Saturday, January 02, 2016

Encouraged by an almost 13 year old

Avigail, who will turn 13 in February made a list of New Year's Resolutions and plopped it on my desk to share it with me.  She had written a list of about 20 things, more than half with scripture that correlated with each goal.  I looked up every scripture and saw directly how each was connected to her goal for the year.  Umm.... I was just a bit challenged and motivated to do the same.  I will never cease to be amazed and challenged by how much I learn from my girls.  Thank you Avigail for who you are becoming.  Keep challenging me, please!

The Lord's Prayer



In the book, Alone with God,  John MacArthur quotes an unknown author about the Lord's Prayer.  It was incredibly convicting to me.


Mat 6:9  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Mat 6:10  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Mat 6:11  Give us this day our daily bread.
Mat 6:12  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Mat 6:13  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.
Mat 6:14  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Mat 6:15  But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

The unknown author states:

I cannot say "our" if I live only for myself in a spiritual, watertight compartment.
I cannot say "Father" if I do not endeavor each day to act like His child.  
I cannot say "who art in heaven" if I am laying up no treasure there.  
I cannot say "hallowed be Thy name" if I am not striving for holiness.
I cannot say "Thy kingdom come" if I am not doing all in my power to hasten that wonderful day.
I cannot say "Thy will be done" if I am disobedient to His Word.
I cannot say "on earth as it is in heaven" if I will not serve Him here and now.
I cannot say "give us....our daily bread" if I am dishonest or an under-the-counter shopper.
I cannot say "forgive us our debts" if I harbor a grudge against anyone.
I cannot say "lead us not into temptation" if I deliberately place myself in its path.
I cannot say "deliver us from evil" if I do not put on the whole armor of God.
I cannot say "Thine is the kingdom" if I do not give the King the loyalty due Him as a faithful subject
I cannot attribute to Him "the power" if I fear what men may do.
I cannot ascribe to Him "the glory" if I am seeking honor only from myself.
I cannot say "forever" if the horizon of my life is bounded completely by the things of time.

What an amazingly challenging quote.