Tag Archives: prayer

Christian

The Cross

Lately I’ve been thinking about the many songs dedicated to the cross. I’ve also wondered about wearing the cross. Whether made of metal, stone, wood, or some other material is it appropriate to wear one?

I do believe the cross is an important symbol. Jesus himself prophesied in John 3:14-15 KJV And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: [15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

The cross embodies symbolism involving death, baptism, and resurrection. Romans 6:3-6. Near where I live there is one of those billboards that says, He loved you this much and it shows a depiction of Jesus on the cross with his arms outstretched wide. I appreciate these things and I suppose there may be something I’m missing, but I have two issues I’d like to raise.

What’s the difference between singing a song about a rifle, or a sword, or a guillotene and the cross? It is an instrument of death. My savior is Jesus. He is my focus, not a piece of wood.

The second is wearing or praying with a cross. In my opinion a cross shouldn’t be worn or prayed with. Here’s why: A cross is a graven image or a likeness of something that is in the earth. It is an image. Perhaps intent is key, but what will you reach for when you are in trouble or in time of need? The icon or Jesus? Jesus should be in our hearts and in our minds. Our strength doesn’t come from a piece of metal or wood or a tattoo. Your salvation will not come from the cross in your hand or one worn around your neck. Salvation comes from believing in Jesus, that he is the Christ. And with that faith knowing both what he did and what he does for us.

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Christian, Inspirational

Sweet Hour

There is an old hymn entitled Sweet Hour of Prayer.

I’ve sung the song many times at Church, but here’s the truth, I’ve never in my life prayed for an hour.

I’m not advocating you follow that example. But here’s good news for people like me: Matthew 6:9-13 takes only a minute or two to pray and it’s how our Lord asked us to pray.

Further good news can be found in Matthew 6:7-8 KJV But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do : for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. [8] Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

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Christian, Inspirational

In Jesus Name

Did you know some Bible scholars don’t know why we pray in Jesus name?

Can you imagine appearing in an earthly courtroom without an attorney?

1 Timothy 2:5 KJV says, For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

When we pray in Jesus name we appear before the Heavenly Father with Jesus by our side, an attorney that’s already paid for.

If you enjoy a more figurative explanation and biblical theme read the book of Esther and search the word sceptre in your Holy Bible. If you appeared unbidden before the King of Persia in Esther’s time he would hold out his scepter signifying life. If he withheld it from the petitioner it meant a sentence of death.

Jesus is the sceptre already held out by the Lord God Almighty. If you accept him you shall have eternal life.

With Jesus as our mediator each and every time, we may present ourselves before Jehovah, the Most High and Holy and live.

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Christian, Inspirational

Lover

Suppose your dream girl or dream guy gave you a book and said I would like a relationship with you, what I expect from you is in this book. Wouldn’t you read it. Wouldn’t you follow it?

God did exactly that. He came to Earth and gave his life to be in a relationship with us. He wrote a book all about it. It’s called the Holy Bible. Can a relationship actually be a list of do’s and don’ts? It can be. What does Jesus expect from us? What defines a healthy relationship with God?

  • Baptized into the blood. Mark 16:16
  • Read the Holy Bible. Psalm 1
  • Keep the law. John 14:15
  • Confession. 1 John 1:9
  • Prayer. Matthew 6:9-13
  • Fasting. Matthew 6:16-18
  • Attend Church services. Hebrews 10:25
  • Good deeds. Matthew 3:8

This isn’t intended to be an exhaustive list, but it certainly covers the basics. My relationship with Christ over the years hasn’t always looked the same. It is now the strongest it has been in 48 years. Do you know what the Bible has to say about that?

The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger. Job 17:9 KJV

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Christian, Inspirational

Led

Some might say that my writing highlights the negative more than the positive. So following are positive comments on the state of Christ’s Church. They are worthy to be dwelled upon, shared with others, and emulated:

The Church of Christ denomination understands baptism. Both they and I believe baptism is by complete immersion in water in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. We further believe baptism should be at an age of understanding – where the youth can differentiate between good and evil, repent of sin, and understand the significance of being baptized into the family of God.

The Catholic Church accepts confession.

The Amish and Mennonite women cover their heads when they pray.

Russians greet one another with a Holy Kiss.

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Christian, Inspirational

Use My Name

I have been thinking on prayer. 100% of the time at the Church I attend “in Jesus name” is how prayer is ended. But must it always be so?

When we pray. We pray to the Heavenly Father. When we pray, we pray through or with Jesus his Son. Not just in his name, but actually with him. I believe that we should pray with Jesus as our attorney, our advocate, our mediator. In a courtroom today we don’t say to the Judge, in the name of my attorney. We go to the attorney ourselves, who then with us makes our wishes and pleas known to the Judge.

Certainly the Heavenly Father is a Great Judge. And when I pray I will try to end those prayers with … through you Jesus my Saviour I pray, rather than simply ending the prayer with in the name of Jesus. I think the former conveys a healthier and more active relationship with Jesus and with our Heavenly Father.

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Christian, Inspirational

Prayer

For public prayer in modern churches you really need to go back to the Old Testament.

Isaiah 56:7 KJV Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

Technically I cannot think of a publicly led prayer in the Temple. Solomon led a prayer outside of the Temple and Daniel prayed three times a day towards Jerusalem. In Matthew 6:5, Jesus talks of those praying in synagogues and streets, but overall his comment is not favorable.

There are many verses in the New Testament referring to prayer. The first part of James 5:16 is often overlooked.

James 5:16 KJV 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.

I firmly believe the men who get up and pray should pray Matthew 6:9-13. I cannot think of a time in any church where I have heard this prayed, but it is how our Savior, Jesus Christ, instructed us to pray. When listening to another pray in their own words I have to pause and consider if I agree. There have been times when I just pray Matthew 6:9-13 silently during public prayer.

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Christian, Inspirational

Denominational Deafness

I am of the opinion that most people, like myself, attend church based on parental influence. It’s hard to leave a group you’ve known since childhood. The Church of Christ I attend is given over to denominational deafness. They are no different than thousands of other churches. At the base level I think people pay for what they like to hear, comfortable words.

When people would not hear Jesus, he bluntly told them they could not hear because their father was the Devil. He said, if your father were God, you would hear me. John 8:43-47. I am not Jesus to say this of someone, but I wonder greatly. If a person is partially deaf to the truth, does that show they have given room to the Devil? What level of deafness can cause loss of salvation?

The following ways to fight deafness are crucial.

Question the actions that occur at your denomination. Are they biblical? Is their scriptural interpretation accurate?

There are only two ways that I know of to answer these questions. Study and prayer. Read the Holy Bible on your own and pray for wisdom that you may understand it.

Acts 17:11 KJV … they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

James 1:5 KJV If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

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Christian, Inspirational

First Preventer

I have noticed not only a trend at our local Church, but one that seems to be popular nation wide. The trend is praying for and honoring first responders. Although fire fighters, EMTs, doctors, and police are honorable professions, I don’t care to pray for them all, especially ones I don’t know. In my opinion prayers and blessings should be first for those close to you. Remember when Esau sought a blessing he found nothing left, for it had already gone to Jacob.

As we pray, there is no better way than Matthew 6:9-13.  Let us not forget to honor and trust the First Preventer.  He caused David to sleep peacefully at night. He built hedges around Job. He causes the tumor to be benign or never to form. He causes the thief and the murderer to pass by your house. These among thousands of other ways He keeps us safe. He is the Lord God Almighty. He is Jehovah. And in God do we trust.

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