Tag Archives: Matthew 6:9-10

Daniel’s Attitude Of Gratitude??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #406

17 Monday Nov 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Assurance IN GOD!, Assurance or Arrogance, Attitude of Gratitude, Daniel Prayed--Do You?, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, Daniel's choices, Daniel's Prayer, Dare To Be Different!, Darkness or Light?, God's Ability for our Inability!, God's glory NOT mine!, God's grace is sufficient...always!, God's measure isn't ours, God's Righteousness Not mine, God's ways are not our ways, God's Wisdom, Godly Character, Godly Wisdom, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Gratitude to Generosity, Great is Thy Faithfulness

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Daniel’s Attitude Of Gratitude??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #406

I know that sounds a little strange for this season, but I want us to consider all that we learn from one of Daniel’s prayers!  I want us to be confident in the knowledge of not only what our God does, but who He is in character, nature and sovereign control. He is trustworthy and worthy of our praise and gratitude.

The context of this passage is Daniel’s first encounter with Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams; a dream which the King had that disturbed him, and when none of the wise men of Babylon could interpret it, for he couldn’t even remember what the dream was about, and when they couldn’t tell him what the dream was much less what it meant, he called for them all to be put to death—including Daniel and his friends (read all of chapter 2 for the whole picture, but for our purposes we’re only going to look at Daniel and his friends response to the impending death threat…).

“Then Daniel went to his house,

and made the thing known

to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

18 That they would desire mercies

of the God of heaven concerning this secret;

that Daniel and his fellows

should not perish

with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times

and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom

unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth

the deep and secret things:

he knoweth what

is in the darkness,

and the light

dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee,

and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me

wisdom and might,

and hast made known unto me now

what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known unto us

the king’s matter.”  Daniel 2:17-23

May we think on these things, and be like Daniel, who was devoted to his God even in the midst of great trials in being taken captive to Babylon!  Oh, how we fail to praise God so often because of our trials, our difficulties, our challenges, our often-confused minds; seemingly because we live in a world gone crazy!  We live in a culture that is rejecting God at almost every turn; may we be like Daniel and set our hearts and minds to stand pure before our God; as these four young men committed to be faithful to God regardless of what others did!  I see so many claim Jesus’ name in their doings, but it is so often steeped in the bragging on what they have seen, or done, or claiming and/or blaming God for any and every kind of issue.  Here we have four devoted young men—devoted to not defile themselves with the worldly attachments around them!  What are you attached to?  When you claim Jesus’ name whether in blame or credit, is your life aligned with God’s Word?  How can it be if you don’t know what He has said or called us to?

Are we humble or proud?  Are we modest or flamboyantly worldly in our dress, speech, and self-aggrandizement?  It’s your call but remember there is a test—and it’s a test that will be by God’s Word not popular vote or opinion.

“But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.”  Daniel 1:8

Here we find a young man whose heart was set on pleasing his God—and then behaving in a manner of humility, respect and submission to God’s will for him.  Such a contrast to much of what we hear in Christendom today—the ability to make demands on God and man, for profit, popularity, or arrogance is not knowing what Jesus tells us is the mindset that we ought to have.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth,

as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9-10

How it grieves my heart to hear people pronouncing God’s name over their own earthly plans to suit themselves; forget that Jesus clearly tells us we are to pray and seek “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done…” in all our ways!  If He promotes me, fine.  If He keeps me in humbles circumstances, so be it!  I want His will, over mine with God’s Word being the judge in all things.

“For the word of God

is quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in his sight:

but all things are

naked and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted

like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:12-16

When you’re not sure, dig into The Word!  Scripture tells us right here that we will find help when we need it, when we come to that “throne of grace”, remembering that “the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword”!  It is a sword that will guide us to truth—God’s truth, not man’s!  We can fool others, even ourselves—but God knows our heart!   I encourage you to dig into HIS Word and then adjust your life to HIS Word as needed—not the other way around!  Let’s be Daniels in a world full of Nebuchadnezzars!  I’m grateful—how about you!  Put on that attitude of gratitude!

Amen and Amen!!!

It’s Not Just About Spelling??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #395

11 Saturday Oct 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Choices And Consequences, Choose Wisely, Choose you this day?, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Come out of her, God's ways are not our ways, Godly Wisdom, It's All About The Cross, It's Your Choice, JESUS, Jesus IS Lord--bow before Him!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus IS Truth!!!, Jesus lives today!, Jesus Never Fails, Trusting God, Trusting Jesus?, Truth, Unrighteous will not inherit

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It’s Not Just About Spelling???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #395

It seems to me that we are living in a time when it is all about the ‘Gospel of “me”…’; it’s not about Jesus anymore, it seems to be about the gratification of our flesh, popularity, the best show or entertainment, or even catchy phrases to grab followers!  We have even taken that which God exalted, that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father…” (See Philippians 2:5-11), and made Jesus’ name a talisman, or a lucky coin you drop in the God-slot-machine and pull the handle for your prize!  I simply say—on the contrary!  God is not a heavenly slot machine that you can manipulate, or dictate to, or order around with your out of context scriptures!  God is God and when we take scripture and twist it to meet our own desires and fleshly lusts, we have missed the truth and import of scripture.  Let’s look first of all at what Jesus said about a biblical prayer life, and our life before the world as well.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven…”  Matthew 6:9-10

Not only do we use Jesus’ name to fulfill our own lusts and desires, but we also forget that Jesus told us that we are to pray for God’s Kingdom to come (in me!); and for God’s will to be done (in me), and in the earth—”as it is in heaven”!  And how is God’s will done in heaven?  Let’s take a look at John’s glimpse into the very throne room of God.

“And the four beasts had each of them

six wings about him;

and they were full of eyes within:

and they rest not day and night, saying,

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty,

which was,

and is,

and is to come.

9 And when those beasts

give glory and honour and thanks

to him that sat on the throne,

who liveth for ever and ever,

10 The four and twenty elders

fall down

before him that sat on the throne,

and worship him

that liveth for ever and ever,

and cast their crowns

before the throne, saying,

11 Thou art worthy, O Lord,

to receive glory and

honour and

power:

for thou hast created

all things,

and for thy pleasure

they are

and were created.”  Revelation 4:8-11

Is this what your response to God looks like?  Or are we begging and pleading with God for our will to be done by Him, regardless of its nature, or its alignment with His Holy Word?  We are like spoiled children, pitching a fit to get our own way!  It seems that we are more concerned with “My will be done”, than God’s!

Jesus talks about our privilege as His sheep, to pray in His name, but that is a holy privilege not a license to sin, live our own way, or have popularity, prosperity, personal gain in whatever arena is of import to you and me!

“But ye believe not,

because ye are not of my sheep,

as I said unto you.

27 My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me,

is greater than all;

and no man is able to pluck them

out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.”  John 10:26-30

Jesus tells us to ask in His name, but He also gave us the caveat to that promise! It’s not for our own desires, but for the glory of God.  It makes me extremely sad to see and hear people claiming to pray “in Jesus’ name” yet the things they ask are often for selfish gain in one way or another.  Even when their mouth is saying “Praise God”, their life is saying, “Praise me!”  Let’s examine our life by what Jesus said; and note that He refers to The Holy Spirit (which would come at Pentecost) as “the Spirit of truth”; I find this of great import, for so many claim to be speaking from the “Spirit”, but their words do not align with God’s Word!  To ask “in Jesus’ name” isn’t a magic formula, but rather it is an identification with the Son Of God, who IS truth!  If your use of His name doesn’t align with His Word, then it doesn’t align with Him!  Do our words (regardless of whose name we use) glorify self or The Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

“Believest thou not that I am in the Father,

and the Father in me?

the words that I speak unto you

I speak not of myself:

but the Father that dwelleth in me,

he doeth the works.

11 Believe me that I am in the Father,

and the Father in me:

or else believe me

for the very works’ sake.

12 Verily, verily, I say unto you,

He that believeth on me,

the works that I do shall he do also;

and greater works than these shall he do;

because I go unto my Father.

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name,

that will I do,

 that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name,

I will do it.

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

16 And I will pray the Father,

and he shall give you another Comforter,

that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth;

whom the world cannot receive,

because it seeth him not,

neither knoweth him:

but ye know him;

for he dwelleth with you,

and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless:

I will come to you.”  John 14:10-18

Do we love Jesus and “keep my commandments”? The author of Hebrews reminds us that the plumbline of all things IS The Word of God, we can choose to heed The Word or reap the consequences of wrong thinking/believing.

“For the word of God is

quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit, and

of the joints and marrow, and

is a discerner

of the thoughts and intents

of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in his sight:

but all things are naked and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.”  Hebrews 4:12-13

Our accounting before God will be according to God’s Word not our own loose handling of the same; God knows, and truth will be open before Him!  Jesus also told us that our lives are to be serving Him, and that which we ask “in His name” is to be in order to bring glory to God and to increase His kingdom?  How are you using His name?  Do you love Him, or only what you think He will do for you?

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

If a man love me,

he will keep my words:

and my Father will love him,

and we will come unto him,

and make our abode with him.

24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings:

and the word which ye hear is not mine,

but the Father’s which sent me.

25 These things have I spoken unto you,

being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter,

which is the Holy Ghost,

whom the Father will send in my name,

he shall teach you all things,

and bring all things to your remembrance,

whatsoever I have said unto you.”             John 14:23-26

Jesus had so much to say about the transition from His physical presence to the indwelling Holy Spirit for those who were His own.

“Ye are my friends,

if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants;

for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:

but I have called you friends;

for all things that I have heard of my Father

I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me,

but I have chosen you,

and ordained you,

that ye should go and bring forth fruit,

and that your fruit should remain:

that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father

in my name,

he may give it you.”  John 15:14-16

Did you see the connection between bearing fruit with and for Jesus and asking and receiving from The Father.  We can’t go maverick and expect Jesus’ blessing upon us, and His answers to our demands.  I think that we, much like the religious leaders of Jesus day, are wanting to please God in our flesh and get HIS blessings by our own goodness!  Let’s see what Jesus had to say about choices, behavior and truth, to us!

“Ye hypocrites,

well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

8 This people draweth nigh unto me

with their mouth,

and honoureth me

with their lips;

but their heart

is far from me.

9 But in vain they do worship me,

teaching for doctrines

the commandments of men.”  Matthew 15:7-9

We must continue to be diligent to work and walk in God’s ways, knowing what His Word says, and diligently ordering our steps according to that Word!  So are you and I using words made of letters, claiming to speak in Jesus’ name; or is our life aligned to His Holy Word?  It’s your choice, but choose wisely, there is a test.

“O death,

where is thy sting?

O grave,

where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death

is sin;

and the strength of sin

is the law.

57 But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:55-58

And in closing Jesus’ own words to us all, for remember, saying so, doesn’t make it so!

“Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will

of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:21-23

Amen and Amen!!!

Please be sure that your prayers, your words, your life before a lost and dying world is grounded in Jesus, HIS Word, and His ways, and not just empty letters that may spell His name but not be of Him; don’t be just “saying…Lord, Lord”!

What Is God’s Kingdom??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #370

30 Wednesday Jul 2025

Posted by in 'Come unto me, God's measure isn't ours, God's provision, God's Righteousness Not mine, God's Time, God's ways are not our ways, Godliness will be opposed, Godly Wisdom, Good Neighbor, Knowing GOD, Knowing God's Word, Knowing Truth, Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done, Time Is Grace!, Today and Forever, Today is the day of Salvation, Who are YOU following?, Who are you listening to?, Who will you believe and follow?, Who's following you?, Who's in your heart?, Who's Listening?, Who's Your Father?, Whom are you trusting?, Whose Sheep are You?, Whose Side Are You On?, Wise As Serpents

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What Is God’s Kingdom???  A Word from THE WORD!!! #370

This seems like a reasonable question, but we must keep our “reason” based on scripture.  Jesus calls us to keep our focus on spiritual things God’s way not our own.  Let’s consider some principles from scripture and then decide what “kingdom” we are living in.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom

come.

Thy will

be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”   Matthew 6:9-10

Jesus calls us to pray to “Our Father”!  Who has this privilege?  Those who are born again and made children of God!

“He came unto his own,

and his own received him not.

12 But as many as received him,

to them gave he power

to become the sons of God,

even to them that believe on his name:

13 Which were born,

not of blood,

nor of the will of the flesh,

nor of the will of man,

but of God.”  John 1:11-13

Even as Jesus told Nicodemus, we must be born “of God” by being “born again”!   Only those who have been born again have the right and the privilege to call God Father; and when we call God father, we ought to behave like His children, and our prayer is to be made in pursuit of His Kingdom to “come”, and His will to be “done”!  To put it simply, whose kingdom are you pursuing, which “king” are you bowing before; kingdom, simply put, means the domain of a “king”!  Who is your king; yourself, the world, the enemy of your soul?  You are serving someone, be sure that it is The King of all, the almighty, sovereign, ruler, creator and Lord over all!  And that means just what it says—He is ruler over all; and you can trust in Him to save, keep and deliver.  Paul said it better than I can.

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:”   Philippians 1:6

Jesus began it and He will finish His work in we who come to Him in repentance of our sin and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice at Calvary—the sacrifice that sealed the new covenant for all who will believe in Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection for our sin!

“Then said he,

Lo, I come to do thy will, O God.

He taketh away the first,

that he may establish the second.

10 By the which will we are sanctified

through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ

once for all.”  Hebrews 10:9-10

Our assurance and confidence are in the completed work of salvation that Jesus accomplished as the sacrificial “Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world…”; and because of the great victory that Jesus accomplished and imparts to all who believe, we can have the victory!  You and me!  We who will recognize God as the King and choose to receive salvation in Jesus and joining His Kingdom!  That’s where victory is found, for those who respond to the call of God and build their house upon “The Rock”—Jesus!  Sing Rock of Ages to Him today!

“Beloved,

believe not every spirit,

but try the spirits whether they are of God:

because many false prophets

are gone out into the world.

2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God:

Every spirit that confesseth

that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh

is of God:

3 And every spirit that confesseth not

that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh

is not of God:

and this is that spirit of antichrist,

whereof ye have heard

that it should come;

and even now already

is it in the world.

4 Ye are of God, little children,

and have overcome them:

because greater is he that is in you,

than he that is in the world.”  1 John 4:14

Where is your kingdom?  Who is your King?  It’s your choice but choose wisely, there is a test!  Jesus made it plain.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.”Matthew 7:13-14.

Amen and Amen!!!

Prayer Day 4 of 8??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #280

31 Thursday Oct 2024

Posted by in Daniel Prayed--Do You?, Daniel Prayed--Will You?, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!, Prayer, Prayer or Panic?

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Prayer Day 4 of 8???   A Word from THE WORD!!! #280

Today, I’d like to return to Daniel to see a different aspect of prayer.  I want us to consider the outcome of faithful praying; not just answered prayer, but the effects of praying.

“Confess your faults one to another,

and pray one for another,

that ye may be healed.

The effectual fervent prayer

of a righteous man

availeth much.

17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are,

and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain:

and it rained not on the earth

by the space of three years and six months.

18 And he prayed again,

and the heaven gave rain,

and the earth brought forth her fruit.”  James 5:16-18

Let me simply comment on part of this passage that many misunderstand.  When James says that “Elias (Elijah)” prayed for rain to stop, and then for rain to come, he didn’t do it on his own, he did it at God’s bidding.  See the context in 1 Kings 17-18, it’s an amazing story, but don’t get the idea that prayer is a heavenly slot machine!  It’s not!  It’s communion with God, speaking with Him and listening to HIM!  Jesus gives us the parameters in very simple terms, and our prayers are to ever to be measured by it!  Am I walking with God or dictating to Him?

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth,

as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9-10

Paul speaks to prayer as well; we are not to fret (be careful), but take all things before God, pursuing His will and not our own, yet understanding that wanting to know what to do, how to do it, and the when’s and where’s of our decisions are subjects that God wants us to share with Him! Even when we ask amiss, if we will but listen and heed, we will find ourselves in less stress and more of God’s peace!

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

Sometimes God is calling us to wait!!!  Oh, no, not that big “W” word?  Yes, if we will but wait on Him, HE will answer!

“But they that wait upon the LORD

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles;

they shall run, and not be weary;

and they shall walk, and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31

Let’s look at Daniel’s friends in the trial of the fiery furnace, in this account we find that their confidence was in the relationship they had with their God in prayer and faithful dependence on Him.  God heard, answered and displayed His glory amazingly!  We must know Him and His Word in personal confidence.

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,

answered and said to the king,

O Nebuchadnezzar,

we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

17 If it be so,

our God

whom we serve

is able to deliver us

from the burning fiery furnace,

and he will deliver us

out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king,

that we will not serve thy gods,

nor worship the golden image

which thou hast set up.”  Daniel 3:16-18

Where is your confidence?  Are you willing, like these young men, to say God can—but even if He doesn’t deliver us out of the fire, HE will deliver us through it into His presence.  And my friends, if Jesus tarries, we may find ourselves facing the fire!  Are you prayed up?  Let’s pray diligently—oh how I long to see God move among us once again!

Amen and Amen!!!

Hindering Revival??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #224

26 Sunday May 2024

Posted by in 'Come unto me, A Form of godliness?, A Witness--Good or Bad???, Choices And Consequences, Choose Gratitude and show it!, Choose Wisely, Choose You This Day!, Choosing Jesus or The World?, Christ IN YOU, Confidence or Presumption?, Conformed or Transformed?, Conformed to HIS image, Fickle or Faithful, REvival, Revival or Recycle?, Righteousness exalts a nation, Transformation, Transformed life, Trendy Or Truth

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Hindering Revival??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #224

“Wilt thou not revive us again:

that thy people may rejoice in thee?

7 Shew us thy mercy, O LORD,

and grant us thy salvation.

8 I will hear what God the LORD will speak:

for he will speak peace unto his people,

and to his saints:

but let them not turn again

to folly.

9 Surely his salvation

is nigh them that fear him;

that glory may dwell in our land.”  Psalm 85:6-9

So what is revival?  Revival is a renewal of the living, not a raising of the dead (in other words a renewing and restoring of God’s own people, not the saving of the lost; but by the same token when God’s own get right with HIM, great and mighty things will draw the lost to The Living God!). We seem to have skewed what revival truly is; we have quoted parts of 2 Chronicles 7:14 so often, yet more often than not we leave out much of the important part.  We want God to heal our land, but we don’t really want Him to change us, or draw a line against our “pet sin”!  I’d like to simply share some things for us to consider in our desire for true revival:

       Are we willing to abandon our pride?

       Are we willing to draw near to God rather than self?

       Are we willing to submit to/obey God and His Word?

              (popular or not…and it won’t be!)

       Do we see our sin as sin?

       Are we mourning over our sin/the sin of our nation?

       Are we equipped to resist the devil?

              (in other words do we know the Word of God, so that

                we can recognize the devil, his wiles and temptation?)

       Do you prefer to laugh at sin, or have a burden over it?

Peruse what James has to say to us, and may we truly hear the voice of God (via the Holy Spirit) speaking to our heart and respond accordingly.  Our life choices matter not only to us, but also to others watching to see if we live what we say we believe.

“But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

 ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn,

and weep:

let your laughter be turned to mourning,

and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:8-10

God’s message to Solomon is so important, but we often want to pick and choose the parts we want to accept, pursue, and obey.

“And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night,

and said unto him,

I have heard thy prayer,

and have chosen this place to myself

for an house of sacrifice.

13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain,

or if I command the locusts to devour the land,

or if I send pestilence among my people…”

God heard Solomon’s request for His provision and acceptance of this house which he had built, and God told him that he would accept the Temple, but He also told Solomon that He would still judge sin, and if He chose to discipline His people there was a remedy.  Oh, that America would realize that we have abandoned God Almighty and His Son, Jesus, by our choices, our behavior, and our negligence of His Word and prayer, and then wonder why we are reaping the present “perilous times”.  May we heed the remedy that God gave to Solomon—all of it. (See 2 Tim. 3:1-5)

“…14 If

my people,

which are called by my name,

shall humble themselves,

and pray,

and seek my face,

and turn from their wicked ways;

then will I

hear from heaven,

and will forgive their sin,

and will heal their land.

15 Now mine eyes shall be open,

and mine ears attent

unto the prayer that is made

in this place.”  2 Chronicles 7:12-15

Jesus gave us the most important parameters of prayer, that so many miss today; knowing that our place is “in Jesus” not a building!

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

in earth, as it is in heaven.” Matt. 6:9-10

Jesus instructs us to be focused on God’s will, God’s kingdom—hence we need to study God’s Word as Paul instructs as as well.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15

Why study God’s Word?  It is our plumbline of truth, for sure, not the world!

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable   for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect,

throughly furnished

unto all good works.”   2 Timothy 3:16-17

Boiled down, Paul is saying God’s Word IS God’s Word; it is profitable for—what we know to be truth—reproving (revealing to us) us when we err—correcting us back to the right—and teaching us how to avoid temptation.  The result is, we will be able to behave with spiritual maturity, equipped unto “all good works” which (as Paul says in Eph. 2:8-10) “God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Do we have a heart for the spiritual things of God, or have we binged on the junk food of the world so much, that we have no appetite for God?  Have we dulled our appetites for God’s things inadvertently, or by neglect?  As Jesus mentions in Matthew chapter 7, are we choosing the “straight gate” or the “broad way”?  It’s your choice but choose wisely, there is a test.  As for revival, I think scripture teaches us that unless we are willing to see ourselves as we really are, humbling ourselves before God, and seeking the change that only His Holy Spirit can achieve, it’s not near.  As James teaches us, being a successful child of God takes some effort—in fact a lot of effort!  And while I’ve only included part of the chapter, I encourage you to spend some time in the book of James this week.

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation:

for when he is tried,

he shall receive the crown of life,

which the Lord hath promised

to them that love him.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted,

I am tempted of God:

for God cannot be tempted with evil,

neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted,

when he is drawn away of his own lust,

and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived,

it bringeth forth sin:

and sin, when it is finished,

bringeth forth death.

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren…

…22 But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer,

he is like unto a man beholding his natural face

in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself,

and goeth his way,

and straightway forgetteth

what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty,

and continueth therein,

he being not a forgetful hearer,

but a doer of the work,

this man shall be blessed in his deed.

26 If any man among you seem to be religious,

and bridleth not his tongue,

but deceiveth his own heart,

this man’s religion is vain.

27 Pure religion

and undefiled before God and the Father is this,

To visit the fatherless

and widows in their affliction,

and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”                           Portions of James 1:12-27

We could call this a prescription for preparing for true revival!  Are we caring for those in need—widows and orphans—AND keeping ourselves “unspotted from the world”!  Let’s not be leopard Christians, but faithful servants of our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ!  I’m praying for you and for revival.  May God hear our cry and see the earnestness of our heart.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy, acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect, will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God hath dealt to every man

the measure of faith.”  Romans 12:1-3

Amen and Amen!!!