Does GOD Actually Promise Us Long Life?

Today we celebrate a birthday in my family – number five this month! Like other families, ours is grateful for the gift of life GOD granted to our loved one and are praying that she is blessed with many more years.

A long and happy life is what most of us desire for ourselves and our loved ones, but do we know that for certain that GOD actually promise us long life? The answer we find in GOD’s WORD is unquestionably, “YES!”

However, because GOD is sovereign in everything concerning all humanity, how or when any of us will die is still His sovereign choice. A child of GOD and a non-believer can both have long or short lives. GOD knows all of our futures and determines what is in our best interest, according to His providence. You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer Job 14:5. GOD directs and controls every aspect of our lives.

Who is the promise for?

Although we cannot predict when we will depart from this life, GOD’s promise for a long and productive life still holds true for His chosen, if we do not violate the conditions of His promise.  

The promise of long life is for believers – the children of GOD; there is no place in the Scriptures where GOD says otherwise. In both the Old and New Testaments, GOD’s promise of long life is spoken to and about His chosen people, never about nonbelievers...but with stipulations.

I found this quote recently, attributed to the French Philosopher Voltaire,  God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well. While this is a nice sounding and clever concept, it is not Biblical. GOD gives us both the gift of life and the gift of living well. A child of GOD is fully aware that, left to our own devices, we can do a poor job with life.

Once we make the decision to accept JESUS into our lives He must be LORD as well as Savior we must surrender to Him with total obedience – body, soul and spirit. With JESUS as LORD we have divine guidance, divine protection, and divine healing, if and when we need it. We get full access to and enjoyment of GOD’s divine promises when GOD has full control of our lives.

When JESUS isn’t LORD in our lives we make the same poor choices non-believers do and are unable to fulfill our true destiny, as GOD designed it for our lives. By our disobedience, we remove ourselves from under His maximum protection and, quite possibly, miss out on the promise of a long and fruitful life.

What are the conditions for a long and fruitful life?

GOD’s WORD lays out exactly what the Father is looking for and expecting from His children – all are spelled out emphatically in both the Old and New Testaments. As children of GOD, we are entitled to all of the same blessings that our Father promised to Israel in the Old Testament. We are of the seed of Abraham and “joint heirs” to all because of our belief and faith in GOD the Father and the shed blood of His SON, JESUS CHRIST. The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God. Galatians 3:5

Love the Lord and obey His voice

• “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days …” Deuteronomy 30:1
• My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. Proverbs 4:10
• “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16

Keep His commands and His Law and walk in all His ways

• “If you obey all the decrees and commands I am giving you today, all will be well with you and your children. I am giving you these instructions so you will enjoy a long life in the land the Lord your God is giving you for all time.” Deuteronomy 4:40
• “…and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life.” Deuteronomy 6:2
• “Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.” Deuteronomy 5:33
• “My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.” Proverbs 3:1-2

Live by GOD’s wisdom and with integrity

• Yes, always use honest weights and measures, so that you may enjoy a long life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 25:15
•  “(Wisdom) offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left.” Proverbs 3:16,
• “Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.” Proverbs 9:11
• For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.” 1 Peter 3:10

Honor your father and your mother

• “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12
• “Honor your father and mother, as the Lord your God commanded you. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 5:16
• “If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:3

These Scriptures confirm that long life is a reality for GOD’s chosen people who completely surrender their lives to His will and have a true personal relationship with Him.

Two main reasons GOD gives us long life are:

To complete the work for which He created us.

• We are the Father’s masterpiece…created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10.) GOD wants us to shine as brightly as we can for as long as we can – to be a bright light to a dark world and to glorify His NAME.

To enjoy the fruit of our labor, and His creation.

• It is GOD’s nature to care for all that He has made; it gives Him enormous pleasure to richly give us all we need for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17.) He tells us He will give us all that we need for a good life, to enjoy right here on earth and before we go home to be with Him in heaven.

For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. Psalm 84:11

Long life included!

Happy birthday to the lovely Najah; may you live with joy all the days the LORD ordained for you, and prosper in HIM!

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, YOUR goodness and mercy endure to all generations and YOUR love never runs out.  We thank YOU that not one word of all the wonderful promises YOU gave throughout Scripture has failed but all continue to be “yes” and “Amen”. Thank you LORD that you are with us now as YOU were with our ancestors and that YOU will never abandon us unto ourselves. Give us the desire to do YOUR will in everything and to obey all the commands, decrees, and laws that YOU gave to us through our ancestors. Remind us to teach these to our children so they too can experience the promises that are ours from generation to generation, until YOU return to take us home. Father, we are just grateful to be among YOUR chosen and we entrust our length of days to YOUR sovereign will. May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in YOUR sight…YOU are our GOD, and our REDEEMER.  We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

The Gift of Unity

Children of GOD, regardless of church affiliation or denomination, race or ethnicity, have the ability to live in harmony and unity. We do not have to agree on everything but if we profess to love GOD and accept CHRIST JESUS is our SAVIOR and LORD we must obey GOD’s instructions to treat each other with a sincere kindness and tenderness – to love, honor and respect each other (Ephesians 4:32).

Our shared devotion to CHRIST is what identifies us as children of GOD, rather than church denomination or organization, heritage, nationality, or something other. 

CHRIST JESUS is the head of the Church of the Living GOD and His followers, individually and collectively, are part of His Church. We are all the Church Body of Christ.

Before JESUS returned to His Father, He prayed a farewell intercessory prayer (His High Priestly prayer,) for His disciples during which He appealed to the Father for a specific favor on behalf of the Church to come (John 17:20-23):

• First JESUS asks that the Father extend the favor of His request to include, not just the disciples of that day, but also “all who will ever believe in me through their message.” Jesus petitioned the Father on behalf of the future children of GOD, we who would become the Church because of our belief in CHRIST;
• Then JESUS asks that the present and future Church be granted the same type of unity as He shared with His Father – “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you.” JESUS wants His Church to operate as a single unit, that we have no division among us;
• JESUS then gives a reason why unity among the Church body is vital – “so that the world will believe YOU sent me.” He wants the Father to grant to all of us a special gift of unity to confirm and testify to the world the legitimacy of CHRIST’s ministry as the SON of GOD;
• JESUS then reminds the Father that He will bestow on His Church all the glory that He Himself was given to accomplish His ministry to enable us to accomplish ours – “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me.”
• Every good and perfect gift comes from above, and so JESUS describes the type of unity we will have as the Church – “May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”  The unity we can experience as a Church has to be perfect as the Father and Son are perfect. Since the source of the gift of unity is our Heavenly Father our ability to comply with all that it entails is unquestionable.

For good measure, our Father equipped others throughout the New Testament WORD of GOD with knowledge and wisdom that would further aid us in our understanding of how we ought to conduct ourselves as the unified Church. Overwhelmingly, we are told, basically, to have the mind of CHRIST – be united in purpose and objective, humble, genuinely affectionate, kind, encourage and show compassion to each other:

• …for you have only one Teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. Matthew 23:8
• Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. 1 Peter 3:8-12
• So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Philippians 2: 1-3
• I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 1 Corinthians 1: 10
• Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:9-10
• There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28
• Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.  For there is one body and one Spirit,…each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.. Ephesians 4:1-16
• Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.  Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.  And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. Colossians 3:13-14
• You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. 1 Peter 1:22

Additional scriptures include: John 17:23; 1 Peter 3:8; 1 John 4:12; Romans 12:16; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

We can see a common theme throughout is “love.”

Pastor and author John Piper says this about the role of love and affection in Christian unity: “…unifying love in the body of Christ includes a rugged commitment to do good for the family of God whether you feel like it or not. But, as difficult as it is for diverse people, the experience of Christian unity is more than that. It includes affectionate love, not just sacrifice for those you don’t like. It is a feeling of endearment. We are to have affection for those who are our family in Christ.”

The body of Christ has perfect unity – a gift procured for us through ardent supplication to the Father who could refuse nothing to the SON He loves, nor to those whom He gave into His SON’s loving care.

Our unity is our CHRIST-stamped identity badge; it is what separates us, the Church of the Living GOD, from other religions.

Christian unity is evidence to the world of the Father’s love and CHRIST’s sacrifice.

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy GOD and Father, YOUR goodness and mercy endures forever and to all the generations and YOUR love never fails. We thank YOU once again for sending YOUR SON to die for us, for it is by His sacrifice that every child of GOD is united as one. Father, YOUR WORD reminds us no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female but are all one in CHRIST. Thank you for always providing all that we need in YOUR Word and through the Holy Spirit to help us obey and do your will. Let us never forget that we exist to fulfill YOUR calling, to show the world by our unity that JESUS is SAVIOR and LORD and YOU are Sovereign in the Earth and in the Heavens; teach us to love our brothers and sisters as YOU command us. To YOU belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

True Faith Cannot Be in Our Sinful Human Effort, Only in CHRIST

My faith rests not in what I am, or shall be, or feel, or know, but in what CHRIST is, in what he has done, and in what he is doing for me. Charles H. Spurgeon.

Every true child of GOD must share Mr. Spurgeon’s sentiments, true faith can only be in what CHRIST has done and is doing for us and nothings of ourselves.

That the SON of GOD left His Father in Heaven and the glory that was His as part of the Godhead to take the form of weak humanity for our sake ought to be more than enough reason.

• Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Philippians 2: 6-8
• For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

CHRIST JESUS did all this to ransom our sick souls back to GOD our Father because we were incapable of doing so for ourselves and no one else in heaven or on earth could either. …the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

Scottish Evangelist and Missionary William Chalmers Burns (1815–1868) put it this way: The wrath of God was suspended over us all, and though all creatures in heaven and earth would have tried, even by their own death, to save us from it — they could no more have done so, than the least worm could support the mighty globe! But when all hope was at an end, Emmanuel interposed Himself in human nature, between the wrath of Almighty God above — and us, poor guilty perishing sinners, below! That wrath descended on Him — it mangled His body, it pierced and tortured His soul, until He, “the Prince of life,” “the Lord of glory, died!”

King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived describes all of human achievement, effort and desire as useless “vanity” and all human beings as evil –

• “For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.” Ecclesiastes 7:20,
• “Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.” Ecclesiastes 9:3

….we are incapable of saving ourselves through our own efforts and our only hope is to, “Fear God and keep His commandments…” Ecclesiastes 12:13. If we are to keep the Father's commandments, we must have faith in the SON alone, and His finished work on the cross. He is enough!

As children of GOD, our faith and hope for this life and beyond must be fixed firmly and completely on CHRIST alone. Nothing of “what I am, or shall be, or feel, or know,” will have one jot of influence now or for eternity. A faith built on our own efforts instead of one that is “Looking to JESUS, the founder and perfecter of our faith,”(Hebrews 12:2) is empty and futile.

Our only hope is to consider only CHRIST, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy GOD and Father, YOUR goodness and mercy endure forever to all generations and YOUR love never fails. We could never thank YOU enough for leaving the dignity, authority and glory YOU enjoyed in heaven to take on the weakness of humanity and save sinful mankind from eternal damnation. Father, please remind each of us daily that we have nothing good in ourselves apart from CHRIST, that our faith and trust for life and godliness can only be in Him and what HE has done and continues to do for us. Forgive us for every prideful moment and our vain imaginations that cause us to believe that we could work to atone for our sin-sick and broken souls. Let us not forget that, as sinful creatures apart from YOUR righteousness that CHRIST ransomed for us, our faith can only be in HIM and never in ourselves. To YOU belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Holy Week Timeline – Resurrection Sunday - It Is Finished!

After JESUS’ death His body was hastily placed in a tomb on Friday afternoon without proper preparation with spices and ointments, as is the Jewish custom for burial. No work could be done on the Sabbath, so the task had to be postponed until Sunday. But GOD had a different plan.

Resurrection Sunday 

JESUS’ mother, and other women followers of His ministry, go to the tomb at dawn to anoint Him with spices for burial and find the tomb empty. Instead they are met by angels in dazzling white clothes who told them that JESUS was risen and they should go and tell His disciples. The women are understandably frightened and puzzled by these events but they leave.

• …the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him….” Matthew 28:1-8

JESUS Himself appears to Mary Magdalene outside the tomb. She did not recognize Him at first until Jesus spoke to her. 

• Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” John 20:15-18

JESUS joins two disciples later in the day as they were walking to a village called Emmaus. They were discussing events surrounding His death and their disappointment that the one who they believed to be the Messiah come to rescue the Jewish people from oppression by Rome had been crucified. They did not recognize JESUS as He walked along with them for miles explaining from the scriptures why JESUS had to die. It wasn’t until He broke and blessed the bread during supper with them that they knew Him.

• When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them.  And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. Luke 24:13-35

JESUS also appears to the apostles that same Sunday evening. Most of them were together in a locked room because they were afraid that the religious leaders would crucify them next. Suddenly, JESUS appeared among them. At first the apostles thought He was a ghost and were afraid until He showed them the scars from the nails that pierced His hands and feet. And JESUS ate with them and explained the meaning of His death and resurrection.

• Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”  But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet...  They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them. … Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations....  Luke 24: 36-49

JESUS shows up a second time in the locked room where the apostles are still hiding out. The apostle Thomas wasn’t there for the first visit and doubted the others’ story but now he had proof and he believed.

• Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”  Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:24-29

Jesus remained on earth for 40 days after He was resurrected from the dead on that Sunday morning (Acts 1:3). He appeared again to the apostles several times and also to more than 500 others (1 Corinthians 15:6). Before He ascended into heaven to return to the Father, JESUS blessed the disciples.

• And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple blessing God. Luke 24:50-52

Christians celebrate the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST from the tomb on the third day after his crucifixion, traditionally on Easter Sunday. This celebration is the fulfillment of the Isaiah 53 prophecy of the Messiah who would be persecuted, die for our sins, and rise on the third day.

A child of GOD ought to remember the resurrection of JESUS daily – it is how we can renew our hope that we do have victory over sin.

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, ...these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30-31

Scripture references from Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy GOD, Father and LORD, we lift our hearts in awe, adoration and praise. We thank YOU that YOU loved the world so much, that you gave your ONE and only SON so we may be called your children too. Father, help us to live each and every day in the joy of YOUR righteousness and the grace through which we received it. May our hearts always be filled with thanksgiving for YOUR inexpressible love and sacrifice so we can live godly lives daily and never grieve YOUR Holy Spirit. Help us to use every opportunity we get to share the good news of JESUS CHRIST and never be intimidated or ashamed; YOU have done great things for us and we are filled with JOY!!  To YOU belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Holy Week Timeline – Thursday and Friday

We are mid-way through the Holy Week calendar. The stage is set for the grand finale of JESUS CHRIST's  ministry on earth, an event for which every child of GOD ought to be deeply and eternally grateful – JESUS' resurrection. This one event in history changed the course of humanity for all eternity.

The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem are determined to crucify JESUS and neither He nor His Father, who have the power to do so, will stop them. It is the Father’s plan for the redemption of Mankind foretold in the Old Testament, beginning in Genesis 3.

JESUS CHRIST, the SON of GOD in human form, must suffer and perish on the behalf of humanity. Isaiah 53, JOHN 3:16-17.

Holy Thursday –

JESUS celebrates the Passover with His disciples. Known as the Last Supper, here JESUS symbolically offers Himself as the sacrifice, His body and His blood. The Holy Communion.

• And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Luke 22:7-23

JESUS washes the disciples’ feet, as an act of humility and service, to set an example for all time that we should love and serve one another in humility.

• If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant^[c] is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. John 13:3-17 

Good Friday –

JESUS is put through a mock trial; He is beaten, humiliated and eventually crucified on the cross.

• And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.  And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Luke 23

On the surface, the events of this day cannot be called “good”, so why do Christians refer to the day of the week, recognized as the day of JESUS’ crucifixion, Good Friday?

Episcopal priest and theology professor Justin Holcomb explains it this way in an article written for Christianity.com: Good Friday is “good” because as terrible as that day was, it had to happen for us to receive the joy of Easter. The wrath of God against sin had to be poured out on Jesus, the perfect sacrificial substitute, in order for forgiveness and salvation to be poured out to the nations. Without that awful day of suffering, sorrow, and shed blood at the cross, God could not be both “just and the justifier” of those who trust in Jesus (Romans 3:26.) Paradoxically, the day that seemed to be the greatest triumph of evil was actually the deathblow in God’s gloriously good plan to redeem the world from bondage…. The cross is where we see the convergence of great suffering and God’s forgiveness… Good Friday marks the day when wrath and mercy met at the cross. That’s why Good Friday is so dark and so Good.

To this every child of GOD ought to throw up their hands, lift their heads toward heaven and should a lusty Hallelujah, PRAISE the LORD! 

But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. Hebrews 10:12-14

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our FATHER in Heaven, you are our SAVIOR and LORD, REDEEMER and KING. We thank you for the events of that first Good Friday with awe and gratitude. Father, may we never cease to hear the echo of JESUS’ anguished cry on the cross asking why you were forsaking Him and may our hearts be pierced by the knowledge that those words rightly belonged to us but we will never have to ask them of YOU since CHRIST bore the burden of our sin and depravity in our place.  Father forgive us for daring to question YOUR goodness when we experience minor afflictions as no trial we go through can compare to what YOUR SON suffered, for us. Remind us to trust YOU like little children in ALL things, that YOU are always near and to approach YOU always with praise and thanksgiving as YOU allow every trial for our good. Teach us to bear all things with patience and perseverance and keep close to our hearts the reasons why Good Friday is “good.” To YOU belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

Holy Week Timeline – Sunday to Wednesday

On the Christian calendar Holy Week observances begin with the Palm Sunday celebration of CHRIST’s “triumphant entry” into Jerusalem as Savior and King: “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”  Matthew 21:9.

These final eight days of our SAVIOR’s ministry on earth conclude with His arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection, Easter Sunday!

Monday –

• JESUS clears out the temple when He observes people using it for dishonest trading in sacrificial animals rather than for prayer and worship: He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” Matthew 21:13
• JESUS curses a fig tree and by the following day it had withered; He uses the event to teach us and His disciples about what we too can achieve by faith – “Have faith in God.  Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.” Mark 11:22-23
• JESUS identifies those who will accept Him and His sacrifice when the priests and Pharisees challenge His authority. He uses two parables, the Two Sons and the Evil Farmers to make His point that the promise of the Messiah will be extended to the Gentile Nation – to anyone who believes the CHRIST.  I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit. Matthew 21:43

Tuesday –

• JESUS teaches in the temple for the last time and the religious leaders try to entrap Him into making seditious and blasphemous statements about state and religious laws but He is not deceived and surprises them with His understanding. “…give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.”; And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Mark 12:13-44
• JESUS discusses His second coming and warns us to be ready and on constant watch. “…no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!” Mark 13:33-34
• JESUS gives an invitation to all mankind to accept His sacrifice at the cross. He uses a parable in which the invited guests of honor offends the host by making silly excuses and the host extends the invitation to “anyone” willing to come: And he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’ Matthew 22:8-9

Wednesday –

• JESUS visits the home of Simon the leper in Bethany where a woman He had healed previously anoints Him with an expensive oil. People there expressed disapproval but JESUS commended the woman: “I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” Mark 14:9
• JESUS betrayal is set in motion by Judas. Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, went to the leading priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them. Mark 14:10-11

Scripture references are from Matthew 21-22; Mark 11-14.

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Our FATHER in Heaven, YOU are our SAVIOR, LORD and KING. We tremble to think that the betrayal of YOUR SON’s was by one of His own friends; a person who knew Him intimately and who broke bread with him. Father, we pray that YOU give us strength to walk faithfully with JESUS, even when the road is rough. Teach us to honor the message of the cross even when it may seem like foolishness. Thank YOU that YOUR covenant with us will never be broken. Remind us that betrayal is not in YOUR nature, LORD, that YOUR faithfulness and goodness are steady and sure. Forgive us when we stumble and drift and feel lost by our own sinfulness and give us the grace to endure our troubles. Father, may we keep our focus always on the revealed glory of your kingdom, through your SON, JESUS CHRIST, who lives and reigns with you forever. To YOU belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the matchless Name of JESUS CHRIST our LORD. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

How We Learn to Pray – Conclusion

Many of us have a vision of GOD that is based on our imagination and/or environment but is far removed from who GOD truly is.  If our prayers are to have meaning and power, we must know GOD as He presents Himself to us – His character and what He expects from our relationship with Him.

We have satisfying relationships with people we love and respect because we interact with them based on our knowledge of them – their character and personality, and of course we know them by name. We relate to each based on our knowledge of who they are – their likes and dislikes, what makes them happy and what can cause them pain. We love them so we care about our relationships and they do the same for us.

Similarly, we must know GOD’s personality and character if we are to have meaningful dialog with Him and understand what He wants from us.

In His WORD GOD reveals His character in His NAMES – WHO He wants to be for His children and what He wants us to be for HIM. We will find that GOD’s revealed NAMES tell us that He loves us with all His heart and He is just as present in our lives today as He was to the people of the Bible.

NAMES of GOD – Old Testament uses:

Yahweh – GOD the Self-existent One, WHO always existed and will always exist. Yahweh is used more than any other name of God. It occurs 6,519 times in the Old Testament with first use in Genesis 2:4. Yahweh has been transliterated by scholars and is commonly rendered today as Jehovah. (1 Samuel 1:20, Isaiah 40:3; 10; Exodus 6:1-4, 3:1-22)

• …the Lord God made the earth and the heavens. Genesis 2:4

Adonai – GOD is the LORD over all. He is the KING of kings and the LORD of lords, He reigns forever. We can find safety in Him alone. Adonai occurs 434 times with heavy uses in Isaiah and Ezekiel and appears eleven times in the Book of Daniel Chapter 9. Adonai is first used in Genesis 15:2.

• Therefore the Lord declares, the Lord of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel… Isaiah 1:24

Jehovah- Mekoddishkem (also M'kaddesh) – GOD is our sanctifier, occurs twice and is first used in Exodus 31:13. He forgives our sins and His Holy Spirit works in our lives to help us become more like Him – pure and loving. (Leviticus 20:8)

• ‘Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the Lord, sanctify you. Exodus 31:13

Jehovah-Rohi – GOD is our Shepherd and He cares for us, the way a shepherd tends his sheep – He leads us to places of refreshing and restoration. (Psalm 23; 95:7, Isaiah 40:11, Ezekiel 34:12, 23)

• Please listen, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph’s descendants like a flock. Psalm 80:1

Jehovah-Shammah – GOD is our ever present help – He is always there; He never leaves nor forsakes us. He is with us forever. Occurs only once in Ezekiel 48:35: And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.

Jehovah-Rapha – GOD is our healer, the Great Physician who heals the physical and emotional needs of His people. JESUS CHRIST also revealed GOD’s healing heart for all mankind in the New Testament. (2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 6:2, 41:4, 103:3, 147:3, Isaiah 19:22, 30:36, 57:18-19, Jeremiah 3:22; 17:14, 30:17)

• “I am the Lord, your healer.” Exodus 15:26

Jehovah-Tsidkenu – GOD is our righteousness. When we accept His SON, JESUS CHRIST as our Savior He becomes our righteousness; He forgives our sins and washes us with His blood and we become children of GOD. (Jeremiah 33:16, Psalm 4:1, 5:8, 24:5, 31:1, 36:10, 71:15, 89:16)

• In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’ Jeremiah 23:6

Jehovah-Jireh – GOD our provider. The Father who cares for us and tells us never to worry about our provision because He is our source for every aspect of life. Jehovah-Jireh occurs only once in Genesis 22:13-14,....So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

Jehovah-Nissi – The LORD our banner; GOD gives us victory in spiritual warfare. When we are under spiritual attack, GOD raises a banner of His love and protection over us and covers us. He wages war on our behalf and makes us more than conquerors in CHRIST JESUS. Jehovah-Nissi occurs only once in Exodus 17:15, And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner.

Jehovah-Shalom – The LORD is peace. When there is turmoil and chaos in our lives, we can get peace and comfort in the GOD of peace. His peace is beyond our understanding. Jehovah-Shalom occurs only once in Judges 6:24, “Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it, The Lord Is Peace.”

Jehovah-Sabbaoth – The LORD of Hosts. Jehovah and Elohim occur with Sabbaoth over 285 times. It is most frequently used in Jeremiah and Isaiah and first used in 1 Samuel 1:3. (Isaiah 6:1-3, 1 Samuel 1:3, 17:45; 2 Samuel 6:2, 7:26-27; Haggai 1:5)

• And David became greater and greater, for the LORD of hosts was with him. 1 Chronicles 11:9

Elohim – GOD our Creator, powerful and mighty, LORD of lords – occurs over 2,000 times in the Old Testament. When we face impossible circumstances we know that GOD is the LORD Most High and is mightier than anyone or any challenge. (Genesis 17:7, Psalm 19:1, Jeremiah 31:33)

• In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

El-Elyon – The GOD Most High. El Elyon occurs 28 times, 19 occurrences in the Psalms and its first use is in Genesis 14:18. Do not fear the enemy who tries to intimidate us. We serve the Most High GOD and there is none above Him. (Genesis 14:17-20, Deuteronomy 26:19, Isaiah 14:13-14)

• I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me. Psalm 57:2

El-Olam – GOD everlasting, GOD eternal. Our problems are temporary but the GOD of the universe, the Ancient of Days will never change. His promises are true and His goodness eternal. (Genesis 21:33; Jeremiah 10:10)

• Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26:4

The Ultimate NAME of GOD – I AM:

When Moses first encountered God at the burning bush, he asked what His name was:

• God said to Moses, “I AM who I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. (Exodus 3:14-15)

The NAME GOD gave Himself, I AM, should leave no doubt in our minds of His eternal presence – that He is now, He always has been, and He always will be there for His chosen people.

This amazing God is here now to help us, comfort us, guide us, provide for us, fight for us, save us from eternal damnation, and so much more.

GOD wants us to know Him as our loving Father who cares deeply and He waits patiently to hear from us.

Prayer and Thanksgiving: LORD GOD, Holy and Righteous, Great and Mighty, LORD of hosts. We give praise honor and glory to the great I AM; YOU who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. Thank you for showing steadfast love. YOU give perfect counsel and are mighty in deed, YOUR eyes are open to all our ways and YOU respond with grace and mercy. Father for any that still lack confidence to come to YOU as Father, YOU have provided a way through YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST who YOU sent to earth to die in our place. Draw them now to receive YOUR gift of forgiveness and eternal life through His death on the cross of Calvary so they can know YOU as their good, good Father and JESUS as LORD. To YOU belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the precious Name of Jesus Christ our LORD, the NAME above all names. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

How We Learn to Pray – Pt. 6

Prayer is not an option but a necessity for every child of GOD.

However, as new believers with limited or no experience with GOD and His WORD, we struggle with praying to someone we don’t yet feel close to and can’t see:

• How do we know GOD is really there when we can’t see Him?
• How can we be sure He is listening?
• Does GOD talk back to us and how can we know when He is speaking to us?

There are several ways by which we can “see” God:

GOD in His Handiwork

We have all experienced visually the beauty and magnificence of the universe in which we live – the wide-ranging varieties, hues and colors of plants and flowers, the deep blue sea, the gazillion stars in a moonlit sky, a breath-taking sunset, even the fury of a thunderstorm and the startling beautiful of the multi-colored rainbow that follows – we have all had our senses delighted by nature. All this is no accidental phenomena but the creation of someone larger and more powerful than any human entity. His name is GOD!

• The creation account - Genesis 1 & 2
• The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. Psalm 19: 1-2
• For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Romans 1: 20
• Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. Here is the ocean, vast and wide, teeming with life of every kind, both large and small. Psalm 104: 24-25

If we have faith to believe in the miracle of CHRIST’s resurrection and the cleansing work of His blood for our atonement and deliverance, we surely must believe the miracle of creation. 

Scientists believe what they believe, but we who are children of GOD and believers in His SON must believe all that is written to us and for us by the Godhead - In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 – and that for all time, and by His Power, the Creator provides a hospitable environment in which humans, beasts, fish, and fowl and everything else can survive and thrive! (Psalm 104)

GOD in our consciences

Authors and philosophers of all faiths agree that there is far more good than evil in the world. Christian Author C. S. Lewis in his book Mere Christianity refers to a “Moral Law” – that which drives human beings to think and act morally, to care not only about having enough for ourselves but to actually care about people who don’t have enough. Mr. Lewis argued that "conscience reveals to us a moral law whose source cannot be found in the natural world, thus pointing to a supernatural Lawgiver." That Lawgiver is GOD whose goodness is an attribute ascribed to Him throughout the scriptures. If there is no GOD there is no “good.”

• Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. 1 Timothy 4:4
• The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. Psalm 145:9
• For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation. Psalm 100:5
• Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. James 1:17
• “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands…” Exodus 34:6-7
• For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. Psalm 84:11
• “No one is good except GOD alone.” Mark 10:18

Through nature and our relationships with other human beings GOD is able to teach us about His existence. He is also able to teach us about Himself in His WORD. 

When we understand the true nature and character of GOD, prayer will make perfect sense!

For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below. Joshua 2:11

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Father, again we honor and praise YOU, LORD of lords and KING of kings, Our GOD Holy and Righteous.  We thank YOU for YOUR blessings through the manifold works of YOUR hands. We acknowledge the earth is YOURS and all its goodness! Teach us to be thankful for your goodness to us – for forgiving our sins and healing our diseases, for filling our mouths with good things so that our youth is renewed daily. Thank YOU for being our strength and our joy! GOD, YOU are great and YOUR love is everlasting! To YOU belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the precious Name of Jesus Christ our LORD, the NAME above all names. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

How We Learn to Pray – Pt. 5

We all pray publicly – as part of a congregation, an intercessory prayer group ministry or with a prayer partner, etc. We also have private and personal prayer time when we offer prayers of contrition and petition to the Father who is eager to reward our honest and heartfelt prayers.

However, scripture warns against public prayers that are nothing but performances to impress others with our “righteousness.”

In His Sermon on the Mount JESUS taught that GOD does not reward prayers with a motive for public recognition – such prayers can have no power to affect change, beyond what the world can do.

JESUS warns against this type of prayer which He ascribes to hypocrites:

• “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.” Matthew 6:5

Chapter 18 of Luke’s Gospel gives us a second account of JESUS speaking to self-righteous and hypocritical prayers:

• Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else:  “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer^]: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’
• “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

The message in both accounts is clear – GOD is opposed to prideful arrogance and self-righteousness in our prayers but responds favorably to the child of GOD who comes to Him with humility and a full consciousness of our sinfulness. 

None of us are without sin and deserving of an audience with the Holy GOD. Prayer and its rewards are a privilege we enjoy only when we know and believe that the Father has bestowed righteousness upon us through His SON, JESUS CHRIST, as His WORD confirms:

1. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. Romans 3:22
2. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Romans 3:23
3. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:24
4. God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. Romans 3:25

By these we can have no doubt that righteousness is not our own and ought not to be a source of pride manifested in our prayer lives.

The GOD Man, CHRIST JESUS Himself approached the Father with humility and thanksgiving as He made public intercession on behalf of others, and for Himself:

• Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. Matthew 15:36
• Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Matthew 11:25
• Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. John 11:41

We see our LORD and Savior approach our Father with reverent familiarity, but also with humility and thankfulness. 

On other occasions JESUS chose private, intimate prayer time for matters concerning Himself and His ministry:

• Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Mark 1:35
• After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Mark 6:46
• But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. Luke 5:16
• Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. Luke 6:12

…He also commands us to pray similarly – “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6

The Gospels recounts many instances of JESUS praying publicly and privately but nowhere in the WORD of GOD do we find one instance where JESUS is prideful, arrogant, or self-righteous before the Father.

Having a prayer life is not an option for a child of GOD, it is a necessity so we ought to seek after a one that honors GOD – and the only guaranteed way would be to imitate CHRIST and do as He commands.

The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:18

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Abba Father, YOU are the ONE HOLY GOD in the Heavens and on the Earth; RIGHTEOUSNESS is YOURS alone. Forgive us for every sign of pride and arrogance in our prayer lives and remind us that being able to have a conversation with the LIVING GOD is a privilege, not a right, that our self-righteousness has no reward and is an abomination in YOUR sight. Power and Glory belong only to YOU and YOU will not share them with anyone – as none is deserving. Thank you for giving us grace to repent and mend our ways and for YOUR merciful reward of life everlasting with CHRIST. YOU, LORD rule with all power, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the precious Name of Jesus Christ our LORD, the NAME above all names. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

How We Learn to Pray – Pt. 4

In the LORD’s Prayer JESUS gives us the core and essence of what a child of GOD ought to pray on every occasion –for the coming of GOD’s kingdom, our daily needs, and GOD’s provision for sin.

In addition to the prayer model, JESUS tells His disciples and us about the two key motivations for prayer using a two-part parable: 

Persistence pays off

Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.  “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. (Luke 11: 5-10)

If a friend who’s been greatly inconvenienced would relent and give us what we want, our practice of consistent, persistent, daily prayers ought to be motivated by the assurance that our God and Father in Heaven will undoubtedly answer our petitions. JESUS confirms this in the second half of the parable:

Our Heavenly Father knows what's best for us

“You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11: 11-13)

Earthly fathers want the very best for their children and won’t deliberately give us things that hurt us, even when we ask for what is harmful. JESUS makes this point in the story with the fish and eggs versus snakes and scorpions – the former two are nourishment and good for our physical bodies while the latter two are harmful and dangerous.

Our Heavenly Father, who is perfect, also desires the greatest good for His children. He would never give us things which will harm us when we have asked for what benefits us. And if we foolishly ask for things that in His wisdom He knows are harmful, He withholds those from us.

More so, GOD gives to every one of His children something that our earthly Fathers cannot – the gift of His Holy Spirit, GOD Himself living within us. Every follower of CHRIST JESUS receives the gift of the Holy Spirit by whom we will know the mind of GOD and His will for us. By this He grants us power for a life of godliness.

No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.  And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us. 1 Corinthians 2:11-12

As a child of GOD, our greatest motivation to pray is the privilege of communion with the Father when He shares His deepest thoughts with us and we tell Him what we need from Him.

Even JESUS sort out such times of intimacy with the Father.

But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. Luke 5:16

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy and righteous Father, our LORD and KING. We continue to be awed by your goodness to us as we learn from your WORD how much YOU desire to share YOURSELF and YOUR power with us. Thank you, Father for being a perfect provider, for giving us the gift of YOUR HOLY SPIRIT, He who knows YOUR thoughts and will teach us YOUR truth. Thank you for sending CHRIST JESUS to be our advocate and living example of how we should live and pray. Thank you for providing all that we need for life and for godliness. To YOU belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the precious Name of Jesus Christ our LORD, the NAME above all names. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile

How We Learn to Pray – Pt. 3

The Bible recounts for us an occasion when a disciple asks JESUS to teach them how to pray and He responded with what is commonly known as, The LORD’s Prayer. This incident in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 11 reads as follows:

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” (Verses 1-4)

Unpacking “The LORD’s Prayer”

Many Bible commentators agree that this short prayer is not intended for repetition as is but contains essential elements for the prayers of everyone who claims to be a believer and a child of GOD:  

• Father, hallowed be your name – we declare the Father and His NAME to be holy, mighty and powerful, deserving of our greatest respect and reverence and recognizing His authority in our lives and over everything in Heaven and on earth. (“Who is like you among the gods, O Lord—glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders? Exodus 15:11)
• Your kingdom come. – we recognize CHRIST’s second coming as LORD and KING to establish His Kingdom on earth and our future home. We tell our Father that we look forward to and desire His world to come more than we love and desire this present world and its trappings. (Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 1 John 2:15) 
• Give us each day our daily bread, – here we accept that we are dependent solely on our Father’s daily provision, that we are not self-sufficient, and that GOD the Father is the source of all that we are and have. (The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it…Psalm 24:1); (He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! Psalm 103:5)
• …and forgive us our sins, – we ask our Father to forgive our sins because we love Him and want Him to be delighted in us. Sin separates us from our Father; the Bible tells us that His attitude toward sin is hostility, disgust, and utter dislike. When we confess and repent of sin we are forgiven. (You who love the Lord, hate evil! Psalm 97:10)
• for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us – we must admit that both the saved and unsaved are capable of wrong-doing; we hurt people and they hurt us. But we must obey the Father’s command to forgive as we need forgiveness. (Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13)
• And lead us not into temptation – here we are petitioning GOD for strength to deal with temptation at its roots, before it gets a foothold in our lives and become full-blown sin. We are not asking GOD to stop tempting us to sin, as He never does. We know our own weaknesses so we must bring them to the Father openly and honestly and ask for His help. (And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. James 1:13-15)

When JESUS finished teaching the LORD’s Prayer, He tells the disciples a parable to emphasize and demonstrate to them, and to us now, how and why prayer ought to be a constant in our lives.

One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. Luke 18:1

To be continued…

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy and righteous Father, our LORD and KING. We are so grateful that YOU are teaching us how important prayer is to our lives. Thank you for the simplicity of the LORD’s Prayer which helps us to remember that YOUR name must be glorified above all else; that because YOUR holiness is exalted above all your attributes YOU cannot abide sin. Thank YOU for your faithfulness in forgiving our sins as soon as we confess them to you and for teaching us about forgiving others. Thank you for CHRIST JESUS and our access to righteousness, grace and mercy through HIM. Thank you for keeping us from evil and providing our spiritual and worldly needs daily. Thank you for being for us and not against us so that we have a future with YOU and hope for eternal life. YOU are a good, good Father to WHOM belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the precious Name of Jesus Christ our LORD, the NAME above all names. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile