The Lord's Prayer - 4

The LORD’S PRAYER ~ 4


"Give us this day our daily bread."
- Mt 6:11

"In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus

And when I am alone, give me Jesus

And when I am afraid, give me Jesus

You can have all this world, but give me Jesus"

(traditional)

"Jesus said to them, ’I Am the Bread of Life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst."
- John 6:35

When God instructed Moses to build the Ark of the Covenant, in it was the "bread of the Presence." Throughout the Exodus, as God lead the Israelites through the desert, the Ark always was in front, as the Presence of the Lord lead the way. 2000 years ago, Jesus came to earth as the manifest presence of God, as the "Living bread that came down from heaven." (John 6:51), and it is He who guides us today, as we seek Him, as we put Him in front of us.

We ought always to seek after, and ask for, more of the Bread of Life each day, more of Jesus. There is so much in our culture, and in this world, that vies for our attention, and consumes our time, yet will leave us unsatisfied. Only in Christ Jesus will we find true fulfillment. Only from Him comes true sustenance.

Jesus, Himself, exhorts us -
"Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting Life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
- John 6:27

Knowing that just as our physical body needs food to sustain it, our spiritual life needs continual nourishment to grow and subsist, God makes available to us each day that "food which endures to everlasting Life."

I believe the question is set before us each day -
"Why do you spend money for what is not Bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And delight yourself in abundance.
’Incline your ear and come to Me
Listen, that you may live.’"
- Is 55:2-3a

Let us indeed listen carefully to Him of whom we are to partake - "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you have no Life in you; he who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal Life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
- John 6:53-54

and again -

"He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me."
- John 6:56-57


The Truth Jesus taught in the 6th chapter of John’s Gospel is one of my favorite portions of Scripture. In it we see the absolute necessity of making the Lord Jesus Christ our daily portion. Oh, dear friends, may we ask of the Father each day, "Give us this day our daily Bread." Give us Jesus.

Michael


I am the Living Bread which came down from heaven; if any man eat of this Bread, he shall live forever...
- John 6:51

The Lord's Prayer - 3

THE LORD’S PRAYER ~ 3


"Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."
- Matt 6:10

For the last few years, as I pray this each night, I add ’and in my life’ after "in earth". For I truly want and need His will done in my life, in every area. I’ve come to realize that it is one thing to pray a general prayer for God’s will to be done in all the earth, and something else for me to pray that His will is done specifically, personally, in my life... just as it is one thing to believe in God who created the universe, and another thing to recognize Him, personally, as my God, and my Father.

I love the prayer of the Psalmist -
"Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Your Spirit is good.
Lead me in the land of uprightness."
- Psalm 143:10

Too often, I find myself wanting to dive right into some endeavor, or trying to make something happen, that I think would be good for me, or those I love. But it always serves me well to step back, slow down and inquire of my Father His desire. Now that which I want may very well be in line with God’s will, or it may not be, but I still must bring my ambitions, hopes and plans before Him. As Christians, we are charged to lay our lives upon the altar, and allow Almighty God to work His will in us, in His time, in His way... for His glory and purpose.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
- Rom 12:1-2


Rotherhams Emphasized Bible translates the second half of this verse as "Accomplished be Thy will...", and expounds on the definition of the Greek word γενηθητω (ginomai) which is rendered "be done" in the KJV. "More than ’done’, the word means ’accepted, obeyed, brought to pass, fulfilled.’" To me this shows the necessary relationship between what God wills, and our attitude toward, and our response to, that will.
When we pray for His will to be done, may we tell our Father that we accept His will, and will obey Him; that His will might fully come to pass in our lives. May each one of us come to sing unto the Father as did king David of old -

"I delight to do Thy will, O my God; yea, Thy law is within my heart."
- Psalm 40:8

Seeking for, listening to, obeying and trusting in God’s perfect will is a daily choice. It is not always easy, as many distractions and temptations come our way, and that is why the Word exhorts us to pray continually, and seek His face always. As we seek the Lord, and invite His Kingdom into our lives, turning away from the temporary pleasures of this world, God will reveal His will to us. And as we are obedient to Him, He gives us the strength to walk in His perfect will.

Dear friends, even our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who told His disciples "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work." (John 4:34), laid aside His will in obedience to the Father, trusting in God’s will completely. Jesus prayed in the garden as the time neared for Him to finish the work He had been sent to accomplish, "O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt." (Matt 26:39) And again, "O My Father, if this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done." (Matt 26:42)

Submission. Obedience. Trust. Oh what glorious results when we place it all in His hands, and say to our Father - "Thy will be done."

Amen.

Michael


And this is the confidence which we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us.
- 1 John 5:14

The Lord's Prayer - 2

THE LORD’S PRAYER ~ 2


"Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."
- Matt 6:10

In the books of Revelation, Isaiah, Micah and Zechariah among others, we can read of the Kingdom of God, the New Jerusalem coming to the earth in the future. This is the Christian hope, the physical Kingdom in which God will dwell with His people on the earth.

It is indeed a real Kingdom. One in which the blessed shall eat bread (Luke 14:15). One in which, with Christ, the saints shall drink of the fruit of the vine (Luke 22:18). One in which we dwell safely, build houses, plant vineyards, and abide securely with God (Eze 28:26)

When Christ, Head and body, has driven out sin and rebellion from God’s creation, then -
"Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness,
A Faithful City.
"Zion will be redeemed with justice
And her repentant ones with righteousness."
- Is 1:26-27

This is the Eternal Kingdom. This was what God promised to His friend Abraham (Gen 17:8). And this is what Abraham looked forward to, "for he was looking for the City which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God." (Heb 11:10). And that is our hope as well. For as yet "we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come." (Heb 13:14)

Yea, I stand firm upon God’s promise. For He says - "I will bring them back and they will live in the midst of Jerusalem; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God in truth and righteousness."(Zec 8:8)

We are encouraged by the Lord Jesus to "Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness..." (Matt 6:33)

And in this we discover that there is another aspect to this Kingdom that is here now, that is internal. For Jesus also said, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation;... for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." (Luke 17:20-21) In addition to being the eternal dwelling place of the righteous, the Kingdom of God is to be our way of life even now. THE Way of Life. The Kingdom of God within us is - "righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Rom 14:17)

It begins in us as a seed. A seed that must be nurtured (Matt 13:18-23). We are called to water that seed, by seeking the Lord, submitting our ways to Him and inviting Jesus into every aspect of our lives. God will bring the increase of His kingdom into our lives, and we will bear fruit as we worship, pray, read the Word, and fellowship. The fruit that we bear is the evidence of Christ in us. The evidence that we are following Him, walking in His ways, and being transformed from glory to glory into His image.

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
- Gal 5:22-23

May that be the fruit we bear.

"Thy Kingdom come..."

Lord, may Your Kingdom come to us internally in a very real way, that convicts us and changes and transforms us by Your Spirit, that we may be truly born again, and prepared to enter into Your Eternal Kingdom when You appear.


Dear friends, let us hold on to that promise of His coming everlasting Kingdom, even as we focus our present attention each day on coming to know Him, and being conformed to His image, more and more.

Michael


Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;for our God is a consuming fire.
- Heb 12:28-29

The Lord's Prayer - 1

The LORD’S PRAYER ~ 1


"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name."
- Matt 6:9

"Not to us, O LORD, not to us,But to Your Name be the glory,Because of Your love and faithfulness."
- Psalm 115:1

Dear friends, it is to God that all glory and honor belongs. There is but "one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all." (Eph 4:6) And as we submit to the Father, even as Jesus did, to bring Him glory, laying aside our own passions and desires to seek Him, He reveals Himself and His will and ways to us. The Apostle Paul prayed -

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your heart enlightened that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you..."
- Eph 1:17-18

May we place God first in our lives, giving glory to His Holy Name, and honoring Him daily by our words and our actions. For His promise is to dwell with those who are humble and repentant.

"Thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ’I dwell in the high and holy place,With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.’"
- Is 57:15

Yes, our heavenly Father desires to abide in us, upon the throne of our heart. May we let Him.

"Give to the LORD the glory due His name;Bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!"
- 1 Chron 16:29

Amen.

Peace & blessings,

Michael


Blessed be His glorious Name forever; may His glory fill the whole earth! Amen and Amen!
- Psalm 72:19