As I read once again this well known prayer in Matthew 6:9-13, I thought I would share a few of my thoughts on it.
Our Father in heaven - Wow! What a way to start off the prayer. We have a spiritual father who is the King of kings and the Lord of lord's. Heaven refers to where is at and His exalted position. Talk about having connections in high places. What's most amazing is the we are His children.
Hallowed be your name - Holy is the name of the Lord. Do we treat His name as holy? Does our attitudes and actions reflect His holy name? The child is a reflection on the Father. When a person looks at a child and watches his attitudes and actions, he will form an opinion of the Father.
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. - This is not a prayer for future events. This is a prayer for present day action. God wants to bring heaven to earth. He wants what is on earth to line up with what is in heaven. Of course the complete fulfillment of this will not happen until the Father puts everything under the Son in the last days. Yet, the prayer is not, come Lord Jesus, but Lord Jesus be revealed in us in the here and now.
Give us today our daily bread. - Do you depend on God for your daily bread or are you seeking your daily bread in your strength or relying on others for your daily bread? God wants our focus to be on Him for our every need. He wants us to rely on Him only.
Forgive us our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors. - Christ paid our debt of sin. Are you willing to do the same for another? God gave us grace - unmerited favor. There may be someone in your life who is not worthy of forgiveness, but we need to forgive them anyway. There may be someone who owes us big time, not just financially. God would say, don't try to collect. Let me be your reward.
An lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one? The Bible says that the devil is like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. We can only be delivered from his mighty jaws with the help of God. I know for my own life God has delivered me many a time. It is not always from Satan, more often it is from my self.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
What Do You Hear
What Do You Hear?
Revelations 2:17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."' NKJV
Two keys to entering into the promises that are common to all seven churches in Revelation are an ability to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches and the ability to overcome. We live in a world inundated with constant sound, voices from every area pulling upon our attention, drowning out what God is wanting to speak to us to enable us to overcome and come into the abundant life Jesus has provided for us.
In I Kings chapters 17 and 18 there had been no dew nor rain in Israel for three years and there was “severe famine.” God had supernaturally provided for Elijah with ravens that brought him bread and meat and a widow who only had a “handful of flour” and “a little oil jar.” Elijah came into this supernatural provision in famine because of his ability to hear the voice of God in the midst of insurmountable challenges and the courage to obey that voice. But God’s plan was not only to provide for Elijah, but to use Elijah to impact a nation.
In chapter 18, Elijah calls down fire from heaven, kills the prophets of Baal and then in verse 11 makes a startling pronouncement to Ahab: “Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.” There has not been rain nor dew in three years, there is not a cloud in the sky or even a hint of rain, yet Elijah hears what others do not hear, he hears the sound not of a little rain but the sound of abundance of rain. While Ahab eats and drinks, Elijah prays in what he has heard in the Spirit. Seven times he bows down and prays, six times he sends his servant to look and there is nothing, but the seventh time the servant sees “a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea.” Elijah leaps into action and outruns Ahab’s chariot to Jezreel in the midst of pouring rain.
To survive, overcome, and lead in today’s world, we need to hear what others do not hear. If all we do is listen to what others say, what we see on the news or read on the internet, magazines or books, we are simply being influenced by voices around us whether good or bad. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Our ability to act with faith and confidence even in the midst of drought and famine is rooted in our ability to clearly hear the voice of God and to pray it into reality.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat.” God has hidden manna for you to eat today if you will shut off the shouting voices of the world and get into God’s presence. For those who hear and overcome there is also a new name that “no one knows except the one who receives it.” A name in Bible times defined identity. God has a new identity for you that does not come from this world, no one can give it to you, and no one knows it but God. He wants to reveal it to you if you, will hear His voice and respond in faith and obedience.
Revelations 2:17 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."' NKJV
Two keys to entering into the promises that are common to all seven churches in Revelation are an ability to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches and the ability to overcome. We live in a world inundated with constant sound, voices from every area pulling upon our attention, drowning out what God is wanting to speak to us to enable us to overcome and come into the abundant life Jesus has provided for us.
In I Kings chapters 17 and 18 there had been no dew nor rain in Israel for three years and there was “severe famine.” God had supernaturally provided for Elijah with ravens that brought him bread and meat and a widow who only had a “handful of flour” and “a little oil jar.” Elijah came into this supernatural provision in famine because of his ability to hear the voice of God in the midst of insurmountable challenges and the courage to obey that voice. But God’s plan was not only to provide for Elijah, but to use Elijah to impact a nation.
In chapter 18, Elijah calls down fire from heaven, kills the prophets of Baal and then in verse 11 makes a startling pronouncement to Ahab: “Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.” There has not been rain nor dew in three years, there is not a cloud in the sky or even a hint of rain, yet Elijah hears what others do not hear, he hears the sound not of a little rain but the sound of abundance of rain. While Ahab eats and drinks, Elijah prays in what he has heard in the Spirit. Seven times he bows down and prays, six times he sends his servant to look and there is nothing, but the seventh time the servant sees “a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea.” Elijah leaps into action and outruns Ahab’s chariot to Jezreel in the midst of pouring rain.
To survive, overcome, and lead in today’s world, we need to hear what others do not hear. If all we do is listen to what others say, what we see on the news or read on the internet, magazines or books, we are simply being influenced by voices around us whether good or bad. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Our ability to act with faith and confidence even in the midst of drought and famine is rooted in our ability to clearly hear the voice of God and to pray it into reality.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat.” God has hidden manna for you to eat today if you will shut off the shouting voices of the world and get into God’s presence. For those who hear and overcome there is also a new name that “no one knows except the one who receives it.” A name in Bible times defined identity. God has a new identity for you that does not come from this world, no one can give it to you, and no one knows it but God. He wants to reveal it to you if you, will hear His voice and respond in faith and obedience.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Having a Positive Effect
What kind of effect are you having on the people around you? Are you having a positive or negative effect on them? Are you making their day better or worse?
Matthew 5:13 says, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men"
Salt brings out the good flavor in food. It has a positive effect on the food. We are to positively effect those around us. We are to bring out the best in a person. What they see in us should be appealing and cause them to desire us or that which is in us, namely, Christ. Or do our attitudes and actions leave a bad taste in others mouths?
Also, salt does not bring attention to itself. Salt is to blend into the food and enhance it. If there is too much salt in the food, it overwhelms the food and has an opposite effect. If we come on too strong to the world, we may overwhelm them and become a bad taste in their mouth. Often when we come on too strong, we end up detracting from God, Him who is in us. They focus on us more than Christ in us.
On the other hand if there is not enough salt, we will not bring the necessary change and positive effect that needs to take place. We must be careful not to water down the Gospel or our walk with Christ. Then the salt loses its saltiness and becomes worthless.
Finally, there are those who don't want the spiritual food no matter how we salt it. They have determined in their heart and mind that they don't like this kind of food. Often because in the past they have had a bad experience with the food or have chosen never to give it a chance.
The Bible says that we should never be tired of doing good and letting our light shine. Let us have a positive affect on our family, friends and everyone that we come in contact with today.
Matthew 5:13 says, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men"
Salt brings out the good flavor in food. It has a positive effect on the food. We are to positively effect those around us. We are to bring out the best in a person. What they see in us should be appealing and cause them to desire us or that which is in us, namely, Christ. Or do our attitudes and actions leave a bad taste in others mouths?
Also, salt does not bring attention to itself. Salt is to blend into the food and enhance it. If there is too much salt in the food, it overwhelms the food and has an opposite effect. If we come on too strong to the world, we may overwhelm them and become a bad taste in their mouth. Often when we come on too strong, we end up detracting from God, Him who is in us. They focus on us more than Christ in us.
On the other hand if there is not enough salt, we will not bring the necessary change and positive effect that needs to take place. We must be careful not to water down the Gospel or our walk with Christ. Then the salt loses its saltiness and becomes worthless.
Finally, there are those who don't want the spiritual food no matter how we salt it. They have determined in their heart and mind that they don't like this kind of food. Often because in the past they have had a bad experience with the food or have chosen never to give it a chance.
The Bible says that we should never be tired of doing good and letting our light shine. Let us have a positive affect on our family, friends and everyone that we come in contact with today.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Reaching Your Potential in Christ
Genesis 1:27-28 ‘God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
Genesis 2:7 “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”
To reach our potential we must recognize our source of life and identity are in God. God formed man’s body from the earth, but the breath of life and what makes us who we are came from God. The day Adam and Eve sinned, they died because they were cut off from the source of life. Their soul man began to degenerate with sin and their body eventually died also. It was like cutting a healthy green tree from its roots. The tree will stay green for a while, but then the leaves will begin to dry and fall off. Eventually the whole tree will die and begin to decay. But through Jesus Christ we have been made spiritually alive and connected back to God.
1 John 4:4 says, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Our training, education, five senses and, and life experiences try to keep us connected to the world. We measure ourselves and others by what we see, hear, and feel. It can cause us to worry and fret, feel devalued, measuring ourselves by how we look or what we own, or how we perform. If we are not careful, we even measure our spiritual life and ministry by man’s standards. As long as we see ourselves and others by worldly standards, we are bound to this decaying world. But we are not of the world, we are of God! Those who are of God, overcome the world!
Daniel, who was taken into captivity, rises to become the second in the empire. Joseph, unjustly sold as a slave in Egypt, rises as a slave to be in charge of Potiphar’s whole house. When falsely accused and thrown in prison, he is put in charge of the whole prison and from prison rises directly to be second in Egypt. David, the shepherd boy, kills a lion and a bear, then kills Goliath, and becomes the greatest general in Israel’s history. It was he of whom the people said, “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” David then becomes the greatest king in Israel’s history.
What was their edge? What enabled them to rise above the injustices of life? It was because God was with them. Daniel, as a youth arriving in Babylon, purposed in his heart not to compromise himself with the Babylonian system. (Daniel 1:8) Three times a day he knelt down to pray to remind himself that he was not a Babylonian, that he was a child of God and that God was his source. (Daniel 6:10) Joseph understood his God-given destiny. David was a man after God’s heart. They all worked hard and were good at what they did, but their edge in life was their relationship with God.
We often relegate the Holy Spirit to ministry, but like Daniel Joseph, and David, the Spirit wants to give us success in every area of our lives. The Holy Spirit is a creative genius, a brilliant educator, ultimate economist, righteous politician, and noble warrior. But we often get so busy and caught up in the world’s way that we fail to hear His still small voice and do things His way. “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” No matter what area or field of life you work in, your edge is your ability to bring the Holy Spirit to bear on what you are doing.
Friday, April 1, 2011
It is how you finish that counts.
I have been reading in Revelation the messages that God gave the seven churches. There is one thing phrase that is repeated to each of the seven churches which is "to him who overcomes". To each person who overcomes they have a special reward from God.
To the church in Ephesus, he will eat from the tree of life in paradise of God. To the church in Smyrna, Christ will give the crown of life. To the church in Pergamum, Christ will give him spiritual food and a new name. To the church in Thyatira, God will give him authority over the nations and the same kind of authority that Christ received from the Father. To the church in Sardis, he will be dressed in white and his name will never be blotted out of the book of life. To the church in Philadelphia, he will be given the right to sit on God's throne.
Yet, all these rewards are dependent on us overcoming. I like how it is said best in Revelation 2:26 - "To him who overcomes and does my will to the end...". God spoke to me clearly, it is not how you begin the race or how you begin the fight that counts. It is how you finish that counts. We must finish well. It is not even important when you began the race or got into the fight, but it is how it ends that counts. Many a servant of the Lord began well, but didn't finish well or never finished at all. We could serve God faithfully for 25 years, but fail to serve Him faithfully to the end. There will be no reward for those who do not finish well. This is a scary thought. Lord Jesus help me to finish will and be faithful to the very end. I will then receive those wonderful blessings that you have promised to all who overcome.
To the church in Ephesus, he will eat from the tree of life in paradise of God. To the church in Smyrna, Christ will give the crown of life. To the church in Pergamum, Christ will give him spiritual food and a new name. To the church in Thyatira, God will give him authority over the nations and the same kind of authority that Christ received from the Father. To the church in Sardis, he will be dressed in white and his name will never be blotted out of the book of life. To the church in Philadelphia, he will be given the right to sit on God's throne.
Yet, all these rewards are dependent on us overcoming. I like how it is said best in Revelation 2:26 - "To him who overcomes and does my will to the end...". God spoke to me clearly, it is not how you begin the race or how you begin the fight that counts. It is how you finish that counts. We must finish well. It is not even important when you began the race or got into the fight, but it is how it ends that counts. Many a servant of the Lord began well, but didn't finish well or never finished at all. We could serve God faithfully for 25 years, but fail to serve Him faithfully to the end. There will be no reward for those who do not finish well. This is a scary thought. Lord Jesus help me to finish will and be faithful to the very end. I will then receive those wonderful blessings that you have promised to all who overcome.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Spiritual Understanding
1. How should we preach the Gospel of Christ? 2:1-4
We should not depend on our knowledge or wisdom. We are to depend on the power of God’s Spirit.
We should not add to or take away from the gospel. We are not to preach the philosophies of men or our
opinion, but proclaim the Word of God. We are to preach in humility, realizing it is not by my power that
others will be saved. We are to focus on the message of the Gospel which is Christ crucified and men’s
need to repent.
2. Why should we preach in this way? 2:5
That they may be saved through God’s power, not yours.
3. Why do you think Paul preached to the Corinthians this way?
1) The people put their confidence in knowledge and wisdom. He didn’t want people to receive the
gospel in their head, but in their heart.
2) He recongnized that we are unable to save people in our power.
3) It is only by the H.S. that people can be saved.
(Acts 14:3; Romans 15:17-19)
4) It is not much talk that will change people lives.
5) He wanted God to get all the glory.
4. Paul refers of a hidden wisdom. What is it? 2:6-10
The gospel or the message of the cross.
5. What searches all things? 2:10
The Holy Spirit
6. How do we come to know God? 2:10-12
By the Holy Spirit
7. Is the Bible just words in a book?
No
8. If no, then what is the Bible? 2:13
It is the Word of God, therefore, spiritual words and spiritual truths.
9. How can we understand theses spiritual words and truth? 2:14
By spiritual discernment which comes by the Spirit of God.
10. Who is the spiritual man? 2:15-3:3
One who has spiritual discernment and not worldly.
11. What must we do to gain spiritual understanding?
Spend time with God and submit to His Spirit.
We should not depend on our knowledge or wisdom. We are to depend on the power of God’s Spirit.
We should not add to or take away from the gospel. We are not to preach the philosophies of men or our
opinion, but proclaim the Word of God. We are to preach in humility, realizing it is not by my power that
others will be saved. We are to focus on the message of the Gospel which is Christ crucified and men’s
need to repent.
2. Why should we preach in this way? 2:5
That they may be saved through God’s power, not yours.
3. Why do you think Paul preached to the Corinthians this way?
1) The people put their confidence in knowledge and wisdom. He didn’t want people to receive the
gospel in their head, but in their heart.
2) He recongnized that we are unable to save people in our power.
3) It is only by the H.S. that people can be saved.
(Acts 14:3; Romans 15:17-19)
4) It is not much talk that will change people lives.
5) He wanted God to get all the glory.
4. Paul refers of a hidden wisdom. What is it? 2:6-10
The gospel or the message of the cross.
5. What searches all things? 2:10
The Holy Spirit
6. How do we come to know God? 2:10-12
By the Holy Spirit
7. Is the Bible just words in a book?
No
8. If no, then what is the Bible? 2:13
It is the Word of God, therefore, spiritual words and spiritual truths.
9. How can we understand theses spiritual words and truth? 2:14
By spiritual discernment which comes by the Spirit of God.
10. Who is the spiritual man? 2:15-3:3
One who has spiritual discernment and not worldly.
11. What must we do to gain spiritual understanding?
Spend time with God and submit to His Spirit.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Wisdom of God
I. The difference between God’s wisdom and men’s. I Corinthians 1:17-25
The wisdom of the world is based on man’s knowledge and understanding. It is limited. Any wisdom that is contrary to God’s word and principles that he has established is human wisdom. Any thinking or action that is contrary to God’s thinking or will is human wisdom. The wisdom of the world puts God on the side, not in the center of our life, and often removes God from our live. The wisdom of the man puts its focus on man and his abilities. The wisdom of man sees man as the final authority and does not accept the revelation of Jesus Christ. The wisdom of this world can’t distinguish between right and wrong.
God’s wisdom is based on God’s knowledge and understanding that is revealed through the Bible and the Holy Spirit. When we have the wisdom of God our thoughts and actions will be lined up with the Bible. When we have the wisdom of God, Jesus Christ will be at the center of our lives. When we have the wisdom of God, we will not depend on our own strength or abilities.
II. What is the wisdom of God for those who are perishing? I Corinthians 1:18
Foolishness
III. What is the wisdom of God for those who are being saved?
It is the power of God.
IV. What are some things that those who don’t have Christ consider foolish?
1) Those that are least in the kingdom of God are the greater.
2) Those who give liberally will become rich.
3) Those that humble themselves will be lifted up.
4) Love your enemies and pray for them.
5) Those who die to self will find life.
V. Who is the power of God and wisdom of God? I Corinthians 1:24
Christ
VI. What is wiser than man’s wisdom? I Corinthians 1:25
God’s foolishness
VII. Are we able to know God through our wisdom? I Corinthians 1:21
VIII. What kind of people does God love to choose and use for His kingdom? I Corinthians 1:26-29
1) Those who are not wise by human standards.
2) Those who are not influential or of noble birth.
IX. What other things does God like to choose?
1) Those things that is foolish according to the world.
2) Those things that is weak.
3) Those things that is lowly.
4) Those things that is despised.
X. Why does God do this?
1) To shame the wise and strong.
2) To bring glory to God and that people might boast in Him alone.
XI. Where does wisdom come from? I Corinthians 1:30
It is from God through Christ.
XII. According to verse 30, what kind of wisdom does God give?
Righteous, holy, and redemptive
XIII. How do we obtain or find this wisdom?
We find it in the Bible with the help of the Holy Spirit and other wise men of God.
XIV. List some things we do as Christians that show that we have God’s wisdom?
1) We don’t steal, cheat, lie, kill, or commit adultery.
2) We don’t worship idols or evil spirits.
3) We love other people as God loves us.
4) We don’t boast in our wisdom or own strength.
5) We put God first in our lives.
The wisdom of the world is based on man’s knowledge and understanding. It is limited. Any wisdom that is contrary to God’s word and principles that he has established is human wisdom. Any thinking or action that is contrary to God’s thinking or will is human wisdom. The wisdom of the world puts God on the side, not in the center of our life, and often removes God from our live. The wisdom of the man puts its focus on man and his abilities. The wisdom of man sees man as the final authority and does not accept the revelation of Jesus Christ. The wisdom of this world can’t distinguish between right and wrong.
God’s wisdom is based on God’s knowledge and understanding that is revealed through the Bible and the Holy Spirit. When we have the wisdom of God our thoughts and actions will be lined up with the Bible. When we have the wisdom of God, Jesus Christ will be at the center of our lives. When we have the wisdom of God, we will not depend on our own strength or abilities.
II. What is the wisdom of God for those who are perishing? I Corinthians 1:18
Foolishness
III. What is the wisdom of God for those who are being saved?
It is the power of God.
IV. What are some things that those who don’t have Christ consider foolish?
1) Those that are least in the kingdom of God are the greater.
2) Those who give liberally will become rich.
3) Those that humble themselves will be lifted up.
4) Love your enemies and pray for them.
5) Those who die to self will find life.
V. Who is the power of God and wisdom of God? I Corinthians 1:24
Christ
VI. What is wiser than man’s wisdom? I Corinthians 1:25
God’s foolishness
VII. Are we able to know God through our wisdom? I Corinthians 1:21
VIII. What kind of people does God love to choose and use for His kingdom? I Corinthians 1:26-29
1) Those who are not wise by human standards.
2) Those who are not influential or of noble birth.
IX. What other things does God like to choose?
1) Those things that is foolish according to the world.
2) Those things that is weak.
3) Those things that is lowly.
4) Those things that is despised.
X. Why does God do this?
1) To shame the wise and strong.
2) To bring glory to God and that people might boast in Him alone.
XI. Where does wisdom come from? I Corinthians 1:30
It is from God through Christ.
XII. According to verse 30, what kind of wisdom does God give?
Righteous, holy, and redemptive
XIII. How do we obtain or find this wisdom?
We find it in the Bible with the help of the Holy Spirit and other wise men of God.
XIV. List some things we do as Christians that show that we have God’s wisdom?
1) We don’t steal, cheat, lie, kill, or commit adultery.
2) We don’t worship idols or evil spirits.
3) We love other people as God loves us.
4) We don’t boast in our wisdom or own strength.
5) We put God first in our lives.
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