Encouragement

Here is the breakdown of the uses of “remain” in John 15. In most translations, it is used 7 times, the number of perfection.

•   Verse 4: "Remain in me, as I also remain in you." 
•   Verse 4: "No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine."
•   Verse 4: "Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me."
•   Verse 5: "If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit." 
•   Verse 6: "If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away."
•   Verse 7: "If you remain in me and my words remain in you..."  

In a biblical context, “remain” (Hebrew: sha’ar, Greek: meno) means to continue to stay or abide in a place, a state, a relationship, or a teaching; implying steadfastness, endurance, or perseverance. This truth applies to remaining in God’s presence, abiding in Christ’s teachings, which is His Word. “If you love Me keep My commandments,” and the faithful remnant of people who endure in their faith despite trials.  

It is in this remaining, He in us and we in Him, that we can ask anything in His name and it will be done for us. Hallelujah! The Father is glorified; there is no other Way to relate to Him. This is only by the help of the Holy Ghost.

May we remain in Him and He in us in Jesus’ Name and the power of the Holy Ghost.

-KC

The “song” represents God’s presence, grace, or a divinely inspired message during suffering, enabling believers to transform misery into prayer and confront despair with faith. 

“But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, Who gives songs in the night,”
‭‭Job‬ ‭35‬:‭10‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

“I will remember my song in the night; I will meditate with my heart, And my spirit ponders:”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭77‬:‭6‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

“The Lord will send His goodness in the daytime; And His song will be with me in the night, A prayer to the God of my life.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭42‬:‭8‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

“You will have songs as in the night when you keep the festival, And gladness of heart as when one marches to the sound of the flute, To go to the mountain of the Lord, to the Rock of Israel.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30‬:‭29‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

“You will have songs as in the night when you keep the festival, And gladness of heart as when one marches to the sound of the flute, To go to the mountain of the Lord, to the Rock of Israel.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭30‬:‭29‬ ‭NASB2020‬‬

While I was in the hospital for 70 days, the nights were most difficult. Every 2-3 hours, nurses come in and checked my vitals. It wasn’t easy to get rest. Of course, when I have woken up at night, I have taken that opportunity to pray, much like many of you.

One night, the Holy Ghost touched me deep within my spirit; where I have not experienced before. It was so real, I literally felt it. I began to weep and broke forth into song. I began to sing, “He touched me, Oh He touched me and made me whole.” That night, He revealed to me a song in the night.

He continues to do so.

Of course, there is prayer, but whatever song comes forth, it becomes the song I sing in my devotion until I receive a different song. The last two nights it has been, “At the cross at the cross, where I first saw the Light.”

As in the scriptures above, Job and David both experienced it. Job experienced great loss that opened him up to despair and oppression. David was pursued by Saul and was running for his life—oppressed on every side. Constantly calling on the rock of his salvation in song to deliver him from lying lips and a deceitful tongue. The accusations and schemes of the devil accompany him from cave to cave at Adullum.

In 1974, another brother and I rented a car and went up to see this area in Israel. Not conducive for a good night’s sleep. I believe that David sang a song in the night so many times.

At night, the devil takes advantage of the darkness to elevate his voice and sow his lies. Our minds are flooded with them: worry, anxiety, fears, and accusations. I have found that prayer alone does not bring peace.

The next morning, I have to do battle by praising the Lord with thanksgiving.

Since I have been led into this truth, the peace of God rests on me. These songs are brought to my remembrance and lead me to recall what the Lord has done in mine and Betsy’s lives. Many times I remember relationships that I enjoyed and was blessed by. The goodness and mercy of the Lord. His promises and faithfulness flow from deep within. I cannot stop until nothing but Him is there.

Please, I am not boasting of my spirituality. No, God forbid.

When all the cares of the world that Jesus mentioned come to choke and entangle you, they disappear in the light of this wonderful grace. I was very aware of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost and their promise to never leave me nor forsake me. I know I did not receive this revelation by asking. He just touched me.

I pray that during this time of such darkness, that He will give us a song in the night. Ask and ye shall receive. In Jesus’ Precious Name!

-KC

Specific Examples of Speaking to God:

• Adoration: Praising and acknowledging God’s attributes.
• Confession: Acknowledging and repenting of sins.
• Thanksgiving: Expressing gratitude for blessings.
• Supplication: Asking for needs and desires.
• Journaling: Writing down thoughts and prayers, which can help with focus and clarity.
• Meditation: Reflecting on God’s word and presence.
• Speaking God’s Word: Speaking out scripture or promises from the Bible into situations.

Most of our prayers are with our understanding. But when we pray in tongues, the Holy Ghost helps us to pray. This is why so many resist the Baptism in the Holy Ghost, with evidence of speaking in tongues. They were all filled with Him on the Day of Pentecost, the Day of Promise. Jesus told them to wait until they were endued with power.

And suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And tongues that looked like fire appeared to them, distributing themselves, and a tongue rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out. -Acts‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭NASB2020

This was not some cerebral or man’s thoughts. A mighty wind and a noise, a violent rushing wind filled the room and filled everyone within it. The evidence of their filling was that each one received their tongue of fire.

James writes that the tongue is the real issue: “the tongue is a fire.” It either brings glory to God or promotes unrighteousness in the world.

This is so evident in the promise of the Holy Ghost! He lit their tongues, each one of them with fire from the altar of heaven. Just as in Isaiah, lips were touched by a coal from heaven’s altar.

So, “I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also; I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.” It is worth noting that he exhorts us to pray in the Spirit first. He helps us pray! Receive ye the Holy Ghost, TODAY!

-KC

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. – James‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The phrase “you have not because you ask not” is from James 4:3, a verse in the Bible. It emphasizes that one of the reasons people don’t receive what they desire is that they don’t ask for it through prayer. The verse also notes that even when people do ask, they may not receive if their motives are impure or selfish. 

Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

• The core message:
The verse highlights the importance of prayer and suggests that a lack of prayer is a barrier to receiving blessings. 
• The context:
James is addressing a community struggling with conflict, jealousy, and unfulfilled desires. He points out that their struggles stem from their own desires and actions, including a failure to ask God for help. 
• Motives matter:
The verse also warns that even when people do pray, their requests may not be granted if they are motivated by selfish desires, such as lust or a desire to spend blessings on personal gratification.
• Seeking God’s will:
Several Christian resources suggest that this verse encourages believers to seek God’s will in their prayers and align their requests with His purposes.
• God’s sovereignty:
It’s also important to acknowledge that even with pure motives, God may not always grant requests as we expect, as He has His own timing and plans. However, the verse still encourages us to ask, trusting that He hears us and will work for our good.
• Jesus said,ask and it shall be given, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door will be open. So much more to prayer, our conversation with our Lord and His will for us. Pray without ceasing. Hallelujah!

-KC