Through the Bible - Isaiah 31-34, Philippians 2-3
Good morning,
We got together with a group of friends last night and watched a video series by Andy Stanley titled "Twisted". The premise last night was how we "twist" things relating to authority, God's, government and even in the home. We dismiss and disregard laws and rules or bend them to suit our personal needs, wants and desires.
A common phrase that Andy used in the message was "it's not about what, it's about who". Think about that for a minute (or two).
This morning a devotional that I read was in Matthew 6 with the beginning of the Lord's Prayer.
Reflecting on my own prayers, if I'm not careful, too often they gravitate back to my personal lists and requests. Even if they are for other peoples health and well being, they are still being asked according to my desires.
Today's verses are the beginning of the prayer, setting the tone for prayer.
Matt 6:8 "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven. NKJV
or from the Message
Matt 6:8-This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best —
as above, so below.
It's not the number of words or requests that is of primary importance, it's not about what, it's about Who.
Of the six petitions in the prayer, 3 are directed to God, and 3 toward human needs. There's a balance. How "balanced" are our prayers?
Even when we are praying for others, are we praying for God's will to be done, that He will be glorified in the outcome? May we be willing and able to pray according to His will, what He desires that He might be magnified and praised in His answers.
Read the prayer below. Notice the brevity, simplicity, and comprehensiveness of it. I've also posted the beginning of Philippians 2 from the Message, the passage ends with:
Philippians 2:12 Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure. The Message
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
Matt 6:5-14
The Model Prayer
(Luke 11:2-4)
5 "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. 6 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. 7 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.
8 "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On 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 do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Phil 2:1-13
He Took On the Status of a Slave
2 If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care — then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death — and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion.
Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth — even those long ago dead and buried — will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.
Rejoicing Together
What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.
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