happyemk

Matthew 6:11 Bread was the most common elements of a Jewish meal.   Ordinary.   They didn’t always eat rich, elaborate feasts, but they had bread every day.   To the disciples, daily bread represented the unspectacular.   They’d seen Jesus heal disease, calm storms, and walk on water; they knew God could deliver the big-ticket items.   But Jesus was telling them not to leave God out of the seemingly ordinary parts of life. Praying every day for God to meet our needs does not annoy Him- it pleases Him.   Asking for our daily bread also reminds us regularly that we rely on God for everything – not just the big things, but the everyday needs in life. Don’t ever worry that God will consider your needs too small for Him.   He loves you.   He wants to take care of you whether you need a miracle or a piece of bread.   Remember that everything in life comes from God.   Don’t forget to thank Him today for meeting your

(Matthew 6:10) There are no arguments in heaven over obeying God’s will.   The angels don’t’ spend weeks mulling over whether or not they’ll do what God is telling them.   They obey-immediately, completely and cheerfully.   If only people would do the same! We know God loves us and wants what’s best for us:   The cross proved that.   And our problem is seldom that we don’t know what to do; we usually know only too well what God desires.   Too often we just don’t want to do it! Some people spend a lot of time seeking God’s will.   The truth is, if they spent as much time doing what they already know God wants them to do, the rest would take care of itself. Jesus reminds us to turn our gaze away from ourselves and outwards to the work God is doing around us.   “Your kingdom come” is really a request that God would bring about his rule over every person on earth.   Presently, not every person calls Jesus Lord, but one day everyone will (Phili...

(Matthew 6:9) Jesus wants us to know that when we pray, we are speaking to almighty God.   If we realize this at the front end of our prayer, we’ll be less inclined to ask Him for anything that would dishonor His holy name.   Furthermore, we’ll understand why He will not help us achieve anything that would disgrace His name.   A solid recognition of the perfect, holy character of our God leads naturally into the next phrase that Jesus gave us:” Your will be done.”

In Heaven “Our Father in heaven.” Matthew 6:9 Where is God when you pray? In another dimension?   Above the clouds? Far away? What did Jesus mean when he said that his Father was “in heaven”?     He did not mean God is up there somewhere where you can’t reach Him.   When Jesus told his disciples to pray to their Father “in heaven”, he was reminding them that God is not limited like we are.   WE SHOULD APPROACH GOD MUCH DIFFERENTLY THAN WE APPROACH OTHERS.   Other people, even our friends and family, are restricted by what they can, or will, do for us.   WHEN WE SPEAK TO GOD, HOWEVER, WE TALK WITH ONE WHO IS LOVING, POWERFUL, MERCIFUL, WISE, HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS. Think and meditate on God’s greatness before you pray. Remember that nothing is impossible for God.   Keep in mind that He is HOLY and RIGHTEOUS, so HE WILL NOT OVERLOOK YOUR SIN. Remember that he is MERCIFUL and WILL FORGIVE YOU when you ask. Remember also that HE LOVES YOU MORE DEEPLY...

( I am sharing with you the second part of my devotion.) GOD bless you as you read! Our Father… “Our Father in heaven.” Matthew 6:9 Challenge:   If you want an enlightening experience, ask five or six people to describe their view of what God is like.   You’ll probably get five or six very different answers! One person may see God as a kindly old gentleman. Another may picture him as a harsh and demanding taskmaster. The Bible describes God as a loving father.            When you hear the term father, what comes to your mind? Without realizing it, you may equate God’s character with the way you view your earthly father.   Perhaps your father is nurturing, affectionate, and reliable.   If so, you will probably see God that way too.   Sadly, some fathers are harsh and critical, even cruel.   Even fathers with the best of intentions are imperfect.   They make mistakes.   They have weak moments....

When Jesus taught His disciples the Lord’s Prayer, he was not giving them a prayer to memorize and recite every time they prayed.   He was giving them a model for their own prayers.   As you study the model prayer that Jesus gave, compare it with the prayers you offer to God.   What can you learn from the way Jesus prayed that can help you to be more effective in your own praying? (I am sharing material from my devotional book The Experience Day-by-Day with God by Henry and Richard Blackaby) God bless as you read.... Our Father This is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” -Matthew 6:9            Everyone wants to be loved.   God designed the family to be a source of love and encouragement.   If you have a family that loves you and that is in your corner, you can take on life with confidence.   But what is that is not your experience? What if, to you, family means cr...