It was obvious last Sunday that many of you came to meet with God with an increased intensity and anticipation. You had spent time reflecting on the promise of Jesus to his followers of experiencing the greater things in response to breakthrough prayer. Keep your list of those things you're asking God to do in your life in front of you to remind you of your commitment to growing in your faith.

Last weekend I encouraged you to go deep in your spiritual life, to not stay in the shallow waters of experiencing God but to immerse yourself fully in the Holy Spirit's person and work. There are things that we will only experience through a closer and more intimate relationship with the Lord. These are realities that God reserves for the righteous, those who are in right standing with him. That includes breakthrough prayer: "The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5:16)

God makes you righteous through the work of Jesus on your behalf. When you surrender your life to Christ's lordship and choose to follow him fully, you are transformed by God and declared righteous before God. You are then to stay righteous by regularly confessing your sins to God to be purified and holy (1 John 1:9). It makes sense that God pays special attention to the righteous and responds to them with whatever is best. If you are someone who wants to honour God in everything and has made doing God's will your default in every situation, you are going to be very blessed.

The Bible is filled with promises and realities of favour directly related to the righteous. It would be profitable for you to take some time and check the Scriptures out. Here are a few for you to consider:

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled." Matthew 5:6
"The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry." Psalm 34:15, 1 Peter 3:12
"The prayer of the upright pleases (God)." Proverbs 15:8
"The Lord takes the upright into his confidence." Proverbs 3:32
"He who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward." Proverbs 11:18

Check your Bible concordance and you will discover hundreds of Scriptures that describe the blessings of God for the righteous.

Let me summarize. God answers righteous prayer so be sure to stay righteous. Confess your sins to God including those things that I mentioned in my message that hinder your relationship with him like selfishness, idols in your heart, robbing God of his tithes, unforgiveness towards others, husbands disrespecting their wives and having unbelief and doubt when you pray. Confess your sins towards others as well so that nothing will hinder your prayer life. Then find other righteous people to pray with you and you can expect God to do above and beyond anything we can even think to ask of him.

This Sunday is Mother's Day. Come prepared to bless our mothers and grandmothers with kind words and prayers for God's favour to be poured into their lives. Godly women are special gifts to us from God so let's honour them with kindness and grace.

Blessings.

Pastor Del