Genesis 16:1-18:15 + Matthew 6:1-24 + Psalm 7:1-17 + Proverbs 2:1-5
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Old Testament – Today in Genesis chapter 16 we get another potential Jesus sighting in the OT! (Similar to our “potential” with Melchizedek yesterday.) I’ll keep you posted on all our “potential” Jesus sightings in the Old Testament – as seen by some commentaries. Some believe that the angel that appears to Hagar in the desert could be Christ pre-incarnate. Why? Because the angel seems to be speaking in the first person, as if the angel is God – (and Jesus is God) – but yet the angel is not described as God the Father. Check out verse 10 on this point –“I will give you more descendants than you can count.”” Next point is that later in this chapter Hagar seems to be giving the angel a bit more credit of the angel “just being an angel”, as you’ll see here in verse 13: “Thereafter, Hagar referred to the LORD, who had spoken to her, as “the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have seen the One who sees me!”” I guess I can see how some commentators go down this path… Whaddya think? Below is French painter James Tissot’s watercolor “Hagar and the Angel in the Desert” from the year 1896:
In Genesis chapter 17 we read about the second Abrahamic Covenant! This covenant was is a conditional divine pledge from God to be Abraham’s God and the God of his descendents. The condition? Obedience and consecration to God as symbolized by circumcision. In verse 23 I think we see another example of Abraham’s prompt obedience to God’s will for his life: “On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and every other male in his household and circumcised them, cutting off their foreskins, exactly as God had told him.” Abraham does not hesitate – does not wait one more day – he and every other male in his household get circumcised that very day! Are we prompt with our obedience to God’s will in our lives? Or do we wait a day to move forward on what God is calling us to do? Or do we even wait a week? Or a year? Or a lifetime? What is God calling you to do? Will you be promptly obedient? Below is a stained glass image from England made in the year 1435 showing God giving this covenant to Abraham:
In Genesis 18 we see some amazing hospitality from Abraham to God and two angels that appear along with God. Hospitality for strangers was important back in Abraham’s day. How are we with our hospitality toward strangers today? Do we react as Abraham did toward these three? Remember that Jesus says to us in the New Testament, “whatever you do to the least of these, you do unto me.” So, yes, maybe Abraham realized he was being hospitable toward God. But – Jesus seems to infer we should be hospitable to everyone – particularly “the least of these” – for in doing so, we will be providing hospitality to Jesus. Who in our world today are the “least of these”? Are you being hospitable to strangers and to the least of these in your life today? How? Below is an oil painting by Spanish Baroque Era Painter Bartolomé Esteban Murillo from the year 1667 titled “Abraham and the Three Angels”:
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Genesis titled “Grasping the Great Truth of God” is at this link, and “Marks of Maturity” is at this link.
New Testament – Our readings in Matthew chapter 6 today seem to be focusing quite a bit on the interior motives of why we do things – and to do things sometimes in secret, where only God will know what we are doing. And by giving, praying, and fasting with pure interior motives and in secret, God will reward us! I think there is so much truth in this… I think when we give anonymously or pray for others quietly or fast privately, we are really worshipping God. We are in essence saying, “God I am doing these things because of who You are, how great You are, and to let you know how much I love You. I don’t need to let anyone know about this act of worship between me and You. You knowing is more than enough.” Now, I do think there are times for communal giving, praying and fasting – but I love that Jesus challenges us to make sure we find private ways to worship God and God only – and not to bring glory to ourselves by desiring public praise for our “religiosity”…
What a blessing to read the Lord’s Prayer in today’s readings! I have to confess, I don’t say this prayer very often… and Jesus seems to indicate pretty clearly that this is a good way to pray. 🙂 I do pray often throughout the day – but usually it’s pretty immediate stuff – bless this meal, thank you for this day, bless my time at work, etc. etc. What a great thing it would be if I could remember to actually pray the Lord’s Prayer a bit more… I do think it is good to pray things beyond the Lord’s Prayer – in fact, just take a look at the Psalms for some ranges of prayer. You might infer from verse 7 that we should stick only to the Lord’s Prayer when praying: “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and again.” However – I read a commentary that this verse was admonishing against the polytheistic religions where people prayed to every single god’s name they could think of, and would continue to repeat all of the gods names over and over, in hopes that this “babbling” would work to where one of the gods would respond to their pleading. So – I think God loves and enjoys hearing us pray to Him in whatever way we do so – but we should not neglect the fact that when Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer He said (in verse 9): “Pray like this.”
Verse 24 has always always been a verse that’s convicted me and still does today: “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” There is so much truth here in these 3 little sentences… Who are we serving in our lives today? I once read that one good indicator is to take a look at your monthly budget. Where does the money go each month? Interesting way to look at this. Maybe another way to look at this is how you spend your time each week. How much time is spent at work, volunteering, being with God, being with family/friends, taking a Sabbath, etc. Maybe looking at how we spend our time and money is a good way to see who or what we are worshipping? Do you believe that it is true that we cannot serve two masters? Who are you serving these days?
Bible.org’s commentary on today’s readings in Matthew titled “Jesus on Prayer” is at this link, and “Where Is Your Treasure?” is at this link.
Psalms – Today in Psalm 7 verse 10 we read: “God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right.” What stood out to me here is that it does not say that God saves those who “do” what is true and right. It says that God saves those whose “hearts are” true and right. As discussed in yesterday’s Matthew 5 post, below, this is getting toward our interior motives and thoughts and hearts – the important thing is not what we do on the “exterior”, but who we are on the “interior”. And then certainly if our hearts are true and right, a natural outflow of this is doing good things on the exterior. But, it’s the interior – our hearts – that matter most. How is your heart these days? Is it true and right? And do you believe that God is indeed your shield?
Proverbs – Proverbs 2 verse 2 today is a fantastic teaching: “Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.” There is so much noise and static and distractions in our modern world today that I think it is often hard for us to “tune our ears to wisdom & understanding.” With our 24 X 7 society, we can go 100mph and just kind of feel like we’re doing fine… but are we really doing fine when we are going that fast and moving all the time? Can you find ways in your life to slow down and “tune in” to God? I think reading the Bible each day is one amazingly great way to do this! What are some areas of your life that you can “tune out” this year in this new year so that you can spend more time “tuning in” to God and His wisdom?
Worship Video: Today’s readings in Matthew about the Lord’s Prayer reminded me of Phil Wickham’s beautiful song “The Secret Place:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wnf4X86iylY
Do you have a secret place with God? Click here to be let in on the secret of life in Christ!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating a verse of Scripture today:“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Matthew 6:24 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray about which “master” you spend more time thinking about each day – God or money? Pray that you will only serve God.
Comments from You and Questions of the Day: Based on our Matthew 6 readings today about the Lord’s Prayer, let me ask you this: How do you pray? Or, in how many different ways do you pray? Do you pray specific prayers regularly, like the Lord’s Prayer? Do you keep a list of people by your bedside to pray for regularly? Do you pray by writing in a journal? I actually had one friend share with me that each day of the week he would pray for a specific segment of his life and our world. For example, on Sundays he’d pray for his church and pastors and the worldwide church. On Mondays he’d pray for his family and coworkers and friends. On Tuesdays he’d pray for politicians and world leaders. And so on… And he’d repeat this pattern each week. This way he was very intentional about praying – otherwise he said he’d just end up lobbing up a few prayers each day – and usually just for himself. I think this is an interesting approach! Please post up some thoughts on your prayer life? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 – Download a schedule of our Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
p.s. #3 – I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this Bible Blog ministry today! Please also consider partnering with us by financially supporting this ministry. Thank you!
BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
======= Ramona:
Genesis 16:1-18:15
It is always interesting how each time I read thought a passage something different jumps out at me. So here goes. The follow verses from Proverbs came to my mind as I read today’s readings:
Under three things the earth is disquieted, and under four it cannot bear up: Under a servant when he reigns, a [empty-headed] fool when he is filled with food, An unloved and repugnant woman when she is married, and a maidservant when she supplants her mistress.
(Proverbs 30:21-23 AMP)
Leaving behind all the opinions about Sari finding a surrogate, Hagar, to carry her husband’s seed, according to the writer of Proverbs, Hagar, Sari’s “maidservant,” may have either tacitly or directly challenged her mistress’ authority. If the writer of the above three verses is correct in his assessment, than Hagar may have been making the ground shake, so to speak. She had produced for Abram what Sari couldn’t. She had been intimate with another woman’s husband, even if that woman initiated and facilitated the act. Talk about one-upmanship.
We are a funny folk. We counsel people and when they received and act on that counsel and it goes awry, we distance ourselves from the consequences. Sari presented her handmaiden to her husband in an attempt to “work” God’s promise to her husband, or had Abram kept the promise to himself? Hmmm. (If Sari knew that God has given a promise of a child to Him, why whould she have laughed when the angel spoke to her husband? Or could she have thought the Promise was to her husband and not to her? That’s a whole ‘nother essay.) Either way, she turned on the one she gave counsel too, her husband. Abram heard the counsel but didn’t have to receive it. How many times do we accept someone’s counsel without considering what is being said just to make the person happy. When it blows up in our faces, if we go back to the person who was so generous with their ideas, what usually is the reception we received?
Every one of us is responsible for your own choices no matter how strong the pressure to accept that advice. Bottom line is this: Not only will we have to serve our choices, but those we are responsible for, those under our leadership at home, work or church, will feel the effects. Abram’s relationship with Hagar was of the flesh. That which is born of the flesh is flesh. It is only the things born of the Spirit that will last. My prayer for all those who come to his Blog, myself included, is this: That we consider the consequences of our choices. May all here evaluate their decisions, are they of the flesh or of the spirit. All things of the “flesh” lead to death. Let us go on to live in Life. Let us stop producing Ishmaels in our lives.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======= Ramona (2nd comment of the day):
A note to all those reading and especially the posters:
When I first came to this site a little over a year ago, I was hesitant and afraid to put my inner thoughts and fears, tears and victories on the Blog as I read through the text. In fact, as I posted, many days I would be the only one. From time to time we had others posting but they fell by the wayside so it was just Mike, Vance and I who became the old timers, so to speak. I’m not sure if Mike counts since it’s his Blog.
I thank God for this site and I pray for God’s sustaining power in Mike’s life as he continues to spend time preparing for each day’s text with study, prayer and pictures and most important, his comments and links to source material and commentary. This afternoon, my time, when I came to this board my heart jumped for joy and tears welled up in my eyes for the explosion of postings and kind words. Thank you Esther for your gracious words Luch, thank you for posting the words written in your heart about your journey. It is so refreshing and exciting to have someone who had gone through the Word for thirty years; I look forward to your comments.
The growth of this Blog from last year to now is an example of how God grows the ministries, families, relationships in our lives when we 1) are in-line with His Will for our lives, and 2) when we submit to Him. Three folks and posts from the previous year explode to thirty. (On a Saturday, there is already 15 posts plus one TrackBack.) God is the God of increase and His increase is exponential.
Never despise “small” beginnings ‘cause nothing is ever to small or to insignificant to God!
‘The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto you. For who hath despised the day of small things? even they shall see with joy the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel, even these seven, which are the eyes of the LORD, that run to and fro through the whole earth.’
(Zechariah 4:9-10 JPS)
Ramona
======= Laura:
Okay everyone this seems like an appropriate time to ask this question. Does anyone have any prayer requests? And why shouldn’t we use this forum to address requests for those who are reading this blog?
I would also like to add that I have a request for myself. Pray for me to get motivated to use a journal. I do feel that journaling is something that we should do to enhance our prayer life. I think I have about three that have not been used that are laying around my house. My Christian friends have given them to me as gifts. Do you think God is telling me something here? For me its a matter of time and setting my priorities straight.
I’ve been involved in many bible studies throughout the years. Those that I found to connect with more on a personal level, usually had more fellowship, discussion and allowed the group to pray for each individual that had a request. Our church has something called the prayer pyramid, which is started out by someone usually the designated leader who inturn will call several people. Those who are called can call others or volunteer to just pray only. I’ve chosen to just pray because of time constraints in my life. Either way it is very effective and gets many people involved with praying.
For me, I like to pray with a group holding hands standing together. Each person should feel comfortable with joining in when it’s their turn but not feel pressured. Some folks don’t like to pray out loud with a group but feel comforted just the same by the presence of the Spirit when others pray.
I also learned from one bible study that I attended for about 7 years, Bible Study Fellowship International that according to them, you need to be submissive to God. In order to do that the proper way is to kneel, find an appropriate place and time, bow your head and close you eyes.
I pray that is will be a good year for everyone out there who is reading the blog and their family’s God Bless
Laura
======= Andrew:
Re: Laura Jones’ invitation for prayer requests: I would appreciate prayer for what I recently termed my ‘struggle with discipleship’. My mentor remarked that it should not be a struggle. ‘There’s no need to merit the love, life, and freedom of and in Christ.’
But, my issue is that we are promised life to the full. The born again life in the Spirit as a disciple of Jesus should be a paradigm shift away from life in the world. In reality mine falls a bit short of that vision.
So, my struggle is to understand that. And I would appreciate prayer for discernment as to why, and what I should be doing about it.
Blessings,
Andrew
======= Melissa:
In response to Mike’s comment on Jacob practicing superstition in placing the rods in front of the cows. I see it entirely differently- Jacob was exercising faith that the Lord would answer his prayer. Placing the rods in front of the cows was his was of focusing on what he was believing in the Lord for, Proverbs 23:7, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” I see this as an example of faith in motion and not superstition at all.
Melissa
======= Ramona (3rd comment):
Melissa Thomas states:
>>In response to Mike’s comment on Jacob practicing superstition in placing the rods in front of the cows. I see it entirely differently- Jacob was exercising faith that the Lord would answer his prayer. >>
One could see the act as a means of “faith” however the texts about Jacob state otherwise. At that time Jacob had no firm belief in the God of his father. When we get to the portion of Genesis that deal with Jacob we will see that he, Jacob, relied on his own manipulations and cunning to try to get his way. Jacob’s name in Hebrew is a window into how he operated.
yah-ak-obe’
From H6117 (Based on Strong’s numbering system; heel catcher (that is, supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch: – Jacob.
aw-kab’ (6117)
A primitive root; properly to swell out or up; used only as denominative from H6119, to seize by the heel; figuratively to circumvent (as if tripping up the heels); also to restrain (as if holding by the heel): – take by the heel, stay, supplant, X utterly.
It is not until God comes in to change his name from Jacob to Israel, calling those things that be not as though they were (Romans 4:17), that we see Jacob/Israel sometimes act like his new name.
Israel – he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity: – Israel.
Ramona
======= Melissa (2nd comment):
Ramona states: “at that time Jacob had no firm belief in the God of his father”
would you be able to point me to the scripture or scriptures that backs this up? thanks. I believe the Lord honors faith not superstition, and as He is the Father of genetics He could change the cows to honor Jacob’s faith and to teach us a valuable principle: what you focus on you become.
Melissa
======= Ramona (4th comment):
Melissa,
I will not engage in a tit for tat discussion. Time will prove me right or wrong when we get to the chapters that cover Jacob/Israel. Whether we see eye to eye on the text is inconsequential. The focus is what we each believe about the text and is our belief strong enough to act. Since the story of Jacob/Israel is in Genesis, we will get there shortly. If you believe what Jacob did was not an act of superstition then fine, but I do not believe God operates that way. What matters is our relationship with and to Christ. I believe strongly enough that if I have read something wrongly, the Holy Spirit is powerful enough to correct me as He has done in times past.
Grace and peace to you,
Ramona
========= Esther:
Interesting to read Mike’s comment on the OT passage since he is referring to the positive aspects of Abram/Abraham. I was surprised since I find we get to know Abram from a different angle in this passage. One sees he’s human after all… I think that he and Sarai were probably a little worn out in waiting for God’s promise to come true, after all these years. Prov 13:12 says that hope deferred makes the heart sick. And from that they were easy prey to wanting to MAKE things happen… I have struggled with this before and was reminded of an awesome book by Dutch Sheets on this (“Tell Your Heart To Beat Again”).
To me it also seems that there’s also a long-term consequence from having been to Egypt – they had Hagar and would consider using her for having a baby. And what a mess stemmed from that.
Women can be influential for good or bad – Abram picks up on Sarai’s idea without considering the pro’s and con’s himself it seems – reminds me of Adam and Eve.
After the birth of Ishmael – did Abram realize that this was a bad idea after all I wonder? Took 13 more years of waiting.
I love how God speaks to Abram then, reminding him that he is strong enough to keep his promise (I’m the STRONG God) and asking him to live ENTIRELY before him.
Also awesome how names are proclamations – reminds me of my own name – Esther, meaning “star” – and that I am supposed to be in the business of shining…
– This blog is excellent – the comment section truly adds a lot to my own reading, e.g. Ramona’s stuff – thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Esther
======= Luch:
I have just joined you in this bible online reading journey. I have been reading the Scriptures from cover to cover for almost 30 years now using a variety of approaches e.g Daily walk and in the last few years the One Year Bible.
I like this poem by Arthur Pink as it relates to authentic prayer:
I often say my prayers but do I ever pray,
And do the wishes of my heart go with the words I say,
I may as well kneel down and worship gods of stone, as offer to the living God a prayer of words alone.
I think the Lord’s prayer, more appropriately called “The Disciples’Prayer” is designed to be a framework for our prayers. Coming out of a liturgical background I used to say this prayer ‘over and over’. I’m sure it helped create a God consciousness in me as a child but it struck me in my repeated readings of the New Testament that nowhere do we see the apostles using this prayer verbatim, nor do we see them exhorting the people of God to pray in this way.
However, when one studies Paul’s prayers I believe many if not all elements of the disciples’ prayer is evident.
thanks for creating this wonderful online Bible interactive Bible reading experience. I especially enjoy the art work to go with the readings.
Blessings to all…
Luch
======= Shirley:
When I first start to wake up in the morning, I try to say “Good Morning” to Jesus and begin praying. I’m still in a sleepy state, so I sort of drift in and out of sleep while I’m praying. A lot of this prayer is for myself, but I always try to include others. I do this at different times throughout the day. When I tell someone I will pray for them, I stop right then and pray. If I don’t, there’s always a chance that I might forget. I’m a quadriplegic, so I can’t keep notes on papers — I just have to keep notes in my head. I also would like to start praying The Lord’s Prayer more often.
Shirley
======= Stacey:
I pray privately with the Lord in the morning using a journal. I do write out prayer because it forces me to slow down, think about what I want to say and quite often during this time, God will speak to me by reminding me of scriptures. He will actually hear and answer with wisdom and insight from the Word. Awesome. Then throughout the day I pray for issues in my life. When called to prayer by the Holy Spirit, I do pray and intercede for others. I use some lists and reminders at times, but sometimes that just becomes rote and meaningless- vain repetition. As for quoting the Lord’s Prayer, like any other scripture it becomes life as you remember and say it out loud. Faith does come by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom 10:13). I believe that whenever I quote scripture I am praying in the Lord’s Will so I will have what I have asked. (1 John 5:14) Praying using Jesus own words ignites my heart to want to pray according to God’s will and not my own.
My prayer today for you all: Hebrews 13:20-21 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Stacey
======= Pam:
I pray at night and throughout the day. Many times I pray when I need strength and when I see others in distress.
I do pray for myself quite often, but I try to keep it evenly proportioned for others to be included. Many times I pray in private, although I usually pray on the bus to/from work. Sometimes I come to a point where I can’t even think of what to pray for, so I ask God to have the Holy Spirit reveal what my heart needs to reveal. Or I just rest in his presence with nothing said.
I really appreciate this blog…and I really like the journal idea.
Thanks everyone!
Pam
======= Chip:
I pray in many ways, depending on the situation, my mood, and the leading of the Spirit. I pray out loud; I pray in silence; I pray in song; I pray in the written word; I pray alone; I pray with a friend or a small group of friends; I pray corporately, in worship services. I generally pray with words according to the leading of my heart, or of the Spirit. I rarely pray “rote” prayers – though, I’m beginning to see some of the beauty and simplicity in such prayers as the Lord’s Prayer, or other liturgical prayers to which I have been introduced through attending denominational services. I have some situations in which I keep a list of people and prayer requests. I have used a prayer journal in the past, and would like to regain the habit. My most meaningful prayer time seems to be the silent, meditative prayers in which I simply wait on the Lord. These prayers require me to “shut down my mind” or “separate” myself from my thoughts – something generally very difficult for someone of my personality! But, I think that is why this type of prayer is so meaningful; it is a sacrifice for the purpose of honoring God and an act of “dying to self” in order to hear from Him.
Chip
======= Nicole:
I don’t have a specific time that I pray. I usually pray throughout the day just a short prayer~especially if someone asks me to pray for them. Then when I tell that that I will pray for them, I never forget. I have found that this has helped me stay connected with God throughout my day.
Nicole
======= Tammy:
My husband and I teach an adult Sunday School class and we’re challenging our class to read through the Bible this year. We have given them all One Year Bibles and a list of great websites (particularly this one!) which we hope will keep them encouraged and motivated.
My husband and I car pool to work, and have been using the drive home as our Bible reading time. This is helpful to us as it is a time we are together, without the phone or tv so we can think about what we are hearing or reading. So far this seems to be working for us and we’re looking forward to making it through the entire Bible together.
Tammy
======= Lauren:
On today’s readings, I was once again impressed with the importance of the community. The punishment for refusing to bear the mark of the covenant (Gen 17:14, 24-27). Connection to the people of God is the most important thing. One cannot be a God-follower without the community and refusing to be a God-follower removes one from the community. This raises piles of implications for how we do discipleship and for who we are as church.
Now, I’m not a legalist, but I think there is a lack of clarity on what it means to be part of the church. It is surely more than attending–or even participating in ministry.
I guess I wonder what the mark of the covenant is today. What is the mark of our faith–of our heart’s towardness to God?
Lauren
======= Lisa:
The scripture that jumped out at me was Genesis 16:8. The angel asks Hagar, “Where have you come from, and where are you going?” At the beginning of a new year and a new Bible study, it seems fitting that we ask ourselves, “Where have we come from? And where are we going?” I wonder how many of us, like Hagar, are running away from someone or something – a realtionship, a committment, a responsibiltiy, a difficult situation or even Jesus Himself? As I dig into God’s Word this year, I hope to begin answering these questions for my own life.
Lisa
======= Leroy:
As the high Priest teaches us to Pray:
1) To praise and Glorify GOD.
2) To pray for others in need.
3) to pray for myself ( for spiritual Wisdom and to keep my Heart & Mind on Gods commandments & Precepts).
Leroy
======= Birdie:
One easy way to remember “what” to pray for is JOY, which stands for Jesus, others, you. If you start out by praising and thanking Jesus, move on to others and their needs, and lastly come to yourself, most of the major points will be covered. I have trouble praying at any regular times during the day, mostly just when it “hits” me.
Birdie
======= Mae:
I have to keep this short. We have had an unexpected guest this afternoon and we’re about to go back to church. And I don’t know what time we’ll be back tonight after the service. It’s a special service because we’re saying goodbye to a family, who are going to pioneer in Amsterdam.
The verses that stood out for me today are:
Genesis 18:12 “So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?”
Matthew 6:4 “Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you”
Matthew 6:22-23 “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!”. ~ I LOVEEEEEEEEEEE these verses!!!
Psalm 7:10 “God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right”.
Psalm 7:17 “The trouble they make for others backfires on them. The violence they plan falls on their own heads”.
And Proverbs were great to read!!!! Real eye openers!
Mae
======= Pat:
I would like your advice, please.
I have a dear friend who has been my best friend for 55 years even though in most ways we are as different as night and day. I have always let Matthew 6 be my guide in praying and I do not feel comfortable praying openly in places like public restaurants. I do believe in praying in church and with church groups and also in having invocations at meetings. I believe one should say grace but say it privately and not make a big show of it otherwise. My friend likes for her prayer to be seen and heard because she says it might influence someone to come to Christ. My feeling is that my prayer is personal, my praying openly will neither bring someone to Christ nor strengthen a Christian’s faith, and my praying openly may even provide ammunition to nonbelievers to scorn or mock my Lord. I don’t think that is the way to win people to Christ. I would like to add right here that she doesn’t go through this production when she is with family or Christian friends in a home surrounding because she says there is no one there that may be influenced by her praying.
I have expressed my feelings to my friend and she will respect them for a while but then she returns to saying grace her own way. Last week we were eating out and she made a big production of saying “Let us pray” loud enough for all those around us to hear, she pushed her plate back so she could get into what she considers a prayerful position with her head bowed and resting on her raised arms, and then to my horror she said, “Patsy, please say grace for us.” I very quietly and quickly said grace, and then she said, “Now that wasn’t too hard, was it?” I just smiled and said quietly, “It was unnecessary.” I was so upset that I didn’t dare open up my mouth and tell her how I really felt for fear of making a scene and then really turning someone away from God.
May I please hear your feelings about praying out in public and about how you would handle such a situation?
God Bless!
Pat
======= Lucy:
I chat to God randomly throughout the day – in a sense like ‘Breath Prayers’ ie: one line sentences relevant to the specifice situation I’m in. This means that my praying routine doesn’t take up a whole section of my schedule but is continuous throughout the day. For instance, if listening to the news on the radio I will pray about the related subjects; at work I will ask God for guidance. I usually ‘praise’ God when I’m relaxing at the end of the day, often listening to music as a way of channeling it all together.
Lucy
======= Kelly:
Hello all!
When I pray I try to remember that I am simply having a conversation with my best friend. Sometimes I think people are intimidated by prayer because they think that there is some perfect way to pray, and that they’ll sound stupid. Thank goodness this is not true!! Because my prayers tend to be conversational, to focus myself a little bit better I try and remember something I learned a long time ago in youth group: ACTS. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication) but, I don’t stress out if I don’t go in that order. Sometimes, ya just gotta pray!!
Verses that stood out to me today; Proverbs 2:1-5:My child,listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom,and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight,and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver;seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord,
and you will gain knowledge of God.”
I have never gone through Proverbs before and I’m finding that I’m quickly falling in love with them! There is so much wisdom to be found here!
Kelly
======= Cheryl:
As soon as I open my eyes in the morning I start my prayer. I keep a list of people to pray for by my bedside, or I forget. I have quite a few people ask for me to pray for them, so I don’t want to forget them. I also pray (talk) to God through out the day. If I have a difficult student I will say a silent prayer. If I have a meeting I pray. I pray through out the day. I love and need to speak to God many, many times during the day.
During my lunch hour I listen to Christian music and center myself again, on what is important in life and how to walk the walk of Christ.
Cheryl
======= Jane:
My best prayer is done when I’m journaling. I started this habit quite a few years ago because I wanted to practice hearing God’s voice. In the process, I believe it has made me more sensitive to His voice and what’s on His heart during the day when I can’t journal so that I can pray more effectively. In this way “my lips [have become] the pen of a ready writer.” I do need the structure of lists, though, so that I don’t pray so generally, but more specifically for individuals. I do, but I know there’s much room for improvement. Another thing that I’ve done is take a small tape player and record things that God shows me or that He puts on my heart throughout the day. I find as I am speaking what’s on my heart that I end up praying alot more. Because I am on the road alot this works well, too. I also pray and sing in the spirit using my prayer language.
I’m going to “tune out” the self-condemnation and critical voices in my head about me and “tune in” to channel L-O-V-E. I can only love others as I love myself. Beating myself up and tearing myself down is going to stop. I repent of hating myself and being slow to forgive myself. I don’t like it when others do it to me so why am I so quick to the draw? Why do I agree with the enemy and not God Who loves me? Why do I end up shooting myself down instead of standing on the Word of God? Guess I’ve been deceived. It’s time to believe about me what God believes and stand forgiven, upright and strong in the Lord! Anyone with me?
I really loved reading about Abraham’s hospitality to the strangers. Amazing! I think of the verse that speaks of how we never know when we might be entertaining angels when we show hospitality to strangers. Even better than angels we know that “when we do it to the least of these we have done it to the Lord.” I pray that God will put people who serve the Lord in my son, Aaron’s path throughout his whole life. Aaron would probably be considered “the least of these” to many, but, not to Jesus, though. He has severe autism and requires 24/7 care. In 2007, may God’s will be done on earth even as it’s done in Heaven, 24/7. Amen.
Jane
======= Gina:
The verses in Genesis have been close to my heart over the past year. My husband and I have been trying to conceive for over a year. Ch 18:14 – “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” I love that because it gives me hope! I know God will give ua a child in His time!
In Matthew – it’s good to be reminded how to pray! Before I was saved, my previous “religion” was one filled with memorized prayers that really didn’t mean much to me. Our Pastor did a sermon series last year called “Teach us to Pray” – He broke down each verse of the Lord’s Prayer and explained what each one meant and how it can relate to other prayers that we pray. I know now that prayer is just as simple as talking to God…it doesn’t have to be a big long memorized speech – it needs to be from the heart!! :0)
Gina
======= Elena:
I usually starts my prayer when I’m travelling. When going to the office I start praying for my kids and my husband that God will give them wisdom and protection they needed for the day. Then as the day go by I chat with God specially in decision making. but my problem is sometimes i forgot to pray before meal. Actually I’m not really good in praying I only say to God whatever I want to say to HIM. or whatever my heart want to say. Whenever I sing praise or worship song i feel like praying to God with all my heart and soul.
Elena
======= Henry:
Prayer – interesting topic. I pray every opportunity I get, walking down the street, washing the dishes, driving somewhere. I don’t have a prayer agenda, I pray whatever comes to my heart or whatever is bothering me, or whatever needs prayer. BUT we should not just pray, but we should listen to God talking to us. God spoken to Abraham almost face to face, God doesn’t do that now because we go through Jesus, he gave us the way to God by going through Jesus. We are often asked what is God calling us to do in our life? We need to listen and ask Jesus for an answer. I found out that when I am doing what God wants me to everything just goes smoothly with no complications, but if I’m doing what I want to do, there are stumbling blocks, things go wrong, it just didn’t work out. Talking to God is very important. We must never stop talking to God. God is the only person I can talk to and share with at the moment.
Henry
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