Aim High, Shoot Low

James 4:3
"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."


I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men.
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing I asked for, but everything I had hoped for.¹
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I, among all men, am most richly blessed!
Indeed and amen.

Don't fail to take care of today what you should've taken care of yesterday: The Plan of Salvation!

¹Romans 8:26 states, "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

Also,

Matthew 18:1-4 - "At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Crying Out Quietly: The Model Prayer [The Model Series, Part 1 of 3]

Matthew 6:9-13

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy 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."

When I was a kid, I used to love working on model planes. I'd save up the money I had earned from collecting soda pop bottles (back in the day when you redeemed them for a nickel each) and picking pecans from the pecan trees around southside San Antonio (In Texas, the pecan is king). Anyway, I loved everything about working with model planes - the small plastic parts & pilot and their tiny details; the decals; the paint as it went over the fuselage and wings; the hobby knife. Ah! Those were the simple days of childhood...

And yet, even as a little boy, I knew that what I held in my hand was just a model plane. It was a replica, a miniature representation (1:38 scale to be exact),  and nothing more. If I wanted to fly, there was no way that the Revel model plane was going to take me anywhere. If I wanted to know what it was like to fly, I'd have to get in a real plane and find out first hand.

The point I'm trying to make is that the model prayer works pretty much the same way. Your prayer life will go nowhere if you rely on the replica. In order for your communication to be real with God, you must communicate. What a novel concept.

When Christ taught it to His disciples, He made it clear that it was after a certain "manner". If you read a couple of earlier verses, Christ warns them - "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them:" (vv. 7-8a)

Here's my rough outline of the prayer. See if it makes sense and, more importantly, works for you:

1. ADORATION
"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name."

This is an act of worship of who God is and where He is; that is, He's in heaven and He's holy. Confer Isa. 6:1-3; Rev. 4:1-9; Ps. 97:1-6

2. SUBMISSION
"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

In order for God's will be done that means your will must be gone. God doesn't need a co-pilot telling Him how to fly the plane! All you have to do is trust and obey God. Confer Jer. 29:11; Ps. 32:8; Prv.3:5-6; Prv. 16:9; Phil. 2:13

3. PROVISION
"Give us this day our daily bread."

Don't ask for more than you need or want. Just for the day. That's it. Tomorrow's not promised. Confer Jms. 4:13-16; Matt. 6:34; Exo. 16:1-5

4. PETITION FOR FORGIVENESS & FORGIVING
"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."

This one's pretty straight forward in prescription, but difficult at times in commission, right? Forgive those who've offended you and seek peace with those you've offended, Christian. Confer Matt. 5:22-24, 6:14-15; Col. 1:13-14

5. PETITION FOR TEMPERANCE & DELIVERANCE
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:"

The idea behind this verse is a petition to God that He make a way out of the testing, trial, etc. Please confer I Cor. 10:13; Matt. 26:41. A quick rejoinder: God doesn't tempt you to do evil! Check out Jms. 1:13-16. So, stop blaming Him for your own messes!

6. ADORATION
"For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever."

This is adoration in that you acknowledge that God is Possessor of everything, of power and of glory. Who is this King of Glory? I'll tell you who! Jesus Christ is the KING of GLORY!!! (Ps. 24)

Amen. Indeed, amen and amen!

Being raised as a Roman Catholic, I thought that prayer was rote and a rite. On one count I was right (sorry, no pun intended). "I thought", but realized I was wrong. Prayer is personal communication with God, intimate and private. Doesn't it bug you to get automated calls that solicit low credit card rates or one day blowout sales on purses or the robo-call from your local politician? It's so...impersonal. Guess what? That's how you probably sound like to God if your prayer life is just a script of words. You might as well be using a tele-prompter. Without a personal invitation for Christ to listen to your needs, worries, fears, failures, victories, etc., you're left with a dial tone prayer life.

Talking to God is a privilege. Don't take it for granted. It's the most powerful weapon you'll ever use in your Christian walk (Eph. 6:10-18).

And, if you don't know Jesus Christ as your Lord & personal Saviour, friend, you don't know what you're missing! It's Not Too Late to Start A Relationship With Jesus!

I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

Babble On, Babylon!

II Timothy 2:16
"But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness."

Sometimes I just can't help myself when I come across articles like the one I'm about to post for your reading pleasure. It reminded me of Scripture that refers to men and their vain babblings. Here's a good look at what takes place when men of "higher education" get together to discuss the fine points of Christianity (of course, I say this tongue in cheek, no pun intended). My focus is on the panel's discussion on the Lord's Prayer and not on the merits of the litigation. Hopefully, you'll understand why I posted this sterling example of journalism. Vive le bon mot!

Is the Lord's Prayer a Christian Prayer?

In Mullin v. Sussex County, Delaware, a U.S. District Court must answer whether the Lord's Prayer is sectarian. Four residents sued the county council for opening meetings with the prayer. The county says it's not Christian "because no Christian tradition existed" when Jesus prayed it. The judge called the case difficult "because there is no reference to Jesus or Allah."

Observers weigh in on whether the Lord's Prayer is a Christian prayer.

"The Lord's Prayer is the Christian prayer. It comes up more than any other text in Christian liturgies since the first century. And its context in Matthew and Luke gives explicitly Christian meanings to terms such as Father and kingdom."

Here's what the expert panel had to say:

Simon Kistemaker, New Testament professor, Reformed Theological Seminary

"It is a Christian prayer. Jesus was certainly influenced [my emphasis] by certain Jewish models of prayer, but he gave it to his disciples specifically. So it's a direct inheritance for us as Christians."

Here, the good professor stated that Christ was influenced, which slyly implies that Jesus was man only, being under the influence of the Middle Eastern culture of His day, rather than being the chief Actor in human culture & destiny (Col. 1:6). Looking at Mr. Kistemaker's alma mater, it makes one wonder what kind of "reformation" his school underwent?

J. Brent Walker, executive director, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty

"You could consider it a prayer for multiple religions, because Jesus is considered to be a rabbi or a great teacher by many of the world's religions. It was not originally delivered as a Christian prayer; it was simply a teacher teaching his disciples a good way to pray."

A prayer for multiple religions? Not a Christian prayer? Jesus simply a teacher (I Jn. 2:4, 19, 22; I Jn. 4:3)? And, Mr. Walker's a Baptist! A Baptist said this! This is a good time as any to kneel and pray for this man!

Clayton Schmit, professor, Fuller Theological Seminary

"The prayer in and of itself does not explicitly espouse the precepts of Christianity. It recognizes God, but does not proselytize a particular religion."

Here's another live one: The prayer does not explicitly espouse Christian precepts (II Tim. 1:13; 3:16; 4:3). Wow! Ladies and gentlemen, take a good look at what the apostasy looks like. If anyone reading this post is from Fuller Theological Seminary, I'd sure like to hear from you 'cause I've got a few questions for you.

 

*

Listen, folks, the Word of God is infallible. By reading the comments of these men, it should behoove you to take the Bible seriously, take God at His word and obey Him at all costs. Put no confidence in what men say, including me. That's why I put Scriptural references in my posts, so that you can read for yourself what God's word says. By the way, there's a new feature in this blog. By clicking on the unquoted Scripture, you will be taken to the annotated blog for the actual Bible verses. Or click here to get to the main page: The Annotated WON

So, compare Scripture to Scripture and study it precept upon precept (Isa. 28:9-10). And, no matter what, keep trusting Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth and the life (Jn. 14:6).

A final quote from D. L. Moody, who said, "God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves." Avoid the vain babblers at all costs!

I Choose to Trust God's Word!

The entire discussion can be read at Is the Lord's Prayer A Christian Prayer?

National Day of Prayer

I Thessalonians 5:17
"Pray without ceasing."

We are way beyond moral decline; it seems that we don't even bat an eye at the depraved & degenerate actions of men & women around this Nation, whether on tv, the internet or the newspaper. Our economy has been under turmoil as a result of dangerous liberal ideas that place us at the mercy of the money-lenders (Prov. 22:7). The United States military is hamstrung by politicians & diplomats whose idea of compromise reeks of spinelessness. As a Nation, we can't even support Israel in the Middle East conflict. And then there's the ever-increasing assaults against our religious liberty and the Constitution. Finally, there are the thousands of unborn children who are murdered because of the blood-thirsty, godless feminist movement whose de facto headquarters are found in places such as Planned Parenthood.

In times like these, we need a Saviour. In times like these we need the Holy Bible. We need Jesus Christ to return to public & civic life in America. It begins with us Christians. It begins with prayer. And continues with prayer.

Dear, Christian, please continue to pray and beg God for mercy. Stand in the gap and pray without ceasing. Especially pray for the unborn. Pray for the Lord to open the eyes of the women who are making decisions to kill their babies, that they repent from their decision. Also pray for the men and others who are pushing these women to make a decision that they'll have to live with the rest of their lives.

The video below presents incredible in utero images of the miracle of life. No one but no one can deny that life begins at conception. You literally have to look the other way, intellectually speaking, to consider this child "tissue" or a "fetus". The video was made in 2011 or thereabouts and was shown as part of the Sanctity of Life week.

How can you be more involved? Here's How!

The Purpose In Gethsemane

Mark 14:36

"And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt."

If you're a Christian, you face your own private Gethsemane every day in that you surrender your selfish will to the will of God and, thus, walk in the Spirit. But, in between the surrender and the walk is the agony of getting up because the Spirit is willing yet the flesh is weak. There is a war in the members to pull away even in the midst of the taking the first step. How did Christ win the batttle? In the desert, He fought the Enemy with the Word of God (Matt. 4:1-11). In the Garden, the Lord won against the will through prayer. There is power in God's word and prayer. Use both mightily. May the Lord help you and strengthen you through His Holy Word in your Christian walk today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

All those who journey, soon or late,
Must pass within the garden’s gate;
Must kneel alone in darkness there,
And battle with some fierce despair.

God pity those who cannot say:
“Not mine but thine;” but who only pray:
“Let this cup pass,” and cannot see
The purpose in Gethsemane.

- Ella Wheeler Wilcox

To him that overcomes the foe,
White raiment shall be giv’n.
Before the angels he shall know
His name confessed in Heav’n.
Then onward from the hill of light,
Our hearts with love aflame,
We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night,
In Jesus’ conqu’ring Name.

Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory, that overcomes the world.

I want victory in my life! ClickHere

Christian Meeting Bombed In Kenya

Psalm 23:4
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."


On March 31st, a bomb attack at an outdoor worship service killed two Christians—a woman and an eight-year-old boy—and wounded more than 30 in the Kenyan city Mtwapa.

Hundreds of Christians were attending the outdoor service when a hand grenade was thrown towards the pastor’s podium. Muslims were also holding a meeting around 300 metres from the scene of the attack. The Islamic preachers were vilifying Christianity in their sermon which could be heard from the location where the Christians were holding their conference.

Kenyan officials blame members of al-Shabaab, a radical Islamic group in Somalia, for the bomb attack. Attacks and kidnappings coordinated by al-Shabaab in last year have prompted the Kenyan military to strike at al-Shabaab targets in Somalia. The Kenyan government has issued a warning of possible attack by the militants during Easter celebrations.

A Barnabas Aid contact in Kenya said that there has been a concerted Muslim backlash against conversions from Islam to Christianity. They have ordered a church in south Kenya to close down within six months.

Barnabas Aid is providing practical support for Christian converts from Islam in Kenya who are suffering as a result of persecution. One of them is a woman whose husband was killed by Muslims after the couple left Islam to follow Christ. We provided her with funds to start up a small business to support her children.

Pray for the wounded and the grieving. Pray these Christians will rest in the knowledge that the Good Shepherd walks with them through this difficult time (Psalm 23). Pray the Lord will give these Christians the grace to continue to meet together and encourage one another. Pray for God's will to prevail in Kenya. Pray also for the perpetrators.

(Source: Compass Direct News)

Your Own Personal Gethsemane

Matthew 26:36

"Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder."

The word Gethsemane is Greek in orgin; in Hebrew, gat shemanim. It's an ancient oil press; that's the meaning of the name. And a garden bears its name. You could even say that the milling stone that was used to press the oil out of the olives was the Gethsemane Stone. The garden was located on the Mount of Olives across the Kidron Valley from Jerusalem. It is here that Jesus prayed on the night before His death.

In the Garden, Jesus struggled, knowing His impending crucifixion meant separation from His Father. At no other time in the Gospels do we see the Son of God more brokenhearted than in these last few hours of freedom before He is seized by the Temple guards. In fact, Christ was at the point of physical exhaustion in the Garden of Gethsemane. He cried out until His sweat became like drops of blood in the agony at Gethsemane.

Try to imagine the great, immense pressure on the Christ. The weight of the world's sins would soon be consummated at Calvary. And the worst part of Calvary (ie, Golgotha) is that Jesus knew what would happen there; He'd be separated from God.

In anguish, Jesus would cry out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46). As the full weight of humanity’s sin fell upon Christ, the Father withdrew His presence, since He does not remain in the presence of sin. Jesus had never known a moment of separation from the Father, until that very moment when Jesus took on our sin. That rejection was agony for Jesus.

Jesus was willing to be forsaken by God in order that we could be accepted by Him. Talk about the Passion! Who else could loves us to the point separation from the Father and dying a horrific death? No one but the Son of God!

But in Gethsemane, the Son did not plead for release from the pain; instead, He prayed three times that the Father’s will be done.

Have you ever prayed with a brokenness for His will to be done in your life? Giving up your desires and willful ways brings turmoil and pressure to resist because the flesh is at war with the Spirit (Gal. 5:17). But, whatever besetting sin is causing a break in your walk with Christ, take it to Him in prayer.

If we follow Jesus’ example and release ourselves to God’s will, then inner turmoil is calmed by a sense of peaceful contentment. External circumstances may be unchanged, they may even worsen, but in our inward Gethsemane, we have a peace that surpasses all understanding because a loving Father gives it to us (Phil 4:7).

Jesus promised in John 16:33, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

Jesus left the garden a prisoner, but at the same time He walked out triumpant because He had submitted to His Father's will.

What about you, Reader? Have you experienced you own personal Gethsemane lately?

I'd like to know more about Jesus: The Plan of Salvation

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.