In Luke chapter 11:1, one of the Lord Jesus' disciples asked Him: 'Lord teach us how to pray!' And the Lord gave them the well known prayer we call 'The Lord's Prayer'.
But do remember also that the Lord Jesus taught His disciples in Matthew 6:7 "But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen (people of other religions) do: for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking." Repeating the same words over and over like a magic incantation is no way to ensure that God will hear your prayer. On the other hand, it's not wrong to come to God many times with the same requests, the Lord encourages persistent prayer.
This prayer in Luke 11:1-4 is often called the Lord's Prayer because Jesus gave it to His disciples. It can be a pattern for our prayers. Notice the order in this prayer: we should 1) praise God, 2) pray for His work in the world, 3) pray for our daily needs, and 4) pray for help in our daily struggles.
Notice first, the Lord praises God; then He made requests. Praising God first puts us in the right frame of mind to tell Him about our needs. Too often our prayers are more like shopping lists than conversations.
Persistence in prayer overcomes our insensitivity, not God's. To practice persistence does more to change our heart and mind than His, and it helps us understand and express the intensity of our need. Persistence in prayer helps us recognize God's work. (Bible Notes)
Precious Pearls:
How long has it been since you talked with the Lord?
God is good and faithful!
Claudine
Sunday, 29 September 2013
Friday, 20 September 2013
Questions or Doubts?
In Luke 7:18-23, John the Baptist was in prison and couldn't see what Jesus was up to out there. Therefore he wondered if Jesus was truly the One that the Jews were waiting for -- Their Messiah!
John's doubts were natural and Jesus didn't rebuke him for them. John sent two of his own disciples so they could go see and ask the Lord for him. Jesus explained that He had accomplished what the Messiah was supposed to accomplish. The blinds could see, the lame could walk, the lepers were cleansed, the deaf could hear, the dead were raised ...
God can handle our doubts, and He welcomes our questions. He encourages us to search the Scriptures. Do you have questions about Jesus, about who He is, or what He expects of you? Admit them to yourself and to God, and begin looking for answers. Only as you face your doubts honestly can you begin to resolve them. (Bible Notes)
Precious Pearl:
-"And you shall seek Me, and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13
-"Search the Scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life; and they are they which testify of Me." John 5:39
-"But seek ye first the kingdom of God..." Matthew 6:33
Claudine
John's doubts were natural and Jesus didn't rebuke him for them. John sent two of his own disciples so they could go see and ask the Lord for him. Jesus explained that He had accomplished what the Messiah was supposed to accomplish. The blinds could see, the lame could walk, the lepers were cleansed, the deaf could hear, the dead were raised ...
God can handle our doubts, and He welcomes our questions. He encourages us to search the Scriptures. Do you have questions about Jesus, about who He is, or what He expects of you? Admit them to yourself and to God, and begin looking for answers. Only as you face your doubts honestly can you begin to resolve them. (Bible Notes)
Precious Pearl:
-"And you shall seek Me, and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13
-"Search the Scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life; and they are they which testify of Me." John 5:39
-"But seek ye first the kingdom of God..." Matthew 6:33
Claudine
Wednesday, 18 September 2013
Won't You Come And Be Healed?
In the Luke 8:40-56 section of the Bible, it starts off with a synagogue leader who is at the end of himself and is found powerless in the situation he is in. He therefore comes to the Lord for the healing of his daughter. Jesus honored this respected man as he fell at His feet in faith. He never turns away a sincere soul! No matter your position in life, whether high or low, there is healing for your sin sick soul if you will humbly come to the Lord Jesus by faith. "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly." Romans 5:6 NIV
Intertwined in the same event, a woman who also is in need of healing discreetly comes to the Lord by faith, and touches His garment and is healed. But the Lord, knowing just what had happened brings the whole matter to light for all to hear. You see, in Romans 10:9 we read that "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord!' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." Romans 10:9-10 NIV
When you receive forgiveness of sins from God, He does not want you to keep this to yourself. This great miracle is meant to be shared so that others may know and be lead to Christ also and that God may be glorified in this life and the next!
There was many people in that Luke chapter 8 crowd but only a couple came to Christ for healing. Like today, many are familiar with who Jesus is, but they have never come to Him in repentance and faith in the work of His cross for the forgiveness of sins!
Do I Need to be saved?
God is Holy (1 Peter 1:16); Man is sinful (Romans 3:23); Sin separates man from God (Isaiah 59:2); It is impossible for man to save himself (Romans 3:20).
Can I be saved?
God sent His Son to be the Saviour (1 John 4:10); The living Saviour invites sinners to received Him (Matthew 11:28); Forgiveness of sins and salvation can be yours today (1 Peter 3:18)
How Can I be Saved?
Agree with God that you are a lost sinner (Romans 5:8); Believe/accept that Jesus Christ died for your sins and receive Him to be your Saviour (John 1:12).
Precious Pearl:
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5
"For it is by grace you are saved through faith -- and this is not from yourself, it is the gift of God!" Ephesians 2:8
"... Christ died for our sins .." 1 Corinthians 15:3
Won't you come and be healed,
Won't you whisper 'I yield'?
Claudine
Intertwined in the same event, a woman who also is in need of healing discreetly comes to the Lord by faith, and touches His garment and is healed. But the Lord, knowing just what had happened brings the whole matter to light for all to hear. You see, in Romans 10:9 we read that "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord!' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved." Romans 10:9-10 NIV
When you receive forgiveness of sins from God, He does not want you to keep this to yourself. This great miracle is meant to be shared so that others may know and be lead to Christ also and that God may be glorified in this life and the next!
There was many people in that Luke chapter 8 crowd but only a couple came to Christ for healing. Like today, many are familiar with who Jesus is, but they have never come to Him in repentance and faith in the work of His cross for the forgiveness of sins!
Do I Need to be saved?
God is Holy (1 Peter 1:16); Man is sinful (Romans 3:23); Sin separates man from God (Isaiah 59:2); It is impossible for man to save himself (Romans 3:20).
Can I be saved?
God sent His Son to be the Saviour (1 John 4:10); The living Saviour invites sinners to received Him (Matthew 11:28); Forgiveness of sins and salvation can be yours today (1 Peter 3:18)
How Can I be Saved?
Agree with God that you are a lost sinner (Romans 5:8); Believe/accept that Jesus Christ died for your sins and receive Him to be your Saviour (John 1:12).
Precious Pearl:
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5
"For it is by grace you are saved through faith -- and this is not from yourself, it is the gift of God!" Ephesians 2:8
"... Christ died for our sins .." 1 Corinthians 15:3
Won't you come and be healed,
Won't you whisper 'I yield'?
Claudine
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
Jesus IS the Good Samaritan!
From Luke chapter 7 verses 11-17 are just 7 verses, but even in this short account we can learn so much about the Lord's compassion and love toward us! God's Word is not like man's word, for it is filled with power from on high. "For the Word of God is quick (alive) and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12
Now, just as the widow's son was dead, the whole world was dead in sin explains Ephesians 2:1. Being dead, we could do nothing to help ourselves - we couldn't even ask for help! (Doesn't that remind you of the story of the Good Samaritan?) But God had compassion on us, and He sent His only begotten Son to raise us to life with Him (Ephesians 2:4-7). The dead young man did not earn his second chance at life, and we cannot earn our new life in Christ. But we can accept God's gift of life, praise Him for it, and use our life to thank Him by doing His will.
Precious Pearls:
-"For by grace are you saved through faith: and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast". Ephesians 2:8-9
-"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures (old testament prophecy); and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
-"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
There is a living Saviour sitting at God's right hand even now, waiting for you to come to Him with all your sin, He will forgive you, forgive you now!
"Come unto Me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 11:28
May the angels of heaven rejoice over one sinner that repents even today!
For His Glory!
Claudine
Now, just as the widow's son was dead, the whole world was dead in sin explains Ephesians 2:1. Being dead, we could do nothing to help ourselves - we couldn't even ask for help! (Doesn't that remind you of the story of the Good Samaritan?) But God had compassion on us, and He sent His only begotten Son to raise us to life with Him (Ephesians 2:4-7). The dead young man did not earn his second chance at life, and we cannot earn our new life in Christ. But we can accept God's gift of life, praise Him for it, and use our life to thank Him by doing His will.
Precious Pearls:
-"For by grace are you saved through faith: and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast". Ephesians 2:8-9
-"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures (old testament prophecy); and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
-"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
There is a living Saviour sitting at God's right hand even now, waiting for you to come to Him with all your sin, He will forgive you, forgive you now!
"Come unto Me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 11:28
May the angels of heaven rejoice over one sinner that repents even today!
For His Glory!
Claudine
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