Jan – Feb – Mar 2021
Dear Friends,
Les & Iris would like for you to know that they are doing well, staying healthy, and continue to be encouraged by your cards and letters. Les always says “I’m doing great for 93!” They are aware the past year has been difficult for many, especially for fellow believers, but we have the assurance of our blessed hope, the rapture. The following portion of teaching is as applicable today as when Les originally taught these verses on prayer. Remember to keep praying and keep looking up!
Book #10, Lesson 2, Part 1
Daniel 6:10 “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed (the decree) he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God,…”
Here is the secret, I think, of prayer. And he did what? He gave thanks. A lot of times we think of prayer as only asking. But what God demands first is a heart of thanksgiving. And if we can pray with thanksgiving, then we can rest assured that we are on Scriptural grounds. Now I would like for you to turn to Chapter 9 where again we pick up this man, Daniel, using the power of prayer. Now get the setting. Here’s this young Jew in captivity, out of his homeland and clear out in a pagan land, strange and far from home. And yet he can give thanks. Now look at his prayer on behalf of his people, Israel. As he prays in verse 4 and then goes on to say in verse 5:
Daniel 9:5 “We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, (he is speaking about himself and his people, the Nation of Israel, and of course that is why they are in captivity because of their rebellion.) and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments: ” I won’t read his whole prayer; I trust that you will do that in your spare time. But now let’s come down to verse 18 as his prayer is winding down. And he is praying his heart out on behalf of his own nation. I decided to take this half hour in prayer, again, because I think that all of us are alarmed at what is going on in our country. We are alarmed about the spiritual rebelliousness. There is no interest, and really, there is only one answer to it. That is that God’s people are going to have to get back on their knees.
If every born again child of God in America would spend 10 to 20 or 30 minutes a day on their knees (couples together, or as individuals if they could do that), I know that things would start happening in our favor instead of going against us. We realize that you know what is going on. The enemy is getting to the place where they can almost push us out the side door. And they are just simply trying to make us inoperative as believers in The Book. Unless the believing community gets back on their knees, they will be successful. And it’s not all that hard. It’s a habit like anything else. We will be looking at that as we go on through the lesson. So now verse 18:
Daniel 9:18 “O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, (Daniel is praying on behalf of his own people Israel and the City of Jerusalem.) and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, (not because they deserve it, but why?) but for thy great mercies.”
Now it is the same way for us today. We can never go before God and ask for anything because we deserve it. Everything that we get, every breath that we breathe, every heartbeat is because of the Grace of God. And so Daniel, even back here under Law, when they have no knowledge of what we call the Grace of God, is calling upon the very Grace of God. Daniel 9:19 “O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God:…”
Can’t you hear the heart cry of this young man? He is not just uttering words. He is not just spinning a prayer wheel. He’s not just counting beads. This man is pouring out his heart. And remember it’s the same God you and I pray to today. We are under a whole different economy, granted, and we will go to the New Testament now and see what a difference that does make. Let’s go to the Book of Philippians and come to Chapter 4. Again, there is such a difference in some of these commands to pray. But here in Paul’s letter to the Church, we have something that is so practical. I think I have helped people over tough spots more often by taking them to these two verses than anything else, during the time of trial and sorrow. Because here are verses that every believer can tie into. Now remember that all of this is the privilege of the believer. That is who Paul is writing to. Paul doesn’t write to the unbeliever. Never! He sometimes writes about the unbeliever, but he writes to us the believer. Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
Let’s break that tremendous verse down. “Be careful for nothing; (now the word “careful” is translated out of a Greek word that really means to be anxious, or to put it simply: worry about nothing. Now we can have concerns. I think there is a big difference between worrying and having concerns. Each of us have concerns, but that is not necessarily worry. So be able to differentiate those terms. To actually sit and be a worry wart, God forbids it. You’ve heard the old saying, “Why worry when you can pray.” Well that is so true. God doesn’t want us to worry); but (instead of worrying) in every thing (what does everything mean? It means everything.
There is nothing that God has canceled out, and said, “Don’t bother Me with it.” I’ve had people tell me, “Les I can’t go to God with my little problems, He doesn’t want to be bothered.” Yes, He does. He wants to hear from you by prayer and supplication (the same word Daniel used. But what’s the next two words?) with thanksgiving (I don’t think it does any good to go before God and ask and ask and ask. I don’t think He will pay any attention. But if we asked with thanksgiving, with that attitude of realizing that He doesn’t have to do what you are asking Him for. He’s going to answer your prayer according to His Grace and Mercy. It took a long time for me to learn that. That as you pray you thank Him first. Thank Him for what He is going to do with your particular request. That is exactly what Paul is referring to. And we will also see in Thessalonians that he says basically the same thing. That as we pray we do it with that heartfelt attitude of thanksgiving) let your requests be made known unto God.
You mean God doesn’t know? Why sure He does. But what does He want? He wants you and I to communicate. He wants us to let Him know from our hearts what we desire and what we need as well as thank Him.
Regarding prayer, Pastor Ricky Kurth at the Berean Bible Society wrote “If you’re wondering what the difference is between “supplications” and “prayers,” don’t tell anyone! You see, if you are wondering that, it means you think the word “prayer” means to ask God for things! But there are lots of other things you can say to God in prayer. You can praise Him for His goodness and His grace, or just talk to Him about whatever is on your heart. If you have children who only call when they need something, you know how God feels if all you ever do is ask Him for things.” www.bereanbiblesociety.org, “What’s the Difference?” November 24, 2017
Office Note
We would like to start by thanking all our viewers for your continued support over the last year, it has been tremendous! Your prayers and concern for the ministry mean so much. As 2020 comes to an end, we would like to update our records. If you have an address change or need to update your credit card information, please let us know. Also, tax time will be right around the corner, contact us if you need a copy of your 2020 charitable donations.
If you have called recently and were unable to reach us, we have been experiencing some phone issues. We apologize to those who had trouble, but want you to know that we are working diligently with the phone company to get it taken care of.
To anyone who may have been upset by the scam obituary sites stating that Les passed away, we are sorry it happened, and have attempted to correct this misinformation. As they say, “you can’t believe everything you read” and the internet is a perfect example. We appreciate your love and concern for the family but rest assured that the ministry will share any significant news with our friends. God Bless!
Iris’s Recipe Corner
Lemon Jell-O Cake
Mix 1 cup hot water with 1 small box lemon Jell-O – set aside to cool
Mix ¾ cup of oil with 1 box yellow cake mix
Fold in 4 whole eggs, one at a time
Add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice & Jell-O mixture
Pour into a greased (not floured) 9×12 pan & bake at 350° for 40 minutes
Frosting: Mix the juice of 2 lemons with 2 cups powdered sugar
While the cake is still warm, punch holes in the cake with a fork or pick and pour the frosting mixture over the top – Slice & Enjoy!
Special Offer
We will be running a special on the books of Isaiah, #60 – #63. The total price will be $18, which is a savings of $6 off the regular price. This price is only valid on the transcribed books. The special will run from January to the end of March, 2021. No substitutions allowed for any other materials. Just ask for the Isaiah Special!
Prayers for a blessed, happy, and healthy New Year!
Les Feldick Ministries 30706 W. Lona Valley Rd., Kinta, OK 74552
1-800-369-7856 or 918-768-3218