The Lord’s Prayer

Matthew 6:9-13
After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
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.
 
I’ve been thinking a lot about how I pray. I don’t know about you, but sometimes my prayers consist of words rambling from my mouth, repeated phrases filled with feelings of desperation and frustration. I forget that God “knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask Him” (Matt. 6:8).  Jesus tells us to “use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do”(Matt. 6:7). 

During my nightly Bible reading a few days ago, I came across a simple, familiar prayer given to us by Jesus: The Lord’s Prayer.  The perfect example of how we should pray.  The Lord’s Prayer has all the components of an ideal prayer.

When we pray these words we acknowledge God’s holiness; “Hallowed be thy name.” We also yield to His authority and wisdom; “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

We ask Him to “give us this day our daily bread.”  “Daily bread” covers not just our food, but our shelter, clothing; whatever we need to live day by day.

We ask His forgiveness, and show forgiveness to others: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” This petition is important; we are to forgive others as God forgives us-completely. “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”(Matt. 6:14-15)

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” We ask Him to keep us safe and help us to follow in the right path.

Last, but not least, we praise His “power and glory” declaring it everlasting.

Am I saying we shouldn’t pray any other way? No.  I am saying that sometimes we may need to ground ourselves spiritually.  Praying The Lord’s Prayer thoughtfully and reverently once in awhile will helps us do that.

Think about this.  Are your prayers filled with praise or frustration?  Are you seeking spiritual or material gains?  Take a moment and quietly pray this sincere prayer.  I’ll bet you feel closer to God…I know I do.

Until next time, God Bless You.

Heavenly Treasures

Matthew 6:19-21
   Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.
   But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal.
   For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

I moved last month. I went from renting a one-bedroom apartment to renting one bedroom in a house.  It was a challenge, deciding what of my possessions I could keep and what I should throw away. 

Memories flooded my mind as I sorted through my possesions. I was reluctant to give anything away.

Waking up one morning I was very depressed, because I knew I was going to have to resort boxes that had already been packed.  I still hadn’t downsized my possessions enough and I knew there wasn’t enough room to store everything I wanted to keep.

As I sat down to read my morning devotional.  I asked God to help me through the task ahead.  I opened up my book, and today’s verses were Matthew 6:19-21.  God had heard my prayer and was giving me some advice, reminding me that my earthly treasures were temporary and susceptible to “moths and rust” corruption and the hands of thieves.  The important treasurers were in Heaven and by focusing on them I would be closer to Him.  “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

The packing and sorting was still a big job, but it was easier.  My focus switched from what I was giving up, to what I was gaining.  By reducing my worldly possessions, I was making room for more Heavenly treasures.

What are you holding onto that is blocking you from freely receiving your “Heavenly treasures?”  Take a moment and look around.  Is there anything that you could give up to make more room for God in your life?

Until next time, God Bless You.

Joy!

Psalms 16:11b
Your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever.

Have you ever felt such an intense joy, you were sure your heart would burst; a joy that fills your whole body and overshadows all feelings of worry or fear?  A couple of nights ago, I felt such joy.  I couldn’t stop smiling, and I’m sure I fell asleep with a big grin on my face.

Before going to sleep, I always go over my day with God, thanking Him for the blessings of the day, trying to understand the challenges and praising Him.  All my focus is on God.  It was during this time that I felt overwhelming joy. 

Even though the joyous feeling comes only a few times a year and only last for a short time, the memory gives me such a rush of happiness.  It’s His presence filling me with joy, and it continues to “bring me pleasure forever.”  I would like everyone to feel such joy.

When is the last time you focused on God, only God?  Try it tonight before going to sleep.  Open your heart and clear your mind; ask God to let you feel His presence.  You may not feel the joy the first time you try, I didn’t, but it will come.

Until next time, God Bless You.

Don’t Worry, Ask God

Philippians 4:6.
Don’t worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God for whatever you need, always asking Him with a thankful heart.

“Where is it?  I can’t find it!”  I was beginning to panic.  After two days of searching, I still couldn’t find my Social Security card.  I needed it to finish an application for some government assistance.  The agency didn’t just want the number, they wanted a copy of the actual card.  I knew I could get a new card, but that would take several days and I needed to send in the form soon.

Like most of you, I don’t carry my card with me.  I put it in a very safe place, so it won’t get lost.  But, where is that “safe place?”  I have a good memory, yet I had no idea where I’d put it.

That evening, in my prayers, I asked God to help me find my card.  Almost immediately, the thought “look in the wooden box in the bookcase” popped into my head.  Well, my response was “why would I put it there?  The only thing in there is a rose from an old boyfriend.”

I shouldn’t have doubted.  The next day I opened the box and there it was, right on top! In my panic and frustration, I had forgotten that I should not “worry about anything.”  But “ask God for whatever” I need.

I have heard similar stories from others.  It is not unusual for God to lead you to something you need. 

So, what have you lost?  What are you looking for?  Whether it’s something physical or emotional, “don’t worry” and turn to God.  If you ask “with a thankful heart,” He will answer.

Until next time, God Bless You.

In All You Do

Colossians 3: 17  Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

I have a sweet tooth (doesn’t everyone?)  and like many of you, my downfall is chocolate.  The darker the better!  I keep telling myself that it’s good for me, these antioxidant you know.  But as the saying goes, “what enters through the lips, lands on the hips.”  Well, the older I get the more direct route!  I think it’s gone from a narrow, winding road into a straight superhighway.  Something had to be done.

One day it hit me “Why don’t I pray for help on controlling my cravings?”  Yes, I said pray.  I know, I know!  I can hear some of you protesting, “Why bother God about such a small problem?  He is too busy with important things; the big problems of the world.”

Well, Colossians 3:17 says “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”  It doesn’t limit us to seeking Him about big concerns.  Everything we do is to be done in His name.  Granted, I still struggle, but I’m not doing it alone.

So, why do you struggling with today?  Take a moment right now, and pray.  Ask Jesus for help and guidance.  Then trust it will come.  It doesn’t matter how small you think it is Jesus wants you to let Him carry the burden.

Until next time, God Bless You.

WRAPPED IN JESUS ARMS

Sometimes the words of other people express my feelings better then I can. The following poem, written by my aunt, hit a chord deep inside my heart.  I want to share it with you.  I hope you will also be touched.

WRAPPED IN JESUS ARMS

 Be wrapped in Jesus arms this week.

 Let all you find be what you seek.

 Let angels guard you where you walk

 And fill with love your every talk.

 Let not your heart with stress be filled

 Let every worried thought be stilled.

 Each day, remember by your side

 Jesus is there to guard and guide.

 God’s love and mine to you is sent.

So may, this week, you be content.

***wgb***
 ©

 

Until next time, God Bless You.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I live by Faith.

My title says it all.  At least it says how I hope I live my life.  My faith in God is a high priority.  In all I do, He is consulted.  And I do mean everything.  I believe that in order to live by faith you need to keep a running conversation going with Him.  The Bible says “to pray without ceasing…”  My conversations are a form of prayer.

I decided to write this blog so I can share the joy and peace I get from my living by faith. In reading my stories, I hope you will feel a little of what I feel.  My goal is that these posts will be an inspiration to you.  If my faith, and perhaps yours too, grows stronger, that would be a welcome bonus. It would also be great if we were to develop a new community in Christ and spread the Word.

Until next time, God Bless you.