The Model Prayer

Luke 11:1 “Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord teach us to pray, as John also taught His disciples.”

Jesus’s disciples had observed Jesus and had come to believe that His prayers were always heard and answered. The disciples also believed that the continued source of His power came through secrete prayer. The disciples developed the desire to know how to pray, so they asked Jesus to teach them.

In this model prayer, God is acknowledged for both who He is, what He does and for His many attributes.

I encourage you to take some time and find a quiet place where you can read this prayer out loud and then be ready for God to do what you have prayed to Him.

Matthew 6:9 (NKJV)

In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father
Not only is God a Father, but He is also a Father to all

in heaven,
He has a Holy place of habitation

Hallowed be Your name.
His name is Holy

Your kingdom come.
He has a kingdom, and He will rule and reign fully and completely both in Heaven and on earth

Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
He has a will for His people here on earth as it is being done in heaven

Give us this day our daily bread.
He gives and provides for His people

And forgive us our debts,
He forgives and sets an example to be followed

As we forgive our debtors.
we are to follow the example that God has set before us

And do not lead us into temptation,
He will not lead is people into trouble or harm’s way

But deliver us from the evil one.
He delivers and protects His people from the schemes, tricks or traps put before His people by the enemy

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
The true kingdom belongs to Him, and the power also belongs to Him. He gets the glory and it is everlasting
Amen.

“In the name of Jesus, we cast out all fear and any doubt, that our prayers are not heard, or will not be answered. O God, thank you hearing and answering prayer.”

Continuing in His service…Rev

Identifying The Enemy

The Flesh

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Galatians 5:17 “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” (NKJV)

The believer will often struggle on a daily basis trying to walk and live in the spirit because of a powerful enemy called the flesh. This struggle can be an exasperating experience for a believer. It is a daily battle, and a lifetime of war.

The apostle Paul tells us in;

Galatians 5:16 and 17

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” (NKJV)

When believers allow themselves to be led by the Spirit, the Spirit guides us into truth.

John 16:13

“however, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come’ (NKJV)

When believers allow themselves to be led by the flesh, the flesh will lead that believer into sin by carnal and selfish desires.

1st John 2:16 

“For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” (NKJV)

Identifying the enemy, will help a believer with winning battles, and being victorious in a war. Often times when a believer makes a mistake or sins, the believer looks at the devil as the reason they have sinned. Often times the devil is given too much credit for a person’s behavior. Many times it is our flesh that has caused the mistake that has been made.

Galatians 5:17

“For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. (NKJV)

One method of identifying the flesh is when a person receives instant gratification from what they are presently doing.

Romans 7:15

” For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” 

The flesh will not reveal the negative consequences that a person will experience at a later time for the sin they are committing at the present time.

Romans 7:18  

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

God can instantly bless someone when He chooses to do so. So one might ask the question “how do I know when what I am receiving is a blessing from God, or my spirit yielding to gratifying the carnal nature of the flesh?” The answer is found in the word of God.

Matthew 26:41

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The Spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (NKJV)

Believers have to be watchful about what is going on around them, who they are with, and where they are going. Praying for the leading of the Holy Spirit will always lead us in the right direction.

Lord Jesus, I ask that you help believers to see and identify the enemy our carnal flesh when it is trying to lead us into sin. Help us to walk by faith and not just by what is seen, in your name that is above every name…Amen!

Continuing in his service…Rev

Worry

“One Day At A Time”

When a person is worrying, they are focusing their thoughts on the possible negative outcome of something that they have no control over.

Matt 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. (NKJV) 

Worrying can allow a person to become distracted about what is happening at the present time and give way to experiencing negative feelings or uncertainty over the outcome of a potential problem.

Fear, anxiety, stress, disrupted sleep, exhaustion, irritability, and headaches are just a few examples of what can be caused by worry.

Worrying affects both the mind and body, and no amount of worrying will change the outcome of what a person is worrying about.

Worrying can be a way of showing that we don’t trust that God is in control of our lives, and everything that is going on around us. God has positive thoughts and positive plans for us.

Jeremiah 29:11″For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV)

When we put are faith and trust in God, there will be no need to worry about what is happening presently, or what will happen in the future.

Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (NKJV)

When we put our focus on God, seeking His kingdom and His righteousness, there is no need to worry about anything.

No matter how it may look or seem, how someone else sees it, or what others may say…we can stand on the word of God.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (KJV)

O God, thank you for your plans to prosper your people and give them hope with a future, and as in the KJV of the bible, the word worry will not be in our vocabulary, in Jesus’ name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

Giving Thanks

Giving Thanks

Ephesians 5:20  “Giving thanks always for all things unto God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (KJV)

The Thanksgiving holiday will be celebrated this week by many Americans and others in countries around the world. It is recognized as a day to give thanks for the blessings received in the previous year.

Some will celebrate Thanksgiving as a holiday based on religious principles and some will acknowledge it as a traditional point of view.

It is not always easy to have an “attitude of gratitude” when someone is in hard times of a trial or tribulation.

Some may ask the question “how can I give thanks for what I am going through right now?”

1st Thessalonians 5:16, 17 and 18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

A person can look at a half of glass of water two different ways. They can say it is half full, or they can say it is half empty. Either way, it is still a half glass of water. How a person looks at what they are experiencing can make a big difference with the outcome of the experience.

God has a way of developing what he has deposited in us by allowing trails or tribulations to come our way.

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you will have trials and tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

When a person looks at the glass of water as being half full, that person can have the “peace and good cheer” that the scripture speaks of. They will give thanks for having a glass of water that is half full.

When a person looks at the glass of water being half empty, that person could be looking at the half glass of water as having “trials and tribulation” and not giving thanks for what they have.

Saying the words “thank you” is a small but powerful phrase that can go a long way towards acknowledging kindness that is big or small. It is an expression of one’s gratitude of a benefit or favor that they have received. 

Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”    

As we approach this Thanksgiving holiday, I would encourage everyone to look at what they can give thanks for not only on Thanksgiving Day, but to give thanks each and every day of the year.

Psalm 50:23 “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me

Happy Thanksgiving…Rev