Showing posts with label Lord's Prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lord's Prayer. Show all posts

Saturday, October 7, 2017

The Struggle - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

The Struggle

Now Think On This
Steve Martin

  
“For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.” (Romans 7:15, NASU)

We often like to think that the ones who saw Jesus in person during their lifetime, or the ones who lived centuries ago and were believers, had it made. We hold them up as “perfect people, perfect saints”, who almost came as close to not sinning as the Lord, the Messiah Himself. He walked without sin. Surely they must have come real close too, having known Him so well.

I now tend to think not. They had their faith and flesh struggles too. Thus it helps me in my mind and will, when I do the same thing over, and over, and over, to yet have hope to overcome.

Without fail, I find myself more often than I like facing the same old same old – battling the flesh and the soul (mind, will and emotions) when it comes to walking the straight and narrow. And yet, like maybe you too, we have to keep pressing on, relying on the Lord’s grace and mercy to overcome.

That is why the Lord’s Prayer has the petition included, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” The Lord knows we need His help continually.

Are you like me, when someone gets the “shout out” at the office staff meeting, and I have to bite my lip to keep from jealousy and resentment. “They never acknowledge my great work!” I try not to say (too often) under my breath.

Or, as in an unexpected check comes in the mail for my friend and they share their excitement with me. “What about me Lord?” tries to speak into my brain.

Here’s another - the family member goes on another luxury trip, while I get to look at the photos they send back with their posts on Facebook and Instagram. “My turn is coming” I know I have said in the past. (I post a lot of social media photos. I can imagine people thinking that of me!)

Yes, it is a struggle. We fight the daily temptations to not envy another, get jealous over someone’s sports team winning and later hearing about it, while mine favorite is just so so. Or think they have it so good, and what I have isn’t so much.

I find help in being an overcomer by reading of King David and his weaknesses, and yet the Lord still stuck with him to see him through.

And then again we know Paul, probably the greatest apostle that ever lived. Thanks Paul for being was so honest in writing of your dilemma. It certainly gives hope for us.

As he wrote, “It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question?


The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.

With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.” (Romans 7:21-8:2, THE MESSAGE)

Something greater outside of ourselves has been given to us to be strong in our walk, even when the temptations and struggles come to pull us down. We must keep pressing on, knowing that the salvation of our souls and body is a daily, ongoing experience. It takes times to make it through the moments that certainly, almost continually come our way. The victory won’t happen overnight. For most of us, it is a lifetime walk to keep focused, stay alert, and keep our eyes fixed on Yeshua, the Author, and Finisher of our faith.

We will make it. The Holy Spirit had promised to walk with us and get us to the finish line in good fashion.

Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).

Now think on this, 

Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.

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Now Think On This - in the Year of our Lord 10.07.17 - #321 – “The Struggle” Sat.  9:30 am

Sunday, February 19, 2017

First Lady Opens Campaign Rally With Lord's Prayer - TAYLOR BERGLUND CHARISMA NEWS

First Lady Melania Trump recited the Lord's Prayer today. (Reuters)

First Lady Opens Campaign Rally With Lord's Prayer

First Lady Melania Trump recited the Lord's Prayer on Saturday at a Melbourne, Florida, campaign rally.
While President Donald Trump discussed immigration and his ongoing battles with the media, the First Lady led the crowd in Matthew 6:9-13.
"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name," she said. "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen."
The full video from the campaign rally, including the Lord's Prayer, is available here.
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Tuesday, January 26, 2016

The Importance of Knowing How to Pray by Michelle Holderman - IDENTITY NETWORK

The Importance of Knowing How to Pray by Michelle Holderman


IDENTITY NETWORK
Just as important as praying itself, is knowing how God wants us to pray. The how is so important because when He reveals how He wants us to specifically pray, it puts us in alignment with His perfect will and order regarding the person, place, or situation we're praying for. It is a glass slipper moment if you will. Meaning our prayers must fit the purpose for which God is wanting us to pray, and not just what we think or assume is the best way.

In our enthusiasm, we can take off praying down our own course through our own thoughts, wisdom, and emotion. The problem with this is that our human wisdom and understanding doesn't always line up with the higher wisdom and understanding of God. And if we aren't careful; we'll end up praying soulish prayers instead of true Spirit led prayers.

Be Intentional

We must be intentional in our prayer life. That means we need the counsel of God's Spirit to guide us. We must ask, listen, and wait for direction from the Holy Spirit regarding how to pray in any given matter; whether it's for ourselves, our family, a friend, church, community, or nation, etc. We must get our prayer directives from the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of truth (John 16:13), and then pray what He shows us to at any given time - nothing more and nothing less. It really is that important.

Sometimes, praying in our spiritual (heavenly) language is the only way to accomplish what the Father wants. Said another way, it is often the how. The Scriptures refer to this as praying in the Spirit, because only the Spirit of God [Holy Spirit] truly knows the will of God (Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 6:18).

The Lord's Prayer

Let me interject something. We know when one of the disciples inquired of Jesus how to pray, He revealed what we refer to as The Lord's Prayer (Luke 11:1-4; Matthew 6:9-13). And this is clearly an important instruction from the Lord himself. Nevertheless, when we are praying about specific matters, we require specific prayer instructions and strategies relevant to the need. This is what the Holy Spirit shows us, according to the Father's will, and this is why it's vital we seek Him.

Our prayers will be most effective when we pray according to the will of the Father. This is where the how comes in. Praying how He wants is to pray according to His will. And when we pray the will of the Father, we are coming into agreement with Him and His purposes.

The Holy Spirit will define "the how" as we seek Him because knowing how to pray matters just as much as knowing when to.

Michelle Holderman


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