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Sunday, August 14, 2005

THE LORD'S PRAYER (Prayerfully Expounded)

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, prayer is an indispensable part of the Christian life and can be a foundation of great strength and comfort, but it can also be daunting to the newcomer and at times frustrating to the mature Christian.

Jesus Himself taught His disciples to pray using this example prayer. (Matthew 6:9-13) (Actual prayer from the Bible is in bold) the rest below it is an illustration prayer in order to give further details about on that beautiful example prayer. I pray you enjoy.

OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN HALLOWED BE THY NAME

Almighty God, it is only through what Jesus has done that we are able to call you Father. Because of Jesus we are admitted to your intimate family circle, and unlike our earthly fathers, you are perfect, willing to be with us and listen to us at all times. We do not, however, forget who you are Lord; we acknowledge you as almighty, all knowing, all seeing, all powerful God of the universe.

THY KINGDOM COME THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

We commit ourselves to following Jesus. We receive the forgiveness made available through Jesus and are therefore citizens of your kingdom, now, and in the time to come. We choose to do your will, to obey your commands and live as Christ did. In so doing we open the door through which light streams into our dark world.

GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD

We promise not to worry about tomorrow, instead we will let tomorrow worry about itself, because we trust you to provide us with all our needs and we acknowledge that everything comes from you.

AND FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US

We acknowledge that through Jesus, a way out of sin has been provided. Jesus paid the price for our sin and thus enables us to receive your forgiveness. We are, however, mindful that we receive only the measure of forgiveness that we forgive other people. Please Lord help us to let go of any grudges we hold against those who have wronged us, so that we can truly begin to make forgiveness a permanent attitude, not just an occasional whim!

LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL

Lord we seek your protection from temptation and evil. We pray that we can learn from you without having to go through temptation, although we accept that at times you allow us to be tempted in order that we might learn.

THINE IS THE KINGDOM THE POWER AND THE GLORY

Almighty God, it is your kingdom and as children of your kingdom we thank you for bringing us out of darkness into the light. We thank you that yours is not just a kingdom of words, but of power and action. The power of the Holy Spirit poured out on us to reach the world.

FOREVER AND EVER

Finally, Almighty God, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, we give you all the honour and glory. We take none of it for ourselves, because it was you Lord Jesus, who suffered death for our salvation. We give you glory forever.

AMEN

So be it.
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About Me

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I'm just a nobody, trying to tell everybody about Somebody who can save anybody. I give all honor to the Father for the privilege of being His instrument, through whom He lives and works for His glory alone. I served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, retiring in September 2003. In my final three years, I was co-pastor at Greater New Refuge COGIC in Fallon, Nevada, under Pastor Gregory L. Brown. I supported my pastor and church by helping with a new sanctuary's construction and caring for all ministry needs while staying true to my mandate to preach the Word of God without compromise. In November 2002, I was licensed to preach and ordained in June 2003. While stationed in Virginia Beach, I served at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for 17 years under Bishop-Elect W.D. Scott, Sr., and now I serve at Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk, VA, under Bishop B. Courtney McBath. I also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from Saint Leo University, deepening my foundation and commitment to this path of faith.

MY THEOLOGICAL TRAINING:

It brings to my face a unadulterated smile each and every occasion I am asked, “Elder Dre, What Theological Training do you have?”

My heart beams with joy at the opportunity to humbly give full glory to God as I reflect on on how the prophets, patriarchs and apostles of old would have respond: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, King David, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Matthew, Mark, Peter, James, John and the other disciples, not forgetting the Saviour Himself.

How would they have answered the question: “What theological training do you have?”

The words of the prophet Amos also came to mind: “Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:” Amos 7:14

I surely am not impliedly decrying theological preparation, education or training: I consider it essential, but not as much as some think. For the fact is, the Almighty raises up believers according to His own standards.

Educational qualifications, wealth, fame, talent, social standing, outward appearance etc. are useful; but they are secondary in His sight. Qualities like faith, obedience, holiness, humility, honesty, absolute loyalty to one’s spouse, the ability to raise one’s family to fear God and keep His commandments etc.; these are the things the Most High values.

“Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

Only on the Day of Judgment will it be known how truly educated, weighty and effective I have been. That is why I have to smile when the question arise.

The vanity of the question is only matched by the foolishness of my answer.

As the wise man wrote: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher; all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1: 2 or as the apostle Paul commented in 2 Corinthians 11:16-30 when rattling off a long list of impressive qualifications “... I speak as a fool.”

Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who proclaim that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 1 John 4:14-15 (NLT)

I am a preacher, but most of all, I proclaim that Jesus is the Savior with various applications of that truth in my everyday life. My dear friend, if you are a Christian, you are a preacher also. Whether you have been ordained or not, hired by a church or not, or ever been recognized as a preacher or not is beside the point. All who have God living in them are called to proclaim the Savior to the world. It is a Holy calling, and a demanding one. It will pull you out of your comfort zone, challenge your commitment, and help to develop you into the person God has created you to be.

John spoke as an eyewitness to Jesus' saving power. We speak as heart-witnesses; ones who have not seen Jesus with our eyes, but have experienced Him through personal transformation. I speak, and you speak, as a representative of Christ on earth. The message that we bring is simple, yet profound; that God the Father sent God the Son into the world to save those who are lost to bring them into relationship with Him. As you tell the story, and I tell the story, some will listen and receive the grace that God has sent us into the world to proclaim.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Father, what a privilege to be a spokesperson for You.

Thank you for stopping by. Stay encouraged and please do come back.