WHY SOME PRAYERS REMAIN UNANSWERED

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the streets, that they may be seen by men…But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place…” (Matthew 6:5-6)

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

“But without faith, it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Many of you, I’m sure have wondered why it is that sometimes your prayers are not answered. Why it is that you pray and it seems as though God is not listening? You have trouble and you need help. What do you do now?

It is with the hope of bringing some help to some distressed and puzzled soul that I would like to share with you some things that I have learned over the years, from the Word of God and from my personal experience about prayer.

One of the main reasons why your prayers are not answered is because you have not been truly persistent in prayer. You must start here. Jesus spoke a parable to show the need of persistence in prayer. To be effective, you must pray with great sincerity. Great sincerity leads to persistence. Persistency in prayer means to have a great need that matters so much on your hearts that you carry it with you all day and sleep with it on your heart by night, and in season and out of season you take it to the Lord in sincere prayer. Persistence in prayer works not only to prove to God your deep sincerity, but to create this sincerity in your heart and, to demonstrate it to yourselves. Persistency in prayer that brings an answer from God for your definite need is prayer that reaches out to God from every area of your life, and from every hour of your being. Don’t complain about unanswered prayers unless your praying has been sincere and persistent.

Even when you have been deeply sincere and very persistent, the answer has not come as you sought it! What then? Perhaps your prayers remain unanswered because they did not rise to the throne of God from a heart of godliness and truth. Sin cripples the power of prayer. The Psalmist David wanted the honor of building the temple in Jerusalem, but the sin in his life kept him from realizing this ambition. The Book of James 5:16 tells us: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” A modern translation of this verse reads as follows: “A good man can accomplish much through prayer when he tries.” Ah, there’s the secret key that opens the door so your prayers can be answered, “a good man.”

Between power with God in prayer and the goodness of the person who prays exists a vital connection. It means something both on earth and in heaven when the person who prays is a good person. Righteous living, clean speech, and pure thinking have their positive values in bringing an answer to prayer, and their absence in a person’s life explains much of the unanswered prayers which trouble them. “Blessed are the pure in heart,” said Jesus, “for they shall see God!” God sees them, and God hears them, and God answers them. You cannot complain about unanswered prayer if you have held sinful hopes and selfish ambitions within your heart.

No one is sinless. Every day, in one way or another we break the commandments of God. We violate His purposes of human life, in thought, in word, and indeed. If you had to be absolutely holy before you could expect anything from prayer, you would never be in a position to expect anything. Perhaps, the reason that your prayers remain unanswered is because you do not have a heart of forgiveness when you pray?

The only commentary that Jesus made on the prayer He taught His disciples is in Matthew 6:14-15 was: “If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” If, holding bitterness, revenge and feeling of resentment in your heart against other people prevents the forgiveness of your sin by God? It also prevents those other positive, healing aspects of prayer which can come only to the person who has been forgiven. Forgiveness of others does not depend on their repentance or their changed life; it depends on your relationship to God; and upon your determination to be granted forgiveness by God for your sin. You cannot complain about unanswered prayer if you hate someone, if you are bitter against someone, or if you harbor resentment in your heart against someone.

It may be that you are not guilty of this. By the grace of God your heart may be washed clean of all ill feeling against all individuals. Yet the things for which you pray for do not come. Your prayers may also remain unanswered because they are not in accord with the will of God. I take it for granted that you are trying to pray for things agreeable to the will of God. If this is not so, then the matter ends immediately. No one can dare set up their own will in defiance of the divine will of God.

The first premise when you pray should be that you are seeking to enter into the will of God both by your life and by your desire which you bring to the throne of God in prayer. You must know that life is understandable only when lived in compliance with the will of God. You will not find happiness in any other way. But even so, the best of men may not understand wholly the will of God. For the best of men, some prayers remain unanswered, because the desired answer would run contrary to the Divine purpose. You are to trust and keep on trusting, knowing that when the will of God is done, it is best not only for you, but for those around you.

There is another aspect of the truth which may be overlooked; it is easy to lose sight of the forest for the trees. You may consider that your prayers are not being answered when in reality they are being answered. No person can truly say: “I keep on praying, and nothing happens.” Something always happens. I believe that while God may not always answer the prayer, God always answers the person praying. When you pray, as we have indicated, and with complete reliance upon Him, something always happens. How does God answer prayer? Sometimes by giving us the things we asked for. Sometimes by refusing us the things we seek. But the refusal is as much an answer, as truly a loving answer, as the refusal of the mother to give her child everything it asks for. Sometimes by having you wait, and maybe you are waiting now, until either the thing you seek is ready for you, or until you are ready for it. In either case the answer is an answer of love. Whenever you pray, and keep on praying, you are brought into fellowship with God, and into the divine will of God.  

LA RESTAURACIÓN

"Hermanos, si un hombre es sorprendido en una falta, vosotros que sois espirituales, restauradle con espíritu de mansedumbre, considerándote a ti mismo, no sea que también seas tentado. Llevaos las cargas los unos a los otros, y así cumplir la ley de Cristo. Porque si un hombre se cree a sí mismo como algo, cuando no es nada, se engaña a sí mismo ". (Gálatas 1: 1-3)

La palabra "restaurar" fue un término médico que describe cómo los médicos restablecerían un hueso roto. Cuando alguien tiene un hueso roto, un médico debe colocarlo nuevamente en su lugar para que la lesión pueda sanar. Ese hueso nunca será exactamente igual que antes, pero la única posibilidad que tiene de recuperar cualquier utilidad es que sea "restaurado".

Lo mismo puede decirse del creyente que ha caído en el pecado, tiene casi cero posibilidades de ser curado sin nuestra ayuda. De acuerdo con Pablo, una de las funciones importantes de la iglesia es que nosotros, "nos llevemos los unos a los otros ..."

Uno de los ministerios más necesitados y más descuidados en el cuerpo de Cristo es el de buscar y restaurar a los hermanos que han caído en el pecado. Muchos evitan hacerlo por varias razones: a nadie le gusta la confrontación. No saben qué decir ni cómo hacerlo. No quieren ser críticos o críticos. Son conscientes de sus propios defectos y no quieren parecer hipócritas. Entonces dicen: "No es de mi incumbencia", y dejan que la persona siga con su pecado. O tal vez se lo digan a los pastores y lo dejen tratar con eso.

Restaurar a un hermano que ha pecado exige una fe audaz y humilde, lo suficientemente audaz como para enfrentar el pecado y, sin embargo, lo suficientemente humilde como para ver cuán propensos somos a pecar y humildemente para depender del Señor y no caer en Pecado en el proceso de restaurar a un hermano.

Un buen cristiano llora sus pasados ​​fracasos, pecados y deficiencias. Como ya no hace esas cosas malas, es intolerante con los demás que aún las cometen. Él está impaciente con otros que todavía hacen cosas malas. Él está tratando de vivir bien con la ayuda de Dios.

Un creyente espiritual en las otras manos llora por lo que es. Él está de luto por ser un pecador. El apóstol Pablo exclamó en Romanos 7:24: "¡Miserable de mí! ¿Quién me librará del cuerpo de esta muerte? "Pablo lloró por lo que es, no por las cosas malas que había hecho. Un buen cristiano llora las cosas que ha hecho mal, pero el creyente espiritual está de luto por estar equivocado. La persona espiritual no puede juzgarse a sí misma porque se ve a sí mismo como el pecador más grande. ¡El creyente espiritual no señala a otros pecadores porque él está continuamente consciente de lo que es, un pecador lamentable! Existe una gran diferencia.

La primera responsabilidad de aquellos que son espirituales es la restauración de alguien que ha pecado. La cláusula condicional de Pablo, "si alguien es atrapado en un pecado", se enmarca de tal manera que señala la alta probabilidad de que los creyentes pecaren. El pecado en la iglesia no es una posibilidad hipotética, es una realidad. Pablo está más preocupado por la manera en que se trata a los pecadores en la iglesia que por el pecado mismo.

Podemos aprender tres cosas cuando intentamos restaurar a un compañero creyente para evitar que pecaremos mientras lo hacemos. Primero, debemos ser espirituales, esto es de suma importancia. Si no estamos bien con Dios y un creyente maduro, emergerá nuestro orgullo y nuestro pecado profundamente arraigado. En segundo lugar, debemos enfrentar a la persona para restaurarla y no avergonzarla. En tercer lugar, debemos entender que los roles tienen el potencial de revertirse y que podríamos ser los que necesiten restauración. Piensa en aquellos que han dejado al Señor porque fueron lastimados y avergonzados en lugar de restaurados cuando se les confronta sobre su pecado. ¿Cuántos de esos habrían permanecido en el Señor si se consideraran estos tres principios?

COMO TRATAR CON EL PECADO:

 “Bienaventurado aquel cuya transgresión ha sido perdonada, y cubierto su pecado. Bienaventurado el hombre a quien Jehová no culpa de iniquidad, Y en cuyo espíritu no hay engaño. Mientras callé, se envejecieron mis huesos. En mi gemir todo el día. Porque de día y de noche se agravó sobre mí tu mano; Se volvió mi verdor en sequedades de verano. Mi pecado te declaré, y no encubrí mi iniquidad. Dije: Confesaré mis transgresiones a Jehová; Y tú perdonaste la maldad de mi pecado.” Salmo 32:1-5

Hay varias palabras Griegas que se traducen pecado en el Nuevo Testamento. Aquí están cuatro de ellos:

A. Hamartia: Errarle al blanco (Romanos 5:12)

B. Hamartama: Haciendo un acto malvado (I Corintios 6:14).

C. Paraptoma: Desviarse del camino (Mateo 6:18).

D. Parábasis: Cruzar una frontera conocida (Romanos 5:14).

La mayoría de los creyentes creen que el pecado es pecado y que no hay ninguna diferencia es todo igual. La verdad es que hay una gran e importante diferencia. La Palabra de Dios usa varias palabras para describir el pecado y distinguir los diferentes tipos de pecado: transgresión, pecado, iniquidad y engaño.

Estas cuatro cosas: la transgresión, el pecado, la iniquidad y el engaño, son cuatro diferentes tipos de pecado y tienen que ser tratadas de diferentes maneras.

A. Transgresión (parábasis): Ir más allá de un límite conocido. Antes de la ley había pecado pero no la transgresión.

B. Pecado (hamartia): Errar el blanco, faltar en lo que Dios quiere que hagamos.

C. Iniquidad (hamartama): Anarquía, una persona no quiere obedecer la ley de Dios o del hombre. Hace excusas para el pecado. (Mateo 7:22-23)

D. Engaño (paraptoma): Astucia, culpa. El engaño es el ocultamiento o la distorsión de la verdad con el propósito de inducir a error.

Hay muchos creyentes que, debido a que no conocen la diferencia entre estos cuatro y cómo tratar con ellos, han sido perdonados, pero no han tenido su gozo restaurado.

En Salmos 32:5 vemos como David trató con estos cuatro:

A. Él reconoció su pecado

B. Él no escondió su iniquidad

C. Él confesó su transgresión

D. Él reconoció la decepción de su pecado (la iniquidad de mi pecado)

Estas cuatro cosas pueden verse también en el Salmo 51.

Cuando ocultamos nuestra transgresión, comenzamos a sentir el peso de la transgresión sobre nosotros (Salmos 32: 3-4). El peso de la transgresión está destinado a llevarnos a la confesión (Proverbios 28:13).

El objetivo principal de un creyente que ha pecado es ir más allá y más allá del perdón y recuperar su alegría y su lugar en Dios. Hay una alegría de saber que nuestros pecados son perdonados, pero hay una mayor alegría de tener la aprobación de Dios para nosotros restaurada. Muchos creyentes nunca han conocido esta alegría.

En Salmos 51:11, las palabras "Tu Presencia" significan en su rostro. La cara de Dios no es el perdón, sino su favor (aceptación o aprobación). Uno de los problemas que enfrenta un reincidente cuando regresa a Dios es que sabe que ha sido perdonado, pero que no tiene la dicha que alguna vez tuvo en el Señor.

Él espera que Dios lo llene de alegría en el momento en que confiesa y se arrepiente de sus pecados. ¿Cómo puede Dios darle alegría si lo ha decepcionado? Él tiene que ganarse Su favor una vez más. No sé cómo un creyente que ha pecado y no ha sido restaurado a favor de Dios puede vivir en paz: "Restáurame el gozo de tu salvación; y sosténme con tu espíritu libre "Salmos 51:12.

Cuando estás fuera del favor de Dios, no tienes alegría ni libertad. Usted adora con su cuerpo y alma, pero su espíritu no adorará. La razón es que hay culpa y estás fuera del favor de Dios.

La alabanza es lo primero que regresa a ti cuando Dios te da alegría y es lo primero que debes ir cuando pecas (Salmos 51:15).

Puede que no nos guste involucrarnos, pero la responsabilidad de la restauración recae sobre los hombros de aquellos que "son espirituales". Lo correcto es que lo espiritual sea para restaurarlos. Somos llamados por Dios para ayudarnos unos a otros. Es nuestra obligación. Debemos brindar la responsabilidad y el apoyo que necesitan para ayudarlos a recuperarse. Sin ese apoyo, la persona que ha caído en el pecado puede no tener la fuerza para superarlo. Necesitamos personas que no tengan miedo de involucrarse en la restauración de un hermano.

RESTORATION

"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself." (Galatians 1:1-3)

The word “restore” was a medical term describing how doctors would reset a broken bone. When someone has a broken bone, a doctor must put it back in place so the injury can heal. That bone will never be exactly the same as before, but the only chance it has of regaining any usefulness is for it to be “restored.”

The same can be said of the believer who has fallen into sin, he has almost zero chance of being healed without our help. According to Paul, one of the important functions of the church is that we, “Bear one another's burdens...”

One of the most needed and yet most neglected ministries in the body of Christ is that of going after and seeking to restore a brethren who has fallen into sin. Many avoid doing it for a number of reasons: No one likes confrontation. They don’t know what to say or how to go about it. They don’t want to be judgmental or critical. They are aware of their own shortcomings and don’t want to come across as hypocrites. So they say, “It’s none of my business,” and let the person go on in his sin. Or, perhaps they tell the pastors and let him deal with it.

Restoring a brethren who has sinned calls for a faith that is both bold and humble, bold enough to confront sin and yet humble enough to see how prone we are to sin and humble enough to depend on the Lord so that we don’t fall into sin in the process of restoring a brethren.

A good Christian mourns his past failures, sins, and shortcomings. Since he doesn't do those bad things anymore, he is intolerant toward others who do still commit them. He is impatient toward others who still do bad things. He is trying to live right with God's help.

A spiritual believer, on the other hand, mourns over what he is. He mourns that he is a sinner. The apostle Paul exclaimed in Romans 7:24, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Paul mourned what he is, not the bad things he had done. A good Christian mourns the things he has done wrong, but the spiritual believer mourns that he is wrong. The spiritual person cannot bring himself to judge others because he sees himself as the biggest sinner. The spiritual believer does not point fingers at other sinners because he is continually aware of what he is, a woeful sinner! There is a big difference. 

The first responsibility of those who are spiritual is the restoration of one who has sinned. Paul's conditional clause, "if someone is caught in a sin", is framed in such a way as to point to the high probability that believers will sin. Sin in the church is not a hypothetical possibility, it is a reality. Paul is more concerned about the manner in which sinners in the church are treated than in the sin itself.

We can learn three things when trying to restore a fellow believer to keep us from sin while doing it. First, we should be spiritual, this is of the utmost importance. If we aren’t right with God and a mature believer our pride and deep-rooted sin will surface. Second, we should confront the person in order to restore them and not to shame them. Third, we must understand that the roles have the potential to be reversed and we could be the ones in need of restoration. Think of those who have left the Lord because they were hurt and shamed rather than restored when confronted about their sin. How many of those would have remained in the Lord if these three principals were considered?

HOW TO DEAL WITH SIN:

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.” Psalms 32:1-5

There are a number of Greek words that are translated sin in the New Testament. Here are four of them:

A. Hamartia: Missing the mark (Romans 5:12).

B. Hamartama: Doing an evil deed (I Corinthians 6:18).

C. Paraptoma: Differing from the path (Matthew 6:14).

D. Parabasis: Stepping across a known boundary (Romans 5:14).

Most believers think that sin is sin and that there is no difference it is all the same. The truth is that there is a big and important difference. The Word of God uses various words to describe sin and to distinguish the different types of sin: transgression, sin, iniquity, and deceit. These four are four different types of sin and they have to be dealt with in different ways.

A. Transgression (parabasis): To go beyond a known limit. Before the Law there was sin but no transgression.

B. Sin (hamartia): To miss the mark, to fall short of what God wants us to do.

C. Iniquity (hamartama): Lawlessness, a person will not obey the law of God or man. Making excuses for sin. (Matthew 7:22-23)

D. Deceit (paraptoma): Guile, cunning, guilt. Deceit is concealment or distortion of the truth for the purpose of misleading.

There are many believers who, because they did not know the difference between these four and how to deal with them; have been forgiven but have not had their joy restored. These four things can also be seen in Psalms 51.

In Psalms 32:5 we see how David dealt with these four:

A. He acknowledged his sin

B. He did not hide his iniquity

C. He confessed his transgression

D. He acknowledged the deceitfulness of his sin (the iniquity of my sin)

When we hide our transgression, we began to feel the weight of transgression upon us (Psalms 32:3-4). The weight of transgression is meant to drive us to confession (Proverbs 28:13).

The main objective of a believer that has sinned is to go past and beyond forgiveness and have his joy and his place in God restored. There is a joy of knowing our sins are forgiven, but there is a greater joy of having the approval of God towards us restored. Many believers have never known this joy.

In Psalms 51:11 the words “Thy Presence” means from his face. God’s face is not forgiveness, but his favor (acceptance or approval). One of the problems that a backslider faces when he comes back to God is that he knows he has been forgiven, but he doesn’t have the joy that he once had in the Lord.

He expects God to fill him with joy the moment he confesses and repents of his sins. How can God give him joy if he has disappointed Him? He has to earn His favor once again. I don’t know how a believer who has sinned and has not been restored to God’s favor can live in peace: “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit” Psalm 51:12.

When you are out of God’s favor you don’t have joy or liberty. You worship with your body and soul, but your spirit will not worship. The reason is that there is guilt and you are out of God’s favor.

Praise is the first thing to return to you when God gives you joy and it is the first thing to go when you sin (Psalms 51:15).

We might not like getting involved, but the responsibility of restoration rests squarely on the shoulders of those who ‘are spiritual.’ The right thing to do, the Spiritual thing is to restore them. We are called of God to help each other. It is our obligation. We are to provide the accountability and support they need that will help them be restored. Without that support, the person who has fallen into sin may not have the strength to overcome it. We need people who aren’t afraid to get involved in restoring a brother.

VIVIENDO MÁS ALLÁ DE LA MEDIOCRIDAD

“Y escribe al ángel de la iglesia en Lardácea: He aquí el Amén, el testigo fiel y verdadero, el principio de la creación de Dios, dice esto: Yo conozco tus obras, que ni eres frío ni caliente. ¡Ojalá fueses frío o caliente! Pero por cuanto eres tibio, y no frío ni caliente, te vomitaré de mi boca.” (Apocalipsis 3:14-16)

Un hombre de negocios prominente que matriculaba a su hijo en una universidad muy conocida meneaba su cabeza mientras el examinaba el catálogo de estudios de la escuela. “¿Tiene que tomar todos estos cursos mi hijo?” Él preguntó al decano. “¿No lo puede hacer más corto? Él quiere salir rápidamente.”

“Seguro que si, él puede tomar un curso más corto,” contestó el decano. “Pero, todo depende de lo que su hijo quiere ser. Cuando Dios quiere hacer un roble Él se toma veinte años, pero Él sólo toma dos meses para hacer una calabaza.”

Los atajos son atractivos, y usted está libre para tomar la salida fácil, pero esto es ser ordinario, uno de la muchedumbre, siendo mediocre.

En esta escritura Dios llama la mediocridad, tibieza. La gente de la iglesia de Lardácea no eran ni caliente, ni frio, ellos eran complacientes, ellos eran indiferentes al logro y ellos sólo estaban haciendo el papel. El mundo está lleno de la mediocridad. La mediocridad es el estado de ser moderado, hasta inferior en la calidad; ordinario. Dios no nos creó para ser mediocre, gente ordinaria.

El hombre no evolucionó de alguna ameba en el océano hace unos millones de años, como los científicos quieren que creíamos. No evolucionamos del mono como nos dicen los evolucionistas. Yo no sé de usted, pero yo fui creado en la imagen y la semejanza de Dios (Génesis 1:27). Somos extraordinarios en todas formas mediante Jesucristo. Dios nos ha dotado con la capacidad de pensar, para expresarnos con palabras, para amar y saber que fuimos creados por Él.

Somos la creación de Dios. Su carácter fue puesto en cada uno de nosotros en la creación. Cuando usted se siente sin valor o hasta comienza a odiarse, recuerde que Dios está en usted, listo y dispuesto a trabajar dentro de usted.

Siempre recuerde quién es usted; somos Su hijos, somos Su iglesia. Tenemos la promesa de Su amor perdurable y presencia. Somos herederos del cielo. Podemos hacer cualquier cosa por medio de Cristo. No se conforme por menos que lo mejor. Dios nos ha dado Su Espíritu, Su Palabra, Sus bendiciones, Él le ha dado dones. Ahora él espera que hagamos nuestro mejor para Su honra y gloria.

Si usted está viviendo una existencia mediocre, su alma está en el peligro. El mensaje muy claro de Dios es que Él está harto y no tolerará la mediocridad en su pueblo.

LIVING ABOVE MEDIOCRITY

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3: 14-16)

A prominent businessman who was enrolling his son in a well-known university shook his head as he examined the school's catalog of studies. “Does my son have to take all these courses?’ he asked the dean. “Can’t you make it shorter? He wants to get out quickly.”

“Certainly, he can take a shorter course,” replied the dean. “But it all depends on what your son wants to be. When God wants to make an oak tree He takes twenty years, but he only takes two months to make a squash.”

Short cuts are attractive, and you are free to take the easy way out, but that’s being ordinary, one of the crowd, being mediocre.

In this scripture, God calls mediocrity, lukewarmness. The people of the Laodicean church were neither hot nor cold, they were complacent, they were unconcerned with accomplishment and they were just going through the motions. The world is full of mediocrity. Mediocrity is the state of being moderate to inferior in quality; ordinary. God did not create us to be mediocre, ordinary people.

Man did not evolve from some ameba in the ocean millions of years ago like the scientists want us to believe. We did not evolve from the monkey as the evolutionists tell us. I don’t know about you but I was created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). We’re extraordinary in every way through Jesus Christ. God gifted us with the ability to think, to express ourselves with words, to love and to know that we were created by Him.  

We are God’s creation. His character went into the creation of every one of us. When you feel worthless or even begin to hate yourself, remember that God is in you, ready and willing to work within you.

Always remember who you are; we are His children, we are His church. We have the promise of His abiding love and presence. We are heirs of heaven. We can do anything through Christ. Don’t settle for less than your best. God has given us His Spirit, His Word, His blessings, He has given you gifts. Now he expects us to do our best for His honor and glory.

If you are living a mediocre existence, your soul is in danger. The very clear message from God is that He is fed up with and will not tolerate mediocrity in his people.

ARDIENDO EN EL FUEGO DEL ESPÍRITU SANTO

“El fuego arderá continuamente en el altar; no se apagará.” Levítico 6:13

Una iglesia que había sido construida hace muchos años fue incendiada una noche. El incendio podría ser visto por miles en cada dirección y esto atrajo a una gran multitud. Un hombre que nunca daría un paso dentro de la puerta de una iglesia y que se burlaba de los feligreses vino a mirar la quemadura de la iglesia. Un miembro de la iglesia se acercó a él y le dijo: “es extraño verlo aquí.” El hombre le contestó, “Esta es la primera vez que he visto esta iglesia el fuego.”

Cuando una iglesia verdaderamente esta en fuego, la gente es atraídas a ella. El deseo del Señor es que la iglesia este en fuego. Jesús le dijo a la iglesia en Laodicea que Él deseaba que estuviera caliente y no tibia (Apocalipsis 3:15). Sin el halito de vida del Espíritu la iglesia será como el valle lleno de huesos secos como en la visión de Ezequiel, fría y muerta (Ezequiel 39).

El Espíritu Santo es vital a la vida dinámica de la iglesia. Uno de los propósitos del derramamiento del Espíritu es la renovación de la iglesia para que pueda cumplir su misión al mundo. El Espíritu es dado para fortalecer a la iglesia para ser testigos, que comienza en el hogar y se extiende hasta los confines de la tierra (Hechos 1: 8).

En el Libro de los Hechos observamos una iglesia eficaz que puso el mundo de arriba abajo. El Espíritu Santo era la llave a su vida dinámica. Los dones del Espíritu estaban muy en operación como herramientas esenciales para el evangelismo. La iglesia del Nuevo Testamento experimentó el crecimiento explosivo en la potenciación del Espíritu. Dios desea restaurar la iglesia de hoy a los principios y los modelos  de la vida de la Iglesia del Nuevo Testamento.

El Espíritu Santo es derramado con el fin de revivir la iglesia para que la Iglesia renovada realice la Gran Comisión. Dios desea que su iglesia sea un cuerpo unido bien coordinado, unido con cada parte funcionando correctamente de modo que el evangelio alcance a todo mundo.

La evidencia del control del Espíritu Santo en la iglesia se manifiesta en varias maneras.

1. El Espíritu Santo Produce Una Actitud De Vida, Amor, Gozo, Paz, Fe, Excitación Y Entusiasmo:

    Un espíritu infeccioso, contagioso está presente en una iglesia que experimenta vida nueva en el Espíritu. La gente es atraída a una congregación que está viva. Su fe vibrante es capturada aún más de lo que se enseña. El Salmo 126:2 describe el ambiente de restauración: “Entonces nuestra boca se llenara de risa, y nuestra lengua de alabanza.” La alegría es evidente a todos. Las iglesias llenas del Espíritu son centros alegres.

2. Hay Predicación Lleno Del Espíritu Que Produce Respuesta De Arrepentimiento O Resistencia:

El predicador se convierte en un canal para la Palabra de Dios (Marcos 13:11). La predicación en el poder del Espíritu es bíblico y habla a la conciencia y al corazón. Las iglesias llenas del Espíritu son centros de predicación.

3. El Espíritu Santo Libera La Gente De La Culpa Y La Esclavitud Del Pecado:

El Espíritu hace posible vivir en la justicia de Cristo y santificación. Las iglesias llenas del Espíritu son centros de evangelización.

4. El Espíritu Santo Inspira Servicios Vibrantes De Adoración En Donde La Vida De Cristo Y Su Victoria Son Celebradas, Proclamadas y Demostradas:

Es el Espíritu de Dios quien evoca verdadera adoración (Filipenses 3:3; Juan 4:24). Iglesias llenas del Espíritu son  centros de adoración (Hechos 2:46-47).

5. El Espíritu Santo Crea Compasión Para El Pobre, El Necesitado Y El Enfermo:

Las iglesias guiadas por el Espíritu ministran amor, aceptación, el perdón, sanidad, y asesoramiento a los heridos y al solitario (Hechos 5:12, 16). Las iglesias llenas del Espíritu son centros de sanidad.

6. Los Creyentes Transformados Se Congregan Juntos Tanto En Adoración Corporativa y Confraternidad En Los Hogares:

El principio se da en Hechos 2:42. La práctica de la Iglesia se ve en Hechos 2:44, 46; 5:42. La reunión de creyentes era un tiempo para evangelizar, ensenar, compartir, ministrar, orar, y equipar. Los hermanos a la vez salían espontáneamente al mundo para testificar de su vida en Cristo. Las iglesias llenas del Espíritu son centros de reunión.

7. El Espíritu Conduce A La Restructuración De La Vida De La Iglesia, Estilo De Ministerio, Y Gobierno Congregacional Según Principios, Prácticas y Modelos Bíblicos:

El señorío del Señor se reconoce y se somete a ellos. Los dones del oficio del ministerio se reciben y son permitidos que operen. Todos los miembros son entrenados y equipados para su ministerio. Las responsabilidades del cristiano en la administración del evangelio y de sus recursos se proclaman y practican. Consiguientemente la iglesia puede funcionar según el designio de Dios. Las iglesias llenas del Espíritu son cuerpos que funcionan. 

Muchas iglesias hoy en día se encuentran en la necesidad desesperada de avivamiento, renovación, rejuvenecimiento, revitalización y restauración. Llámelo lo que usted quiera, la verdad del asunto es que la iglesia necesita urgentemente una nueva derramamiento del Espíritu Santo.

Invitamos y desafiamos a la iglesia para capturar una visión de la voluntad del Señor para un derramamiento de Su Espíritu en la iglesia. Oremos para que la iglesia en fuego realice su misión en el mundo en estos últimos días.

BURNING IN THE FIRE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.”  Leviticus 6:13

A church that had been built many years ago burned down one night. The blaze could be seen for miles in every direction and it drew a large crowd. A certain man who never would step inside the door of a church and who made fun of churchgoers came to watch the church burn. A member of the church went over to him and said: “It’s strange seeing you here.” The man replied, “This is the first time I’ve seen this church on fire.”

When a church is truly on fire, people are attracted to it. The Lord’s desire is that the church be on fire. Jesus told the church at Laodicea that He wished it were hot and not lukewarm (Revelation 3:15). Without the Spirit’s breathe of life the church, like the valley full of dry bones in Ezekiel’s vision, is cold and dead (Ezekiel 39).

The Holy Spirit is vital to dynamic church life. A purpose for the Spirit’s outpouring is to renew the church so it can fulfill its mission to the world. The Spirit is given to empower the church for witnessing, which begins at home and extends out to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).

In the Book of Acts, we observe an effective church which turned the world upside down. The Holy Spirit was the key to its dynamic life. The gifts of the Spirit were very much in operation as essential tools for evangelism. The New Testament church experienced explosive growth under the Spirit’s empowerment. God desires to restore today’s church to the principles and patterns of the New Testament church life.

The Holy Spirit is poured out for the purpose of reviving the church so that the renewed church will fulfill the Great Commission. God desires His church to be a united body fitly joined together with every part functioning properly so that the gospel will reach all people.

The evidence of the Holy Spirit’s control in the church is manifested in several ways:

1. The Holy Spirit Produces An Attitude Of Life, Love, Joy, Peace, Faith, Excitement And Enthusiasm:

A contagious, infectious spirit is present in a church experiencing new life in the Spirit. People are attracted to a congregation that is alive. Their vibrant faith is caught even more than it is taught. Psalm 126:2 describes the atmosphere of restoration: “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing.” Gladness is evident to all. Spirit-filled churches are joyful centers.

2. There Is Spirit-Filled Preaching Which Produces Response, Either of Repentance Or Resistance:

The preacher becomes a channel for the Word of God (Mark 13:11). Spirit-empowered preaching is biblical and speaks to the conscience and the heart. Spirit-filled churches are preaching centers.

3. The Holy Spirit Sets People Free From Guilt And Bondage To Sin:

The Spirit makes it possible to live in righteousness and sanctification. Spirit-filled churches are evangelistic centers.

4. The Holy Spirit Inspires Vibrant Worship Services In Which Christ’s Life And Victory Are Celebrated, Proclaimed and Demonstrated:

It is God’s Spirit who evokes true worship (Philippians 3:3, John 4:24). Spirit-filled churches are worship centers (Acts 2:46-47).  

5. The Holy Spirit Creates Compassion For The Poor, Needy and Sick:

Churches led by the Spirit minister love, acceptance, forgiveness, healing, and counseling to hurting and lonely people (Acts 5:12, 16). Spirit-filled churches are Healing centers.

6. The Believers Congregate Together Both In Corporate Worship And In Home Fellowships:

The principle is given in Acts 2:42. The practice of the early church is seen in Acts 2:44-46; 5:42. The gathering of believers was time for evangelizing, teaching, sharing, ministering, praying and equipping. The brethren, in turn, spilled out spontaneously into the world to witness to their life in Christ. Spirit-filled churches are gathering centers.

7. The Spirit Leads To The Restructuring Of Church Life, Ministry Style And Congregational Government According To Biblical Principles, Practices And Patterns.

The headship of Jesus is acknowledged and submitted to. The office gifts of ministry are received and permitted to operate. All members are trained and equipped for their ministry. The believer’s responsibilities in the stewardship of the gospel and of his resources are proclaimed and practiced. Consequently, the church can function as God intended. Spirit-filled churches are functioning bodies.

Many churches today stand in desperate need of revival, renewal, rejuvenation, revitalization, and restoration. Call it what you will, the truth of the matter is that the church badly needs a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  

We invite and challenge the church to catch a vision of the Lord’s will for an outpouring of His Spirit on the church. Pray that the church on fire will fulfill its mission in the world in these last days.