LEARNING THE WAYS OF THE COURTS
PART # 2
In part one of becoming a house of prayer, we learned the three ways that Jesus taught on prayer. He spoke of prayer as flowing from a son in relationship to his loving father. That type of prayer is when we take our own needs to the Father. Then He speaks of intercessory prayer as a friend approaching a friend. This type of prayer is when we come to God as a friend for the needs of my friend.
The third way Jesus taught on prayer was in the setting of a courtroom, Luke 18:1-8. Here this widow is seeking justice from a unjust judge in a court of law. Jesus was teaching them to pray and not lose heart, but He also said " hear what the unjust judge said. " Shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out to Him ? I tell you, He will avenge them speedily. " Jesus was trying to show them through this parable to never give up in our praying, but also that this type of prayer takes place in a court of law. He was saying if this woman could get a verdict from an unjust judge, how much more can we come before God the judge and have Him render verdicts because we are His elect.
When we have been praying for something for a long time and not seeing the answers, sometimes it leads to frustration and striving. So sometimes we think we are not doing enough and we pray longer, louder, harder, add fasting, fly flags, dance, somehow thinking things might change by more effort. There is nothing wrong with using these type of things in certain settings, but more effort is not always the answer.
Many times the answer is in the discovering of secrets through revelation, that will bring about a breakthrough. Jesus was unlocking a secret that sometimes our prayers are needed to be taken to the courts of heaven. This widow in Luke 18:1-8 wanted justice from her adversary and she went into the courtroom, not the battlefield.. If you notice the widow never even addressed her adversary. She understood that if the judge rendered a legal verdict, the powers of the adversary would be demolished.
Because this type of prayer takes place in a courtroom, we must learn the spiritual protocol of God's courts. Lawyers go to school for years to learn how to operate within the judicial system. Just like in the courts here on earth, there is a protocol to follow. Presenting evidence, answering accusations, petitions offered, and verdicts rendered.
Jesus understood that we need to secure a verdict in the courts of heaven before rushing out into a battlefield. He shows us this in Revelation 19:11. Now I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse. He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. When the Bible talks about judging, it is a judicial activity. There needs to be a judgment, decision, and a verdict to establish a legal precedent. If we want to get results from the courts of Heaven we need to know how to address the court, present our cases and ask for a verdict. So lets begin .......
Daniel 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him, ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. This scripture tells us that there are books or scrolls in heaven that must be opened before the court of Heaven goes into session. Once the court is seated the books are opened and the court comes into session. What are these books or scrolls and what is written in them ?
We find the answer to this in Psalm 139:16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they were all were written, the days fashioned for me. When as yet there were none of them. God saw you in fleshly form before the earth was formed. He saw the number of your days, your activities and what you would accomplish in your life and the Kingdom impact He destined for you. Before you existed on the earth there was a book written about you in Heaven.
Hebrews 10:5-7 He came into the world and said, sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, " behold I have come, in the volume of the book it is written of Me to do Your will, Oh God. This Scripture tells us that Jesus had a book that chronicled the Kingdom purposes He would fulfill in the earth. Jesus came with a commitment to complete that which had been written in the books of Heaven concerning Him.
John 1:14 says, The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus physical birth allowed what was written in His book or scroll to be manifested in the earth. He spent the next 33 years fulfilling what was written of Him.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepare beforehand that we should walk in them.
Psalm 40:7-8 Behold I have come, in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do your will, O God your law is written within my heart.
Anything God ordained is first written in a book in Heaven and when you were born, you began the process of living out our Kingdom purposes in the earth. When we live out what is written in our books, Kingdom influence comes to the earth and Kingdom cultures that look like Heaven are revealed.
Part three : THE FIGHT TO KEEP YOUR BOOK FOR BEING MANIFESTED
