In the instructions Jesus gave to us about how we are to live our daily lives He said this about prayer, “And WHEN (not if you pray) YOU PRAY, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But WHEN YOU PRAY, GO INTO YOUR ROOM, CLOSE THE DOOR, AND PRAY TO YOUR FATHER, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, WILL REWARD YOU. And WHEN YOU PRAY, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for YOUR FATHER KNOWS WHAT YOU NEED BEFORE YOU ASK (you see we are to ask Him) Him. “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, HALLOWED (hagiazo: FATHER, YOU ARE EXALTED AND WORTHY OF COMPLETE DEVOTION AS THE ONE PERFECT IN GOODNESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS.) be your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on in earth (in us as earthen vessels) as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily *bread. And forgive us our debts, AS WE ALSO have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father WILL ALSO FORGIVE YOU. But if you DO NOT FORGIVE others for their sins, YOUR FATHER WILL NOT FORGIVE YOUR SINS.” (Matthew 6:5-15)
*Jesus you are “…the BREAD OF LIFE.” (John 6:35) Jesus you are the WORD of GOD, “In the beginning was the Word…And THE WORD BECAME FLESH and lived among us…” (John 1:1, 14) Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that comes from the MOUTH OF GOD.” (Matthew 4:4) “…the WORD OF GOD is LIVING and POWERFUL, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) “All Scripture is GOD–BREATHED (theopneustos: God’s breath) and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and TRAINING (paideia: instruction that helps us to reach full development) IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) AMEN!
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham