Today we finish our look at The Lord’s Prayer. I hope over the last few weeks, more than anything, you have stopped and thought --if the disciples asked Jesus how to pray and He gave them this instruction concerning prayer then we as His disciples should also desire to know what He is saying to us. The last portion of the prayer reminds us that there is an evil one out there and that he is like a roaring lion and we need to pray for God’s help in fighting the battle.
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.
Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Before you start thinking that the portion of the verse that says, “And do not lead us into temptation” means that God is capable of tempting us, He is not.
James 1:13-14 tells us: Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death
The key here is the interpretation of the word “temptation”. Modern translators use the definition of the word to mean things such as “testing, proving, trying, struggling, etc.” In other words it is okay and appropriate for us to pray God don’t allow this storm or struggle, etc. to come into our life unless it is your will for our molding and shaping into your image.
Many are the times I have given a testimony about something and then said to the Lord at the same time, God I really don’t want to be tested on this please!
Then the passage goes on to say “but deliver us from the evil one.” Daily that roaring lion comes to steal, kill, and destroy! We have the opportunity to pray to be delivered from his paws, but do we?
Today, have you asked God to deliver you from the schemes of the enemy?
Would you be willing to be let loose in a lion’s cage with no way out? He has made a way out of the lion's den for us. Are you calling on His name daily?
Hope everyone is doing well. Our NEW web look is on the horizon, only weeks away! You won’t want to miss it!
His,
vickie
Monday, January 25, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Forgive Who...
Well, now we come to a part of the Lord’s Prayer that is absolutely one of the things that is hardest for us to do and causes more suffering, hardness of heart, anger, bitterness and yes, eventually hatred.
Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Really. Have you really forgiven those people who have hurt you, lied about you, cheated on you, abused you, gossiped about you, stolen from you, disappointed you, and the list could go on and on. Have you really forgiven those individuals?
Funny how we so desperately cling to His forgiveness and ask for it every time we sin, believing His Word that we are forgiven when we ask from a sincere heart. Yet, we withhold forgiveness from one another.
What are some reasons we withhold forgiveness?
They never asked for it.
Can I share with you that some people will never be coming to ask you for forgiveness because they don’t even know they have hurt you. It does no good to tell everyone else about how a person has hurt you if you haven’t told the person themselves. It’s called gossip. Don’t assume they know because they just may not. So, take your hurt to your brother.
They don’t deserve forgiveness. (The hurt is too deep)
True. Something may have taken place toward you from another person and nothing they could ever do would cause you to want to forgive them. That is why forgiveness CANNOT be earned. It is always a gift.
Afraid if we forgive them they will do it again.
I can promise you that someone is going to hurt you again intentionally and/or unintentionally. It is part of life. We cannot withhold forgiveness just because they might do it again. Why? Because we would become a very bitter person.
Afraid if we forgive them they will think what they did was okay.
You know I wish I could tell you that they are going to recognize how deeply they hurt you and all will be well. But, there are people around us who are going to think what they did was okay no matter what. We still must forgive.
We want them to suffer.
Withholding forgiveness until we decide the person has suffered enough for hurting us - so, how long is long enough? Till you both have developed a hardness of heart?
We think forgiving someone means we have to continue in the relationship with them.
Now, if you are married and/or a parent or child, there is some truth in this even though there are some exceptions. As for the rest of us, the truth is that we don’t have to continue to be in relationships with people who are unhealthy/dysfunctional. But we do have to forgive them as we move on.
Having said all of this…..never forget that forgiveness is always a gift.
Jesus demonstrated that truth on the Cross and we too are to demonstrate that truth in our daily walks.
I pray that God gives all of us an attitude of forgiveness daily!
His,
vickie
Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Really. Have you really forgiven those people who have hurt you, lied about you, cheated on you, abused you, gossiped about you, stolen from you, disappointed you, and the list could go on and on. Have you really forgiven those individuals?
Funny how we so desperately cling to His forgiveness and ask for it every time we sin, believing His Word that we are forgiven when we ask from a sincere heart. Yet, we withhold forgiveness from one another.
What are some reasons we withhold forgiveness?
They never asked for it.
Can I share with you that some people will never be coming to ask you for forgiveness because they don’t even know they have hurt you. It does no good to tell everyone else about how a person has hurt you if you haven’t told the person themselves. It’s called gossip. Don’t assume they know because they just may not. So, take your hurt to your brother.
They don’t deserve forgiveness. (The hurt is too deep)
True. Something may have taken place toward you from another person and nothing they could ever do would cause you to want to forgive them. That is why forgiveness CANNOT be earned. It is always a gift.
Afraid if we forgive them they will do it again.
I can promise you that someone is going to hurt you again intentionally and/or unintentionally. It is part of life. We cannot withhold forgiveness just because they might do it again. Why? Because we would become a very bitter person.
Afraid if we forgive them they will think what they did was okay.
You know I wish I could tell you that they are going to recognize how deeply they hurt you and all will be well. But, there are people around us who are going to think what they did was okay no matter what. We still must forgive.
We want them to suffer.
Withholding forgiveness until we decide the person has suffered enough for hurting us - so, how long is long enough? Till you both have developed a hardness of heart?
We think forgiving someone means we have to continue in the relationship with them.
Now, if you are married and/or a parent or child, there is some truth in this even though there are some exceptions. As for the rest of us, the truth is that we don’t have to continue to be in relationships with people who are unhealthy/dysfunctional. But we do have to forgive them as we move on.
Having said all of this…..never forget that forgiveness is always a gift.
Jesus demonstrated that truth on the Cross and we too are to demonstrate that truth in our daily walks.
I pray that God gives all of us an attitude of forgiveness daily!
His,
vickie
Monday, January 11, 2010
Debt...
That’s a word most of us don’t like to hear and most of us have experienced financially and or may still be experiencing. I suspect we are a lot like the servant in the story in Matthew 18:19-35 when he pleads with his master to be patient with him and he will pay all the debt.
Today, we continue our look at the Lord’s Prayer with our thoughts turned towards the black print.
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
Wow! Would it be so unbelievable to those of us who have debt, no matter whether small or large, if someone came up to us right now and said, “Don’t worry I’ve taken care of ‘all’ your debt. You are debt free. Most of us would not be able to believe it but would be more than willing to say, "great!" Some of us would say, "I can’t receive that from you, it is not your debt". Others of us might say, "this isn’t your debt but I really need it so, yes I will receive it".
That is kind of how we are with Jesus and the debt He has paid for us. Some people will say, "you want to take care of that for me great I’m in". (No true salvation here!) Some would say, "it’s not your debt and I can take care of it myself". (No true salvation here - works) And even fewer will say, "yes I am in over my head I have a debt I can not pay and will receive the offer". (True salvation……Admit the problem, Believe He paid it all, Confess you are a sinner in need of a Savior!)
Oh, how I Praise Him that He has paid it all! No matter the cost it’s covered! Coming to the absolute depth of this truth should bring us to our faces before Him!
Hope everyone is starting this year out with a commitment to be in His word daily! Remember to pray for our missionaries all over the world and remember to pray for Pure Joy. I’m ready to be on the road visiting some of your churches.
Pray and if it’s God, call me!
His,
vickie
Today, we continue our look at the Lord’s Prayer with our thoughts turned towards the black print.
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
Wow! Would it be so unbelievable to those of us who have debt, no matter whether small or large, if someone came up to us right now and said, “Don’t worry I’ve taken care of ‘all’ your debt. You are debt free. Most of us would not be able to believe it but would be more than willing to say, "great!" Some of us would say, "I can’t receive that from you, it is not your debt". Others of us might say, "this isn’t your debt but I really need it so, yes I will receive it".
That is kind of how we are with Jesus and the debt He has paid for us. Some people will say, "you want to take care of that for me great I’m in". (No true salvation here!) Some would say, "it’s not your debt and I can take care of it myself". (No true salvation here - works) And even fewer will say, "yes I am in over my head I have a debt I can not pay and will receive the offer". (True salvation……Admit the problem, Believe He paid it all, Confess you are a sinner in need of a Savior!)
Oh, how I Praise Him that He has paid it all! No matter the cost it’s covered! Coming to the absolute depth of this truth should bring us to our faces before Him!
Hope everyone is starting this year out with a commitment to be in His word daily! Remember to pray for our missionaries all over the world and remember to pray for Pure Joy. I’m ready to be on the road visiting some of your churches.
Pray and if it’s God, call me!
His,
vickie
Monday, January 4, 2010
Happy New Tears...
If you will, I would like to take a break from our journey through the Lord’s Prayer to share something I believe God put on my heart this past week.
Each year since I have been a believer I spent the last part of the year (such as 2009) in Prayer and Reading the Word and the first part of the New Year (such as 2010) in Prayer and Reading the Word. So no matter where I am I take time to spend this time with the LORD and end the year and start the year in His presence.
At one point in my prayer time, I said "and LORD I pray a Happy New Tears for" ….and I stopped. What? Did I say Happy New Tears? Hmmmm. Obviously a slip up or was it? I started to think about that. You know every year we experience “new tears”. Those tears can come from a multitude of emotions……new baby, your marriage or the marriage of a child or sibling, laughter, passing of a loved one or friend, physical hurts, emotional hurts, sadness, joy, fear, anger, and my favorite tear producer… hormone imbalance! Truly the list could go on and on because what causes tears for one person isn’t always what causes tears for another.
I suppose my point is this…this year I want to encourage you and myself to embrace the "New Tears" and KNOW:
He sees them…. (2 Kings 20:5)
“Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord,
They do not go unaccounted for…Psalm 56:8
Thou numberest my wanderings: Put thou my tears into thy bottle; Are they not in thy book?
As we step into 2010, I ask you to be ever prayerful concerning Pure Joy International and God’s plans for us. We pray that we only turn to the left or right at His Word! Please join us by being a part of Pure Joy International in 2010 through prayer, giving and going!
His,
vickie
Each year since I have been a believer I spent the last part of the year (such as 2009) in Prayer and Reading the Word and the first part of the New Year (such as 2010) in Prayer and Reading the Word. So no matter where I am I take time to spend this time with the LORD and end the year and start the year in His presence.
At one point in my prayer time, I said "and LORD I pray a Happy New Tears for" ….and I stopped. What? Did I say Happy New Tears? Hmmmm. Obviously a slip up or was it? I started to think about that. You know every year we experience “new tears”. Those tears can come from a multitude of emotions……new baby, your marriage or the marriage of a child or sibling, laughter, passing of a loved one or friend, physical hurts, emotional hurts, sadness, joy, fear, anger, and my favorite tear producer… hormone imbalance! Truly the list could go on and on because what causes tears for one person isn’t always what causes tears for another.
I suppose my point is this…this year I want to encourage you and myself to embrace the "New Tears" and KNOW:
He sees them…. (2 Kings 20:5)
“Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord,
They do not go unaccounted for…Psalm 56:8
Thou numberest my wanderings: Put thou my tears into thy bottle; Are they not in thy book?
As we step into 2010, I ask you to be ever prayerful concerning Pure Joy International and God’s plans for us. We pray that we only turn to the left or right at His Word! Please join us by being a part of Pure Joy International in 2010 through prayer, giving and going!
His,
vickie
Monday, December 28, 2009
Pass the Bread Please...
Today we reach my favorite part of the Lord’s Prayer probably because I am a woman and as we know women need security. So, let’s see where we are…
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
“Give us this day our daily bread.” I take this verse very literally in many ways but to summarize it for you I take this to mean whatever I need for “today” physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I truly believe that when I pray those words to Our Father that I will lack nothing for this day. And that it is just for this day that I have asked and believed for because tomorrow isn’t here. I am always reminded of the children of Israel when they had been led out of Egypt and were grumbling about lack of food. God gave them manna from heaven. He gave it to them for that day and that day alone. He told them gather what you need for today only. But because of mistrust, some gathered for the next day as well. It turned into rotten worms. And on the day before the Sabbath He told them to take enough for today and tomorrow’s Sabbath. Still some did not trust His word! Whether we understand it or not or whether it looks like what we want it to look like in the physical realm, we must understand this truth….He will give us our daily bread. He is not holding out on us. He will give us just what we need for this day - nothing less or more - but what is sufficient. Trust Him with this truth. Do you know what peace you can walk in if you truly trust Him with this truth? He will provide your daily bread. But we get so busy looking at how we think that is supposed to look, we miss it! Just know that He is not holding out on you! Just know that He is our provision. Don’t limit Him by your eyesight. And don’t be unthankful for how He gives the daily bread each day. And then be wise with the bread. Daily He provides what we need if we ask. Are you asking? Are you believing? Are you thanking Him at the end of the day whether it went the way you thought it should or not? The enemy wants us to believe our God is unable to provide! That is a lie. Ask the Lord, “Give us this day our daily bread.” And don’t forget this prayer says “Give us this day our daily bread.” We are to be praying for each other’s daily needs!
Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Please consider committing your life anew to Him today. He loves you so much and wants to make the difference in your life!
His,
vickie
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
“Give us this day our daily bread.” I take this verse very literally in many ways but to summarize it for you I take this to mean whatever I need for “today” physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I truly believe that when I pray those words to Our Father that I will lack nothing for this day. And that it is just for this day that I have asked and believed for because tomorrow isn’t here. I am always reminded of the children of Israel when they had been led out of Egypt and were grumbling about lack of food. God gave them manna from heaven. He gave it to them for that day and that day alone. He told them gather what you need for today only. But because of mistrust, some gathered for the next day as well. It turned into rotten worms. And on the day before the Sabbath He told them to take enough for today and tomorrow’s Sabbath. Still some did not trust His word! Whether we understand it or not or whether it looks like what we want it to look like in the physical realm, we must understand this truth….He will give us our daily bread. He is not holding out on us. He will give us just what we need for this day - nothing less or more - but what is sufficient. Trust Him with this truth. Do you know what peace you can walk in if you truly trust Him with this truth? He will provide your daily bread. But we get so busy looking at how we think that is supposed to look, we miss it! Just know that He is not holding out on you! Just know that He is our provision. Don’t limit Him by your eyesight. And don’t be unthankful for how He gives the daily bread each day. And then be wise with the bread. Daily He provides what we need if we ask. Are you asking? Are you believing? Are you thanking Him at the end of the day whether it went the way you thought it should or not? The enemy wants us to believe our God is unable to provide! That is a lie. Ask the Lord, “Give us this day our daily bread.” And don’t forget this prayer says “Give us this day our daily bread.” We are to be praying for each other’s daily needs!
Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Please consider committing your life anew to Him today. He loves you so much and wants to make the difference in your life!
His,
vickie
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Is everything packed?
These are some famous last words said before we are leaving for a trip and or returning home from a trip. And, unfortunately, most of the time, we leave something behind on both ends. The reason I shared this opening with you is because it is about preparation and that is just what the next portion of the Lord’s Prayer is about to me. It says, “on earth as it is in heaven”. Again, “on earth as it is in heaven”. To get this in perspective, let’s look at the Lord’s Prayer up to this point:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Reread the first part of the sentence. Your kingdom come, your will be done….
His kingdom means His reign in everything, His joy, peace, and righteousness. His will means that we, His children, would obey His word and be holy. In heaven He reigns and His will is done. This earth is a place of preparation to begin to yield to His reign and to desire to walk according to His will! I hope each of you desire for His reign and will to be active in your lives daily. That is my prayer for you!!
It is just a few days away from the Celebration of the Birth of our Glorious King. While this time of year is filled with many joys for so many, I also realize, as a counselor, it is filled with sorrows and sadness for others. If I could encourage you in any way this season, whether you are on the mountaintop or in the valley, it would be to take on the heart of the wise men in Matthew 2:1-2 and especially verse 2where it says, “for we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.” Whether on the mountaintop or as my Pastor friend says "it feels like all the stars have fallen from your sky"……our “Star” has risen and ascended to the heavenlies and is worthy of our Praise!”
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year 2010!!!!
His,
vickie
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Reread the first part of the sentence. Your kingdom come, your will be done….
His kingdom means His reign in everything, His joy, peace, and righteousness. His will means that we, His children, would obey His word and be holy. In heaven He reigns and His will is done. This earth is a place of preparation to begin to yield to His reign and to desire to walk according to His will! I hope each of you desire for His reign and will to be active in your lives daily. That is my prayer for you!!
It is just a few days away from the Celebration of the Birth of our Glorious King. While this time of year is filled with many joys for so many, I also realize, as a counselor, it is filled with sorrows and sadness for others. If I could encourage you in any way this season, whether you are on the mountaintop or in the valley, it would be to take on the heart of the wise men in Matthew 2:1-2 and especially verse 2where it says, “for we saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.” Whether on the mountaintop or as my Pastor friend says "it feels like all the stars have fallen from your sky"……our “Star” has risen and ascended to the heavenlies and is worthy of our Praise!”
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year 2010!!!!
His,
vickie
Monday, December 14, 2009
Finding Nemo
I’m sure most of us, by this time, if we have any child in us whatsoever, have seen the movie Finding Nemo. As I continue to write out some thoughts on the Lord’s Prayer, a scene came to my mind as I thought of our words for today….”Your (His) Will Be Done”.
Remember the scene where Nemo’s dad is belched out of the mouth of the Pelican on the dock. A swarm of seagulls sees him laying there and starts flying toward him saying, Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine! It is hard for us to pray from our hearts “Your (His) Will Be Done” because we want “our will” to be done, mine, mine, mine. I know so many believers that just flat out tell me that they are not ready to pray for God’s will in every area of their life, yet. Hmmmmm. What has to happen for us to make a decision to pray “His Will Be Done” when He is the Alpha – Omega. He sees all, knows all, has all power, and is everywhere all the time. He loves us and has our best interest at heart all the time!! No matter what is going on in the physical. So when you get to this part of the prayer, are you really praying for “His Will to be Done” or are you deep inside going…mine, mine, mine?
I had a great opportunity to speak to a group of precious women in a church in Jonesboro, AR called, In His Steps yesterday. Sweet time of message and fellowship!
Please remember our Missionaries overseas as they deal with being away from some of their family members during this Holiday Season.
His,
vickie
Remember the scene where Nemo’s dad is belched out of the mouth of the Pelican on the dock. A swarm of seagulls sees him laying there and starts flying toward him saying, Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine! It is hard for us to pray from our hearts “Your (His) Will Be Done” because we want “our will” to be done, mine, mine, mine. I know so many believers that just flat out tell me that they are not ready to pray for God’s will in every area of their life, yet. Hmmmmm. What has to happen for us to make a decision to pray “His Will Be Done” when He is the Alpha – Omega. He sees all, knows all, has all power, and is everywhere all the time. He loves us and has our best interest at heart all the time!! No matter what is going on in the physical. So when you get to this part of the prayer, are you really praying for “His Will to be Done” or are you deep inside going…mine, mine, mine?
I had a great opportunity to speak to a group of precious women in a church in Jonesboro, AR called, In His Steps yesterday. Sweet time of message and fellowship!
Please remember our Missionaries overseas as they deal with being away from some of their family members during this Holiday Season.
His,
vickie
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