posted by Robert Czaplinsky in Christian Lesson, 30 November 2009
You are standing in church and you hear the words of the preacher in a way that you have never heard them before. You are then presented with a choice to change you ways of living and ‘walk with the Lord’. In a moment of clarity, you choose to accept Christ in your heart, and, according to scripture, confess this acceptance with your spoken words.
Let’s take a little time to discuss what this decision really means!
Because Jesus says that if a man takes your coat, offer your shirt also. If a man strikes you on the left cheek, offer him the right cheek also. Many people think that these words make Jesus and all Christians a pacifist. Don’t be fooled!
Matthew 5: 39-41
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
(9) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
(10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
(11) Give us this day our daily bread.
(12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
(13) 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.
Thy will be done IN EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN is a calling for what has been previously prayed to be made manifest in us and upon the earth. The beginning part of “The Lord’s Prayer” has been primarily revelation and an inward transformation in us. Revelation of God as “Our Father” provides us with the power and authority of relationship. Revelation of “which art in heaven” provides us location, position, and that the kingdom of heaven is within us as well as being indwelt by the Living God. Revelation of “hallowed be thy name” reveals God’s covenant names and His character and nature as well as His great and precious promises to us and how through worship that brings us into praise which God inhabits and brings us into a spiritual manifestation of God’s presence with us. Revelation of “Thy kingdom come” reveals to us the nature of the kingdom, God’s reign and rule and for those conditions to prevail in us and in the earth. And a revelation of “Thy will be done” is a calling for and the knowledge and understanding of the plans and purposes of God to be fulfilled in us. . We may better understand it this way: “Thy kingdom come” in earth, as it is in heaven.“Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
posted by Robert Czaplinsky in Christian Lesson, 23 November 2009
I have been blessed with the opportunity of working with children for my working career. Along with this wonderful blessing, I also get to see many things that occur in the lives of children: Some of these things bring great happiness, while others can sometimes bring you to tears.
It is comforting to know that God has a special place in his kingdom for children:
Psalm 127: 3-5
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.
(9) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
(10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
(11) Give us this day our daily bread.
(12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
(13) 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.
THY WILL BE DONE seems like such an elusive phrase. I imagine all Christians have asked themselves what is God’s will generally and specifically what is God’s will for my life ? Another question would be how can I know what God’s will is ? As Jesus said, “ be of good cheer “ , you can know the will of God for you and you can walk with God in this.
posted by Robert Czaplinsky in Christian Lesson, 17 November 2009
No one has been born into the ‘Anointing of God’. Not one of us is pre-destined to do God’s work or have the ‘Gifts of the Spirit’ automatically working through our person. When we receive the anointing of God, it is because of the choices that have been made; the sacrifices that have been willingly accepted; it is because of the way one has truly accepted Christ into their heart and asked Him to be his guiding force FOREVER!
(9) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
(10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
(11) Give us this day our daily bread.
(12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
(13) 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.
THY KINGDOM COME is such a powerful and all encompassing request that it almost staggers the natural mind as we begin to grasp what we have just asked for and that God desires to fulfill this request in our lives. Yes, God desires to fulfill this request in your life. That is why He gave this instruction to us so that He can perform this word in your life. These three words mean so much and they for the most part have been recited as part of a prayer at varies times and the true meaning of these three words have remained hidden and unfruitful. But as we examine “ THY KINGDOM COME “ let us see what God has intended for us and trust God that we will be fruitful with what we see.
posted by Robert Czaplinsky in Christian Lesson, 12 November 2009
2Peter 1: 20-21
For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.
For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, then having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.
Your personal fate truly rests in your own hands, in your heart, and in your mind. If you have given your heart to Christ, you must pick up your ‘cross’ and bear it for the rest of your life on the earth. There is no looking back. God gives you eternal life at no small cost…you must give up your worldly existence forever. He requires of all true believers to pray, to worship and to follow the Word for the rest of eternity. Followers of Jesus were often alluded to as followers of “The Way”.
(9) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
(10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
(11) Give us this day our daily bread.
(12) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
(13) 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.
As we continue with The Lord’s Prayer we come to another important statement of Hallowed be thy name. When the scriptures refer to a name, especially a name of God the meaning of the name gives us insights and knowledge of the characteristics and nature of a person or of God. Also there was a saying “ a person is only as good as his name “ which carries the idea of integrity and reliability. Your name and reputation went hand in hand. With some name’s or reputation by name you would know that individual was someone whose word you can trust or of another person whose words would be unreliable, or lies. When we come to a name of God it implies the highest of integrity and trustworthiness and represents a characteristic of His Divine nature and He reveals Himself to us by that name.
