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| March 13, 2002 |
| "Lead us not into temptation" Our mind is not always on the things they should be. We live in a world of many temptations. The television can expose us to programs that are tempting to watch. Listening to the wrong radio stations or programs can also be tempting. When we are at work or with a group of people, and a bad joke is started, do we listen or walk away. Temptations come in many ways. We don't always recognize it. Ask God to give us wisdom to recognize temptation and the strength to resist it. "But deliver us from evil" We are asking God's protection from the devil. The devil will attack us physically and mentally. Help comes from many sources. They are prayer, Holy Spirit, God's word, angels and God's children. "For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the Glory, Forever. This is God's kingdom. Some translations omit this last phase. I think this is because the writer wanted to give God praise and show the reader that there is a difference between God's kingdom in heaven and God's kingdom on the earth. Some believe there are different levels of heaven. Paul talked about this. In God's kingdom, there is everlasting power and praise to God. The Lord's prayer has seven prayers within this model prayer. The prayers are: 1.) Adoration "Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name." We are to come to Him as if we were a child coming to the father. We are to be as a "Moses" coming into the presence of the Lord. Worship and adoration as a prayer is worthy of Him. 2.) Expectation "Thy kingdom come" "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" A prayer of waiting for the Lord's coming again to get those who are saved. We are to be prepared. Waiting when He arrives to get us. 3.) Needs "Give us this day your daily bread" God wants us to ask for daily needs and any special needs. Jesus told is not to worry about tomorrow. We are to let tomorrow take care of itself. If we pray for His return and that He provide for us, that should be enough. 4.) Forgiveness "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." We are to ask for forgiveness. Jesus tells us to go and make things right with your brother before you pray. If we have a problem forgiving we should ask Jesus to take away the hardness of heart and replace it with a forgiving one. Then we can ask God for forgiveness. 5.) Direction "Lead us not into temptation" Temptation is everywhere. We are not aware of exposure to temptation at times. We ask God to keep us away from temptations and gave us the strength to overcome those temptations the devil sets before us. 6.) Overcoming the devil "But deliver us from evil" Asking God to keep the devil from over powering us. Keeping the devil from using us as a witness for him. A prayer for protection from the devil. 7.) Praise "For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the Glory, Forever. A prayer of praise! God is so good. We are to praise Him.God requires from us four things, 1) love God first, 2) love our neighbor as your self, 3) pray and 4) witness to others. The first two things, Jesus tells us, summarizes the ten commandments. Prayer lets us talk to God for help and instruction. Witnessing to others shows our commitment of love to Him. When we do what we are asked to do, when we get to heaven and are before the Lord, He can say ..Well done good and faithful servant." --John |
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