  Then in our minds we have a list of all the desires we have: 

Be married

Work at an awesome job and make a good living

Have a big house 

Have lots of kids

Drive nice vehicles

Go on missions trips

Pastor a church

Run a bible study

and the list goes on. 

Is this what the Lord meant when it says in Psalm 37:4, He will give you the desires of your heart?

I believe when we empty ourselves at the foot of the cross and say "I am willing to do what you are calling me to do.", delight ourselves in His presence, and rid our minds and hearts of OUR desires, then He will give us HIS, yes HIS, desires for our heart.  So, no longer is our will being done and but it is truly the will of the Lord.  His perfect will is being revealed in our lives!

Knowing and following the Lord's will and hearing His voice becomes an easy task.  All we have to do is be willing and spend time in His presence and allow His will, His desires to fill our hearts. 

For example:  Let say before salvation you thought you were going to start your own business, start a family, and build your life.  You knew how many children you wanted to have and where you wanted to reside for the rest of your life.  Then the Lord called you to Him and you were then changed forever.  As you seek Him, you notice those things that you once desired are no longer desired.  When you think of these things, you realize you have new desires.  Desires you have never even fathom having, now are something you long for. Where did these desires come from?  Are they made up?  NO!!

These are the desires He put in your heart to serve Him in the purpose He has for your life on this earth.  For example in the above scenario: You now have no desire to live in, say California,  and everything in you is crying out to move.  You are wondering , "But how can this be?  I've lived here all my life and now, I feel like leaving.  Lord show me your way!"  We may cry out, asking, desiring to know what God wants, not realizing He is showing you through the desires you now have in your heart.  

You then, in faith will leave your home town and start a new life, maybe not knowing what will take place.  God is leading you now to work at a certain job or go to such and such college.  During this time you continue to spend your time being a living sacrifice unto the Lord and delighting in His presence, when He then brings to you your future spouse.  You then get married and pursue a ministry together overseas as missionaries in India, caring for orphaned children. 

What an amazing life!  All of this has happened by just delighting in His presence and allowing His desires to become yours and now His perfect will is taking place in your life!  Any scenario can take place.  The one I mentioned above was just an example of how God can work in peoples lives.  

So all we have to do is commit our lives unto the Lord, become that living sacrifice by delighting in His presence and allow His desires to lead us unto the Perfect will for our lives.  

Today, if you are not where God has for you, make a commitment to come to Him with no desires of your own, and lay them at the foot of the cross to become that living sacrifice.  Become free in your mind, heart, and soul to know the perfect will of the Living God!!

FREE IN CHRIST

What is Prayer?

What is prayer?  

Is it something to do when we have a need? 

Is it a mantra or a religious repetitious saying?

Do we need to bow down to a statue or a picture of  Saints of old?

Is it lighting candles or giving offerings?

What is Prayer?

Most people make prayer into "works".  It is something they "have to do", not something they enjoy doing.  Most of their prayer time is spent repenting, praying for needs, and then if they have time, intercession.  


Prayer should not be self-focused, asking for forgiveness by beating ourselves up.  It should not be with complaining of others and how they need to be changed and saved.  Many approach prayer as part of getting God to do something for us (healing, provide our needs, etc...)


We can get so caught up in making prayer time with the Lord as a mundane task.  Prayer should never be work.  It shouldn't be about using prayer beads, lighting candles, or saying three Hail Mary's.   


Prayer is about a relationship with the Living God.  It should be about being intimate with the Lord. Communicating with Him like you would with any of your relationships.  You talk, He listens.  He talks, you listen.  He talks to us in the middle of our day when we are doing our business.  He is with us ALWAYS.  He never leaves us nor forsakes us.  We abide in Him and He abides in us.  It should be something we want to do 24 hours a day.  Yes, the Lord is quiet at times and not talking.  There are times when communication with a spouse or friend is just the same.  There is quiet even if they are in the same room with us.  


Praising the Lord, thanking Him and just listening should be our way of approaching His throne.  When we seek His kingdom through a relationship we would most likely not have most stresses we deal with on a daily basis.  He has overcome the world!


John 17:3 says "knowing God" is eternal life. 

 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.


Salvation is not just about getting to heaven.  It is about a living relationship with the Living God.  This needs to be our goal when we receive the gift of salvation-- to know the Living god as a person.  


Revelation 4:11 says He created us for His pleasure.

 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.


Pleasure is a good thing.  He is a good God!  


When we come to know the Lord in His fullness, our trust in His love and goodness grows our faith in Him.  This is what He wants.  He wants us to know Him in His goodness and fullness. 


We should approach the Lord as we would a loved one.  Coming to Him with love and gratitude and just wanting to commune with Him in His glory, we will then experience and understand who He really is.  When we understand who He really is, our lives would then change without even asking.  It will change in supernatural ways!!  


This is freedom!  This is life!  This is love!!  


It says in Galatians 5:6

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.


If you have never encountered the love of God in its fullness.  I am encouraging you today to go and ask Him to reveal this goodness in your life.  Talk to Him like you would your best friend. 


Bless You!!

FREE IN CHRIST

God and Unanswered Prayers

Why do we pray, if we think God is going to do what He chooses to anyway?  

Are we praying in hopes God MIGHT answer our prayers?

When we pray, are we praying without faith?

Do we really believe God will answer?

Why doesn't God answer some of our Prayers?

These are some of the many questions that cross our minds when we pray.  

Jesus said in Matthew 7:7 


“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 


In Mark 11:22-24 Jesus says: 


²² So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. ²³ For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. ²⁴ Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, BELIEVE THAT YOU RECEIVE THEM, and you will have them.

In a nutshell, YES , Jesus wants us to ask for all good things.  Those things that are obviously His will, His goodness, His benefits.  What are some of His benefits: Not lacking any good thing. 


3 John 1:2 says, 


² Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

We need to believe when we pray, God has answered our prayers!  Be it prayer for healing, or any need you may have.  We should always believe He has heard and yes He will answer. 

So why does it seem like sometimes He doesn't answer?  

In the book of Daniel it clearly points out that there are other factors that hinder our prayers. 

In Daniel 9:3, Daniel begins to pray, fast, and intercede for Jerusalem:

³And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
 ⁴And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;


This is about a 3 minute prayer, it reads from verse 3 to verse 21, then the Angel Gabriel interrupts in verse 23 and makes an interesting statement that many might miss:



³At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision.

This reveals God answered Daniel when he began his prayer.  It took about 3 minutes from the time the command went forth to the word of the Lord to manifest unto Daniel.  It doesn't say why it took only 3 minutes for Daniel to see an answer to prayer.  

Now if you read in Daniel 10:2-3, he's praying and fasting for three full weeks.  We might ask, "Why did God take so long to answer Daniel this time?"

If you look further down in Daniel and read verse 12-13 it gives an explanation why the Angel took three weeks to arrive with the message:

²Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.
 ¹³But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.


This clearly states that there was a huge hindrance on the prayers Daniel spoke forth.  It shows that the principalities and powers of darkness were hindering Gabriel from getting the message to Daniel.  


It was not that God didn't answer or waited to answer, God answered Daniel as soon as he started praying and fasting.  This brings such understanding to prayer.  To know God answers our prayers from the beginning brings such peace and understanding. 


God does love each one of us and answers our prayers.  We need to understand there are hindrances that are stopping the prayer from manisfesting in our lives.  Whether it be sin in our lives, which opens a door to fellowship with Satan or powers of darkness are trying to stop the prayer from reaching us. 


Satan doesn't know everything God has planned.  He doesn't know anything at all.  He tries to mess up our lives and then blame it all on the Lord.  When we loose faith in God and don't believe He has answered, we then are believing satan, the enemy, more than believing the goodness of God.  This then means WE not God are allowing Satan to rule over us.


We in our own foolishness and ignorance are stopping the prayers of God from reaching our lives.  

Remember this: 

 GOD DOES ANSWER YOUR PRAYERS, AS SOON AS YOU SPEAK THEM FORTH!! 


Proverbs 18:21 says: 


Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
      And those who love it will eat its fruit. 


ARe you Free In Christ today? If not, allow Jesus the Saviour of the world to come  and reveal His goodness and His unconditional love to you!!