steps to christ-第16章
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compared with scripture。 There must be careful research and prayerful reflection。 And such study will be richly repaid。 As the miner discovers veins of precious metal concealed beneath the surface of the earth； so will he who perseveringly searches the word of God as for hid treasure find truths of the greatest value； which are concealed from the view of the careless seeker。 The words of inspiration； pondered in the heart； will be as streams flowing from the fountain of life。
Never should the Bible be studied without prayer。 Before opening its pages we should ask for the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit； and it will be given。 When Nathanael came to Jesus； the Saviour exclaimed； 〃Behold an Israelite indeed； in whom is no guile！〃 Nathanael said； 〃Whence knowest Thou me？〃 Jesus answered； 〃Before that Philip called thee； when thou wast under the fig tree； I saw thee。〃 John 1：47； 48。 And Jesus will see us also in the secret places of prayer if we will seek Him for light that we may know what is truth。 Angels from the world of light will be with those who in humility of heart seek for divine guidance。
The Holy Spirit exalts and glorifies the Saviour。 It is His office to present Christ； the purity of His righteousness； and the great salvation that we have through Him。 Jesus says； 〃He shall receive of Mine； and shall show it unto you。〃 John 16：14。 The Spirit of truth is the only effectual teacher of divine truth。 How must God esteem the human race； since He gave His Son to die for them and appoints His Spirit to be man's teacher and continual guide！
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The Privilege of Prayer
Through nature and revelation； through His providence； and by the influence of His Spirit； God speaks to us。 But these are not enough； we need also to pour out our hearts to Him。 In order to have spiritual life and energy； we must have actual intercourse with our heavenly Father。 Our minds may be drawn out toward Him； we may meditate upon His works； His mercies； His blessings； but this is not； in the fullest sense； communing with Him。 In order to commune with God； we must have something to say to Him concerning our actual life。
Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend。 Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are； but in order to enable us to receive Him。 Prayer does not bring God down to us； but brings us up to Him。
When Jesus was upon the earth； He taught His disciples how to pray。 He directed them to present their daily needs before God； and to cast all their care upon Him。 And the assurance He gave them that their petitions should be heard； is assurance also to us。
Jesus Himself； while He dwelt among men； was often in prayer。 Our Saviour identified Himself with our needs and weakness； in that He became a suppliant； a petitioner； seeking from His Father fresh supplies of strength； that He might come forth braced for duty and trial。 He is our example in all things。 He is a brother in our infirmities； 〃in all points tempted like as we are；〃 but as the sinless one His
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nature recoiled from evil； He endured struggles and torture of soul in a world of sin。 His humanity made prayer a necessity and a privilege。 He found comfort and joy in communion with His Father。 And if the Saviour of men； the Son of God； felt the need of prayer； how much more should feeble； sinful mortals feel the necessity of fervent； constant prayer。
Our heavenly Father waits to bestow upon us the fullness of His blessing。 It is our privilege to drink largely at the fountain of boundless love。 What a wonder it is that we pray so little！ God is ready and willing to hear the sincere prayer of the humblest of His children； and yet there is much manifest reluctance on our part to make known our wants to God。 What can the angels of heaven think of poor helpless human beings； who are subject to temptation； when God's heart of infinite love yearns toward them； ready to give them more than they can ask or think； and yet they pray so little and have so little faith？ The angels love to bow before God； they love to be near Him。 They regard communion with God as their highest joy； and yet the children of earth； who need so much the help that God only can give； seem satisfied to walk without the light of His Spirit； the companionship of His presence。
The darkness of the evil one encloses those who neglect to pray。 The whispered temptations of the enemy entice them to sin； and it is all because they do not make use of the privileges that God has given them in the divine appointment of prayer。 Why should the sons and daughters of God be reluctant to pray； when prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven's storehouse； where are treasured
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the boundless resources of Omnipotence？ Without unceasing prayer and diligent watching we are in danger of growing careless and of deviating from the right path。 The adversary seeks continually to obstruct the way to the mercy seat； that we may not by earnest supplication and faith obtain grace and power to resist temptation。
There are certain conditions upon which we may expect that God will hear and answer our prayers。 One of the first of these is that we feel our need of help from Him。 He has promised； 〃I will pour water upon him that is thirsty； and floods upon the dry ground。〃 Isaiah 44：3。 Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness； who long after God； may be sure that they will be filled。 The heart must be open to the Spirit's influence； or God's blessing cannot be received。
Our great need is itself an argument and pleads most eloquently in our behalf。 But the Lord is to be sought unto to do these things for us。 He says； 〃Ask； and it shall be given you。〃 And 〃He that spared not His own Son； but delivered Him up for us all； how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things？〃 Matthew 7：7； Romans 8：32。
If we regard iniquity in our hearts； if we cling to any known sin； the Lord will not hear us； but the prayer of the penitent； contrite soul is always accepted。 When all known wrongs are righted； we may believe that God will answer our petitions。 Our own merit will never commend us to the favor of God； it is the worthiness of Jesus that will save us； His blood that will cleanse us； yet we have a work to do in complying with the conditions of acceptance。
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Another element of prevailing prayer is faith。 〃He that cometh to God must believe that He is； and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him。〃 Hebrews 11：6。 Jesus said to His disciples； 〃What things soever ye desire； when ye pray； believe that ye receive them； and ye shall have them。〃 Mark 11：24。 Do we take Him at His word？
The assurance is broad and unlimited； and He is faithful who has promised。 When we do not receive the very things we asked for； at the time we ask； we are still to believe that the Lord hears and that He will answer our prayers。 We are so erring and short…sighted that we sometimes ask for things that would not be a blessing to us； and our heavenly Father in love answers our prayers by giving us that which will be for our highest goodthat which we ourselves would desire if with vision divinely enlightened we could see all things as they really are。 When our prayers seem not to be answered； we are to cling to the promise； for the time of answering will surely come； and we shall receive the blessing we need most。 But to claim that prayer will always be answered in the very way and for the particular thing that we desire； is presumption。 God is too wise to err； and too good to withhold any good thing from them that walk uprightly。 Then do not fear to trust Him； even though you do not see the immediate answer to your prayers。 Rely upon His sure promise； 〃Ask； and it shall be given you。〃
If we take counsel with our doubts and fears； or try to solve everything that we cannot see clearly； before we have faith； perplexities will only increase
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and dee
