2020-01-31
Good Morning Dear Ones,
I’ve been commanded by the Holy Spirit to write about what it means to pray in Christ’s name. He has asked me to continue supplying supporting Scriptures to the book of Colossians and to delve into the relationships between man and God and human to human ones. A quick review of the definitions of the three personalities of the Trinity is in order. The Father (to Whom I’m in the habit of praying) can’t be perceived by humans, and yet we know that He is the so-called “CEO of heaven.” It is He Who makes all the decisions. The Son, Jesus Christ, is a second personality, One Who could be seen by humans, who is the so-called “VP in charge of salvation, justification, and eternal forgiveness,” and the Holy Spirit, Who inhabits the souls of humans and is the so-called “VP in charge of conveying God’s teaching, His blessings, and helping us mature spiritually.” It is He Who helps us make righteous decisions, understand God’s teaching and that of Jesus Christ. These are the three personalities of our One God.
JN 15 gives us an even clearer picture. (vvs.1-2, 5, and 7) “I am the real Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. He breaks off every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, and He prunes every branch that does bear fruit, as that it will be clean and bear more fruit…I am the Vine and you are the branches. Those who remain in Me and I in them, will bear much fruit, for you can do nothing without Me…If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it.” Having faith in God (Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit) is essential to understanding of what we are doing and saying when we pray in Christ’s name. HE 11: 1-2, 6 sheds light on this notion. “To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see. It was by their faith that people of ancient times won God’s approval…No one can please God without faith that God exists and rewards those who seek Him.” When we genuinely believe in Jesus Christ, we can look forward to eternal life. 1 JN 5: 13-15, [John’s words expressing his faith], “I am writing this to you, so that you may know that you have eternal life-you that believe in the Son of God. We have courage in God’s presence, because we are sure that He hears us if we ask Him for anything, that is according to His will. He hears us whenever we ask Him and since we know this is true, we know also that He gives us what we ask from Him.”
We must also consider the importance of our motives in this process. JAS 4: 2- 4b, 5b-8a, “You want things, but you cannot have them, so you are ready to kill, you strongly desire things, but you cannot get them, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have what you want, because you do not ask God for it. And when you ask, you do not receive it, because your motives are bad…The Spirit God placed in us is filled with fierce desires. But the grace that God gives us is even stronger. As the Scripture [PR 3: 34] says, ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’...So then, submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God, and He will come near to you.”
If you are feeling blessed by God, then I am successful in getting the Holy Spirit’s point across. He wants us to know JN 15: 16-17, [Christ’s words] “You did not choose Me; I chose you and appointed you to go and bear much fruit, the kind of fruit that endures. And so, the Father will give you whatever you ask of Him in My Name. This, then, is what I command you: Love one another.” It’s appropriate at this time to repeat EPH 6: 18, “Do all this in prayer, asking for God’s help. Pray on every occasion as the Spirit leads. For this reason, keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God’s people.”
PRAYER: O Lord, we have read and understood Your precious words. They are life-changers for the better. While sin brings us much trouble, and we sometimes act with stupidity, greed, and lack of sensitivity, You teach us, through Your Spirit dwelling in us, to change our decisions, words, and/or behavior. There have been times when we didn’t have faith, that we couldn’t hear and understanding Your Spirit. However, You have loved us so much that You open us to Christ’s teaching and the Spirit’s inhabiting our souls. By doing this, You not only express Your love for us, but You empower us to please You, care for other people, and to gain eternal life. It is only through the courageous and righteous sacrifice of His physical life on the cross, that You enabled Your Son to make salvation, justification, eternal forgiveness, and glorification available to us. It is through that Atonement that Christ has opened Your powerful wisdom to us. We are grateful and offer you praise and thanks for opening the two-way channel of prayer’s power to us any time of day or night, any day of the year. We bow to You in reverence, acknowledging Your superior presence, knowledge, and power, all of which You always use in our best eternal interests. You are our God, and we are Your people. Praise and thanks to You, in the holy/mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
NEXT WEEK: I’m commanded to write about the ideal attitude God would want us to have when praying. There are some experiences I feel called to share that have impacted me tremendously. To make this explanation clear, let me begin by citing JAS 5: 15-16, “This prayer made in faith will heal the sick; the Lord will restore them to health, and the sins they have committed will be forgiven. So then, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you will be healed. The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect.” What an important message this is, which God has given us! I’m at the age where I have lost many loved ones in my life. It’s clear to me that God wants me (and all other believers, especially those who are elderly) to have strong faith in Him and in the power our prayers have. I didn’t start out my life believing in Him; nor was I raised with Jesus Christ in it. God knew I would have a long way to go before I was “spiritually awakened” by Him and brought to the faith I have now. My faith has made me want to be a righteous, obedient person. I have had to learn to yield power over my decisions, attitudes, and behavior to Jesus Christ. It wasn’t easy, because it was a journey into the totally unfamiliar for me. Because I come from a very diverse family, and one wouldn’t expect someone raised in traditional Judaism to be called to the Christian ministry I have now, I don’t have a lot in common with my own family. Two of my older brothers are non-observant Jews, one is LDS with a huge family (all LDS), and my cousin and his wife are Buddhists. I’m the only Messianic Jewish person in my family and the only one called to the ministry. My long years studying the word of God and serving Lutheran congregations has prepared me for what I am doing now. The Lord has made me a writer, teacher, and led me to leading a group that knits and crochets for those in need. This is shared with you not to brag about my accomplishments, but instead, to boast about the Lord’s accomplishment of moving a spiritually dead person to one with a life like mine. It is He Who deserves all the praise [PS 115: 1]. It is He Who has given me both peace and happiness. Am I still a sinner? You bet I am, but even so, I can still eagerly anticipate eternal life, when He decides the time is right. If my service to the Lord can bring other people into the same peace and happiness I have, then there is proof positive of the Lord’s amazing power. Praise and thanks be to Him!
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn
JS 24: 15
© Lynn Johnson 2019. All Rights Reserved.
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