Matthew 6:10
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
What a wonderful prayer and yet how much do we mean it? In this short verse we are acknowledging that God is king and rules in His kingdom. This means He is Sovereign and is in control. There is no higher authority. He made us and has the right to tell us how to operate in relation to His world and to Him. Psalm 24 makes this clear: The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the waters. Our Great God is King and He reigns. His kingdom is the whole realm of His authority. It is not just localized to a geographical location.
Jesus continually preached the kingdom of God saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:15. In other words the kingdom of God is God's ruling. Jesus called people to enter the kingdom and submit to God's Lordship. Jesus taught that the kingdom may not impress many at first glance, but it is something incredible,like a bush large enough to shelter all of God's creatures. Mark 4:30-32
The disciples asked when Jesus would establish His kingdom and were told that only the Father knows that. Yet, we can see that God has reigned in the past. "For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a Great King over all the earth." Psalm 47:2 He reigned in Jesus' time. "The kingdom of God is at hand." Mark 1:15 In fact, the people declared Him king on Palm Sunday when He triumphantly entered Jerusalem. Jesus established His kingship during His sacrificial death and resurrection. He is Sovereign now although satan's influence on the hearts of man keep it from being seen perfectly. His kingdom will come in perfection upon Jesus' Second Coming. At that time, not only will people acknowledge Jesus in their hearts but His kingdom will be visible and will endure forever. At this time the Father will exalt Christ to the highest place of honor and authority. "Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11 Past, present and future, God's kingdom is not bound by the constraints of time.
Matthew 6:10 says, Lord, extend your reign over our lives. Help us to do everything we can to please you. Help us to joyfully do all that you command. Let your will be done in every aspect of our lives. Let us so live that others are drawn to accept your will for their lives, also. Let Jesus come in power and perfection so that He reigns completely on earth right NOW as He does in heaven.
All those who accept Jesus accept an invitation to enter into the kingdom. We can rejoice that He reigns over our lives, "...for the kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17
Reign on, King Jesus!!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
When You Pray
Matthew 6:5-9
"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name."
Jesus began to equip His disciples for true power and deepened relationship by teaching them to pray. They had seen, by example, that He was quick and faithful to protect His quiet time, and they saw the life that resulted from talking regularly with His Heavenly Father.
Jesus began by telling them that their prayer was to be different from what they may have heard before. It was to be for the right reasons. It was not to be like the hypocrites who prayed to be seen by man. It was not a show. It was not just an obligation. It was a conversation with their Father and when they talked to Him, they were to do it privately. They were to be alone so as not to be distracted. They were to really focus on Him and learn to cherish their time with a loving Father.
They were not to use vain repetitions. God was not impressed with how many words they used or how "flowery" the prayer sounded. If they really thought about it, prayer was not to tell God what they wanted because He is omniscient. He knows everything. No, prayer is an opportunity to come close to the Father, to share burdens, to praise His name, to thank Him. It is a demonstration of how utterly dependent we are on Him. It is an opportunity to slow down and sense His presence; to enjoy both Him and the life He has created for us. It is an opportunity to hear from Him because prayer is a dialogue.
Jesus told His disciples that when they prayed, they were to acknowledge the hearer of their prayer. They were to call Him Father. Think of what is rolled into that name. A good Father is gracious and kind. He takes care of His children. He is wise and gives good guidance. He protects. He is forgiving. We need never doubt that our Father loves us or is working out good things for us. A good Father is always there. This is who we address in prayer; this Wonderful Heavenly Father who is ready to listen and able to help us.
Jesus says that the Father's name is hallowed. It is holy and worthy of reverence. It is not to be taken lightly or used in vain. Through His name He reveals Himself to us.
Spending time with the Father keeps Him at the the center of your life. If you do not a quiet time, begin today. If you keep this appointment, you will be blessed in many ways. Make a quiet time a priority of your day. Use your Bible for guidance. Pray in response to the Scripture you read. Focus on the person you are meeting rather than just on the ritual of praying, and seek to glorify your Father who is in heaven.
"Lord, teach us to pray. Help us to love and honor You and Your blessed name. Speak to us as we come to you for everything."
"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name."
Jesus began to equip His disciples for true power and deepened relationship by teaching them to pray. They had seen, by example, that He was quick and faithful to protect His quiet time, and they saw the life that resulted from talking regularly with His Heavenly Father.
Jesus began by telling them that their prayer was to be different from what they may have heard before. It was to be for the right reasons. It was not to be like the hypocrites who prayed to be seen by man. It was not a show. It was not just an obligation. It was a conversation with their Father and when they talked to Him, they were to do it privately. They were to be alone so as not to be distracted. They were to really focus on Him and learn to cherish their time with a loving Father.
They were not to use vain repetitions. God was not impressed with how many words they used or how "flowery" the prayer sounded. If they really thought about it, prayer was not to tell God what they wanted because He is omniscient. He knows everything. No, prayer is an opportunity to come close to the Father, to share burdens, to praise His name, to thank Him. It is a demonstration of how utterly dependent we are on Him. It is an opportunity to slow down and sense His presence; to enjoy both Him and the life He has created for us. It is an opportunity to hear from Him because prayer is a dialogue.
Jesus told His disciples that when they prayed, they were to acknowledge the hearer of their prayer. They were to call Him Father. Think of what is rolled into that name. A good Father is gracious and kind. He takes care of His children. He is wise and gives good guidance. He protects. He is forgiving. We need never doubt that our Father loves us or is working out good things for us. A good Father is always there. This is who we address in prayer; this Wonderful Heavenly Father who is ready to listen and able to help us.
Jesus says that the Father's name is hallowed. It is holy and worthy of reverence. It is not to be taken lightly or used in vain. Through His name He reveals Himself to us.
Spending time with the Father keeps Him at the the center of your life. If you do not a quiet time, begin today. If you keep this appointment, you will be blessed in many ways. Make a quiet time a priority of your day. Use your Bible for guidance. Pray in response to the Scripture you read. Focus on the person you are meeting rather than just on the ritual of praying, and seek to glorify your Father who is in heaven.
"Lord, teach us to pray. Help us to love and honor You and Your blessed name. Speak to us as we come to you for everything."
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