PITBULLS AND TIGERS
Written in 2014
by Tony Alamo
aka Bernie Hoffman
After JESUS instructed HIS disciples how to pray in Luke 11:5-13, HE said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
“I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity [which, according to Webster’s Dictionary, means “to urge or entreat persistently or repeatedly”] he will rise and give him as many as he needs. [JESUS means we are to keep asking the FATHER in Heaven until we receive our answer, our breakthrough.] And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.
“If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly FATHER give the HOLY SPIRIT to them that ask HIM [that ask and keep on asking]?”
JESUS is instructing HIS disciples, and us, to never stop praying until we receive the answer.1 JESUS is telling us that our being persistent will not offend HIM. As a matter of fact, HE will open the door and give us what we are asking for. If the LORD seems to be closing the door on us, we are to put our foot in the door and keep pleading our case. If we haven’t received, then we must demand what the WORD promises. Like pitbulls or tigers, we must never let go, back down, or give up.2 We bring our requests with backup from the WORD of GOD and stand firm (Ephesians 6:10-18)!
This is the same instruction GOD gave in Luke, chapter 18: And HE said to HIS disciples, and now to us, “that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not GOD, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not GOD, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
“And the LORD said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not GOD avenge HIS own elect, which cry day and night unto HIM, though HE bear long with them? I tell you that HE will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the SON of MAN comes, shall HE find faith on the earth? [In other words, will CHRIST find people with their foot in the door to Heaven, asking and trusting GOD, in the name of JESUS, to answer their prayers? GOD will never be offended at your praying like this. On the other hand, it will offend HIM if you doubt and stop praying like this.] I tell you that HE will avenge [you] speedily” (Luke 18:1-8).
Although JESUS was sent only to the lost people of Israel, “a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto HIM, saying, Have mercy on me, O LORD, THOU SON of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But HE answered her not a word. And HIS disciples came and besought HIM, saying, Send her away; for she cries after us. But HE answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped HIM, saying, LORD, help me. But HE answered and said, It is not meet (appropriate) to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, LORD: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. Then JESUS answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour” (Matthew 15:22-28). Here is an example of faith in a non-Jewish woman who would not accept “no”—even from the LORD. She held fast, asking in faith without backing down and she received her request. Even from a distance away, her demonized daughter was delivered and set free.
The book of Hebrews states, “But without faith it is impossible to please HIM; for 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 is the truth3 and HE said, “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. For where two or three are gathered together in MY name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:19-20).
However, before we can approach GOD and claim all of HIS promises, we must be saved from our sins by accepting the blood sacrifice of JESUS, making HIM our LORD, and committing our lives to following HIM (Ephesians 2:11-18). JESUS told us that HIS promises are conditional: “If you abide in ME, and MY WORDS abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you” (John 15:7).
JESUS said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD. Nicodemus saith unto HIM, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? JESUS answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the kingdom of GOD. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the SPIRIT is SPIRIT” (John 3:3-6).
“But GOD commends HIS love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us. Much more then, being now justified by HIS blood, we shall be saved from wrath through HIM. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to GOD by the death of HIS SON, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by HIS life” (Romans 5:8-10).
After salvation, we have authority, power, over the evil spirits who constantly work to destroy us.4 As the Apostle Peter said, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9). We have victory over the devil and his evil demons through the name of JESUS. We give “thanks unto the FATHER, which has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of HIS dear SON: In whom we have redemption through HIS blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:12-14).
This spiritual rebirth sets our spirits free, delivers us from the bondage of Satan, and makes us new members of GOD’S family. So, after we have confessed and repented of our sins, and are born anew with the SPIRIT of GOD living in us, we can ask what we will (as long as it is in agreement with GOD’S WORD), and it shall be done.5
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, JESUS the SON of GOD, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace [power], that we may obtain mercy, and find grace [power] to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16). We are instructed to come up to GOD’S throne boldly, with great confidence so that our requests will be granted. As lawyers bring laws and past decisions before the court, we stand upon GOD’S WORD and past decisions of GOD to receive what we are asking for. In order to be well-equipped to obtain our requests, we must study the WORD of GOD, which is the SWORD of the SPIRIT.6 “Study to show thyself approved unto GOD, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the WORD of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Once we are born again of the SPIRIT of GOD, we are part of the army of the living GOD sent forth to preach the gospel to all the world. That’s why we must increase in our understanding of the LORD and HIS will for us. JESUS “died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto HIM which died for them, and rose again.…Therefore if any man be in CHRIST, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of GOD, who has reconciled us to HIMSELF by JESUS CHRIST, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation [once we have been saved, we are commanded to bring in more souls to the knowledge of the truth]; To wit, that GOD was in CHRIST, reconciling the world unto HIMSELF, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for CHRIST, as though GOD did beseech you by us: we pray you in CHRIST’S stead, be ye reconciled to GOD. For HE has made HIM to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in HIM” (2 Corinthians 5:15, 17-21).
We are dearly loved by GOD as HIS sons and daughters. We must pray, knowing that HE will answer if we stay in faith and keep on asking until we receive our answer. To begin your new life in JESUS, say this prayer:
Prayer
My LORD and my GOD, have mercy upon my soul, a sinner. 1 I believe that JESUS CHRIST is the SON of the living GOD. 2 I believe that HE died on the cross and shed HIS precious blood for the forgiveness of all my former sins. 3 I believe that GOD raised JESUS from the dead by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT 4 and that HE sits on the right hand of GOD at this moment, hearing my confession of sin and this prayer. 5 I open up the door of my heart, and I invite YOU into my heart, LORD JESUS. 6 Wash all of my filthy sins away in the precious blood that YOU shed in my place on the cross at Calvary. 7 YOU will not turn me away, LORD JESUS; YOU will forgive my sins and save my soul. I know because YOUR WORD, the Bible, says so. 8 YOUR WORD says that YOU will turn no one away, and that includes me. 9 Therefore, I know that YOU have heard me, and I know that YOU have answered me, and I know that I am saved. 10 And I thank YOU, LORD JESUS, for saving my soul, and I will show my thankfulness by doing as YOU command and sin no more.11
After salvation, JESUS said to be baptized, fully submerged in water, in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY SPIRIT.12 Then study the King James Version Bible, and, for your benefit and the benefit of others, do what it says.13
CHRIST and GOD the FATHER now live in you through the HOLY SPIRIT. There is a way you can receive a fuller portion of the divine nature of GOD in you. The more the divine nature of GOD lives in you, the more you will be able to stand against the temptations that have so easily moved so many millions of Christians away from salvation. Pray for the baptism in the HOLY SPIRIT.14 For instructions on how to receive the baptism in the HOLY SPIRIT and to receive more of GOD’S holy nature, ask for our literature or call. For without holiness, no man shall see GOD (Hebrews 12:14).
The LORD wants you to tell others of your salvation (Mark 16:15). You can become a distributor of Pastor Tony Alamo’s Gospel literature. We’ll send you literature free of charge. Call or email us for more information. Share this message with someone else.
If you want the world saved, as JESUS commands, then don’t rob GOD of HIS tithes and offerings. GOD said, “Will a man rob GOD? Yet ye have robbed ME. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed THEE? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed ME, even this whole nation [and this whole world]. Bring ye all the tithes [a ‘tithe’ is 10% of your gross income] into the storehouse, that there may be meat [Spiritual food] in MINE house [souls saved], and prove ME now herewith, saith the LORD of HOSTS, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of HOSTS. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of HOSTS” (Malachi 3:8-12).
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footnotes:
1. Matt. 26:41, Luke 18:1, 21:36, Rom. 12:12, Eph. 6:17-18, Phlp. 4:6, Col. 4:2, 1 Thes. 5:17, Heb. 4:16, James 5:16, 1 Pet. 4:7, Jude 20-21 return
2. Matt. 11:12, Luke 16:16, Acts 14:22, Rom. 8:32-39, Phlp. 3:14-15, 1 Tim. 4:16, 6:12, 2 Tim. 2:1-3 return
3. John 1:14, 14:6, 17:3, 17, 1 John 5:20 return
4. Luke 9:1-6, 10:1-9, 17-19, John 10:10, Acts 1:8, 4:33, Rev. 12:12 return
5. Matt. 18:19, Mark 11:22-24, John 14:13-14, 15:7 return
6. Deut. 17:18-20, Matt. 4:4, John 8:31-32, 15:3-7, Acts 20:32, Eph. 6:11-17, Col. 3:16, 2 Thes. 2:15, 2 Tim. 3:14-17, James 1:21, 1 Pet. 2:2 return
Prayer footnotes:
1. Psa. 51:5, Rom. 3:10-12, 23 return
2. Matt. 26:63-64, 27:54, Luke 1:30-33, John 9:35-37, Rom. 1:3-4 return
3. Acts 4:12, 20:28, Rom. 3:25, I John 1:7, Rev. 5:9 return
4. Psa. 16:9-10, Matt. 28:5-7, Mark 16:9, 12, 14, John 2:19, 21, 10:17-18, 11:25, Acts 2:24, 3:15, Rom. 8:11, I Cor. 15:3-7 return
5. Luke 22:69, Acts 2:25-36, Heb. 10:12-13 return
6. I Cor. 3:16, Rev. 3:20 return
7. Eph. 2:13-22, Heb. 9:22, 13:12, 20-21, I John 1:7, Rev. 1:5, 7:14 return
8. Matt. 26:28, Acts 2:21, 4:12, Eph. 1:7, Col. 1:14 return
9. Matt. 21:22, John 6:35, 37-40, Rom. 10:13 return
10. Heb. 11:6 return
11. John 5:14, 8:11, Rom. 6:4, I Cor. 15:10, Rev. 7:14, 22:14 return
12. Matt. 28:18-20, John 3:5, Acts 2:38, 19:3-5 return
13. Deut. 4:29, 13:4, 26:16, Josh. 1:8, 22:5, 2 Tim. 2:15, 3:14-17, James 1:22-25, Rev. 3:18 return
14. Isa. 28:11-12, Joel 2:28-29, Luke 3:16, 11:9-13, John 1:29-34, 7:37-39, 14:15-29, 15:26, 16:7-14, Acts 1:1-8, 2:1-18, 32-39, 5:29-32, 19:1-7, Rom. 5:3-5, 15:13 return