by David Brenneman
"I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints; and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother." Philemon 1:4-7.
"But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. Brethren, pray for us." 1 Thessalonians 5:12-25.
"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Matthew 5:44-45.
Quite often we're quick to rush into the urgency of what's on our hearts and minds...but shouldn't we be just as adept at being thankful first?
Do we also forget the remembering of who it is we're speaking to?
“Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’ For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." Matthew 6:9-15.
Jesus wasn't telling us to essentially mindlessly repeat these words but rather to remember the importance of each part.
We do have important things to pray for and pray about...but we should never pray in such a way as those dropping a list off to a butler for him to take care of in our absence.
If what also separates those whom Jesus knew from those whom He didn't know is that honest, heart-to-heart relationship with Him...isn't an integral part of any real relationship more than just our praying in whatever is on our heart and rather remembering who it is we speak to?
Our prayers are likely going to be heard in Heaven. But do we hinder the response by how we're treating others let alone the health of our relationship with Jesus?
We can jeopardize our relationship with Jesus by our neglect of remembering our position before our Holy God. He is holy, we are not. We are to strive for holiness as He is holy. We are to forgive others as we have been forgiven in order to not hinder our prayers.
We should be thankful right after acknowledging the holiness of whom it is we pray to.
We should remember that we're wholly inadequate because while we are yet sinners Christ died for us. We need to confess our sins.
Thanksgiving is yet upon us this month. Are you keeping a tally of all that you are thankful for in the Lord? Are you only thinking about food and football? If you are, your priorities are seriously skewed. At least a good healthy portion of your Thanksgiving day ought to be in reflection over the provision of God for you over the last year. Turn off the television or the streaming and tune into what's going on at the feet of Jesus.
Tune your heart towards thankfulness now. My life since June has been day upon day of thankfulness because I still don't know where it is my next job is going to be. Each month is, at least to me, more in His hands to provide for our needs than it has in years past. Staying committed to my times in the morning in His Word and my evening studies are more important to me than even my employment. I want to know more about my Savior who saved me. I want to honor Him in all I say, think, or do. As it says in Proverbs, He orders my steps.
Turn your mind towards thankfulness today and make it a personal discipline.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
(C) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation.
A corporation not for profit.
La Habra, CA All rights reserved
No comments:
Post a Comment