Truth to Hang Your Hat On

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Truth toHang Your Hat On


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Marsha Iddings

Hang Your Hat On

Sufficient Grace PublishingClarkston, Washington


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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture

references are from the King James Version

of the Bible.

2007 by Marsha IddingsPublished by Sufficient Grace Publishing

Printed by Lulu

www.lulu.com

Printed in the United States of America

All rights reserved.No part of this publication

may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval

system, or transmitted, in any form or by any

means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,

recording, or otherwise, without the prior

written permission of the author.

Marsha Iddings

Email: [email protected]

To Order Additional Copies:

http://www.lulu.com/Marsha-Iddings


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I am grateful for the ministry ofPort Cities

Reformed Baptist Church of

Lewiston, Idaho for teaching me so

much about Gods sufficient grace.

I am thankful to God for His grace,

mercy and love. He alone is to be

praised.


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About the Author

Marsha has an Associate of Arts Degree in

Theology from Western Baptist College (now

Corban College), Salem, OR. She has been

married for 24 years to her husband Rick andhas a son and a daughter. She has been a home

school mom since the children were old

enough for school and plans to home school

through high school. She has been a

devotional writer for Beyond Surviving Home

School, a web support group for moms with

chronic illnesses, since 2004. She has been

blessed with opportunities for spiritual growth

through dealing with her own physical

challenges of osteoporosis, chronic pain, and

gluten intolerance as well as the healthchallenges of her husband. She lives in Eastern

Washington with her family.


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Table of Contents

Our Great God 13

Our God 14

This is Our God 25

Prayer 29

Twenty Biblical Purposes

for Suffering 53

The Promises of Isaiah 43:2 59

Poems 63


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Our Great God

As you meditate on Who God is you will come

to know Him and trust Him more. Following

are all the scriptures I could find that tell usWho our God is. I would suggest that you take

one verse at a time and study it in context. Ask

God to show you how you can apply these

truths to your own situation. You will find

great encouragement and comfort.


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Our God

Genesis 1:1 God created the heaven and the

earth. (compare with John 1:1)

Numbers 23:19 God is not a man,

Deuteronomy 6:4 The LORD our God is one

LORD:

Deuteronomy 6:15 (For the LORD thy God is a

jealous God among you)

Deuteronomy 10:17 The eternal God is thy

refuge, and underneath are the everlastingarms:

2 Samuel 22:33 God is my strength and power

2 Chronicles 30:9 ...God is gracious and

merciful,

Job 33:12...God is greater than man.

Job 36:5 God is mighty ... he is mighty in

strength and wisdom.

Job 36:26 God is great,


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Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a

very present help in trouble.

Psalm 47:7 God is the King of all the earth:

Psalm 48:14 For this God is our God for ever

and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

Psalm 54:4 God is mine helper:

Psalm 59:9 God is my defense.

Psalm 68:20 God is the God of salvation;

Psalm 73:1 God is good ...to such as are of a

clean heart.

Psalm 75:7 God is the judge:

Psalm 84:11 God is a sun and shield:

Psalm 94:22 God is the rock of my refuge.

Psalm 99:9 God is holy.

Isaiah 12:2 God is my salvation;

Daniel 9:14 God is righteous in all his works


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John 1:1 the Word was God

John 1:3 All things were made by him;

(Compare with Genesis 1:1)

John 1:14 the Word was made flesh, and

dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, theglory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full

of grace and truth.

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the

bread of life:

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them,

saying, I am the light of the world:

John 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, I

am the door of the sheep.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: (compare

with Psalm 23:1)

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the

resurrection, and the life:

John14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way,

the truth, and the life:


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John 15:1 I am the true vine,

Revelation 1:17 Fear not; I am the first and the

last: (compare with Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 48:12 I

am the first, and I am the last; and beside me

there is no God.

John 3:33, 2 Corinthians 1:18 God is true.

John 4:24 God is a Spirit:

Acts 10:34 God is no respecter of persons:

Romans 1:9 God is my witness,

2 Corinthians 9:8 God is able to make all grace

abound toward you

1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful,

1 Corinthians 1:25 the foolishness of God is

wiser than men; and the weakness of God is

stronger than men.

1 Corinthians 14:33 God is not the author ofconfusion, but of peace,


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Galatians 6:7 God is not mocked:

Hebrews 6:10 God is not unrighteous to forget

your work and labour of love,

Hebrews 12:29 God is a consuming fire.

1 John 1:5 God is light, and in him is nodarkness at all.

1 John 3:20 God is greater than our heart, and

knoweth all things.

1 John 4:8 God is love.

Revelation 22:16 I am the root and the

offspring of David, and the bright and morning

star.

Luke 24:34 The Lord is risen

2 Corinthians 3:17 the Lord is that Spirit:

Philippians 4:5 The Lord is at hand.

1 Thessalonians 4:6 the Lord is the avenger

2 Thessalonians 3:3 the Lord is faithful,


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Hebrews 13:6 The Lord is my helper,

James 5:11 the Lord is very pitiful, and of

tender mercy.

1 Peter 2:3 the Lord is gracious.

1 Peter 3:12 the Lord is against them that doevil.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning

his promise,

Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength andsong, and he is become my salvation: he is my

God,

Exodus 15:3 The LORD is a man of war: the

LORD is his name.

Exodus 18:11 the LORD is greater than all

gods:

Numbers 14:18 The LORD is longsuffering,

and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and

transgression, and by no means clearing theguilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon

the children unto the third and fourth

generation.


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Joshua 22:34 the LORD is God.

1 Samuel 2:3 the LORD is a God of

knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

2 Samuel 22:2 The LORD is my rock, and my

fortress, and my deliverer;

Psalm 10:16 The LORD is King for ever and

ever

Psalm 14:6 the LORD is his refuge.

Psalm 16:5 The LORD is the portion of mine

inheritance and of my cup:

Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd

(compare with John 10:11 I am the good

shepherd)

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my

salvation; (compare with John 8:12 Then spake

Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of

the world)

Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my

shield;


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Psalm 34:8 the LORD is good:

Psalm 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that

are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of

a contrite spirit.

Psalm 89:18 For the LORD is our defense; and

the Holy One of Israel is our king.

Psalm 92:15 the LORD is upright: he is my

rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Psalm 93:1 The LORD reigneth, he is clothed

with majesty; the LORD is clothed withstrength,

Psalm 95:3 For the LORD is a great God, and a

great King above all gods.

Psalm 96:4 For the LORD is great, and greatlyto be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

Psalm 103:8 The LORD is merciful and

gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in

mercy.

Psalm 111:4 the LORD is gracious and full of

compassion.


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Psalm 113:4 The LORD is high above all

nations, and his glory above the heavens.

Psalm 118:6 The LORD is on my side;

Psalm 121:5 The LORD is thy keeper: the

LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

Psalm 125:2 the LORD is round about his

people from henceforth even for ever.

Psalm 145:18 The LORD is nigh unto all them

that call upon him,

Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the

wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the

righteous.

Proverbs 22:2 The rich and poor meet together:the LORD is the maker of them all.

Isaiah 30:18 the LORD is a God of judgment:

Isaiah 33:5 The LORD is exalted;

Isaiah 33:22 For the LORD is our judge, the

LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king;


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Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD is the true God,

he is the living God, and an everlasting king:

Lamentations 3:24 The LORD is my portion,

saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Nahum 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger, andgreat in power, and will not at all acquit the

wicked:

Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold

in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that

trust in him.

Genesis 17:1 I am the Almighty God,

Exodus 15:26 I am the LORD that healeth thee.

Leviticus 19:4 I am the LORD your God.

Exodus 31:13 I am the LORD that doth

sanctify you.

Isaiah 42:8, Isaiah 43:11 I am the LORD

Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 48:12 I am the first, and I

am the last; and beside me there is no God.


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Isaiah 44:24 I am the LORD that maketh all

things,

Isaiah 45:5, Isaiah 45:6, Isaiah 45:18 I am the

LORD, and there is none else, there is no God

beside me

Isaiah 48:17 I am the LORD thy God which

teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by

the way that thou shouldest go.

Jeremiah 9:24 I am the LORD which exercise

lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness,

Jeremiah 32:27 I am the LORD, the God of all

flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

Ezekiel 7:9 I am the LORD that smiteth.

Malachi. 3:6 I am the LORD, I change not;


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This is Our God

Exodus 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD,among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in

holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Exodus 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD,

among the gods?

Isaiah 43:10-11 Ye are my witnesses, saith theLORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: thatye may know and believe me, and understand that Iam he: before me there was no God formed, neithershall there be after me. I, even the LORD; and

beside me there is .

Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old: forI God, and I am God, andthere is none like me,

Observation: There is none like Him among thegods because there are no other gods.

Exodus 15:11who is like thee?

Hosea 11:9... for I God, and not man; the HolyOne in the midst of thee

Psalm 50:21 These hast thou done, and I keptsilence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether an one

I will reprove thee, and setthem in order before thine eyes.


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Numbers 29:19 19 God

lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent:hath he said, and shall he not do ? or hath hespoken, and shall he not make it good?

Observation: No one is like Himand He is notlike man.

15:11 glorious in holiness

-5 In the year that king Uzziah died I sawalso the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and liftedup, and his train filled the temple. Then said I, Woe me! for I am undone; because I

unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people ofunclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, theLORD of hosts.

Ezekiel 3:23 Then I arose, and went forth into theplain: and, behold, the glory of the LORD stoodthere, as the glory which I saw by the river ofChebar: and I fell on my face.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short ofthe glory of God;

Observation: Man realizes the awfulness of his sin

when he discovers the holiness of God.


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Exodus 15:11 fearful in praises

And he hath put a new song in mymouth, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

2 Chronicles 20:21-22 And when he had consultedwith the people, he appointed singers unto the

LORD, and that should praise the beauty ofholiness, as they went out before the army, and tosay, Praise the LORD; for his mercy ever. And when they began to sing and to praise,the LORD set ambushments against the children ofAmmon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were comeagainst Judah; and they were smitten.

Revelation 19:5 And a voice came out of thethrone, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants,and ye that fear him, both small and great.

Observation: God works through the praise of Hispeople.

9:1-3, 10-12 Then Job answered and said, Iknow so of a truth: but how should man be justwith God? If he will contend with him, he cannot

answer him one of a thousand. Which doeth greatthings past finding out; yea, and wonders withoutnumber. Lo, he goeth by me, and I see passeth on also, but I perceive him not. Behold, he


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taketh away, who can hinder him? who will sayunto him, What doest thou?

Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of thewisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable

! " ! #

Isaiah 55:9 For the heavens are higher than theearth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and

my thoughts than your thoughts.

Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work isperfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God oftruth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

Observation: God works in ways that are not easy

for man to understand at times, but we know Hedoes all things with perfect wisdom and knowledge.


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PrayerWhen you get to who God is, then you need

to know how to communicate with Him. In

the pages that follow I have searched for

what the Bible has to say about prayer.

These verses are listed with specific pointsfor you to ponder and meditate on.


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What are the requirements for God to

hear our prayer?

Call upon the name of the LordRomans 10:13 For whosoever shall callupon the name of the Lord shall besaved.

Keep his commandments

Do those things that are pleasing in his sight1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, wereceive of him, because we keep hiscommandments, and do those things that

are pleasing in his sight.

FaithJames 5:15 And the prayer of faith shallsave the sick, and the Lord shall raisehim up; and if he have committed sins,they shall be forgiven him.

HumilityLuke 18:14 I tell you, this man wentdown to his house justified rather thanthe other: for every one that exaltethhimself shall be abased; and he that

humbleth himself shall be exalted.


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Abide in Christ

Christs words abide in you

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and mywords abide in you, ye shall ask what yewill, and it shall be done unto you.

Bring forth fruit

Your fruit should remain

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but Ihave chosen you, and ordained you, thatye should go and bring forth fruit, andthat your fruit should remain: thatwhatsoever ye shall ask of the Father inmy name, he may give it you.

How should we pray?

Ask in faith

Do not waverJames 1:6 But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering. For he that waverethis like a wave of the sea driven with thewind and tossed.

-15 And this is the

confidence that we have in him, that, ifwe ask any thing according to his will, heheareth us: And if we know that he hearus, whatsoever we ask, we know that wehave the petitions that we desired of him


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In the Spirit

With perseverance and supplicationEphesians 6:18 Praying always with allprayer and supplication in the Spirit, andwatching thereunto with all perseveranceand supplication for all saints;

but in every thing by prayer andsupplication with thanksgiving let yourrequests be made known unto God.Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and

watch in the same with thanksgiving;

With joy

of mine for you all making request withjoy,

Rejoicing in hope; patient

in tribulation; continuing instant inprayer;


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Sober

Watchful

1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is athand: be ye therefore sober, and watchunto prayer.See Matt. 6:9

Not fainting

Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable untothem to this end, that men ought alwaysto pray, and not to faint;

Admitting you are a sinner

Asking Gods mercy! " # $ % publican, standingafar off, would not lift up so much as hiseyes unto heaven, but smote upon hisbreast, saying, God be merciful to me asinner.See Luke 21:36

1:9 If we confess our sins, he isfaithful and just to forgive us our sins,and to cleanse us from allunrighteousness.

Her hair is her covering & $ -15 Judge inyourselves: is it comely that a woman


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pray unto God uncovered? Doth noteven nature itself teach you, that, if aman have long hair, it is a shame unto

him? But if a woman have long hair, it isa glory to her: for her hair is given herfor a covering.

Pray with the spirit

Pray with understanding

1 Corinthians 14:15 What is it then? Iwill pray with the spirit, and I will praywith the understanding also: I will singwith the spirit, and I will sing with theunderstanding also.

Pray everywhere or where ever you areLifting up holy hands

Without wrath

Without doubting1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that menpray every where, lifting up holy hands,

without wrath and doubting.

Seek

Knock ' ( ( " , and it shall be given

you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and itshall be opened unto you:


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Two of you agree in prayerMatthew 18:19 Again I say unto you,

That if two of you shall agree on earth astouching any thing that they shall ask, itshall be done for them of my Fatherwhich is in heaven.

Believing

Matthew 21:22 And all things,whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer,believing, ye shall receive.

Ask in Jesus nameJohn 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask

in my name, that will I do, that the Fathermay be glorified in the Son.John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing inmy name, I will do it.

Different postures in prayer:

! " # ) * it, hefell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Departfrom me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet toworship him. And he said unto me, Seethou do it not: I am thy fellowservant,


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and of thy brethren that have thetestimony of Jesus: worship God: for thetestimony of Jesus is the spirit of

prophecy.

Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow myknees unto the Father of our Lord JesusChrist

StandingLuke 18:13 And the publican, standingafar off, would not lift up so much as hiseyes unto heaven, but smote upon hisbreast, saying, God be merciful to me a

sinner.

On ones face' $ + %

further, and fell on his face, and prayed,saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let

this cup pass from me: nevertheless notas I will, but as thou wilt.

2 Kings 20:2 Then he turned his face tothe wall, and prayed unto the LORD,saying,


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Laying down2 Samuel 12:16 David therefore

besought God for the child; and Davidfasted, and went in, and lay all nightupon the earth.

Where can we pray?

Acts 10:9 On the morrow, as they wenton their journey, and drew nigh unto thecity, Peter went up upon the housetop topray about the sixth hour:

By a river sideActs 16:13 And on the sabbath we wentout of the city by a river side, whereprayer was wont to be made; and we satdown, and spake unto the women which

resorted thither.

In your closetMatthew 6:6 But thou, when thouprayest, enter into thy closet, and whenthou hast shut thy door, pray to thy

Father which is in secret; and thy Fatherwhich seeth in secret shall reward theeopenly.


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Alone' $ % %

multitudes away, he went up into a mountainapart to pray: and when the evening wascome, he was there alone.

! " + # % ,

eight days after these sayings, he tookPeter and John and James, and went upinto a mountain to pray.

Enemies

Those who curse you

Those who hate you

Those who despitefully use you

Those who persecute you' - . !

your enemies, bless them that curse you,do good to them that hate you, and prayfor them which despitefully use you, andpersecute you;

Job 42:10 And the LORD turned thecaptivity of Job, when he prayed for his


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friends: also the LORD gave Job twice asmuch as he had before.

IsraelRomans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desireand prayer to God for Israel is, that theymight be saved.

Gods people

1 Samuel 12:23 Moreover as for me, Godforbid that I should sin against the LORDin ceasing to pray for you: but I willteach you the good and the right way:

One another

1 Thessalonians 5:25 Brethren, pray forus.James 5:16 Confess your faults one toanother, and pray one for another, that yemay be healed. The effectual ferventprayer of a righteous man availeth much.

UnbelieversJohn 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone,but for them also which shall believe onme through their word;

ints/ #

always with allprayer and supplication in the Spirit, andwatching thereunto with all perseveranceand supplication for all saints;


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For Gods kingdom to come

For Gods will to be done

For our daily bread

For forgivenessThat we be not led into temptation

For deliverance from evil

Acknowledge his kingdom, power and glory' +

-13 After this mannertherefore pray ye: Our Father which art

in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thykingdom come. Thy will be done inearth, as it is in heaven. Give us this dayour daily bread. And forgive us ourdebts, as we forgive our debtors. Andlead us not into temptation, but deliver us

from evil: For thine is the kingdom, andthe power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

' + $ # ! %

of the harvest, that he will send forth

labourers into his harvest.

! e winter or on the

Sabbath day (when the abomination of

desolation takes place Matthew 24:15)


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Pray for yourself and others to be filled with

the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and

spiritual understandingColossians 1:9 For this cause we also,since the day we heard it, do not cease topray for you, and to desire that ye mightbe filled with the knowledge of his willin all wisdom and spiritual

understanding;

Pray for yourself and others whole spirit, soul

and body to be preserved blameless unto the

coming of the Lord Jesus Christ1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God

of peace sanctify you wholly; and I prayGod your wholespirit and soul and body be preservedblameless unto the coming of our Lord

Jesus Christ.

Pray that God would count yourself andothers worthy of this calling

Pray that God would fulfill in yourself and

others all the good pleasure of his goodness

and work of faith with power 0 )

pray always for you, that our God wouldcount you worthy of this calling, andfulfil all the good pleasure of hisgoodness, and the work of faith withpower:


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"

those who forsake you 0

man stood with me, but all men forsookme: I pray God that it may not be laid totheir charge.

"

death - ,

sin a sin which is not unto death, he shallask, and he shall give him life for themthat sin not unto death. There is a sin

unto death: I do not say that he shall prayfor it.

"

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, lethim ask of God, that giveth to all men

liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shallbe given him

Pray that the word of the Lord would have

free course, and be glorified2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brethren,

pray for us, that the word of the Lordmay have free course, and be glorified,even as it is with you:


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sick

sick among you? lethim call for the elders of the church;and let them pray over him, anointinghim with oil in the name

Why do our prayers go unanswered?

#

(lust)

-3 Ye lust, and have not: yekill, and desire to have, and cannotobtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not,

because ye ask not.Ye ask, and receivenot, because ye ask amiss, that ye mayconsume it upon your lusts.

$

We are not keeping His commandments

We are not doing what is pleasing in His sight. # - - % 1

heart, the Lord will not hear me:1Jo 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, wereceive of him, because we keep hiscommandments, and do those things thatare pleasing in his sight.

$


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1 John 5:14 And this is the confidencethat we have in him, that, if we ask any

thing according to his will, he heareth us:

God knows what we need before wepray:

we ask' # "

unto them: for your Father knoweth whatthings ye have need of, before ye askhim.

Matthew 6:25-34 Therefore I say untoyou, Take no thought for your life, whatye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; noryet for your body, what ye shall put on.Is not the life more than meat, and the

body than raiment? Behold the fowls ofthe air: for they sow not, neither do theyreap, nor gather into barns; yet yourheavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye notmuch better than they? Which of you bytaking thought can add one cubit unto hisstature? And why take ye thought forraiment? Consider the lilies of the field,how they grow; they toil not, neither dothey spin: And yet I say unto you, Thateven Solomon in all his glory was not


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arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, ifGod so clothe the grass of the field,which to day is, and to morrow is cast

into the oven, shall he not much moreclothe you, O ye of little faith? Thereforetake no thought, saying, What shall weeat? or, What shall we drink? or,Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (Forafter all these things do the Gentiles

seek) for

knoweth that ye have need of all these

things. " " %

God, and his righteousness; and all thesethings shall be added unto you. Taketherefore no thought for the morrow: for

the morrow shall take thought for thethings of itself. Sufficient unto the day isthe evil thereof.

The Holy Spirit & Jesus Christ

intercedes for us to the Father

! %

# ! " *

helpeth our infirmities: for we know notwhat we should pray for as we ought: butthe Spirit itself maketh intercession for

us with groanings which cannot beuttered.Romans 8:27 And he that searcheth thehearts knoweth what is the mind of the


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Spirit, because he maketh intercessionfor the saints according to the will ofGod.

# $ )

condemneth? It is Christ that died, yearather, that is risen again, who is even atthe right hand of God, who also maketh

intercession for us. Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able alsoto save them to the uttermost that comeunto God by him, seeing he ever liveth tomake intercession for them.

& '

God has given to Him ( + - -

the world, but for them which thou hastgiven me; for they are thine.

Does God sometimes say no or

make us wait? Yes!

& &

$ (

looked to Jairus like there was no hope for hisdaughter with the delay, but Jesus still

answered his request. Sometimes God will

delay answering our prayers.


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-50 And, behold, there came a

man named Jairus, and he was a ruler ofthe synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus'feet, and besought him that he wouldcome into his house: For he had one onlydaughter, about twelve years of age, andshe lay a dying. But as he went the

people thronged him. And a womanhaving an issue of blood twelve years,which had spent all her living uponphysicians, neither could be healed ofany, Came behind him, and touched theborder of his garment: and immediately

her issue of blood stanched. And Jesussaid, Who touched me? When all denied,Peter and they that were with him said,Master, the multitude throng thee andpress thee, and sayest thou, Who touchedme? And Jesus said, Somebody hath

touched me: for I perceive that virtue isgone out of me. And when the womansaw that she was not hid, she cametrembling, and falling down before him,she declared unto him before all thepeople for what cause she had touchedhim, and how she was healedimmediately. And he said unto her,Daughter, be of good comfort: thy


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faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.While he yet spake, there cometh onefrom the ruler of the synagogue's house,

saying to him, Thy daughter is dead;trouble not the Master. But when Jesusheard it, he answered him, saying, Fearnot: believe only, and she shall be madewhole.

) "

people go, but God hardened his heart. God

delayed bringing about the release of His

people./ 2 % % % ' %

Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus

saith the LORD God of Israel, Let mypeople go, that they may hold a feastunto me in the wilderness.Exodus 7:14 And the LORD said untoMoses, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, herefuseth to let the people go.

"

physical problem he had away but God said,

My grace is sufficient for you... He did not

remove the physical problem Paul had. & (

-10 And lest I should

be exalted above measure through theabundance of the revelations, there wasgiven to me a thorn in the flesh, themessenger of Satan to buffet me, lest Ishould be exalted above measure. For


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this thing I besought the Lord thrice, thatit might depart from me. And he saidunto me, My grace is sufficient for thee:

for my strength is made perfect inweakness. Most gladly therefore will Irather glory in my infirmities, that thepower of Christ may rest upon me.Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities,in reproaches, in necessities, in

persecutions, in distresses for Christ'ssake: for when I am weak, then am Istrong.


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Twenty Biblical Purposes

for Suffering

In the following pages you will find all thepurposes I could find in the Bible for whyChristians suffer. It makes going throughdifficult trials more meaningful when we cansee there is purpose to it.


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Twenty Biblical Purposes for Suffering

1. to make you perfect (mature)2. to stablish you (set fast or firm)3. to strengthen you (make you strong)4. to settle you (get you to the place where

you come to rest in Him)

1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace,who hath called us unto his eternal gloryby Christ Jesus, after that ye havesuffered a while, make you perfect,stablish, strengthen, settle you.

5. so that we may comfort others like God

has comforted us

2 Corinthians 1: 4 Who comforteth us inall our tribulation, that we may be able

to comfort them which are in any trouble,by the comfort wherewith we ourselvesare comforted of God.

3 % 4 % .

ourselves

9 But we had thesentence of death in ourselves, that we


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should not trust in ourselves, but in Godwhich raiseth the dead:

7. to teach us patience & maturity

James 1:3-4 Knowing this, that the tryingof your faith worketh patience. But letpatience have her perfect work, that ye

may be perfect and entire, wantingnothing.

# 3 %

James 1:12 Blessed is the man thatendureth temptation: for when he istried, he shall receive the crown of life,which the Lord hath promised to themthat love him.

+ 3 , 2 " Job was

10. to experience the pity and tenderness ofGod's mercy

happy which endure. Ye have heard ofthe patience of Job, and have seen theend of the Lord; that the Lord is verypitiful, and of tender mercy.


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11. to allow others the privilege ofministering to us

James 5: 14 Is any sick among you? Lethim call for the elders of the church; andlet them pray over him, anointing himwith oil in the name of the Lord:

12. for praise, honor and glory at the

appearing of Jesus Christ

1 Peter 1: 7 That the trial of your faith,being much more precious than of gold

that perisheth, though it be tried withfire, might be found unto praise andhonour and glory at the appearing ofJesus Christ:

$ 3

14. to give us a more God centered focus onHis will

1Peter 4:1-2 Forasmuch then as Christhath suffered for us in the flesh, arm

yourselves likewise with the same mind:for he that hath suffered in the flesh hathceased from sin; That he no longer


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should live the rest of his time in the fleshto the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

15. to be a partaker of Jesus' sufferings

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it notstrange concerning the fiery trial whichis to try you, as though some strange

thing happened unto you: But rejoice,inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christssufferings; that, when his glory shall berevealed, ye may be glad also withexceeding joy.

16. to learn patience which gives us provencharacter (experience)17. that we might have hope because of

God's love in our hearts by the HolySpirit.

Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but weglory in tribulations also: knowing thattribulation worketh patience; Andpatience, experience; and experience,hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed;because the love of God is shed abroadin our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is

given unto us.


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18. to teach us obedience

Hebrews 5: 8 Though he were a Son, yetlearned he obedience by the things whichhe suffered;

19. to confirm to us that we are the Lord's

child and He loves us.

Hebrews 12: 6 For whom the Lord lovethhe chasteneth, and scourgeth every sonwhom he receiveth.

5 3

Job 5:17-18 Behold, happy is the manwhom God correcteth: therefore despisenot thou the chastening of the Almighty:For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: hewoundeth, and his hands make whole.


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The Promises ofIsaiah 43:2


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Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters, I will be

with you;

Hebrews 13:5

%

withoutcovetousness; be content with such things as youhave: for He Himself has said, I will never leave

you, nor forsake you.

and through the rivers, they shall not overflow

you:

( 6 , " %

flood: you dried up mighty rivers.

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now itshall spring forth; shall you not know it? I willeven make a road in the wilderness,

the desert.

hen you walk through the fire, you shall not

be burned; nor shall the flame scorch you.

- # 5 % . - % . ,

as silver; I have tested you in the furnace ofaffliction.


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1 Peter 1:7 That the genuiness of your faith,being much more precious than gold that

perishes, though it is tried with fire, may befound unto praise, honour and glory at therevelation of Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, do think it strangeconcerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as

though some strange thing happened to you: Butrejoice, to the extent that you are partakers ofChrists sufferings; that, when his glory isrevealed, you also may be glad with exceedingjoy.


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ms


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Refiner's Fire

When the night seems too longAnd the pain is too strongAnd I want to panic and fearI need Your love to hold me, LordWrap Your arms around me, hold me near.

Help me to lean into Your mercy and grace

In my raging storm I only want to see Yourface

Please help me to yield in full surrenderBurn my selfish desires in the fire of Your

loveMake me a reflection of Your love so tender.

Things I hold dear are now a lossRefine me Lord, take away the drossKeep me in the fire until Your face I seeHold me in submission to the foot of Your

cross

So others will see more of You and less ofme.

Your love, Lord is a refining fireRemake me, mold me, that's my heart's

desireDon't stop working on me until You seeThat I am all that You requireOnly then will I be truly free.

Lord, the fire of Your love causes me pain


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At times I get impatient and complainThen You show me a glimpse of what You

are doingAnd I realize in all I go through You are

Sovereign.And it renews my hope so I can trust what

You are doing.Marsha Iddings


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The Gift of Pain

What Pain Can Do

It can teach me patienceIt can teach me enduranceIt can bring me closer to GodIt can strengthen my courageIt can give me empathy for othersIt can teach me to trust God moreIt can teach me what my limits areIt can teach me to take it one day at a timeIt can teach me to find beauty in the small thingsIt can teach me to humbly ask for and accept help

when I need itIt can teach me to learn to be thankful even when I

don't feel like it

It can teach me to encourage others instead of feelingsorry for myselfIt can give me more love and appreciation for my

husband and family

What Pain Cannot DoIt can never take God's presence from me

It can never remove God's grace from meIt can never separate me from God's loveIt can never take away my future home in HeavenIt can never separate me from the strength that God

can giveIt can never take away God's forgiveness of my sins &

my salvation in Jesus

Marsha Iddings


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Living Sacrifice

Oh, Lord I want to praise YouIn spite of the fear and the painHelp me to trust You when I don't understandWhat it is You are trying to do.

I don't pray for the pain to go awayOnly that You finish Your work in meAlthough I grow weary of the processYou give grace and strength for each day.

Surrender doesn't come easy for meBut You know I desire to be a living sacrificeSo help me to stay upon the alterUntil I am all that You want me to be.

Marsha Iddings

Romans 12:1-2

"...present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,acceptable unto God which is your reasonableservice. And be not conformed to this world, but beye transformed by the renewing of your mind, thatye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, andperfect will of God."


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Hebrews 13:15"...let us offer the sacrifice of praise to Godcontinually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving

thanks to his name.

What Cancer Cannot Do

Cancer is so limited

It cannot cripple love

It cannot shatter hope

It cannot corrode faith

It cannot destroy peaceIt cannot kill friendship

It cannot suppress memories

It cannot silence courage

It cannot invade the soul

It cannot steal eternal life

It cannot conquer the spirit

Paul Iddings 1936-1998

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Truth to Hang Your Hat On