Truth to

Hang Your Hat On

2
 Marsha Iddings


Hang Your Hat On

Sufficient Grace Publishing

Clarkston, Washington

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4

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture
references are from the King James Version
of the Bible.

©2007 by Marsha Iddings

Published by Sufficient Grace Publishing
Printed by Lulu
www.lulu.com

Printed in the United States of America

All rights reserved. No part of this publication

may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted, in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise, without the prior
written permission of the author.

Marsha Iddings
Email: truthsetsfree@clarkston.com

To Order Additional Copies:

http://www.lulu.com/Marsha-Iddings

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6
 I am grateful for the ministry of
Port Cities
Reformed Baptist Church of
Lewiston, Idaho for teaching me so
much about God’s sufficient grace.

I am thankful to God for His grace,

mercy and love. He alone is to be
praised.

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8
 About the Author

Marsha has an Associate of Arts Degree in

Theology from Western Baptist College (now
Corban College), Salem, OR. She has been
married for 24 years to her husband Rick and
has a son and a daughter. She has been a home
school mom since the children were old
enough for school and plans to home school
through high school. She has been a
devotional writer for Beyond Surviving Home
School, a web support group for moms with
chronic illnesses, since 2004. She has been
blessed with opportunities for spiritual growth
through dealing with her own physical
challenges of osteoporosis, chronic pain, and
gluten intolerance as well as the health
challenges of her husband. She lives in Eastern
Washington with her family.

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10
 Table of Contents

Our Great God 13

Our God 14
This is Our God 25

Prayer 29

Twenty Biblical Purposes

for Suffering 53

The Promises of Isaiah 43:2 59

Poems 63

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12
 Our Great God
As you meditate on Who God is you will come
to know Him and trust Him more. Following
are all the scriptures I could find that tell us
Who our God is. I would suggest that you take
one verse at a time and study it in context. Ask
God to show you how you can apply these
truths to your own situation. You will find
great encouragement and comfort.

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 Our God

Genesis 1:1 … God created the heaven and the

earth. (compare with John 1:1)

Numbers 23:19 God is not a man,

Deuteronomy 6:4 The LORD our God is one

LORD:

Deuteronomy 6:15 (For the LORD thy God is a

jealous God among you)

Deuteronomy 10:17 The eternal God is thy

refuge, and underneath are the everlasting
arms:

2 Samuel 22:33 God is my strength and power

2 Chronicles 30:9 ...God is gracious and

merciful,

Job 33:12...God is greater than man.

Job 36:5 God is mighty ... he is mighty in

strength and wisdom.

Job 36:26 God is great,

14
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a
very present help in trouble.

Psalm 47:7 God is the King of all the earth:

Psalm 48:14 For this God is our God for ever

and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

Psalm 54:4 God is mine helper:

Psalm 59:9 God is my defense.

Psalm 68:20 God is the God of salvation;

Psalm 73:1 God is good ...to such as are of a

clean heart.

Psalm 75:7 God is the judge:

Psalm 84:11 God is a sun and shield:

Psalm 94:22 God is the rock of my refuge.

Psalm 99:9 God is holy.

Isaiah 12:2 God is my salvation;

Daniel 9:14 God is righteous in all his works

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John 1:1 …the Word was God

John 1:3 All things were made by him;

(Compare with Genesis 1:1)

John 1:14 …the Word was made flesh, and

dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the
glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full
of grace and truth.

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the

bread of life:

John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them,

saying, I am the light of the world:

John 10:7 Then said Jesus unto them again, I

am the door of the sheep.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: (compare

with Psalm 23:1)

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the

resurrection, and the life:

John14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way,

the truth, and the life:

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John 15:1 I am the true vine,

Revelation 1:17 Fear not; I am the first and the

last: (compare with Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 48:12 I
am the first, and I am the last; and beside me
there is no God.

John 3:33, 2 Corinthians 1:18 God is true.

John 4:24 God is a Spirit:

Acts 10:34 God is no respecter of persons:

Romans 1:9 God is my witness,

2 Corinthians 9:8 God is able to make all grace

abound toward you

1 Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful,

1 Corinthians 1:25 the foolishness of God is

wiser than men; and the weakness of God is
stronger than men.

1 Corinthians 14:33 God is not the author of

confusion, but of peace,

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Galatians 6:7 God is not mocked:

Hebrews 6:10 God is not unrighteous to forget

your work and labour of love,

Hebrews 12:29 God is a consuming fire.

1 John 1:5 God is light, and in him is no

darkness at all.

1 John 3:20 God is greater than our heart, and

knoweth all things.

1 John 4:8 God is love.

Revelation 22:16 I am the root and the

offspring of David, and the bright and morning
star.

Luke 24:34 The Lord is risen

2 Corinthians 3:17 the Lord is that Spirit:

Philippians 4:5 The Lord is at hand.

1 Thessalonians 4:6 the Lord is the avenger

2 Thessalonians 3:3 the Lord is faithful,

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Hebrews 13:6 The Lord is my helper,

James 5:11 the Lord is very pitiful, and of

tender mercy.

1 Peter 2:3 the Lord is gracious.

1 Peter 3:12 the Lord is against them that do

evil.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning

his promise,

Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and

song, and he is become my salvation: he is my
God,

Exodus 15:3 The LORD is a man of war: the

LORD is his name.

Exodus 18:11 the LORD is greater than all

gods:

Numbers 14:18 The LORD is longsuffering,

and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and
transgression, and by no means clearing the
guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon
the children unto the third and fourth
generation.

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Joshua 22:34 the LORD is God.

1 Samuel 2:3 the LORD is a God of

knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

2 Samuel 22:2 The LORD is my rock, and my

fortress, and my deliverer;

Psalm 10:16 The LORD is King for ever and

ever

Psalm 14:6 the LORD is his refuge.

Psalm 16:5 The LORD is the portion of mine

inheritance and of my cup:

Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd

(compare with John 10:11 I am the good
shepherd)

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my

salvation; (compare with John 8:12 Then spake
Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of
the world)

Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my

shield;

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Psalm 34:8 …the LORD is good:

Psalm 34:18 The LORD is nigh unto them that

are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of
a contrite spirit.

Psalm 89:18 For the LORD is our defense; and

the Holy One of Israel is our king.

Psalm 92:15 the LORD is upright: he is my

rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

Psalm 93:1 The LORD reigneth, he is clothed

with majesty; the LORD is clothed with
strength,

Psalm 95:3 For the LORD is a great God, and a

great King above all gods.

Psalm 96:4 For the LORD is great, and greatly

to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

Psalm 103:8 The LORD is merciful and

gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in
mercy.

Psalm 111:4 the LORD is gracious and full of

compassion.

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Psalm 113:4 The LORD is high above all
nations, and his glory above the heavens.

Psalm 118:6 The LORD is on my side;

Psalm 121:5 The LORD is thy keeper: the

LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.

Psalm 125:2 the LORD is round about his

people from henceforth even for ever.

Psalm 145:18 The LORD is nigh unto all them

that call upon him,

Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the

wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the
righteous.

Proverbs 22:2 The rich and poor meet together:

the LORD is the maker of them all.

Isaiah 30:18 the LORD is a God of judgment:

Isaiah 33:5 The LORD is exalted;

Isaiah 33:22 For the LORD is our judge, the

LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king;

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Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD is the true God,
he is the living God, and an everlasting king:

Lamentations 3:24 The LORD is my portion,

saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

Nahum 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger, and

great in power, and will not at all acquit the
wicked:

Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold

in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that
trust in him.

Genesis 17:1 I am the Almighty God,

Exodus 15:26 I am the LORD that healeth thee.

Leviticus 19:4 I am the LORD your God.

Exodus 31:13 I am the LORD that doth

sanctify you.

Isaiah 42:8, Isaiah 43:11 I am the LORD

Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 48:12 I am the first, and I

am the last; and beside me there is no God.

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Isaiah 44:24 I am the LORD that maketh all
things,

Isaiah 45:5, Isaiah 45:6, Isaiah 45:18 I am the

LORD, and there is none else, there is no God
beside me

Isaiah 48:17 I am the LORD thy God which

teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by
the way that thou shouldest go.

Jeremiah 9:24 I am the LORD which exercise

lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness,

Jeremiah 32:27 I am the LORD, the God of all

flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

Ezekiel 7:9 I am the LORD that smiteth.

Malachi. 3:6 I am the LORD, I change not;

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 This is Our God
Exodus 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD,
among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in
holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

Exodus 15:11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD,

among the gods?…

Isaiah 43:10-11 Ye are my witnesses, saith the

LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that
ye may know and believe me, and understand that I
am he: before me there was no God formed, neither
shall there be after me. I, even


 the LORD; and
beside me there is

 
.

Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for

I
 God, and  

 
I am God, and
there is none like me,

Observation: There is none like Him among the

gods because there are no other gods.

Exodus 15:11…who is like thee…?

Hosea 11:9... for I
 God, and not man; the Holy

One in the midst of thee…

Psalm 50:21 These 

 hast thou done, and I kept
silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether  
an one

 
 I will reprove thee, and set
them in order before thine eyes.

25
Numbers 29:19 19 God 








lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent:
hath he said, and shall he not do ? or hath he
spoken, and shall he not make it good?

Observation: No one is like Him…and He is not

like man.

 15:11 …glorious in holiness…

 
-5 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw
also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted
up, and his train filled the temple. Then said I, Woe
 me! for I am undone; because I





unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of

unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the
LORD of hosts.

Ezekiel 3:23 Then I arose, and went forth into the

plain: and, behold, the glory of the LORD stood
there, as the glory which I saw by the river of
Chebar: and I fell on my face.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of

the glory of God;

Observation: Man realizes the awfulness of his sin

when he discovers the holiness of God.

26



Exodus 15:11 …fearful in praises…

 
 And he hath put a new song in my

mouth, 

 










and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

2 Chronicles 20:21-22 And when he had consulted

with the people, he appointed singers unto the
LORD, and that should praise the beauty of
holiness, as they went out before the army, and to
say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy 



ever. And when they began to sing and to praise,
the LORD set ambushments against the children of
Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come
against Judah; and they were smitten.

Revelation 19:5 And a voice came out of the

throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants,
and ye that fear him, both small and great.

Observation: God works through the praise of His

people.




 
 
 9:1-3, 10-12 Then Job answered and said, I
know  so of a truth: but how should man be just
with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot
answer him one of a thousand. Which doeth great
things past finding out; yea, and wonders without
number. Lo, he goeth by me, and I see 



passeth on also, but I perceive him not. Behold, he

27
taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say
unto him, What doest thou?

Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the

wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable


 

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Isaiah 55:9 For
the heavens are higher than the

earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and
my thoughts than your thoughts.

Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is

perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of
truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

Observation: God works in ways that are not easy

for man to understand at times, but we know He
does all things with perfect wisdom and knowledge.

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 Prayer
When you get to who God is, then you need
to know how to communicate with Him. In
the pages that follow I have searched for
what the Bible has to say about prayer.
These verses are listed with specific points
for you to ponder and meditate on.

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What are the requirements for God to
hear our prayer?
Call upon the name of the Lord
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call
upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved.

Keep his commandments

Do those things that are pleasing in his sight
1 John 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we
receive of him, because we keep his
commandments, and do those things that
are pleasing in his sight.

Faith
James 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall
save the sick, and the Lord shall raise
him up; and if he have committed sins,
they shall be forgiven him.

Humility
Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man went
down to his house justified rather than
the other: for every one that exalteth
himself shall be abased; and he that
humbleth himself shall be exalted.

30
Abide in Christ

Christ’s words abide in you

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my
words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye
will, and it shall be done unto you.

Bring forth fruit

Your fruit should remain

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I
have chosen you, and ordained you, that
ye should go and bring forth fruit, and
that your fruit should remain: that
whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in
my name, he may give it you.

How should we pray?

Ask in faith

Do not waver

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith,
nothing wavering. For he that wavereth
is like a wave of the sea driven with the
wind and tossed.









 -15 And this is the

confidence that we have in him, that, if
we ask any thing according to his will, he
heareth us: And if we know that he hear
us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we
have the petitions that we desired of him

31
 
In the Spirit
With perseverance and supplication
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all
prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and
watching thereunto with all perseverance
and supplication for all saints;




 

 






but in every thing by prayer and

supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known unto God.
Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and
watch in the same with thanksgiving;

With joy

 






of mine for you all making request with
joy,









 
Rejoicing in hope; patient
in tribulation; continuing instant in
prayer;

32


Sober
Watchful
1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at
hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch
unto prayer.
See Matt. 6:9

Not fainting
Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto
them to this end, that men ought always
to pray, and not to faint;

Admitting you are a sinner

Asking God’s mercy
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publican, standing
afar off, would not lift up so much as his
eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his
breast, saying, God be merciful to me a
sinner.
See Luke 21:36






1:9 If we confess our sins, he is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.






Her hair is her covering

&
$-15 Judge in
yourselves: is it comely that a woman

33
 pray unto God uncovered? Doth not
even nature itself teach you, that, if a
man have long hair, it is a shame unto
him? But if a woman have long hair, it is
a glory to her: for her hair is given her
for a covering.

Pray with the spirit

Pray with understanding
1 Corinthians 14:15 What is it then? 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.

Pray everywhere or where ever you are

Lifting up holy hands
Without wrath
Without doubting
1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men
pray every where, lifting up holy hands,
without wrath and doubting.


Seek
Knock
'
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, and it shall be given
you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it
shall be opened unto you
:

34
Two of you agree in prayer
Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you,
That if two of you shall agree on earth as
touching any thing that they shall ask, it
shall be done for them of my Father
which is in heaven.

Believing
Matthew 21:22 And all things,
whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer,
believing, ye shall receive.

Ask in Jesus’ name

John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask
in my name, that will I do, that the Father
may be glorified in the Son.
John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in
my name, I will do it.

Different postures in prayer:


 

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 it, he
fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart
from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to

worship him. And he said unto me, See
thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant,

35
 and of thy brethren that have the
testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the
testimony of Jesus is the spirit of
prophecy.



Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow my

knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ

Standing
Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing
afar off, would not lift up so much as his
eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his
breast, saying, God be merciful to me a
sinner.

On one’s face
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further, and fell on his face, and prayed,
saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let
this cup pass from me: nevertheless not
as I will, but as thou wilt.





2 Kings 20:2 Then he turned his face to
the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,
saying,

36
Laying down
2 Samuel 12:16 David therefore
besought God for the child; and David
fasted, and went in, and lay all night
upon the earth.

Where can we pray?







Acts 10:9 On the morrow, as they went

on their journey, and drew nigh unto the

city, Peter went up upon the housetop to
pray about the sixth hour:

By a river side
Acts 16:13 And on the sabbath we went
out of the city by a river side, where
prayer was wont to be made; and we sat
down, and spake unto the women which
resorted thither.

In your closet
Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou
prayest, enter into thy closet, and when
thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy
Father which is in secret; and thy Father
which seeth in secret shall reward thee
openly.

37




Alone
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multitudes away, he went up into a mountain
apart to pray: and when the evening was
come, he was there alone.








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eight days after these sayings, he took
Peter and John and James, and went up
into a mountain to pray.


 


Enemies
Those who curse you
Those who hate you
Those who despitefully use you
Those who persecute you
'


-


.
!

your enemies, bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you, and pray
for them which despitefully use you, and
persecute you;


Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the
captivity of Job, when he prayed for his

38

 friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as
much as he had before.

Israel
Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire
and prayer to God for Israel is, that they
might be saved.

God’s people
1 Samuel 12:23 Moreover as for me, God
forbid that I should sin against the LORD
in ceasing to pray for you: but I will
teach you the good and the right way:

One another
1 Thessalonians 5:25 Brethren, pray for
us.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to
another, and pray one for another, that ye
may be healed. The effectual fervent
prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Unbelievers
John 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone,
but for them also which shall believe on
me through their word;





ints
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always with all
prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and
watching thereunto with all perseverance
and supplication for all saints;

39

 
 







 
For God’s kingdom to come
For God’s will to be done
For our daily bread
For forgiveness
That we be not led into temptation
For deliverance from evil
Acknowledge his kingdom, power and glory
'
+ -13 After this manner
therefore pray ye: Our Father which art
in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done in
earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day
our daily bread. And forgive us our
debts, as we forgive our debtors. And
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and
the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.


 








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of the harvest, that he will send forth
labourers into his harvest.

!


 






e winter or on the
Sabbath day (when the abomination of
desolation takes place Matthew 24:15)

40
 Matthew 24:20 But pray ye that your
flight be not in the winter, neither on the
sabbath day:

That you enter not into temptation

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye
enter not into temptation: the spirit
indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

That the thought of your heart might be

forgiven
Acts 8:22 Repent therefore of this thy
wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the
thought of thine heart may be forgiven
thee.

That Christians do no evil

2 Corinthians 13:7 Now I pray to God
that ye do no evil; not that we should
appear approved, but that ye should do
that which is honest, though we be as
reprobates.

Pray for yourself and other’s love to abound

more and more in knowledge and in all
judgment
Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your
love may abound yet more and more in
knowledge and in all judgment;

41
Pray for yourself and other’s to be filled with
the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and
spiritual understanding
Colossians 1:9 For this cause we also,
since the day we heard it, do not cease to
pray for you, and to desire that ye might
be filled with the knowledge of his will
in all wisdom and spiritual
understanding;

Pray for yourself and other’s whole spirit, soul

and body to be preserved blameless unto the
coming of the Lord Jesus Christ
1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God
of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray
God your whole
spirit and soul and body be preserved
blameless unto the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ.

Pray that God would count yourself and

others worthy of this calling
Pray that God would fulfill in yourself and
other’s all the good pleasure of his goodness
and work of faith with power

0

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pray always for you, that our God would
count you worthy of this calling, and
fulfil all the good pleasure of his
goodness, and the work of faith with
power:

42
"












 

those who forsake you


0







man stood with me, but all men forsook

me: I pray God that it may not be laid to
their charge.


"













death



-




,

sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall
ask, and he shall give him life for them
that sin not unto death. There is a sin
unto death: I do not say that he shall pray
for it.

"


James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let
him ask of God, that giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall
be given him

Pray that the word of the Lord would have

free course, and be glorified
2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brethren,
pray for us, that the word of the Lord
may have free course, and be glorified,
even as it is with you:

43
 When should we pray?

Without Ceasing
Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in
prison: but prayer was made without
ceasing of the church unto God for
him.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without
ceasing.

Continually
Acts 6:4 But we will give ourselves
continually to prayer, and to the
ministry of the word.

Pray always
Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and
pray always, that ye may be accounted
worthy to escape all these things that
shall come to pass, and to stand before
the Son of man.

When afflicted
James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted?
let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing
psalms.

44

 sick





sick among you? let
him call for the elders of the church;
and let them pray over him, anointing
him with oil in the name

Why do our prayers go unanswered?

#










(lust)

 -3 Ye lust, and have not: ye
kill, and desire to have, and cannot
obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not,
because ye ask not.Ye ask, and receive
not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may
consume it upon your lusts.



 





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We are not keeping His commandments
We are not doing what is pleasing in His sight.


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heart, the Lord will not hear me:
1Jo 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we
receive of him, because we keep his
commandments, and do those things that
are pleasing in his sight.










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45


1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence

that we have in him, that, if we ask any
thing according to his will, he heareth us:

God knows what we need before we

pray:


 




 we ask
'
#




"

unto them: for your Father knoweth what
things ye have need of, before ye ask
him.


 





Matthew 6:25-34 Therefore I say unto
you, Take no thought for your life, what
ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor
yet for your body, what ye shall put on.
Is not the life more than meat, and the
body than raiment? Behold the fowls of
the air: for they sow not, neither do they
reap, nor gather into barns; yet your
heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not
much better than they? Which of you by
taking thought can add one cubit unto his
stature? And why take ye thought for
raiment? Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow; they toil not, neither do
they spin: And yet I say unto you, That
even Solomon in all his glory was not

46
 arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if
God so clothe the grass of the field,
which to day is, and to morrow is cast
into the oven, shall he not much more
clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore
take no thought, saying, What shall we
eat? or, What shall we drink? or,
Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For
after all these things do the Gentiles
seek) for 




knoweth that ye have need of all these
things.

"



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God, and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto you. Take
therefore no thought for the morrow: for
the morrow shall take thought for the
things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is
the evil thereof.

The Holy Spirit & Jesus Christ

intercedes for us to the Father
!
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# 


!"

* 


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.
Romans 8:27 And he that searcheth the
hearts knoweth what is the mind of the

47
 Spirit, because he maketh intercession
for the saints according to the will of
God.










#$
)




condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea
rather, that is risen again, who is even at
the right hand of God, who also maketh
intercession for us.

Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also
to save them to the uttermost that come
unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to
make intercession for them.

&






'


God has given to Him

(+
-



-




the world, but for them which thou hast
given me; for they are thine.

Does God sometimes say “no” or

make us “wait”? Yes!
&

&















 $

(


looked to Jairus like there was no hope for his
daughter with the delay, but Jesus still
answered his request. Sometimes God will
delay answering our prayers.

48




 -50 And, behold, there came a

man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of
the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus'
feet, and besought him that he would
come into his house: For he had one only
daughter, about twelve years of age, and
she lay a dying. But as he went the
people thronged him. And a woman
having an issue of blood twelve years,
which had spent all her living upon
physicians, neither could be healed of
any, Came behind him, and touched the
border of his garment: and immediately
her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus
said, Who touched me? When all denied,
Peter and they that were with him said,
Master, the multitude throng thee and
press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched
me? And Jesus said, Somebody hath
touched me: for I perceive that virtue is
gone out of me. And when the woman
saw that she was not hid, she came
trembling, and falling down before him,
she declared unto him before all the
people for what cause she had touched
him, and how she was healed
immediately. And he said unto her,
Daughter, be of good comfort: thy

49
 faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
While he yet spake, there cometh one
from the ruler of the synagogue's house,
saying to him, Thy daughter is dead;
trouble not the Master. But when Jesus
heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear
not: believe only, and she shall be made
whole.

)

"










people go, but God hardened his heart. God
delayed bringing about the release of His
people.
/2%


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Aaron went in, and told Pharaoh, Thus
saith the LORD God of Israel, Let my
people go, that they may hold a feast
unto me in the wilderness.
Exodus 7:14 And the LORD said unto
Moses, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, he
refuseth to let the people go.

"














physical problem he had away but God said,
“My grace is sufficient for you...” He did not
remove the physical problem Paul had.

&
 (-10 And lest I should
be exalted above measure through the
abundance of the revelations, there was
given to me a thorn in the flesh, the
messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I
should be exalted above measure. For

50
this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that
it might depart from me. And he said
unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee:
for my strength is made perfect in
weakness. Most gladly therefore will I
rather glory in my infirmities, that the
power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities,
in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ's
sake: for when I am weak, then am I
strong.

51
52


Twenty Biblical Purposes

for Suffering

In the following pages you will find all the

purposes I could find in the Bible for why
Christians suffer. It makes going through
difficult trials more meaningful when we can
see there is purpose to it.

53
 Twenty Biblical Purposes for Suffering

1. to make you perfect (mature)

2. to stablish you (set fast or firm)
3. to strengthen you (make you strong)
4. to settle you (get you to the place where
you come to rest in Him)

1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace,

who hath called us unto his eternal glory
by Christ Jesus, after that ye have
suffered a while, make you perfect,
stablish, strengthen, settle you.

5. so that we may comfort others like God

has comforted us

2 Corinthians 1: 4 Who comforteth us in

all our tribulation, that we may be able
to comfort them which are in any trouble,
by the comfort wherewith we ourselves
are comforted of God.

3



%


4%.


ourselves

  
  9 But we had the
sentence of death in ourselves, that we

54
 should not trust in ourselves, but in God
which raiseth the dead:

7. to teach us patience & maturity

James 1:3-4 Knowing this, that the trying

of your faith worketh patience. But let
patience have her perfect work, that ye
may be perfect and entire, wanting
nothing.

#3







%

James 1:12 Blessed is the man that

endureth temptation: for when he is
tried, he shall receive the crown of life,
which the Lord hath promised to them
that love him.




+3

,

2 




"

Job was
10. to experience the pity and tenderness of
God's mercy


         

happy which endure. Ye have heard of

the patience of Job, and have seen the
end of the Lord; that the Lord is very
pitiful, and of tender mercy.

55
11. to allow others the privilege of
ministering to us

James 5: 14 Is any sick among you? Let

him call for the elders of the church; and
let them pray over him, anointing him
with oil in the name of the Lord:

12. for praise, honor and glory at the

appearing of Jesus Christ

1 Peter 1: 7 That the trial of your faith,

being much more precious than of gold
that perisheth, though it be tried with
fire, might be found unto praise and
honour and glory at the appearing of
Jesus Christ:

$3






14. to give us a more God centered focus on
His will

1Peter 4:1-2 Forasmuch then as Christ

hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm
yourselves likewise with the same mind:
for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath
ceased from sin; That he no longer

56

 should live the rest of his time in the flesh
to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

15. to be a partaker of Jesus' sufferings

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not

strange concerning the fiery trial which
is to try you, as though some strange
thing happened unto you: But rejoice,
inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s
sufferings; that, when his glory shall be
revealed, ye may be glad also with
exceeding joy.

16. to learn patience which gives us proven

character (experience)
17. that we might have hope because of
God's love in our hearts by the Holy
Spirit.

Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we

glory in tribulations also: knowing that
tribulation worketh patience; And
patience, experience; and experience,
hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed;
because the love of God is shed abroad
in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is
given unto us.

57
18. to teach us obedience

Hebrews 5: 8 Though he were a Son, yet

learned he obedience by the things which
he suffered;

19. to confirm to us that we are the Lord's

child and He loves us.

Hebrews 12: 6 For whom the Lord loveth

he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son
whom he receiveth.

53



Job 5:17-18 Behold, happy is the man

whom God correcteth: therefore despise
not thou the chastening of the Almighty:
For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he
woundeth, and his hands make whole.

58

 The Promises of
Isaiah 43:2

59
 Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters, I will be

with you;

Hebrews 13:5  
%
 without

covetousness; be content with such things as you
have: for He Himself has said, I will never leave
you, nor forsake you.

and through the rivers, they shall not overflow

you:


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flood: you dried up mighty rivers.

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it

shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will
even make a road in the wilderness,




the desert.

hen you walk through the fire, you shall not

be burned; nor shall the flame scorch you.


-
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%.
-

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.
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as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of
affliction.

60

1 Peter 1:7 That the genuiness of your faith,
being much more precious than gold that
perishes, though it is tried with fire, may be
found unto praise, honour and glory at the
revelation of Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, do think it strange

concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as
though some strange thing happened to you: But
rejoice, to the extent that you are partakers of
Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory is
revealed, you also may be glad with exceeding
joy.

61
62

ms

63
 Refiner's Fire

When the night seems too long

And the pain is too strong
And I want to panic and fear
I need Your love to hold me, Lord
Wrap Your arms around me, hold me near.

Help me to lean into Your mercy and grace

In my raging storm I only want to see Your
face
Please help me to yield in full surrender
Burn my selfish desires in the fire of Your
love
Make me a reflection of Your love so tender.

Things I hold dear are now a loss

Refine me Lord, take away the dross
Keep me in the fire until Your face I see
Hold me in submission to the foot of Your
cross
So others will see more of You and less of
me.

Your love, Lord is a refining fire

Remake me, mold me, that's my heart's
desire
Don't stop working on me until You see
That I am all that You require
Only then will I be truly free.

Lord, the fire of Your love causes me pain

64
At times I get impatient and complain
Then You show me a glimpse of what You
are doing
And I realize in all I go through You are
Sovereign.
And it renews my hope so I can trust what
You are doing.
Marsha Iddings

65
 The Gift of Pain


What Pain Can Do
It can teach me patience
It can teach me endurance
It can bring me closer to God
It can strengthen my courage
It can give me empathy for others
It can teach me to trust God more
It can teach me what my limits are
It can teach me to take it one day at a time
It can teach me to find beauty in the small things
It can teach me to humbly ask for and accept help
when I need it
It can teach me to learn to be thankful even when I
don't feel like it
It can teach me to encourage others instead of feeling
sorry for myself
It can give me more love and appreciation for my
husband and family

What Pain Cannot Do

It can never take God's presence from me
It can never remove God's grace from me
It can never separate me from God's love
It can never take away my future home in Heaven
It can never separate me from the strength that God
can give
It can never take away God's forgiveness of my sins &
my salvation in Jesus
Marsha Iddings

66

Living Sacrifice

Oh, Lord I want to praise You

In spite of the fear and the pain
Help me to trust You when I don't understand
What it is You are trying to do.

I don't pray for the pain to go away

Only that You finish Your work in me
Although I grow weary of the process
You give grace and strength for each day.

Surrender doesn't come easy for me

But You know I desire to be a living sacrifice
So help me to stay upon the alter
Until I am all that You want me to be.

Marsha Iddings

Romans 12:1-2
"...present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God which is your reasonable
service. And be not conformed to this world, but be
ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that
ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect will of God."

67
Hebrews 13:15
"...let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God
continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving
thanks to his name.”

What Cancer Cannot Do

Cancer is so limited
It cannot cripple love
It cannot shatter hope
It cannot corrode faith
It cannot destroy peace
It cannot kill friendship
It cannot suppress memories
It cannot silence courage
It cannot invade the soul
It cannot steal eternal life
It cannot conquer the spirit

Paul Iddings 1936-1998

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