Still Waters

STILL WATERS

Have you ever really wonder why Christ gave his followers the Lord's Prayer?

Was it for re-sighting by memory word for word?

or

Was it for instruction. To teach us an outline on how to pray and what to say?

Christ did say in Matthew 6:9 "Pray then like this:" ESV

As I began to really study the example given by Christ, I saw an outline. A starting point for my prayers. Basic instruction that gives a complete look at a prayer centered on God.

So what I have done is started with the example given by Christ, and then included thoughts that came to mind that were centered on each piece of the prayer. I pray that the examples will touch your heart and help your prayers every day like it does mine. Its a daily reminder for me to pray and give praise and thanks to God.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

     - Great is your name and worthy to be praised!

     - Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty. Who was and is and is to come.

     - Worthy are you, our Lord and God to receive glory and honor and praise. For you created all things,         

        and by your will they exist and are held together.

     - I stand in awe of you!

Your kingdom come,

     - I wait with anticipation for the day of your coming, the day where every knee will bow and confess that

       you are Lord!

Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,

     - Change my heart that I will be obedient and hear your call, and then answer and do!

Give us this day our daily bread,

     - Thank you for your abundant, overflowing, provision which you so graciously give everyday!

and forgive us our debts,

     - Forgive me of my sins....

     - Search me and know my heart, try me and know my thoughts. See if there be any wicked way in me.

       Lead me in the right way, which leads to you.

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

     - Help me to forgive and be done with all anger, wrath, malice, and bitterness.

     - Guard my heart that I may not be unforgiving in anyway to anyone.

And lead us not into temptation,

     - Help me to be alert and watch that I may not enter into temptation. But run to you for strength to resist.

But deliver us from evil.

     - Thank you for the saving knowledge I have in Jesus. Teach me to hold fast to my hope that I may not    

       stray from you. 

     - Help me hold tight to the truth that you have made a way of escape from my temptation.

Text quoted from the ESV Bible

What does your "add-ins" look like?

Make it personal. Make it real! PRAY!

Complete Utter Destruction!

A Vision Of Future Events As I See Them Coming. 

Have you ever seen a tree split in two, or a house burned to the ground, all from a bolt of lightning?

How small are we as "humans" in comparison to what God has made?

How can we stand on our own against the storms of this world?

Hard questions that can only be answered from a heart of humility and humbleness to God.

The answer is basic and very simple.

We cannot stand on our own. We were never meant to stand on our own. We  were created with an inherent need to search for and find the Lord.

To think we can stand apart from God is folly!

I read an interesting verse today in 1st Chronicles 21:15-17

" And David lifted his eyes and saw the angel of the LORD standing between earth and heaven, and in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell upon their faces. 

 And David said to God, "Was it not I who gave command to number the people? It is I who have sinned and done great evil. But these sheep, what have they done? Please let your hand, O LORD my God, be against me and against my father's house. But do not let the plague be on your people."

This American nation is standing on a slippery slope. Soon the hill will give way and we will tumble down to destruction. "We the People" are making decisions that completely undermine God's authority in our lives. Just pick a subject, there are many. Remove your political view point on it, and ask the very basic question... What does God have to say?

We don't ask that question enough in the United States. We as Americans feel we can stand as a nation on our own.... Without God.... Yes even Christians do this. I catch myself doing it. 

"We the People" need to fall to our knees as King David did, take responsibility for our own sin, and pray for God's forgiving mercy! Without it.... we shall surely fall into destruction! 

I see this American nation like a "modern Babylon". A nation falling into all sin. Not remembering the Lord. Not doing as the Lord commands. A nation that does not care how to live a life dedicated to the Lord.

God's correction of nations is clear all through the Bible, but Revelation speaks directly to what I believe we are heading for... God's wrath and judgment. 

Rev 16:18-19 

And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. 

 The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. 

Gloom and doom, I know! But who are we to stand apart from God?

God made all things. Apart from Him, there is nothing!

Look deep in your heart, humble yourself before God in all things!

Make your political views, God's view.

And then watch the Lord rebuild our nation!

Pro 3:5-8 

 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 

 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 

 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. 

 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. 

Tree of Fruit

Tree of Fruit

What is life, that we should regard it?

The value of life, that we should live it?

What is death, that we should fear it?

For in Christ there is life!

A Tree bearing much fruit.

A life full of purpose,

Guidance never lacking.

A life witnessed, Not in words, 

But Proven in Love.

Redeemed in Grace,

With Peace overflowing,

Joy never ending!

A life where Kindness and Goodness flow,

As like a river that cannot be stopped.

For with these things, we are proven Faithful.

A servant to the end.

A Tree, 

Bearing much fruit.

Galatians 5:22