When Temptation Knocks

Scripture:
Matthew 6:7-15 (NIV)

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Devotional:

I have repeated the same scripture for the last several devotions.  In doing so we broke down the Lord’s Prayer and focused on individual parts.  We talked about praising God, God’s provisions, and about forgiveness.  This final devotion I want to talk about temptation and God’s deliverance.  The chorus of Chris Tomlin’s song Whom Shall I fear puts it in a great way.

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind me
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

God is with us through it all.  He is by our side.  He will guide us and protect us.  Matthew 26:41 tells says this, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  Also 1 Corinthians 10:13 states:

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

You are not alone when facing temptation.  God will deliver you.  God will provide a way out.  You just have to choose to take it.  Sometimes, OK all the time, it is best not to put yourself into temptation’s way.  But when you do get tempted just remember 1 Corinthians 10:13 and know God will help you resist and provide you a way out.  Each of us becomes tempted from time to time.  Just know you are not alone and do not have to fight the battle alone.  Reach out to someone when temptation comes calling.  Best of all reach out to Christ.

To Forgive

Scripture:
Matthew 6:7-15 (NIV)

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Devotional:

Do you need to forgive others?  Is there something you have buried in your heart that you just can’t let go of?  Pause a moment to reflect on these two thoughts.  After thinking about it consider this.  Jesus tells us to forgive others several times in the Bible.  In the Lord’s Prayer it clearly shows us that our forgiveness is dependent on forgiving others.  He also says the following in Matthew 5:23-23 (NIV):

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”

Jesus died upon the cross so that your sins can be forgiven.  If He can forgive you shouldn’t you do likewise and forgive?  Jesus is our teacher and sets the example for us.  Are we greater than He?  Romans 12:20 (NIV):

On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

We are blessed to have God’s word to guide our lives and our actions. Let us go forth and live by His words about forgiveness.

Provisions

Scripture:
Matthew 6:7-15 (NIV)

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Devotional:

“Give us today our daily bread…”  What is our daily bread?  Is it just a loaf of bread?  What does Jesus mean when he said this to the disciples?  Let me start with the forty years Moses and the Israelites wandered through the wilderness.  Everyday God provided for them everything that they needed.  Exodus 16:4 (NIV); “Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.”  In the morning manna covered the ground.  In the evening quail covered their camp.  In this God provided for them what they needed. 

When you pray are you praying for your desires?  Are your prayers poured out in greed?  Do you simply want God to provide just the basics or your actual needs?  There is nothing wrong with wanting more, or having wealth.  The important thing to remember is what is important.  Where is your focus?  God tested the Israelites by how much they took.  They were to trust in Him and only take what is needed for that day.  In turn God provided every day.  Later after they took the Promised Land God gave them more.  They were blessed with more than just a daily need.  

God promises to provide for our needs.  Philippians 4:19 (NIV); “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”  We can rest assured that God will provide for our needs.  It is also OK for us to ask for God’s provisions.  After all Jesus is our teacher and he said “Give us this day our daily bread.”  In other words “Give us today what we need to get through the day…”

Battle of Wills

Scripture:
Matthew 6:7-15 (NIV)

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Devotional:

Today I want to focus on God’s will.  It can be so hard for us to let go.  We want it our way.  Burger King use to advertise that you get it your way.  “Have it your way.”  In a society that is self-seeking and self-serving there is no room for God’s will in our lives.  We say we are Christians.  We claim to be willing to go where God wants us.  We are willing to go to Bible studies and church as long as we are hone in time for kick off.  How many people can you see in church looking at their watch timing the message?  How quickly do you run out the doors so you can eat lunch or watch a race? 

God’s will is not self-seeking.  It is not self-centered.  Instead it points us outward.  Where is your focus?  Is it inward or outward?  When you say God’s will not mine is it genuine or halfhearted?  Do you really want God’s will to be done?  Are you willing to do those things you really wish you could skip?  Are you willing to go to those places you rather not visit?  Not everyone is called to the prisons and hospitals.  Not everyone is called to the ghettos and slums.  We can’t all go to third world countries.  However, if no one is willing to truly put God’s will first then no one will go. 

God’s will is not doing the things you hate.  It isn’t going somewhere you just cannot stand the thought of.  It is however, placing Him before yourself.  It is being open to His guidance and submitting yourself to where He wants you to go.  It is submitting to what He wants you to do.  Usually it will be places and things you are good at and have a passion for.  After all isn’t it God that gave you those passions and desires?

The next time you pray for God’s will to be done pause and reflect on your focus.  Is it inward or outward?  God’s will is all about focusing on Him and placing Him first.  It is being willing to be submissive to what He wants.

God I pray that today Your will be done in my life…

Prayer, God Is Holy And Sacred

Prayer, God Is Holy And Sacred

Scripture:
Matthew 6:7-15 (NIV)

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Devotional:

Hallowed be your name.  When I grew up I use to think hallowed was the same as hollow, empty.  I couldn’t understand why we would want God’s name to be empty.  How often do we look at scripture and not realize what it says?  We read the words but the true meaning eludes us.  When we do not understand the context of the text or words we will get a completely different meaning than what was intended.

Look at hallowed, what I thought it meant made no sense.  Why would we want God’s name to be empty or meaningless?  However, hallowed, being holy or sacred gives a completely different meaning.  God is holy.  God is sacred.  Do we really treat God’s name as being Holy or sacred?  Do we treat God with the reverence that we should? 

God is holy, sacred and we should respect Him above all else.  Jesus teaches us to begin our prayers with focusing on this.  This in turn sets the tone for the rest of your prayers.  It will help us put our focus where it needs to be.  It will help us to put into proper perspective who we are and who God is.  We need to acknowledge God’s holiness and who He is.  It is important to do this not only in our prayers but in all aspects of our lives and daily routines.

Remember God is holy and sacred.