The Secrets of God's Kingdom
Belong to His Saints

ANOTHER MONTH of "prayer starters," opening to us the wealth of understanding the Apostle Paul sets forth regarding the saints of the most High-a term we learn from Daniel 7:25. We will look at verses, mostly in Paul's Epistles, that use words like holy, saint, sanctification, and holiness as they have reference to people. They are all powerful passages. As we move through them, we will come to understand that "saints" are people who belong to the Government of God. They are hated and feared by Satan, but the ultimate triumph is theirs in Christ Jesus. Thus, they stand.

 

DAY 1-Who are the saints? I Cor 1:2b,30 ...those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints... But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

FATHER, I see I have no holiness acceptable in Your sight outside of Christ Jesus. Continue working this into the fiber of my whole life. Let every part of me be touched and changed by His sanctifying power. How the Lord Desires Our Sanctification-John 17:13-20

 

DAY 2-Does Scripture address saints as living persons? Rom 1:7a To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints... II Cor 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia. Col 1:2a To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse...

LORD, I claim these Epistles to the saints for myself. I embrace them and ask Your Spirit to release in me a new and deep respect for them. Their truth is for me since I am sanctified in Christ Jesus. Bring the holiness they lay out over into new and complete expression in my life. An Apostolic Prayer for All Saints-Col 1:3-11

 

DAY 3-Are common and ordinary people called saints? Rom 16:15 Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

FATHER, I see that a saint is just an ordinary person who has placed faith in the Lord Jesus to receive the holiness He imparts. I have placed my faith in Him. Teach me how to contend for the faith of the early saints. How Saints Care for One Another-Rom 15:25-33

 

DAY 4-What happens to poverty when saints take on "the fellowship of ministering to saints"? II Cor 8:2b-4 ...in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

LORD, teach me more of this "fellowship of ministering to the saints." Out of my own need and affliction, I am willing to rise up and minister to the needs of others. I need Your grace to do this for in myself I am still weak. I renounce a judgmental spirit and receive a tender spirit. The Godly Example of Paul-II Cor 6:1-10

 

DAY 5-The Holy Calling upon All Believers I Thes 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. II Tim 1:8b,9a Ébe thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling...

LORD, send Your Spirit to deal with everything in me that grieves You. I set myself before You today for the workings of holiness to reach into the inmost parts of my mind, my emotions, my will, my memory, and my affections. The Admonition of a Prophet-Lam 3:40,41 How to Respond-Ps 139:23,24

 

DAY 6-How the Holy Spirit Helps Saints in Their Calling Rom 8:26,27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

FATHER, I need this work of Your Spirit in my life. I am too weak to always know how to pray. Cause Your Spirit to pray in me, for me, through me. Strengthen me and sanctify me for the fulfilling of Your will.

 

DAY 7-The Pattern for a Saint's Holiness I Pet 1:15,16 But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (conduct); because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. Lev 11:44a For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy...

DEAR GOD, help me hear this. I've taken Your holiness and Your call for my holiness too lightly. This is because I cannot of my own strength achieve holiness. Therefore, I yield myself to the holiness that is mine in Christ Jesus. Again, let Your Spirit pray through me to bring this about. How Jesus Took Our Sin that We Might Take His Righteousness- Isa 53:5,6; II Cor 5:21

 

DAY 8-The Saints and Their Heavenly Calling Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. Col 1:21b,22 And you...hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight.

LORD JESUS, I take time today to consider You. I wait before You. I love You. Thank You for taking my place in sin that I might have a place without blame before Your Father. Let the grace of what You have done come over on all my life as You make me holy in every way You want. Called with a Holy Calling-II Tim 1:8-14

 

DAY 9-How Saints Are to Be Attired Col 3:12-14 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

LORD, some of my relationships in Your family are strained. Please work in me a spirit of mercy and humility. Bring me to a place of forgiveness-and to the place where I will ask forgiveness of those I've offended. What We, as Saints, Are to Put Off-Col 3:1-9

 

DAY 10-Are saints just a holy people, or do they have purpose in the world? I Cor 6:2a Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne.

LORD, this is awesome. Within ourselves there is little to qualify us for this high calling-other than our need for Your indwelling life. Only Your wisdom, Your mercy, Your judgment, and Your grace can prevail in this kind of government. Bring these qualities in me. Make me an overcomer for the Government of Your Kingdom. A Challenge in a Simple Local Matter-I Cor 6:1-11

 

DAY 11-Are we as saints expected to operate under God's order when we come together? I Cor 14:30-33 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

FATHER, bring order in my life so I can contribute to order among the saints with whom I gather. Show me how I can become a greater help and blessing in the assembly as You prepare us together. Please work in me a humility of spirit to learn from others-even to accept correction. How We Become One Body in Christ-I Cor 12:13-31

 

NOW, LET US spend time with the Ephesian Word to saints. We will hold ourselves before the 13 verses and ask God to work the way of His Government, to which they point, into us.

 

DAY 12-The Saints and the Faithful Eph 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus. Rom 1:7a To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints... I Thes 5:27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.

LORD, I see these Epistles addressed "to the saints." Let the awe of this strike me. Let the power of the words in the Epistles come over me. Join me closely with other faithful believers in perceiving the truth laid out in them. Perceiving Also the Blessing of Grace and Peace- Rom 1:7; I Cor 1:3; Gal 1:3; Eph 1:2; Phil 1:2; Col 1:2

 

DAY 13-Chosen to be Holy before the World Began Eph 1:4,5 According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will...

FATHER, I have no claim to becoming a saint apart from being chosen in Christ Jesus. I thank You for Your arms of love open to all of us. If in any way another of Your children can blame me for causing them to stumble, please show me. Give me grace to correct my wrong. Standing in the Grace that Chose Us in Christ- II Thes 2:13-17

 

DAY 14-Allowing the Love of God to Flow to Other Saints-and Praying for One Another Eph 1:15,16 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. Heb 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

LORD, my ability to love at all times is still a little weak. Strengthen me in this area. Teach me-even today-to begin praying for other believers who love You dearly but are a little different than I am. Help me love them and not judge them. Let me be a vessel of mercy to them. Remembering when We Minister to Even the Lowliest, We Are Ministering to the Lord -Matt 25:35-45

 

DAY 15-Understanding the Value God Has Placed on His Saints, Who Are His Inheritance Eph 1:7,11,15,16,18 In Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace... In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance... Wherefore I also... Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers...that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints...

FATHER, help me know the value You have placed on my life, and on the believers around me. Show me the value You have placed on each person in my family. Show me the value You have placed on the people around me who are not believers. Help me rightly regard each one. We Also Have an Inheritance in Him- Acts 20:32; 26:18; Col 1:12; 3:24

 

DAY 16-How the Grace of God Reaches All People to Draw Them into the Company of His Saints Eph 2:19a Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints... Rev 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.

DEAR LORD, if people in every family, of every language, in every culture, in every nation are dear to You, then let them be dear to me. Use me as a vessel to draw them to Yourself. Deal with prejudice in me. Help me lead someone to You. Show me how to pray, how to give, how to care-maybe even, how to go. What Happens When We Who Were Strangers Are Brought together in Christ-Eph 2:11-19

 

DAY 17-The Growth that Takes Place as the Holy Temple of God Takes Shape Eph 2:21 (Jesus Christ) In Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in Whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

FATHER, I am ready to be formed by Your Spirit to fit into the holy temple that is growing in the earth for Your habitation. Teach me how to be joined with others who know You and love You. Teach me how to love and accept others who love You-but remain different from me. The Temple: One Believer( I Cor 6:19); a Local Church (I Cor 3:16); the Universal Church (Eph 2:19-22)

 

DAY 18-The Holy Ministries God Has Appointed Eph 3:4,5 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy Apostles and Prophets by the Spirit.

DEAR LORD, thank You for appointing ministries to whom You make known the secrets of Your Kingdom. Today I hold before Your Throne the ones of them I know. Bring protection to them. Strengthen them. Anoint them. Help me to be open to their ministry where I need it. Ministry Released to the Gentile Believers-Acts 13:1-3

 

DAY 19-The Humility of One Holy Apostle Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. I Cor 4:9,13b For I think that God hath set forth us the Apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. Éwe are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

FATHER, many You have appointed are despised by the world. I know some of them-and their weaknesses. I continue holding these before You. Please encourage them. Strengthen them in body, in mind, in their emotions, and in their spirits. Grant them-and me- the ability to walk in humility toware You and the world. The Cost of Being an Apostle-I Cor 4:9-13

 

DAY 20-A Prayer for Gentile Saints Eph 3:17-19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

FATHER, one of the greatest difficulties I have had as a believer is in comprehending Your love. Bring it upon me to love others with the same love You have for them. Help me understand what love is, how it works, and where it comes from. I want to be holy and pure with regard to love. The Desire of an Apostle for Gentile Believers-Col 2:1-12

 

DAY 21-The Ministry God Appointed to Perfect the Saints Eph 4:11,12a And He gave some, Apostles; and some, Prophets; and some, Evangelists; and some, Pastors and Teachers; for the perfecting of the saints...

LORD, I see these ministries You have appointed from Your Throne in the heavens. Please bring me and my family into right relationship with them. We want-and need-the protection this provides. We cannot come into the place You have ordained for us apart from them. Serving God with Spiritual Gifts-Rom 12:1-9

 

DAY 22-Acts Unbecoming to Saints, and that Disqualify Them for the Kingdom Eph 5:3-5 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.

FATHER, I have not been free from some of the very things mentioned in this Scripture. But, I am through with them. I want nothing more to do with them. As I wait before You today, search through all my being to see if the remnant of any of them remains in my mind or heart. A Strong Word to the Saints at Corinth-I Cor 6:1-11

 

DAY 23-The Desire of the Lord Jesus for a Holy Church Eph 5:25a-27 ...Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

LORD, I want to be part of this church that You sanctify and cleanse. I yield myself to the washing of the Word. Help those who minister it come under the anointing of Your Spirit. Bring this anointing on me as I sit under them that we might come into holiness together. The Growth of Believers through Desire-I Pet 2:1-10

 

DAY 24-After Taking the Armor, Praying for All other Saints Eph 6:17-19a And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God: praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me...

FATHER, teach me to "pray without ceasing." Praying is still one of my weaker points, but I am looking to You to strengthen and enhance it in me. Teach me especially to pray for other believers I know who are struggling. A Lesson from the Lord Jesus on Praying-Luke 18:1-8

 

In the article To The Faithful in Christ Jesus, we will see how Ephesians Truth relates powerfully to the saints of Dan 7. We will take some days now to begin our acquaintance with this powerful passage of Scripture.

 

DAY 25-What is God's ultimate purpose for the saints? Dan. 7:22b,27 ...and the time came that the saints possessed the Kingdom... And the Kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the Kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, Whose Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.

LORD, if the saints are to possess the Kingdom, then please possess me-and all that pertains to me. Let all my life now come under the dominion of Your Throne. Rule my mind, my passions, my will, my emotions. How Revelation Bears This Out-Rev 2:26,27; 3:21; 5:9,10

 

DAY 26-Will saints always have a good time? Dan 7:25 And he (the anti-Christ) shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time (the final three and one-half years).

HEAVENLY FATHER, I know there is much teaching contrary to this. Many believe that all true believers will be taken out before the anti-Christ makes his boldest moves. But I sincerely ask You to keep me in the right position of understanding regarding all this. Teach me. My heart is open before You. Reveal Your truth in me, and to me. Awesome and Confirming Words from the Book of Revelation-Rev 6:9,10; 11:7-10; 13:7; 14:12,13

 

DAY 27-Who will prevail, the saints or the anti-Christ? Dan 7:26,27 But the judgment shall sit, and they (the saints) shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, Whose kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.

LORD, it is an awesome thing that You commit the authority of Your Kingdom to Your saints. Oh, what grace this is! If I shall be on earth in the "time of trouble," I renounce all fear regarding it. Bring into me the qualities of Your Kingdom that will enable me to overcome in so fierce a time. Work in my loved ones these same qualities. A Word to Silence Our Fears-Isa 41:10-18

 

DAY 28-How will the saints survive in the time of trouble? Ps 9:9,10 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee. Ps 27:5 For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock.

LORD, make me ready to trust You in the most severe of times. Place within me a confidence that no matter what life may seem on the surface, I can know that You are abiding faithful. Help me know You in every situation. A Word of Comfort and Instruction from the Lord Jesus-Luke 12:22-32

 

DAY 29-What is required of the saints? Ps 31:23a O love the LORD, all ye His saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithfulÉ Ps 34:9 O fear the LORD, ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear Him.

FATHER, my fear of You is an awesome regard for Your Kingdom and for Your purpose upon my life. With it, I draw up close to You today and simply say, I love You and I trust You completely. A Celebration in the Fear of the Lord-Rev 15:1-4; Ps 30:4

 

DAY 30-God's Abiding Love for His Saints Ps 37:28 For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not His saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. Ps 85:8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

LORD, my confidence in Your love and Your judgments is growing. I am learning to trust You in the trouble that has been increasing around me. Today I listen to hear Your voice that speaks peace. I receive it from You. The Lord's Abiding Care for His Saints-John 6:35-40

 

DAY 31-God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about Him. Heb 12:28,29 Wherefore we receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire.

FATHER, I stand in awe of You. Your majesty and power and great. I know Your presence is a consuming fire, yet Your grace has opened to me. I can come into Your presence with peace and confidence. I love You. The Lord's Consuming Presence-Lev 10:7; Isa 6:1-8

 

DAY 32-God's Preserving Care for His Saints Ps 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: He is their strength in the time of trouble. Ps 97:10 Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of His saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

LORD, I think how You have preserved me time and again from danger. Even when trouble has come, You have sanctified it and made it a holy thing unto me by drawing me closer to You. Continue Your work in me. I release to You all my areas of weak faith. The Continuing Care from the Lord Jesus-John 10:1-9

 

DAY 33-The Full Release of Joy in the Saints Ps 132:9 (O LORD) Let Thy priests be clothed with righteousness; and let Thy saints shout for joy. 132:16 I will also clothe her (Zion's) priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

O LORD, I open myself today to the joy Your Spirit is ready to release into my spirit. Even in the midst of this affliction, I let it come forth. Even in the face of the trouble surrounding me, I shout forth Your praises. I am ready for this fruit of Your Spirit to abide in me. The Exceeding Joys of Zion's Triumph-Zech 9:9,14-17

 

DAY 34-The Saints and Creation Joined together in Blessing God Ps 145:10 All Thy works shall praise Thee, O LORD; and Thy saints shall bless Thee. Rev 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.

LORD, I see creation today praising You. I join in this praise. I see the treasures in the snow, the wonders of the wind, the miracle of the sun. I see Your way in bringing new life out of what is old and decaying. I bless You and open myself this new life. The Saints Turning of Sorrow into Joy-Ps 30:4-12

 

DAY 35-A New Song from the Saints, Born in Affliction Ps 149:1,3,5 Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and His praise in the congregation of saints....Let them praise His name in the dance: let them sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp...Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.

FATHER, I rejoice before You in this bed of affliction. I let my spirit go free in praising You even in this pain. I rise up in the triumph of Your love and allow You to sanctify to me this trial. I rejoice in You. I'm free! An Ancient Prayer of Moses Claiming the Beauty of the Lord after Affliction-Ps 90:12-17

 

DAY 36-The High Honor Given to all God's Saints Ps 149:6-9 Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; to execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; to execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all His saints. Praise ye the LORD.

FATHER GOD, it is beyond my imagination that You could give such honor to Your saints as this Psalm ascribes. Yet we are beginning to see it in the Word of Ephesians. Bring forth in me the understanding necessary for this place. Prepare me for the day of its fulfillment. Paul's Confirmation-Eph 6:10-16

 

DAY 37-Will the saints be on earth in the time of trouble? Matt 24:21,22 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

LORD, I know there is controversy among believers as to whether we shall be on earth during the tribulation, or not. I do not want to be a part of any argument about this. I simply want to be prepared. Please draw me and these I love into the preparations of Your Spirit for the end time. A Word of Instruction and Warning from the Lord Jesus-Luke 18:1-8

 

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