Brian Pate > Recent Status Updates

Peter Adam: "While preaching is one form of the ministry of the Word, many other forms are reflected in the Bible" (p. 116).

Why must we persevere in prayer? (1) God wants to be viewed as the source of all good. (2) God wants us to take our need and his greatness seriously. (3) God knows that the longer we pray for something, the more thankful and joyful we will be when he answers. (4) God wants us to wait for his better timing (pp. 211-212).

"Our complaint prayers are not mere self-centered whining that life has not treated us right. Instead, our complaints are those of dependent children, running in fear and in hurt to our almighty Father, who rules all things" (p. 204).

"God always answers his children's prayers positively. God's YES is regularly a case of 'your thinking about how I could best meet this need was right'; his NO is a case of 'not that, for this is better' -- and so is really a yes in disguise! -- and his WAIT is a case of 'wait and see; I will deal with this need at the best time in the best way."

"To express his infinite love for Christ, God gives him a spouse, the church" (p. 24).