Pray Continually

"Pray continually."

1 Thessalonians 5:17

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Someone once said that you do not become a master of anything by doing a thousand things once. You become a master by doing one thing a thousand times. I believe this is the heart of the Apostle Paul. He wanted the early Christians to master the art of prayer. You will never have an effective prayer life by praying occasionally. The attitude expressed in this command teaches us to pray often and effectively. The heart of the New Testament, nestled within Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians, lies in a verse of mystical simplicity and depth: "Pray continually."

This call to action, brief as it may seem, encapsulates an elementary spiritual principle that has resonated through the ages, offering guidance, comfort, and encouragement to believers across generations. This instruction from Paul is not to be seen as an act of bondage. Some may say, "It is only possible for me to pray a few days a week, as I have duties and responsibilities to perform." No, my friend, the Apostle is not suggesting that we avoid our responsibilities in the name of prayer. He is encouraging us to have an attitude of prayer. 

The message is clear: We should pray when we feel our minds wandering and leaning toward fleshly responses. When we feel the pressures of life overwhelming us, we should pray. Paul is teaching us about our attitude more than the physical act of prayer. Praying without ceasing means considering the Lord in your daily life and referring to Him often. 

"Pray continually" is an act of spiritual discipline, urging believers to maintain an intimate relationship with God. This call to ceaseless prayer transcends mere religious ritual; it invites us into a way of life where communion with the Lord dominates our lifestyle. It speaks of a prayer life that is not confined to specific times or places but is as natural and essential as the air we breathe: a constant connection with our Creator. 

In the broader narrative of Scripture, prayer is depicted as the lifeline of the faithful, a means of grace through which we align our hearts with God, seek His will, and draw upon His strength and wisdom. To pray continually is to live in a state of spiritual readiness, openness to God's presence, and responsiveness to His leading. It is to walk through life with the awareness that we are never alone and that the Almighty is with us in every circumstance, ready to listen, guide, and comfort. 

Yours in Christ,

Bishop Eric A. Lambert, Jr., Pastor

*Excerpt from "The Power of Prayer" by Bishop Eric A. Lambert, Jr.

Free From Worldly Tradition

"And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the Lord thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven."                                 

(Deuteronomy 4:19 KJV)

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Worldly tradition has emerged as one of the greatest forms of bondage. It is in this area the Christian struggles the most. Should we follow the traditions of the world or seek the intent of the Lord? Our inability to trust the word of God has caused the Church to become servants of worldly tradition more than servants of the Lord. 

Since the creation of the earth and its first inhabitants, Adam and Eve, God has instructed his human family to honor him faithfully and exclusively. Lavish with both love and gifts, the Creator gave the first two residents just one command: to not eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. In other words, they were to avoid "forbidden fruit" that was growing in the garden with all the other foliage. Unfortunately, when enticed by Satan in the form of a serpent to eat the fruit for its visual appeal, appetite satisfaction, and supernatural wisdom, the couple gave in to these worldly appeals by forsaking their loyalty to God. We all know the devastating results of that lapse in judgment. 

Truth be told, any of us could have, and probably would have, made the same mistake. We should have learned our lesson then about avoiding the snares of this life that counter God's leadership. Our devotion to him cannot be compromised by secular temptation and spiritual disobedience. But being human, each of us is tempted to turn our eyes away from God to fasten our gaze on the desires of the world--usually with disappointing or even deadly results.

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." (I John 2:16 KJV)

Have you ever experienced conflicts between Christian duty and carnal desires? Chances are that you have struggled between the way of the world and walking with God. We all have done so occasionally--and sometimes daily!  Temptations come in all forms and sizes, from addictions to materialism and indolence to avoidance, along with everything between. Does it seem coincidental when you're confronted by strong temptation in a moment of weakness? 

Everyone is tempted by worldly phenomena that, like the Pied Piper of Hamelin in the fairy tale, lead us from our Christian beliefs to the glittering pleasures of this secular world. Like the Prodigal Son, we want our promised inheritance now to indulge in carnal sins--and we willingly squander our material and spiritual resources for transient satisfaction that leaves a trail of regret. Yet, all our sins, including these, are forgiven when we repent, though we have to live with the consequences for the rest of our earthly life.

As Christians, we are free to live however we wish. But everything we think, do, and say should be God-honoring, to enhance our relationship with Him and to strengthen our spiritual nature. Daily life has probably never been more stressful than it is right now. With our attention pulled in numerous ways, it is hard to stay focused on what truly matters: our relationship with God. Without the anchor of His mercy and love, nothing else matters. Sadly, many people don't understand or accept that. By putting God first in your life each day, you have boundless resources instantly available when you turn to the Father for help and guidance. More importantly, you will find peace and security. 

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:36 KJV

God Bless You!

Bishop Eric A. Lambert, Jr.

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SPECIAL NOTE

Tune in to Pastor Lambert's

New Live Call-in Talk Show

Premiering March 6th at 3:30 PM

WFIL 560 AM

Listen online at https://wfil.com/listenlive

Trust the Plan

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

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Praise the Lord, everyone! It's been a joy serving and worshipping with you during 2023, and I look forward to greater times in 2024. I want you to remember that our theme for 2024 will be "TRUST THE PLAN". In Jeremiah 29, God declares he has plans for us and we always want to be mindful that God is in control. His plan is being revealed, understood, and applied. Know that we are more than conquerors: we win! So, our part in the plan is to walk by faith. If we can believe, all things are possible. All we need to do is trust the plan.

Have a great holiday season, and remember to keep Christ first during this time of celebration.

God Bless You!

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Watch Bishop Lambert's first teaching on "Trust the Plan" HERE.