DAILY DISCIPLINES

 

Confession and Repentance

 

Confession (homologeo to speak the same thing)
 

Matthew 18:15-17 “Go to brother alone…take one or two…take it to the church…”

James 5:16 “Confess your faults one to another.”

I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”


 

Repentance (metanoia/metanoeo a change of mind; to have another mind)


 

Matthew 4:17 “Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Mark 6:12 “And they (12) went out, and preached that men should repent.”

John 15:3 “Ye are clean through the Word…”

Acts 17:30 “God commandeth all men everywhere to repent.”

I Corinthians 11:31-32 “If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”

II Corinthians 7:9-10 “Ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner. For godly sorrow worketh repentance.”

Ephesians 5:26 “That Christ might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word.”

I John 1:7 “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

Revelation 2:4-5 “Thou (Ephesians) hast lost thy first love…repent, and do the first works…”

Revelation 3:19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”


 

THE WRITTEN WORD


 

Read the Word


 

Revelation 1:3 “Blessed (happy) is he that readeth and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”


 

Hear the Word


 

Romans 10:17 “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”


 

Study the Word


 

II Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”


 

Memorize the Word


 

Psalms 119:11 “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.”


 

Meditate upon the Word


 

Psalms 1:2-3 “His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”


 

Obey the Word


 

Hebrews 12:2 “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross…”

I John 1:4 “These things write we unto you, that your joy may be full…”

III John 4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”


 

SPIRITUAL WARFARE


 

The Enemy


 

I Peter 5:8 “Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour.”


 

Ephesians 6:16 “Fiery darts of the wicked.”

James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Galatians 5:16 “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

Ephesians 6:10-18 “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…Loins girt about with Truth,,, Breastplate of righteousness…Feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace…Shield of faith…Helmet of salvation (soteria deliverance)… Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God…Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…Watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

I John 2:16 “The lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life…”


 

PRAYER


 

Prayer – Hebrew siyach to talk with (not to) Greek deesis petition, request, a wanting, an asking; stresses sense of need; proseuche most frequent term used for general prayer.


 

Praying in the Spirit


 

Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings (stenagmos sighing; intercessory groaning) which cannot be uttered.” Note: John 11:33, 38 “Jesus groaned in the Spirit…Jesus therefore again groaning (embrim sigh; deeply moved) in Himself.” Luke 10:21 “Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit.”

Ephesians 6:18 “Praying in the Spirit.”

I Corinthians 14:14-15 “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the Spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also.”

I Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing (adialeiptos unceasingly; that which is constantly recurring).”

Jude 20 “Praying in the Holy Ghost.”


 

What is Prayer?


 

Hebrew siyach to talk with (not to) Greek deesis petition, request, a wanting, an asking; stresses sense of need. Proseuch general word for prayer and one most frequently used.


 

Model Prayer


 

Luke 11:1f; Matthew 6:9f “Teach us to pray…”

Worship and Praise- “Our Father…Hallowed be Thy Name.”

Submission- “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done.”

Petition-“Give us this day our daily bread.”

Confession- “Forgive us our sins.”

Dependence- “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”

Faith- “Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory.”


 

How Should One Pray?


 

Pray in the Spirit (See above Scriptures)

Pray in humility (Matthew 6:5-8; Luke 18:19-20)

Pray Believing (Matthew 18:19-20; Mark 11:23-24)

Pray with Perseverance (Luke 18:1-8; James 5:16)

Pray in a Forgiving Spirit (Matthew 5:23-24; Mark 11:25-26)

Pray in Simplicity (Matthew 6:7)

Pray Specifically (Matthew 6:11; Acts 12:5)

Pray With Boldness (Hebrews 4:16)

Pray in Christ’s Name (John 16:23; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; I John 2:1)


 

Where Should One Pray?


 

Closet (Matthew 6:6)

Everywhere (I Timothy 2:8)

Cross (John 18:30)

Housetop (Acts 10:9)

Mount of Olives (John 7:53-8:1)

Mountain (Matthew 14:23)

Solitary place (Mark 1:35)

Temple (Acts 3:1; 22:17)

Wilderness (Luke 5:16)


 

In What Position Should One Pray?


 

Bowed knees (Ephesians 3:14; Luke 22:41; Acts 9:40)

Face down (Matthew 26:39)

Lifting hands (I Timothy 2:8

Seated (Acts 2:2)

Standing (Mark 11:25; Luke 18:9-14)

Watching (Matthew 26:41; Luke 21:36; Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 4:2)


 

When Should One Pray?


 

All night (Luke 6:12)

Always (Luke 18:1; I Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 6:18)

Baptism (Luke 3:21)

Evening (Mark 6:46-47; Acts 3:1)

Meals (Luke 9:16; Acts 27:35)

Midnight (Acts 16:25)

Morning (Mark 1:35)


 

For What Should One Pray?


 

Bread (Luke 11:3)

Church matters (Acts 1:24; 4:23-31)

Enemies (Matthew 5:44)

Everything (Philippians 4:6)

Fellow Christians (James 5:16; Colossians 1:3)

Forgiveness (Luke 11:4)

Healing (James 5:13-15; Matthew 17:21)

Kingdom to come (Luke 11:2)

Laborers (Matthew 9:38)

Lost (Romans 10:1; II Corinthians 5:20)

Missionaries (Acts 13:3; I Thessalonians 5:25; II Thessalonians 3:1)

Second coming (Mark 13:33)

Those in authority (I Timothy 2:1-2)

Victory over temptation (Luke 11:4; Matthew 26:41)

Will of God (Luke 11:2)


 

What Are the Hindrances to Prayer?


 

Carnal motives (James 4:3)

Insincerity (Matthew 6:5)

Known sin (Psalms 66:18)

Marital problems (I Peter 3:7)

Not asking (James 4:2)

Pride (Luke 18:10-14)

Robbing God (Malachi 3:8-10)

Satan (Job 1; Daniel 10:13)

Unbelief (James 1:6-7)

Unforgiving spirit (Matthew 5:23-24)


 

Note: God answers prayer with: “Yes”; “No”; “Wait”


 

Prayer Promises


 

Ask and receive (Matthew 7:7-13; Luke 11:9-13; John 15:7, 14:13-14)

All things possible (Matthew 19:26)

Believer and receive (Matthew 21:22; Mark 9:23, 11:24)

Confidence (I John 5:14-15)

Mountains removed (Mark 11:23-24)

Mustard seed faith (Luke 17:6)

Obedience (I John 3:22)

When two are agreed (Matthew 18:18-20)


 

FASTING


 

Hebrew tauwm to cover over the mouth; Greek nesteuo to abstain from food; not eating


 

New Testament Accounts of Fasting


 

Gospels


 

Matthew 4:2f “Jesus fasted forty days and nights.”

Matthew 6:16-18 “Not hypocritical; No sad countenance; Not disfigure face; Not appear to be fasting; Anoint head; Wash face; Appear not to be fasting; Fast in secret.”

Matthew 9:14-15 “The days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken from them and then shall they fast.”

Matthew 17:21 “Casting out demons by prayer and fasting.”

Luke 2:36-38 “Anna served God with fasting and prayers night and day…gave thanks unto God.”


 

Acts Accounts


 

Acts 10:30 “Cornelius fasted and prayed…salvation.”

Acts 13:2-3 “They ministered to the Lord and fasted …Holy Spirit spoke…fasted and prayed…sent out apostles Barnabas and Saul.”

Acts 14:23 “They ordained elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”


 

Epistle Accounts


 

I Corinthians 7:5 “Husbands and wives give yourselves to fasting and praying.”

II Corinthians 6:5 “As ministers of God…in fasting…”

II Corinthians 11:27 “I, Paul, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often…for the care of the churches.”


 

Insights to Fasting


 

  1. A person can go approximately forty days without food with no ill effect.

  2. First two days most difficult: headaches, hunger pangs that may last up to 15 minutes…drink warm water to satisfy if necessary.

  3. Hunger disappears after 48 hours with little or no desire for food.

  4. It is important to drink water or natural juices (no added sugar and no stimulants)

  5. Body runs on stored fats and accumulated wastes burning them as fuel.

  6. Experience some weakness from 4th to 7th day.

  7. Actual hunger returns after 40th day.

  8. If you do not eat after 40th day then the body will begin to destroy itself in starvation.

  9. The more often you fast the easier it becomes.


 

Benefits of Fasting


 

  1. When you fast the body begins to detoxify itself, purges and cleanses itself.

  2. One of the best and safest ways of healing known.

  3. Powerful way to break habits such as smoking, drinking, drugs, spending money, temper, sex sins, food addiction, etc.

  4. After 7 or 8 days bodily desires such as sex and hunger subside and spiritual drives ascend. You become spiritually sensitive and the Lord’s presence is very real and you tend to have great insights, discernment and even visions.


 

Caution: At the conclusion of a fast, watch for great temptation or testing as in Matthew 4:1f.


 

Best fast for special discipline would be 8 to 10 days and best fast for regular discipline and health would be 1 day per week.


 

WORSHIP & PRAISE


 

Worship


 

Greek definition:

proskuneo- prostrate oneself, kiss, adore

sebomai- to revere

enopion- in the face of; presence of; sight of

doxa- praise, glory

ethelothskeia- voluntary worship

latreno- do service


 

Jesus’ Teaching on Worship (According to John 4:20-24)


 

Worship is not a place.

Worship is a relationship.

Worship is an attitude.

Worship of the Father.

Worship in truth.

Worship is in Spirit…God is Spirit.


 

Scriptural Examples of Different Expressions of Worship


 

Praising God”- Psalms 100:4; Luke 24:53; Acts 2:47; Romans 15:11; Revelation 19:5

Giving”- Acts 2:45

Baptism”– Acts 2:41; 8:12; 10:48; 16:15, 33

Lord’s Supper”- Acts 2:42; 20:7

Prayers”- Acts 2:42; 4:24; 12:5; I Corinthians 14:15

Preaching”- Acts 4:2, 5:42, 8:4-5; Romans 10:15; I Corinthians 1:17-18

Healing”- Acts 3:1-11, 5:15-16, 9:32-35, 28:9; I Cor.12:9,28,30; James 5:13-14

Fellowship”- Acts 2:42, 9:27; Galatians 2:9; I John 1:3, 7

Doctrine”- Acts 5:42; Romans 12:7; I Corinthians 14:26; Colossians 3:16

Tongues”- I Corinthians 14:26

Interpretation”- I Corinthians 14:26

Revelation”- I Corinthians 14:26

Psalms”- I Corinthians 14:26; Ephesians 5:18-19

Hymns & spiritual songs- I Corinthians 14:15; Colossians 3:16-17

Singing in the Spirit”- I Corinthians 14:15

Amen”- I Corinthians 14:16

Clap”- Psalms 47:1

Lifting hands”- I Timothy 2:8

Testimony”- Psalms 107:2

Be still”- Psalms 46:10

Confession”- James 5:16; I John 1:9

Thanksgiving”- Psalms 100:4

Bearing burdens”- Galatians 6:2

Holy kiss”- Romans 16:16; I Corinthians 16:20; II Corinthians 13:12; I Thessalonians 5:26; I Peter 5:14

Embrace”- Acts 20:1, 37

Dancing”- Psalms 149:3, 150:4; II Samuel 6:14

Shouting”- Psalms 47:1

Washing of Feet”- John 13:4-17

Worship is orderly”- I Corinthians 14:32-3


 

Note:

Praise is a part of worship but worship is more than praise Worship is personally and corporately experiencing the presence of God.

Worship is our response to the awareness of God’s presence. Worship may take various expressions or forms


 

Praise


 

Hebrew:

yadah to worship

towdah with extended hands

halal to celebrate

tehillah hymn of praise

barak kneel in adoration

hilluwl rejoicing, celebration of thanksgiving for harvest

azmar celebrate in music, sing for praise

shaback praise in loud tone

mahalal praise


 

Greek:

aomesos praise in sacrificial offering

aineo to speak in praise of

ainos a narration of praise

epainos praise of character of God, commendation

epaineo to applaud, laud

humneo to sing praise

arête praise of virtue, excellence

exomologeo to confess or agree

doxa praise of glory


 

Scriptural Examples

 

New Testament

Acts 2:47 “Praising God.”

Acts 3:8-9 “Walking, leaping and praising God…and saw him praising.”

Acts 16:25 “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises unto God.”

Romans 15:11 “Praise the Lord…all ye His people.”

Ephesians 1:6, 12, 14 “To the praise of His glory.”

Hebrews 2:12 “In the midst of the church will I (Jesus) sing praise.”

Hebrews 13:5 “Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God.”

I Peter 2:9 “That you should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you.”

I Peter 4:11 “To whom (God) be praise and dominion forever and ever, Amen.”

Revelation 19:5 “Praise our God all ye His servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great.


 

Note: Some Things That Happen When We Praise:

Fish vomit - Jonah 2:9 “I will sacrifice unto Thee with a voice of thanksgiving.”

Walls fall - Judges 7:20 “They cried, the sword of the Lord and Gideon.”

Battles are won - II Chronicles 20:17-22 “Worshipping the Lord… praise the Lord…praise the beauty of holiness. Sing and to praise…enemies were defeated.

Jails open - Acts 16:25 “They prayed and sang praises to God and suddenly there was a great earthquake.”


 

Old Testament

Psalms 9:1 “I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart.”

Psalms 22:3 “God inhabits the praise of His people.”

Psalms 28:7 “With my song will I praise Him.”

Psalms 33:1 “Praise is comely for the upright.”

Psalms 33:2 “Praise the Lord with harp.”

Psalms 34:1 “His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”

Psalms 50:23 “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me.”

Psalms 56:4, 10 “I will praise His word.”

Psalms 104:33 “Praise to my God as long as I live…while, I have my being.”

Psalms 106:48 “People say, Amen, Praise ye the Lord.”

Psalms 107:8, 15, 21, 31 “O that men would praise the Lord.”

Psalms 113:3 “From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the Lord’s Name is to be praised.”

Psalms 119:164 “Seven times a day do I praise Thee.”

Psalms 147:1 “Praise ye the Lord; for it is good to praise…”

Isaiah 61:3 “Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”


 

WITNESSING


 

New Testament Examples


 

Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me…”

Acts 2:11 “They speak in our language the wonderful works of God.”

Acts 2:32 “Peter: This Jesus hath God raise up, where of we all are witnesses.”

Acts 3:15 “Peter: Ye killed the Prince of Life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.”

Acts 4:29 “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word.”

Acts 4:31 “They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness.”

Acts 4:33 “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord.”

Acts 5:32 “Peter: We are His witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him.”

Acts 10:39-43 “We are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree…to Him give the prophets witness.”

Acts 22:15 “For thou shalt be witnesses unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.”

Acts 26:16 “Jesus to Saul: But rise, and stand upon they feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and those things in the which I will appear unto thee;”

Acts 26:22 “Paul: I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great.”

Ephesians 6:19 “And for me (Paul), that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.”

Colossians 4:3 “Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds.”

Revelation 20:4 “And I John saw the thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God…”


 


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