Genesis chapters 15 - 17
"And he (Abram) believed in (trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness (right standing with God)." Genesis 15: 6 AMP
"For what does the scripture say? Abraham believed in (trusted in) God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness (right living and right standing with God)." Romans 4: 3 AMP
"[For Abraham, human reason for] hope being gone, hoped in faith that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been promised, So [numberless] shall your descendants be. He did not weaken in faith when he considered the [utter] impotence of his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or [when he considered] the barrenness of Sarah’s [deadened] womb. No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised. That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God)." Romans 4:18-22 AMP
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16 KJV
"Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray (also) for one another, that you may be healed and restored (to a spiritual tone of mind and heart). The earnest (heartfelt, continued prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in it's workings). James 5:16 AMP
Does the scripture say The prayers of a PERFECT main avails much? No, RIGHTEOUS. I have always equated righteousness with being way more spiritual than a regular person like me. Someone like Abraham, the Apostle Paul or even Jason and Kimberly Sciscoe (modern day evangelists who are both amazing prayer warriors and students of the Word). Sure, God would hear the prayers of Abraham, Paul, Jason, or Kimberly. But what about me, a regular person? Well, according to Genesis 15: 6, righteousness is simply believing.
Believing, however, is much more than acknowledging that God exists. And that He is Lord. Believing is trusting and relying on God. Believing is also remaining steadfast to God.
I believe that my husband loves me and is faithful to me. He's never given me cause to doubt him. But what if I took his faithfulness lightly? What if I said, "Sure I believe!", but I was unfaithful to him? That's not belief at all. Believing in Scott means not only trusting in him, but remaining steadfast to him.
Believing is also faith in God's promises even though everything and everyone around us is screaming "IMPOSSIBLE! THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN!!!
Believing is constantly repenting and cleansing our hearts. That's why James 5:16 begins with an exhortation to confess our faults and pray for one another that we may be healed. Only THEN can we talk about the prayers of a righteous man availing much.
Abraham was far from perfect. But he was a true believer. And thought of as righteous by the Almighty God of the universe!
Dear God, I know I'm far from perfect, but I want to be counted among the righteous. I want to confess my faults and cleanse my heart regularly, so I can be in right standing with You! I want to believe in the impossible dreams You've placed in me! Even when I see absolutely no visible proof that You are working, I will, like Abraham, hold my head high, look to You only, and BELIEVE!!!
"For what does the scripture say? Abraham believed in (trusted in) God, and it was credited to his account as righteousness (right living and right standing with God)." Romans 4: 3 AMP
"[For Abraham, human reason for] hope being gone, hoped in faith that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been promised, So [numberless] shall your descendants be. He did not weaken in faith when he considered the [utter] impotence of his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or [when he considered] the barrenness of Sarah’s [deadened] womb. No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised. That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God)." Romans 4:18-22 AMP
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16 KJV
"Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray (also) for one another, that you may be healed and restored (to a spiritual tone of mind and heart). The earnest (heartfelt, continued prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in it's workings). James 5:16 AMP
Does the scripture say The prayers of a PERFECT main avails much? No, RIGHTEOUS. I have always equated righteousness with being way more spiritual than a regular person like me. Someone like Abraham, the Apostle Paul or even Jason and Kimberly Sciscoe (modern day evangelists who are both amazing prayer warriors and students of the Word). Sure, God would hear the prayers of Abraham, Paul, Jason, or Kimberly. But what about me, a regular person? Well, according to Genesis 15: 6, righteousness is simply believing.
Believing, however, is much more than acknowledging that God exists. And that He is Lord. Believing is trusting and relying on God. Believing is also remaining steadfast to God.
I believe that my husband loves me and is faithful to me. He's never given me cause to doubt him. But what if I took his faithfulness lightly? What if I said, "Sure I believe!", but I was unfaithful to him? That's not belief at all. Believing in Scott means not only trusting in him, but remaining steadfast to him.
Believing is also faith in God's promises even though everything and everyone around us is screaming "IMPOSSIBLE! THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN!!!
Believing is constantly repenting and cleansing our hearts. That's why James 5:16 begins with an exhortation to confess our faults and pray for one another that we may be healed. Only THEN can we talk about the prayers of a righteous man availing much.
Abraham was far from perfect. But he was a true believer. And thought of as righteous by the Almighty God of the universe!
Dear God, I know I'm far from perfect, but I want to be counted among the righteous. I want to confess my faults and cleanse my heart regularly, so I can be in right standing with You! I want to believe in the impossible dreams You've placed in me! Even when I see absolutely no visible proof that You are working, I will, like Abraham, hold my head high, look to You only, and BELIEVE!!!
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