The Oracles of God

I have, in the past, written of the “Healing Power of Ministry.” It’s true that there is great healing power in ministering to the needs of others. There is a lot that each of us should know and be reminded of when it comes to helping other people. I have made it my purpose in these Barnabas’ Notes to encourage those who need encouragement. I want to do that today by reminding all of us of how important it is to remain faithful to the word of God. 

It doesn’t make any difference how happy you are or how successful you are at navigating the frustrating waters of this life without a mental or spiritual breakdown; if you’re not faithful to the will of God, you’re happiness is temporary. And there are no comforting words to make eternity in hell a little easier to endure. I would much rather encourage you to be faithful to God while suffering through this life, than to make you smile here and lose your soul. There is nothing more encouraging that I can think of to say than to tell you that God loved you so much that He gave His only Begotten Son so that you can have everlasting life (John 3:16).

The apostle Peter said, “Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11).  Amen, indeed! As a preacher of the gospel, the first part of this verse is very important to me. If I presume to speak concerning the will of God, I had better speak God’s word. 

Notice the second part of the verse. You might say, “Yes, but I can’t minister to other people like some others can. I have needs of my own!” Before you write yourself off as not having enough strength to help other people, notice that Peter commands us to minister to (that means serve) other people “by the strength God supplies.” That means that God will give you all the strength you need to reach out to others.

My dear friends, the reason you are able to draw strength from those who encourage you, is because that’s how God designed us to function. Many of you have said some very kind things to me about these notes and I appreciate it more than you can know, but the encouragement that comes to you through this ministry is “by the strength which God supplies.” It’s what allows me to encourage you when I feel down myself and it’s what will help you to reach out to others when you have needs yourself.

It is my prayer that you overcome whatever obstacles stands in your path to true, eternal happiness. Most of all, I would that you were faithful so that even if before this week is done your life is required of you, you will open your eyes in eternity with never a thought or concern or any need of encouragement ever again. God wants you to be happy (and that means saved, 2 Peter 3:9) because He loves you and so do I.

Donnie Bates

The Prayer of Faith

It’s very encouraging when others pray for you, isn’t it?. However, it’s also very encouraging to take your concerns and fears to God yourself in your own prayers, if your prayer life is a healthy one, that is. Some people are not as comfortable praying themselves and don’t find their own prayers that encouraging, at all. If that’s you, you need to change. You need to develop a healthy prayer life and take advantage of the power of prayer.

James wrote, “You do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). Now, there’s more to that verse. James is really dealing with those who go through life with selfish motives. They’re only concerned with themselves. You cannot expect to get what you want, or even need, that way. In verse 3 he says, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” Let us go back to that little part of verse 2. “You do not have because you do not ask!” Wow!! I wonder how many times I failed to receive a blessing simply because I didn’t ask for it.

Some of you reading this right now may have a tough day ahead of you. Maybe a co-worker is giving you fits. Maybe your boss is threatening to fire you. Maybe a classmate or teacher is the thorn in your flesh. Wouldn’t now be a good time to pause and take this concern to God? Tell Him how you feel. Yes, I know that He already knows, but He instituted prayer for your benefit, not His! You’ll feel better if you start talking to God on a daily basis.

Do you need more wisdom to know how to deal with these kinds of problems in your life? Well, just ask!  But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.  For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (James 1:5-8). You need to ask God for wisdom and when you ask, expect to receive it. Now, don’t expect to get something that feels like an electrical shock and so you’re now wiser than you were. What you ought to expect is that God is going to answer your prayer by exposing you to His wisdom found in His word. The answer to your prayer is already here. You can read and study His word and be exposed to His wisdom, and when you obey that word and learn that His way works, your wisdom grows and your prayer is answered.

You need to know that you’re not in this (your struggle) all alone. Your friends, who love and care for you, are with you. And God is with you, too. Even if all the rest leave you to the wolves, He’s not far away. He loves you and so do I.

Donnie Bates