Since I began this study of the Lord's prayer, I have noticed that each study "part" tends to play out in real life during the subsequent week. During worship...oh,"Hallowed be thy Name"... it was a beautiful experience, praising God, love and passion and purpose were my daily bread. Then came part 4..."Thy Kingdom Come"...
I believe that The Kingdom of God is a state of being...for though we live in this world, we are not of this world. We have been born again and have a greater knowledge of the Sovereignty of the Eternal Kingdom of Yahweh. I can only imagine what heaven is like...with peace, love, joy, laughter setting the atmosphere where the Most High dwells. A place of pure perfection and with every heart drowning in the fullness of the Glory of God...but till that day comes, we are here... Called to be His people, to be faithful, to persevere, to honor Him, to love His creation to wholeness, to bring into reality His vision into our sphere of influence, and be Christ-like everyday.
The past couple of weeks, was filled with a series of tests and trials that led me to this conclusion: The Kingdom of God is a state of being. It was as if every day brought another problem or series of anxiety causing situations that tried to keep me worried the whole day. Yes I did keep in mind God's will for my life in Christ Jesus: Rejoice always, pray unceasingly, and in all things give thanks, but did I practice it in all situations = NO. After barely crawling through to the weekend, and making it to my prayer closet for succor...the Holy Spirit helped me replay the events of the week...illustrating to me how easy it was to be a part of the enemy's yo-yo games. He showed that everything involved a choice - to be and walk in peace, to radiate joy, to love despite feelings. But we are never asked to do it alone, for our limited power will always come up short...God promises Grace, Mercy, and all that we need of Him to honor Him.
When Jesus gave the Greatest Commandment Mark 12:28-34 I believe He was directing us to this state of conscious being, always keeping in mind God and others. Imagine a world where everyone is serving God and others...not a single person's needs will be unmet.
My Lesson learned for Part 4 is this, entering the Kingdom of God requires three things:Accept, Approach, & Allow
1- Accept and believe that it does exist, for it is available to you Mark 1:15
2- Appraoch it as children Mark 10:15 with simple faith and trust and joy
3- Allow it to do a work in us that produces good fruit as a testimony Mathew 21:43 all to the Glory of God
Yet again, another Selah or Praise worthy moment...A God who has made it possible for us to partake and sample of the inner workings of His Eternal Kingdom yet while we live in this world. Choose to bring His Kingdom in all areas of your daily lives...challenge yourself and ask for Grace. God will not fail you
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Prayer: Part 3 "The Names of Jehovah"
"Hallowed be thy name"
Jesus directs us to exhalt the name of God. First I will present a list, though certainly not exhaustive, of the Covenant names of God. Each time in scripture God gave a promise in the word, He sealed it with His Name or a revelation that speaks to His Character. For example: Moses was grappling with how God not only wants Moses to stand before Pharoah but to lead a nation...God stated what He intended to do and the outcome. He sealed it with greatest name "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14)!!!
God is who or what He says He is....reflect on your life as you go through this list and see how God has been different things to you in different circumstances...Faithful when all, maybe even you, were faithless...loving, compassionate, vindicator, the strength when you were frail, the life giver when hope was but a memory...the only one who has and always be there...HE IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS ALWAYS!!!!
Jehovah Elohim - Eternal Creator (Genesis 2:4-25)
Jehovah Elyon - Lord most High (Psalm 7:17; 47:2; 97:9)
Jehovah Elohay - Lord my God (Zechariah 14:5)
Jehovah Jireh - Lord my provider (Genesis 22:8-14)
Jehovah Ropheka - Lord my healer (Exodus 15:26)
Jehovah Shammah - The Lord is present (Ezekiel 48:35)
Jehovah Rohi - The Lord my shepherd (Psalm 23:1)
Jehovah Tsidkeenu - The Lord my righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16)
Jehovah Shalom - The Lord our peace (Judges 6:24)
Ehmet - Trustworthiness
Channun - Gracious
Rachum - Merciful, full of tenderness and compassion
Arek-aph - Longsuffering, not easily angered or irritated
Jehovah Hoseenu - The Lord our maker (Psalm 99:5; 8, 9)
Jehovah Mekaddishkem - The Lord our sanctifier......
And the list goes on and on... Who is God personally to you?...Therefore and rightfully HALLOW BE HIS NAME!!!!
As children of God, established in full assurance by the Blood and the mark of the Holy Spirit, we inherit all the covenant names of God given to Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Moses etc...God is and so much more LORD and SOVEREIGN for all eternity...and yet He loves you and wants you to be His....That will always cause me to Praise His Name Above all!!! Blessings :)
Jesus directs us to exhalt the name of God. First I will present a list, though certainly not exhaustive, of the Covenant names of God. Each time in scripture God gave a promise in the word, He sealed it with His Name or a revelation that speaks to His Character. For example: Moses was grappling with how God not only wants Moses to stand before Pharoah but to lead a nation...God stated what He intended to do and the outcome. He sealed it with greatest name "I AM WHO I AM" (Exodus 3:14)!!!
God is who or what He says He is....reflect on your life as you go through this list and see how God has been different things to you in different circumstances...Faithful when all, maybe even you, were faithless...loving, compassionate, vindicator, the strength when you were frail, the life giver when hope was but a memory...the only one who has and always be there...HE IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS ALWAYS!!!!
Jehovah Elohim - Eternal Creator (Genesis 2:4-25)
Jehovah Elyon - Lord most High (Psalm 7:17; 47:2; 97:9)
Jehovah Elohay - Lord my God (Zechariah 14:5)
Jehovah Jireh - Lord my provider (Genesis 22:8-14)
Jehovah Ropheka - Lord my healer (Exodus 15:26)
Jehovah Shammah - The Lord is present (Ezekiel 48:35)
Jehovah Rohi - The Lord my shepherd (Psalm 23:1)
Jehovah Tsidkeenu - The Lord my righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16)
Jehovah Shalom - The Lord our peace (Judges 6:24)
Ehmet - Trustworthiness
Channun - Gracious
Rachum - Merciful, full of tenderness and compassion
Arek-aph - Longsuffering, not easily angered or irritated
Jehovah Hoseenu - The Lord our maker (Psalm 99:5; 8, 9)
Jehovah Mekaddishkem - The Lord our sanctifier......
And the list goes on and on... Who is God personally to you?...Therefore and rightfully HALLOW BE HIS NAME!!!!
As children of God, established in full assurance by the Blood and the mark of the Holy Spirit, we inherit all the covenant names of God given to Abraham, Jacob, Isaac, Moses etc...God is and so much more LORD and SOVEREIGN for all eternity...and yet He loves you and wants you to be His....That will always cause me to Praise His Name Above all!!! Blessings :)
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Prayer - Part 1 & 2
As we continue discussions or conversations on prayer, I hope you are as excited as I am to draw closer to God so His Holy Spirit can review wonders that will greatly amaze our souls!!!
Part 1 "Our Father"
In our earthly form we typically inherit a last name that is our familial mark. Your last name shows that you belong to a certain family or related group. When Believers are born again, we are adopted into the family of God Romans 8:15-17
Starting off with "Our Father" reminds us that we are all part of one family under one God through Christ. It also demonstrates that the approach is more intimate and personal.
Part II "Who art in Heaven"
We are called to remember the separation that does exist Isaiah 66:1
This is a reminder that God is set-apart and Holy, yet we can approach Him because He makes Himself available to us. Throughout scripture, God usually responds by stating that He has heard the cry of His children and comes to us... For instance, the Israelites cried out while in Egypt and God personally came down with a Plan for Deliverance Exodus 3:7
We were lost and separated from God because of the original sin and God came down in the flesh to save us as Jesus Christ.
The opening of the Lord's Prayer really puts things into perspective. We serve a God who is set apart and righteous...but yet is available to us - His Beloved. Just as I will always have unconditional love for my children, I can only imagine the love of God that would cause the Creator of the universe to jump off His throne, come to this earth to die for me so I could be free...even though I did not deserve it...
Our Father, who art in Heaven...truly you are God and there is none other like You! Your ways are beyond my ways, Your unconditional acceptance of a sinner like me, Your gift of salvation...Praise to You Great God Almighty. I enter Your presence with adoration, worship for a Father who always accepts me just as I am.
Part 1 "Our Father"
In our earthly form we typically inherit a last name that is our familial mark. Your last name shows that you belong to a certain family or related group. When Believers are born again, we are adopted into the family of God Romans 8:15-17
Starting off with "Our Father" reminds us that we are all part of one family under one God through Christ. It also demonstrates that the approach is more intimate and personal.
Part II "Who art in Heaven"
We are called to remember the separation that does exist Isaiah 66:1
This is a reminder that God is set-apart and Holy, yet we can approach Him because He makes Himself available to us. Throughout scripture, God usually responds by stating that He has heard the cry of His children and comes to us... For instance, the Israelites cried out while in Egypt and God personally came down with a Plan for Deliverance Exodus 3:7
We were lost and separated from God because of the original sin and God came down in the flesh to save us as Jesus Christ.
The opening of the Lord's Prayer really puts things into perspective. We serve a God who is set apart and righteous...but yet is available to us - His Beloved. Just as I will always have unconditional love for my children, I can only imagine the love of God that would cause the Creator of the universe to jump off His throne, come to this earth to die for me so I could be free...even though I did not deserve it...
Our Father, who art in Heaven...truly you are God and there is none other like You! Your ways are beyond my ways, Your unconditional acceptance of a sinner like me, Your gift of salvation...Praise to You Great God Almighty. I enter Your presence with adoration, worship for a Father who always accepts me just as I am.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Prayer - Introduction
So my Sister Circle decided to do a study on prayer. Why?...Well, because it is the essence of being a Christian. This is how our faith is built up and God is able to continue transforming us into the image of Christ. We started with one of my favorites and a "classic"...The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4).
This is the KJV but feel free to select a translation you enjoy :-)
"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."
I believe that in and of itself Jesus gives us a template for us to model our prayer pattern. So I began leading discussions on the 9 portions of the Lord's Prayer with the following goals and objectives in mind:
Goal
1-Build a more intimate prayer relationship with the Father that mirrors what Jesus modeled to us.
2-Learn to connect with the Holy Spirit to guide us in praying continually.
Objectives
1-Digest the 9 pieces of the Lord’s Prayer over the course of the next few weeks and build upon our understanding of prayer.
2-Study the many types of prayers so we can individually get wisdom and revelation on the importance of prayer.
3-Practice and share testimonies of prayer exercises.
Feel free to join us in this inductive study where we will discover some personal truths and develop a prayer life that will honor God and truly change our lives!!!
This is the KJV but feel free to select a translation you enjoy :-)
"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."
I believe that in and of itself Jesus gives us a template for us to model our prayer pattern. So I began leading discussions on the 9 portions of the Lord's Prayer with the following goals and objectives in mind:
Goal
1-Build a more intimate prayer relationship with the Father that mirrors what Jesus modeled to us.
2-Learn to connect with the Holy Spirit to guide us in praying continually.
Objectives
1-Digest the 9 pieces of the Lord’s Prayer over the course of the next few weeks and build upon our understanding of prayer.
2-Study the many types of prayers so we can individually get wisdom and revelation on the importance of prayer.
3-Practice and share testimonies of prayer exercises.
Feel free to join us in this inductive study where we will discover some personal truths and develop a prayer life that will honor God and truly change our lives!!!
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