THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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Someone has said that a "minor operation" is one performed on someone ELSE!
A businessman was in the hospital for a minor operation. He asked about anesthetic and they described it to him.
Then he asked, "Well, what's this I hear about 'twilight sleep?'"
The anesthesiologist said, "Yes. That is for labor."
The businessman replied, "Well, don't they have something like that for managment?"
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Matt 6:9-13
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
KJV
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Many have dubbed this "The Lord's Prayer." That's because it was given by our Lord to the disciples. Jesus knows that most of our praying is with a "gimme" attitude, so He gave the disciples this model prayer. For that reason, let's look at the statements included and see what they reflect.
Our Father which art in heaven reflects surrender to God. God is INFINITE, we are FINITE. God is CREATOR, we are CREATED. We were created to be SUBJECT to Him. No prayer is accepted by Him until it is with surrender to His Lordship.
Hallowed be thy name is adoration of His holiness and perfectness. He gave His holiness for our unholiness, His righteousness for our unrighteousness on the cross of Calvary. Let us adore Him for His mercy and grace, and hold His Name in reverential awe.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. These statements show the willingness of the disciple to have the same mission-mindedness as the Father. We are in effect saying, "Let THY will be done in ME! Let me be your servant in reaching out to others."
Give us this day our daily bread. We are dependent upon God for our daily needs. We cannot breathe, nor do we have a heart beat without Him. Our abilities and moneys will not always provide our daily needs. And certainly they will not provide us the "Bread from heaven" which is our main strength.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Our sins are too many to count! We plead for God's forgiveness based solely upon what He has done for us already through the cross and resurrection. As we are forgiven, we must also have the attitude of forgiveness toward others.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:... When we are freed from sin, we seek not to be enslaved to it again. This, again, expresses our dependency upon our Lord. We ask for His guidance, direction and strength impuned in order to stay away from the tempations of life that lead us into sin.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. This is the doxology of the prayer. Recognizing that God is Supreme, and that the kingdom of eternal life belongs to Him, we praise Him for allowing us to be a part of it. The "Amen" is attesting to the truth that God is over all, and we are under His leadership, as well as dependent upon His continued mercy and grace.
Let this be the model for all our prayers:
Surrendering to God,
Adoring His Name,
being mission-minded,
depending upon His provision,
pleading forgiveness and being one who forgives others,
seeking to avoid sin by His strength in us,
and always aware that it is a privilege to be part of His kingdom.
Love ya,
Bruce