4/7/22 4/7/22

The Lord's Model--The Lord's Prayer

After this manner therefore pray:
Our Father which are in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come,
Your 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.
-Matthew 6:9-13

Many of us have, at one time or another, memorized this prayer that Jesus taught His disciples. At least most of us have heard it recited or read in some media.

For many, it has become a meaningless recitation of words, rather than the powerful prayer it is. The beauty of the prayer is not disputed. Most will acknowledge it lifts up and comforts those who pray it from their hearts as well as their memories.

However, Jesus taught this prayer, not as the end all for prayer, but also as an example to follow.“After this manner therefore pray,” He said. He meant this prayer to be a model for our ongoing conversations with God. So how do we pray?

First, we start by addressing our Heavenly Father with respect and reverence, and to praise Him for who He is.

Second, we are to indicate our willingness to do as God directs. (Why bother asking if we plan to ignore His guidance and do things our way anyway?)

Third, we need to honestly share our needs and desires with God. This includes our hurts, feelings, good or bad, and even our disappointment of, or questions to Him. (Share what is on your heart and mind. Don’t worry, He knows what you’re thinking anyway.)

Fourth, we need to make certain our hearts and lives are right before God. (Again, He already knows, but wants us to acknowledge our bad choices, thoughts, behavior to ourselves and Him. Reality check.) Here we humble ourselves with confession (admission of) and repentance (turning away) from things we know are not right in our lives and relationships.

Fifth, we live in a world growing more dangerous. When praying, we need to ask God’s safety and protection over ourselves, our families and others on a daily, sometimes moment-to-moment basis. Prayers for wisdom and healing also fit this pattern.

Finally, prayer is more than making demands. Prayer is also about gratitude, praise and giving thanks for what God has done in our lives, is doing and will do in the future.

The end of prayer is the beginning of leaving things in God’s hands and trusting Him for the results. Sometimes we need to ask God to help us do that as well.

Help me, Lord, pray with a willing heart and mind, not just when things are going badly, but daily and even throughout the day. Help me realize prayer is my direct line to Your help and to my relationship with You and to access it often. Help me also pray with the full expectation that You can and will answer, though, sometimes, not in the way I may expect. That’s OK, too. Amen.

Meditations:
Monday: Proverbs 15:8, 29; 16:3
Tuesday: Psalms 70
Wednesday: Ephesians 6:18; 3:14-21
Thursday: Philippians 4:4-9
Friday: Romans 12:9-21
Saturday: I Thessalonians 5:12-28

From Listen! Who Me?
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3/16/22 3/16/22

Devotion True or Temporary Value

Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers, the flower fades: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

We desperately want things to hang onto, things that last. Yet how often do we neglect what has eternal value--God's Word and a relationship with Christ?

In the morning we fuss about clothes, and for women, makeup, yet often neglect what will truly give us the right start to our day--time with God in prayer and meditation on his Word.

How long will we substitute the temporary for the things that truly matter?

Help me, Lord, evaluate my priorities and make You and time in Your Word central in my heart, my life and my daily plans. Amen.

Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

From First I Bow
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9/17/21 9/17/21

Poetry Not Alone—He Was There

Lord, you’ve been our refuge from generation to generation. Before the mountains were formed or the earth and the world were brought forth, you are God from eternity to eternity.--Psalm 90:1-2

He was there when we entered the world,
There when babbling became words.
He was there that scary first day of school,
And the joyful, but even scarier last.
He is present not just in those important times of life,
But every day walking beside,
Guiding our steps,
Providing a refuge when we're hurting or confused.
And, if we listen closely as we follow His lead,
We hear the quiet, "Well, done..."
Realize through it all,
He's been near.
Never have we walked alone.
I bow in gratitude,

9/10/21 9/10/21

Poetry Devotional True Security

Praise ye the LORD.Praise the LORD, O my soul. —Psalm 146:1

I’m glad
God has a plan
And I rest safely
In the palm of His hand.

Sometimes I wander off to do my own thing. Forgive me. Thank you, Lord, that you are there when I come running back, ready to shield and protect. Amen.

1/18/21 1/18/21

Devotion God is Good and There in Time of Need

Read: John 10:1-15

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. --John 10:11

“I am the good shepherd, “Jesus said. “I am the door.”

In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but through me.”

Throughout the Bible, in illustration after illustration, God lets us know that the One to turn to in times of need is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only one with the answers for the problems that beset our daily lives.

Whether war erupts, or our neighbor threatens to sue over some minor disagreement, Christ has an answer and way to deal with the situation without hate or revenge, and with an attitude that leads to freedom regardless of what happens with the situation.

While it is easy to speak in platitudes about God’s love and care, most of us wish for specific direction. How?
First, we need a close, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Without Him, our lives will be adrift with our own will and way.
Second, we need to spend premium time reading, studying, meditating and memorizing God’s Word every day. Why is this important?

Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”

Following Jesus means knowing His Word.

Third, each day we need to spend quality time in prayer, worshiping God, asking His blessings and direction for our lives, confessing our sins and turning from them, and praising God for who He is.
Fourth, regardless of circumstances, we need to commit to doing things in God’s way, and in God’s time.
Finally, the key to positive problem solutions is our willingness to obey and follow the God we claim to serve, believing He truly is the “Good Shepherd” who will not lead us astray.

Thank you, Lord, that You are a good God and have my best interests in mind. Help me be willing to both seek and follow Your, not my, solutions to the problems I face each day. Amen.

Meditations:
Monday: Psalm 23
Tuesday: Matthew 11:28-30
Wednesday: Psalm 34
Thursday: Psalm 136
Friday: Psalm 27
Saturday: Psalm 86

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