OUR AWESOME HEAVENLY DAD!

PRAY 21A Prayer of Gratitude…

 

Our Awesome Dad,

All glory, honor, and worship belong to you.  You are greater than we can even imagine.  Our small glimpse of you makes us shudder into how awesome you truly are.  You created everything that is in existence. You keep everything in order throughout the universe.  You have a time table that you move history through its pages.  You are One Awesome Being.

Let your greatness always be magnified in my life. Help me see your greatness in every aspect of this life.  Hide nothing from me. Let me learn about you and teach you to others.  Reveal your truths to me.  Reveal your creation to me.  Reveal your plan of salvation to me.  Reveal your glory to me.

Help those who are searching for you.  Help them find you.  Open the doors to your kingdom for them.  Let everyone enter.  Let everyone see your awesomeness. Hide nothing from us but let you glory be praised throughout the nations.

Help us be your faithful child in the Lord.  Let me be the apple of your eye.  Grant me your favorite blessings. Shower upon me your richly treasures.  Hold back nothing of you to me.  In return, help me share you and your riches with others.  Help me always to glorify you before others. 
You are my God. You are my Creator. You are my Provider. Thank YOU!
 

 

Are You in Good Hands with God’s Plan?

A DISCIPLE’S PRAYER

PRAY 9

Our Awesome Heavenly Dad:

 

All glory, honor, and worship belong to you. You are greater than we can even imagine. Our small glimpse of you makes us shudder in how

awesome you truly are. You created everything that is in existence. You keep everything in order throughout the universe. You have a time table that you move history through its pages. You are One Awesome Being.

 

Let your greatness always be magnified in our life. Help us see your greatness in every aspect of this life. Hide nothing from us. Let us learn about you and teach you to others. Reveal your truths to us. Reveal your creation to us. Reveal your plan of salvation to us. Reveal your glory to us.

 

Help those who are searching for you. Help them find you. Open the doors to your kingdom for them. Let everyone enter. Let everyone see your awesomeness. Hide nothing from us but let you glory be praised throughout the nations.

 

Help us be your faithful child in the Lord. Let us be the apple of your eye. Grant us your favorite blessings. Shower upon us your richly treasures. Hold back nothing of you to us. In return, help us share you and your riches with others. Help us always to glorify you before others.

 

You are our God. You are our Creator. You are our Provider. Thank you for making all this possible Jesus. Amen.

***

 TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

  “Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we witnessed against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.”    1 Corinthians 15:12-19 NAS

word 14

***

Are You in Good Hands with God’s Plan?

 

          Heaven and earth united for eternity. The Kingdom of God in all its fullness. If there is no resurrection, no future life after death, than have we been a fool in living this way? What assurance do we have that the plain teachings of the Bible are going to happen? What does the future hold?

 

     

RESURRECTION 9

 

I think we have all asked ourselves the above questions at one time or another. The answer of course always goes back to the beginning. Is there a God? If there is no God, than let’s party. Let’s live and let live. Anything goes. Who cares about anything but getting what’s best for me now. Anyhow, anyway, anywhere, anything and everything goes IF there is no God.

 

          Or on the other hand, if there is a God, we better fear. We better seek out what He is all about. We better find out what He expects from each one of us. All these thoughts have entered my mind at one time or another. Thankfully, God reveals Himself through the Bible, through creation, through the lives of other people, and through life’s experiences.

 

          If creation was a happen chance, so are we. But on the other hand, if creation was a planned activity, doesn’t that mean you and I are a part of that plan? Which is easier to believe? The bottom line is if creation was a planned activity, than it requires a planner. And that planner must be One Awesome Being to pull it all off. I believe that is what scares those who find it difficult to have faith in a Creator. Because if there is a Creator, than we all are only small dudes with someone larger than ourselves that we may be accountable to in life.

 

If the Bible is not God’s working manual for mankind, than it’s the second greatest con job of all time (Jesus’ resurrection would be the first). However when you read it, you find quotes from God Himself. And these quotes are challenging us to exercise trust in Him; quotes that are giving us a choice of lifestyle that would benefit us individually and collectively; quotes that are directed to us personally to prove Him. And when you take Him up on His challenge, you begin to experience radical changes in your life that is described throughout the Bible. You begin to realize that God uses the Bible to reveal Himself to us and to help us know Him better. It points us to having a relationship with the Greatest Dad of all; a heavenly Father that is good and wonderful to all; a God who reveals Himself as the Creator of all and cares about His creation.

 

Doesn’t the Bible already reveal all that we need to know at this time about our future? A future with Christ for all eternity. If there were no other people involved in this adventurous journey of transformation in Christ, than I could easily see doubts arise in my own walk with the Lord. However, when  one is a witness to the internal, spiritual transformation in people’s lives, than it reassures me that what we are living through is for real. When I discuss the internal struggles with others and they understand me, than I find it reassuring that I’m not going crazy. That this Christian life is for real, and the experiences, struggles, hopes, and joys are not something strange but the realization of walking with a living God. The bond and unity you experience in sharing yourself in a small group or in a congregational worship service reassures me that God is alive and living in the lives of those that have fully acknowledged Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Likewise, when I read the classical writings of the saints from yesterday and thoroughly relate to their everyday struggles, hopes and faith, it again reassures me that my walk is not something new, but the way it has been from the very beginning. It is the way God reveals Himself to us and builds His masterpiece – the invisible, universal Church.

 

          If my experiences through life were all disappointments, then I probably would question my walk with the Lord. However, there has been much joy in witnessing the power of God in one’s life. From answered prayer, to blessings of joy, God has extended His unmerited grace and favor upon me. Even if I didn’t live in America with all its physical trappings of abundance, 1 believe  that God would  have still showered upon us His grace and blessings that only a Believer really understands. Yet, I am very thankful that my earthly dad persuaded my mother to come live in America. It makes the Christian walk more challenging in many ways that our brothers and sisters in other countries can’t even phantom. For it allows us to experience facets of the good life and see the abundance of God’s wealth and leads us to a better comparison of the physical wealth with God’s spiritual riches. We are constantly tested to choose between the two. It allows us to practice self-control that people in other countries can’t even imagine.

 

The Christian in America does have a different challenge than many of our brothers and sisters in third-world countries can’t even imagine. We are privileged to learn how best to manage our wealth for the betterment of others. Many of us are challenged to learn how not to indulge ourselves at every meal. We eventually learn that blessings are not just a physical matter. In many ways, physical blessing could become a curse. The real riches of life are found in the spiritual treasures that God gives to those who truly yield themselves in heartfelt obedience to Him. And to experience the Giver with all His riches is truly the greatest high this life has to offer. I am very thankful that He has included me to live a life as a disciple of His!

 

 

What about you?

 

 

 

In Christ,

 

Dr. Mike

 

 

 

 

PRAYING WITH JUST WORDS OR FROM THE HEART?

 

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER – Rather cleverly done.

This is in two parts; the prayer ( in blue type ) and  GOD ( in red type ),in response.

It is very, very good.

 

   PRAY 30

 

Our Father Who Art In Heaven.


Yes?


Don’t interrupt me. I’m praying.


But — you called ME!


Called you?
No, I didn’t call you.  I’m praying.
Our Father who art in Heaven.


There — you did it again!


Did what?


Called ME.
You said, “Our Father who art in Heaven”
Well, here I am.
What’s on your mind?


But I didn’t mean anything by it.
I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day.
I always say the Lord’s Prayer.
It makes me feel good, kind of like fulfilling a duty.


Well, all right.
Go on.


Okay, Hallowed be thy name .


Hold it right there.
What do you mean by that?


By what?


By “Hallowed be thy name”?


It means, it means . . good grief,
I don’t know what it means.
How in the world should I know?
It’s just a part of the prayer.
By the way, what does it mean?


It means honored, holy, wonderful.


Hey, that makes sense.
I never thought about what ‘hallowed’ meant before.
Thanks.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.


Do you really mean that?


Sure, why not?


What are you doing about it?


Doing? Why, nothing, I guess.
I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control –
of everything down here like you have up there.
We’re kinda in a mess down here you know.


Yes, I know;
but, have I got control of you?


Well, I go to church.


That isn’t what I asked you.
What about your bad temper?
You’ve really got a problem there, you know.
And then there’s the way you spend your money —
all on yourself.
And what about the kind of books you read?


Now hold on just a minute!
Stop picking on me!
I’m just as good as some of the rest of those people at church!


Excuse ME.
I thought you were praying for MY will to be done.
If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones
who are praying for it.
Like you — for example.


Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups.
Now that you mention it,
I could probably name some others.


So could I.


I haven’t thought about it very much until now,
but I really would like to cut out some of those things.
I would like to, you know, be really free.


Good.   Now we’re getting somewhere. We’ll work together — You and ME.
I’m proud of You.


Look, Lord, if you don’t mind, I need to finish up here.
This is taking a lot longer than it usually does.
Give us this day, our daily bread.


You need to cut out the bread.
You’re overweight as it is.


Hey, wait a minute! What is this?
Here I was doing my religious duty,
and all of a sudden you break in
and remind me of all my hang-ups.


Praying is a dangerous thing.
You just might get what you ask for.
Remember, you called ME — and here I am.
It’s too late to stop now.
Keep praying  ( . . pause . . )
Well, go on.


I’m scared to.


Scared? Of what?


I know what you’ll say.


Try me!


Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.


What about Amy?


See?  I knew it!
I knew you would bring her up!
Why, Lord, she’s told lies about me, spread stories.
She never paid back the money she owes me.
I’ve sworn to get even with her!


But — your prayer —
What about your prayer?


I didn’t — mean it.


Well, at least you’re honest.
But, it’s quite a load carrying around all that bitterness
and resentment isn’t it?


Yes, but I’ll feel better as soon as I get even with her.
Boy, have I got some plans for her.
She’ll wish she had never been born.


No, you won’t feel any better.
You’ll feel worse.  Revenge isn’t sweet.
You know how unhappy you are — right?
Well, I can change that.


You can?  How?


Forgive Amy.
Then, I’ll forgive you;
And the hate and the sin will be Amy’s problem — not yours.
You will have settled the problem
as far as you are concerned.


Oh, you know, you’re right.  You always are.
And more than I want revenge,
I want to be right with You . . (sigh).
All right . all right . . I forgive her.


There now!  Wonderful!
How do you feel?


Hmmmm.  Well, not bad.  Not bad at all!
In fact, I feel pretty great!
You know, I don’t think I’ll go to bed quite as uptight tonight.
I haven’t been getting much rest, you know.


Yeah, I know.
But, you’re not through with your prayer are you? Go on.


Oh, all right.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.


Good! Good!  I’ll do that.
Just don’t put yourself in a place
where you can be tempted.


What do you mean by that?


You know what I mean.


Yeah. I know.


Okay.  Go ahead.  Finish your prayer.


For Thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory forever.
Amen.


Do you know what would bring me glory —
What would really make me happy?


No, but I’d like to know.
I want to please you now.
I’ve really made a mess of things.
I want to truly follow you.
I can see now how great that would be.
So, tell me . . . How do I make you happy?


YOU just did!

– Anonymous –