"HEAVEN"

HOME - Our natural habitat!

"OUR" Father who art in "HEAVEN"
Communion - common union - purity - abundant life - justice - freedom to serve - rest - fellowship - full knowledge - known as I AM known - face to face.
No sin
No sickness
No crying
No sighing
No dying
No satan
No separation
No sorrow
No pain
No death
No tears
No loneliness
No differences
No misunderstandings
No contradiction
No lying
No dishonesty
No false fronts
No toil
No time restraints
No condemnation
No contamination
No lack of communication
No restraints to praise
No sun
No moon
No day
No night
No darkness
No light (He is the light)

"IN HEAVEN HALLOWED"

“He will not always chide; neither will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the HEAVEN is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the East is from the West, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities them that fear Him. (“AWE”) For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are as the grass of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the (“AWESOME”) Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him. And His righteousness unto the children’s children. To such as keep His covenant, and those that remember His commandments to do them. The Lord prepared His throne in the Heavens; and His Kingdom rules over all. (“Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”)
Bless the Lord, you His Angels that excel in strength, that do His commandments, harkening unto the voice of His Word. Bless you the Lord, all you hosts; you ministers of His, that do His pleasure. Bless the Lord, all His works in all places of His dominion; (“Thy Kingdom come.”) bless the Lord, O my soul.” (Psalm 103)

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, even God of our salvation.” (Ps.68:19) SELAH! (Stop and think about it.) HOW?
(Heavenly – presently, “Has blessed us wit all Spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus in the Heavenly places.”) NOW!

H.I.W. – He Is Worthy – Worship, Praise, Glory, Adoration!

“Let us glory in the cross” “How can it be?” “Amazing love!” “Thou art worthy” “I want to see Jesus”

HA – AH – LE – LU – JAH!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Worthy is the Lamb. Worthy is the Lamb.
You are Holy, Holy, Holy.(Repeat as in Heaven. Selah! Pause to ponder of being a part of the vast throngs singing: “Worthy Is The Lamb”, You are Holy, Holy, Holy. Over and over again, from one side of Heaven, in waves, to the other side of Heaven.)

"IN hEAVEN"

Here we are into eternity with a vast host in Heaven standing before our Lord, and He says, “Why should I let you into my Heaven? (go along with me here a minute) What would you say? What could you say? What should you say?

Well, Jesus, you know when I first trusted you and believed you would forgive me my sin when I asked you into my heart and life. We knew that you died on the cross for ME and rose again to give me the gift of eternal life. I received you as my Lord and Savior and trust you now for entrance into your Heaven, to be with you, since that day we first heard your Word and confessed our need for your forgiveness, that pardon was ours because you, O my King, said so. Not any other thing that I’ve done other than trusting that you have forgiven me and promised us this gift of “BE”ing here in your Heaven.

Lord, look out in this scene of the sea of a cloud of witnesses whose lives we have touched and call my Mom here to give an account of my Baptism, not just as a baby, when they demonstrated their belief that you would raise me up; but my voluntary type of Baptism when I was buried with you in waters of Baptism and raised to walk with you in newness of life in your Kingdom on earth.

Lord, look there are others that were there who are here in agreement of what transpired. They raise their hand to give testimony of what they saw and was was heard and said when we handled your Word for us. Your ever-living Word that cleansed us and made us fit to be here in your presence. We love you Lord, because the accuser is not here to bring accusation against us. You have blotted out all our iniquities.

The forgiveness you give to us Lord Jesus is overwhelming and floods my soul baptizing me with your Spirit that invites us to be here with you. The same Spirit of you, O Christ Jesus that helped me to forgive those others that have sinned against us. I will not breathe a word against them, for some of them never knew how they hurt us. Because we have forgiven them like you forgave us; That is why there is no one here to bring an accusation against us, because I too have forgiven and forgotten their sin. But I do think of the many times you have helped me in those testing places of my life that many have seen when we matured over them in victory. It is all you, Jesus that is all I can say. Thank you, I praise you here along with the throng in Heaven.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Worthy are you! Worthy are you! To receive honor, glory and blessing. Worthy is the Lamb! Worthy is the Lamb!

"IN HEAVEN"

HEAVENLY – HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

“God is of purer eyes than behold evil.”
“Be perfect as my Father in Heaven is perfect.”
“Be Holy as I AM Holy.”
“To BE Holy” (actually) “Made Holy”
(Making Holy – constant action)
“Be (being) filled with the Holy Spirit.”
II Cor.5:21 “. . . that I might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”
(To be made as good as God? Fit for Heaven?)
“Except your righteousness exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees –
(They look into the law to say “I am fair-I-see”)
“All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.”
“There none that does good, no not one.”
If we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
(from all un-right-in-us) I Jn.1:9)

When I consider who you are and who I am (apart from you) I see that I am in need of you our Father. When I think I am mistreated, not recognized and things around me seem unfair or unsure – then I see myself in relationship to who you are, in Holiness, I am nothing compared to all you have made me “TO BE”; a son of God Almighty. I need to worship and serve you because without drawing near to you, I just see myself (wretched), but when I see you and adore you, I am lifted up into your presence, far beyond myself and all its circumstances. I need to praise you – (a choice) “HALLOWED BE”. The essence of “BE”ing.
When I allow you to be praised, I see who you made me ‘TO BE” in your presence. Why I praise you, in purity and Holiness! (without which no one can see God.”)

“Only the pure in heart can see God.” (Mt.5:8)
Who – ascend the hill of the Lord? Stand in His Holy place?
Clean hands – pure heart! (Not vain soul lifted to (idle) idol or swear falsely)
Heaven is a wonderful place,
Filled with glory and grace,
I want to see my Savior’s face,
Heaven is a marvelous,
Heaven is a glorious,
Heaven is a wonderful place.

"IN HEAVEN"

“Our”
“Father”
“Who art”
“IN HEAVEN”
A place ‘TO BE” (In Christ)
(essence – presence)
God’s Place – A Person.
Where He intercedes.

“Seeing That we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God. Let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and grace to help in time of need.” (Heb.4:14-16)

Boldly – Open Face.
Thy Word –
Thy Throne -
Is forever and ever
Settled in Heaven.
(Ps.45:6 & 119:89)

Sweet Hour of Prayer –
Do I love?
- Stand on the street corners?
- To be noticed?
- Prayers heard?
- Much repetition?
Or-
- Secret Place Prayers?
- Listening?
- Sweet Confession?
- Known Face to Face?
Reaps open rewards –
- Prayers answered.
- Personally changed.
- Treasures in Heaven.
- Presence preserved.

“People of faith – Desire a better country that is Heavenly: whereof God is not ashamed to be called their God: For He prepared for them a city.” (Heb.11:16)

You are not ashamed to call US yours, I will not be ashamed either. I pray that others will not be embarrassed that you are our Father, because of what we do or say.

“YOU ARE OUR DWELLING PLACE.” - Heaven is a person (Ps.90:1)

I AM the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
I AM the God of the Prophets.
I AM thy God (_______________) [I can put my name there]
His person – “We shall see Him as He is.” “Face to face.” “We shall be like Him.”

HEAVENLY – HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

“In your presence is the fullness of joy.”

The person of Heaven is Person to person; Face to Face.
Prepared for US.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; and they that dwell therein. For He has formed it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. WHO SHALL ASSEND INTO THE HILL OF THE LORD? OR WHO SHALL STAND IN HIS HOLY PLACE? He that has clean hands, and a pure heart; who has not lifted his soul in vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive from the Lord, and the righteousness from the God of his salvation.” (Psalm 24)
‘IN HEAVEN” (Holy of Holies)
“Let not your heart be troubled: YOU BELIEVE IN GOD, BELIEVE ALSO IN ME. In My Fathers house are many mansions: if were not so, I would have told you. I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that WHERE I AM, THERE YOU MAY BE ALSO. And whither I go you know, and the way you know.” (John 14:1-4)
Jesus says (vs.6) “I AM the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me.”
“And you has He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sin; But God who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He Loved US, even when you were dead in sins, has quickened us together in Christ, (by grace are you saved); AND RAISED US UP TOGETHER AND MADE US SIT TOGETHER IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST JESUS.” (Eph.2:1-6)

“My ways are not your ways, neither My thoughts are not your thoughts. For just as the Heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways higher than yours and My thoughts than yours.” (Isa.55:8,9)
“Blessed be the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed US with all Spiritual blessings IN HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST:” (Eph.1:3)

We come into your presence, ‘OUR FATHER’, into Your Place, Your Holy Realm – Saying, ‘HALLOWED BE”.
We come to His throne room, boldly. We cry out loud to Him. Not brash, but bold. We can sing right out, without any restraint, in confidence, knowing Him. If not: We can confess “Whatever” it is that separates us from “BE”ing in His presence.

"OUR" Father Who Art

D.N.A. Testing – Cloned by the blood of Jesus Christ.
“Life is in the blood” (Messiah genetic code of “Our Father”)
D.N.A.’s biological essence carries genetic information from Father parent cell providing unique personhood, physical characteristic. Who you are, one in a billion, DNA fingerprint, in essence, our identity.
“Let us make man in Our Image”. Identified with (God) Our intelligent designer, Father. An intelligent creator designed life (not genetic mutations) in involving an entire egg, fertilized to write a genetic coded development program of a person. Written into this structure is a language (Words made flesh), DNA (seed ‘Word of God’ implant fertile) “The glory of the only begotten of the Father” (Jn.1:12) Mouth to mouth resuscitation, “The breath of life”, man becomes a living “BE”ing. Out of Adam, (the first God made man) side God makes a woman (cloned) mans genes (Identity in her man). Her deception to become godlike, shares the forbidden fruit from “the midst of the garden”, brings sin’s lie to Adam’s race. Left alone to become gods, their struggle to survive separates them from the God who made them like Himself. To provide cover for them, protecting them from the naked garden of flesh, the blood sacrifice of a substitute skin offering, hiding their shame.
Sin’s shame covered by the blood of Jesus gives us a new (birth) image of identity from death separation from “Our Father” to new life generated into a person I have never been before. Now “BE”ing “conformed into the image” of His only dear Son, Jesus, “Word becomes flesh”, imparting knowledge of His life through His spirit, Holy as He is. “He (God) has made Him (Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we may be made (as good as God) the righteousness of God in Him.” (II Cor.5:21)
“He has laid on Him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all.”
DNA perfectly identifies the person. You cannot remain anonymous. The image God imparts to a believer in Jesus is through the identity in the blood of Jesus. His death, burial and resurrection powerfully gives life to the faithful by an immersion into someone regenerated now new, identified in “BE”ing dead to sins separation from God’s image, raised to walk in newness of life. Identity of a Christian is “In Christ” and Christ’s image stamped in the Christian’s heart.
We are now “In Christ” and He is “In us”! (Imprint of Himself) Virgin Mary bares “the express image of God.” Father produces the blood line. D.N.A.’s identity of the Holy Spirit. Surrogate Virgin Mother brings the “Son of God” who’s blood is from His Father.
The blood of Jesus “covers a multitude of sin”, giving life that lasts forever is the DNA composite code of our individuality in Him. He is our identity. Our I AM AGE, we know and are known through Him.

"WHO ART" "HEAVENLY"

“Let the WORDS of my mouth . . .” Words in an earthsuit (skin costume)

Bigger brains (cranium, cranial) of man kind made in His I AM age, knows with a God-consciousness, its creator: Words made known. Language groups that distinguish (a particular, peculiar people) identify their kind of man. (Unlike any animal) Words that flesh out who they are known for, “after their kind.” Using words to identify, making things, tools of the trade, known for. Intelligent design in kind. Designer – Maker. Abstract thinker (mankind) analytical use of words to describe Maker’s image. (story of Pinociole) (unexplained evolution) Mimic our Maker – Father – God. Words make us different, yet the same. (as God?) Worship – when mankind wants to become as high as God, God confuses their language (family word groups)
1. We are known by our words. (in kind)
2. We know by words (made flesh)
3. We make known by words (intelligent design)
“In the beginning was the Word. . .”

A Bird is known by its song,
A Lion by Its roar,
A Dog by its bark,
A Man by his words.
Cowbells in the Swiss Alps identify the owners by their sound. We are known by our words: whose we are; our walk and our talk.

OUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN –

The words that we speak to you and the thoughts we have for you, are they not in English symbols? Whom are we addressing? Is it in our heart we cry out to you, Oh God? Isn’t it in meditation you hear us call on you? Is it all in our head?

Your Kingdom is within our heart. If we were to speak out in an audible voice, than whom would we be speaking to; that or those people are they the hearers? Or if you dwell in them and have a heart towards you too, are we not addressing you, seeing that you dwell in US, and that they are listening in on our (one sided) conversation? As we speak to you within this heart of ours or to the heart of others where you live, is it not you that is hearing “the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart”? “That is acceptable unto you.”

If the very rocks were to cry out, what would their words be? Where have the rocks and the rills heard your voice? What words have the forest and the fields heard from us? Isn’t our meditation in silence? Your Kingdom is alive in us and when we speak aloud to you and when nature is listening in, what do they hear?

You can read our mind before we speak a word while others can only read our lips. You know the desire of our hearts. The language is the language we have learned as a child growing up in a family and is the same today. Our experience with you living in us has always been in the language learned and understood by us. We have not yet learned any other way of communicating with you. The words that you give to us to see or hear you are in our native tongue. Your words are life to us whether spoken, sung or read and we know no other. It is not natural but a Heavenly language and not a tongue we have never learned. If we were to speak to you and hear you speak to us in German, Japanese or any other national tongue that we understood to be your words speaking to us, wouldn’t that be Heaven sent?

What makes them Heavenly is that knowledge they are true. If I have been lied to and believe the liar, that is not, Heavenly. If it is mans thoughts to mislead, how would that be Heaven sent? You let us know the difference. Knowing the truth, we can recognize the liar. His ways are to deceive. In matter of faith, to believe a lie is to compare words in opposition to those learned in the language of love from birth, NEW BIRTH. For instances of creation, it is “He that has made us and not we ourselves.” In matter of belief it is He that is Our Father of Our new birth, coming alive in us. How can I trust any who would say this life is man made? A myth, man made up to salve his conscience. If there is no Heaven, talk would leave us in separation from the truth that our Father has made us to “BE” Heavenly. “The gift of God is eternal life” even in the embryonic state of conception, cannot be destroyed by words of a liar when you know the one who made you for Heaven Himself is true.

Focus is on “OUR” Father, through, our brother, the firstborn, our Savior, the Lord Jesus, the Christ in Who’s Spirit we are one, with the Father.
His say so is my say so!

"WHO ART" "Our Father"

“IF YOU HAVE KNOWN ME, YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THE FATHER ALSO; and from henceforth you know Him, and have seen Him.” (Jn.14:7)
(vs.9) Don’t you believe that I AM in the Father, and the Father is in me? The Words I speak to you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, He does the works. Believe me that I AM IN THE FATHER, AND YOU ARE IN ME, AND I IN YOU.
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didy-mus, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples said to him. We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, ‘except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into His side, I will not believe’. And after eight days again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them:
THEN CAME JESUS, the door being shut, and shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ‘peace be unto you’. Then said He to Thomas, ‘reach here your finger, and behold my hands; and reach your hand, and thrust it into my side; and be not faithless, but believing’. And Thomas answered and said unto Him, ‘MY LORD AND MY GOD’. Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, BECAUSE YOU HAVE SEEN ME, AND YOU BELIEVED: BLESSED ARE THEY THAT HAVE NOT SEEN, AND YET BELIEVED.’” (Context-Jn.29:24-29)

Read also Jesus’ prayer in Chapter 17; the book of John: “I pray for THEM THAT SHALL BELIEVE on me through their words.”

“No man has seen God at any time. IF WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER, GOD DWELLS IN US, and His love is perfected in us. HEREBY WE KNOW THAT WE DWELL IN HIM, AND HE DWELLS IN US, BECAUSE HE HAS GIVEN US OF HIS SPIRIT. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. WHOSOEVER SHALL CONFESS THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD, GOD DWELLS IN HIM, AND HE IN GOD. And we know and believed the love of god has to us. GOD IS LOVE; and He dwells in God and God in Him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.” (I Jn.4:12-18)

“He said unto them, But whom do you say I AM? And Simon Peter (blurts out for them) answered and said; You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Mt.16:15,16)

“Happy is the people whose God is the Lord.” (Ps.144:15)
“That I may know Him” (Phil.3:10)
“Growing in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.” (II Pet.3:18)
“Till w all come unto the measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph.4:13)
SO WHAT – WHAT NOW?

"OUR FATHER WHO ART. . ."

SO WHAT – NOW WHAT (Lee Strobel)
So what - If Jesus is the Son of God, can I build my life on His Divine insights?
So what – If Jesus set exemplary standards for conduct of choices and decisions?
So what – If Jesus did rise from the dead? He is still alive for me to encounter the comfort of knowing His presence?
So what - If Jesus conquered death, He is the only one who can provide eternal life for me too?
So what – If Jesus has Divine power, He has supernatural ability to transform me and keep me from falling?
So what – If Jesus personally knows what I have to go through, He can comfort and encourage me in any turbulence that He warned is inevitable in a world of sin.
So what – If Jesus loves me and has His bet interest at heart, I have everything to gain by placing my confidence in Him and His best choice for me.
So what – If Jesus is all He claims (No other religious leader pretended to be God) and as the creator of life in Him, (and me) He deserves my worship and obedience.

Now what – If I believe in Him and receive His right to become a child of God, I can commit who I AM to Him!
Now what – If He gives me that right to bring me to God (Our Father) by what He has “DONE” once and for all on the cross for my sins, I can’t “DO” anything to improve on that!
Now what – If it takes a step of faith as we do in all our decisions of life, than I can have the same confidence He gives in overcoming even death!
Now what – I AM now ‘IN CHRIST” “BE”ing a new creation, I don’t have to be what I once was without Him!
Now what – If He says He is with me, He never ever leaves me alone or forsakes me, I can take Him at His Word!
Tell me, where did I go wrong? I have been misled before. I believed what authorities told me without question. Were they right? How can I know for sure? Whose word is true? Who can I trust? Who can I believe? You?

"Our Father WHO ART"

I will to believe – Choice, decision. (What do I really want?)

Questions and answers. Do doubts overwhelm what I believe even under explained evidence just because one obstacle demands an answer? I can have confidence all the explanations that make sense are trustworthy in overcoming any nagging objections to faith. If I have all the answers, there wouldn’t be any faith.

If there is a hell, what is it separating some from the alternative of Heaven? Is that fair? Who is the intelligent designer that caused my world to begin to exist? The highly ordered event from the moment of inception of my universe is fine tuned precision balance that defies any qualities of infinitesimal differences.

God does exist! We know deep down that objective moral values do exist for the survival of the species. There is a right and a wrong. Every living cell has been encoded in the four-letter chemical alphabet of DNA – confirming the existence of intelligent designer who is behind the miraculous creation of my life. His Word to us is the best reliable source to verify our own existence. To defy all the odds of its validation in the proof text would be to confirm unbelief. Jesus is all He claimed to be, proven by His resurrection, the ultimate authentication of His Divinity. He did die by crucifixion and buried in a known tomb that was found empty by His followers. Nobody claimed that it was anything but vacant. All the different appearances of Jesus, alive from the dead, cannot be dismissed because of the extreme early accounts they experienced. They knew Jesus to be alive and were willing to go to their death proclaiming Jesus is the Son of God. All the corroborating evidence of history points to that fact.

The suffering in our world does not constitute some evidence against the existence of God – but is buried by an avalanche of other evidence He does exist. We may not understand why, we can trust that God is just and that someday we’ll have an explanation. It is logical to make a choice in the context of convincing evidence, Christianity is true and that therefore God is trustworthy and loves us deeply.

“If you seek Him with all your heart, then you will find Him.”

The transformation of WHAT you believe into WHO you believe in, eliminates any argument of His existence in your life.

“OUR” faith is “OUR” Father needs no explanation or it wouldn’t be faith. He just is, that’s all there’s to it! What I think does not change His “BE”ing.
Miracle of redeeming us into the image of Jesus is not miraculous if we could explain it. It is not natural for us to try, like the things we control. We obey Him because of His image creates in us a totally new person who wants to be His person.

"WHO ART"

SO WHAT – NOW WHAT?

Can I trust the (factual) story of Jesus? (Not some frivolous message)
The eyewitness testimony of the Gospels bears the unmistakable earmarks of accuracy. Not legendary imagination of inventive biographers with an agenda. In fact, the fundamental beliefs in Jesus – His miracles, resurrection and deity go right back to the start of the Christian’s movement. You can believe it!

Be persuaded that the Gospel writers intended you to know reliable history as His Story. They were able to do so with honest and even difficult-to-explain unbiased reporting. Their harmony on essential facts, with their own divergence on some details, is a creditable account of how and why His church took root and started with His own contemporary teaching facts that flourished under persecution while the opposition tried to expose the facts as exaggerated or false when the disciples knew what was the Gospel truth and willingly preserved for us an unprecedented number of New Testament manuscripts dated extremely close to the original writings, free of textual discrepancies leaving no major Christian doctrine in doubt ensuring us we posses the best records about Jesus.

We have better documents about Jesus than any other founder of any other religion from outside the Bible that corroborates that Jesus performed healing and was the promised Messiah, that He was crucified, and despite that shameful death, His followers knew what they saw, heard and handled, alive Word of God. Over three dozen ancient sources corroborate more than one hundred facts concerned about Jesus’ life, teachings, crucifixion, and resurrection. These secular sources support the several early creeds concerning the Deity of Jesus, a doctrine that presented in the earliest church. Archeology digs confirm the findings of the New Testaments’ credibility establishing these were very careful historians that painstakingly recorded accurate (even minor details) of His Story. History records of Jesus is the same Jesus of “OUR” faith.

The evidence for Jesus being who the disciples said He is passes all tests to show that Jesus is exactly who He is and who He claims to be the anointed one of God – the Messiah – the Savior of the world.

A MAN – YES, SON OF GOD – YES!

“He that comes to God must (first) believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

YES! We can pray – ‘OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN.”

(Summary continued: The Case For Christ – Lee Strobel)

Jesus backs up His claim to fame by miracles of healing, demonstration of power over nature, unrivaled teaching, divine understanding of people, and His purpose of “BE”ing, which was His final authentication of identity – His resurrection.

God becomes man. Christ completes God’s image reformed through the crises of the cross, redemption proven by His resurrection. Jesus exhibited His characteristic of Deity voluntarily emptied Himself of divine attributes in pursuing His mission qualifying His omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, immortality, eternal and immutability.

He matched the identity of Messiah foretold hundreds of years Jesus was born the anointed one who would redeem God’s people. Only Jesus could fit the validation of His credentials of authenticity against all odds (trillions of trillions) to confirm Jesus identity to an incredible degree of certainty, medical and historical data concludes Jesus did die by executioners gruesome rigors of crucifixion on the cross, verified by His inspired world wide movement based on sacrifice of a glorious triumphant victory over the grave.

Extremely early evidence of the vacant tomb of Jesus endures today by creeds dating right after the appearance of Jesus Christ. The central proclamation of the Gospels and I Corinthians 15 theme detail those encountered the risen Christ. Mark and Acts affirmation of Jesus’ resurrection authenticate He appears as He said He would. His disciple knew who they saw alive even at the cost of their life. Skeptics like James and Paul died for their faith. Thousands of Jews abandon their temple worship risking damnation for early sacraments of communion, baptism and celebrating on the day of resurrection in the face of brutal persecution.

Jesus, Who is “OUR” Father? As you taught US To Pray.

YES! I Believe!

Lord I believe, help my unbelief.” (Notes on The Case For Faith – Lee Strobel)
Proverbs 2:3-5 “If you scream for insight and call loudly for understanding, if you pursue it like you would money, and search it out as you would hidden treasure, then the Lord will be awesome to you, and you will come into possession of the Knowledge of God.”

"WHO ART" "OUR" Father in Heaven. . .

“I AM” The self-existent one.

“And yet if I judge, my judgment I true: for I AM not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I AM one that bears witness of myself, and the Father that sent me bears witness of me. Then said they unto Him, where is your Father? Jesus answered, you neither know me, nor my Father: if you had known me, you should have known my Father also.” (Jn.8:16-19)

(vs.23-28) “And He said unto them, you are from beneath; I AM from above: you are of this world; I AM not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that you shall die in your sins: for if you believe not that I AM HE, you shall die in your sins. Then they said unto Him, WHO ARE YOU? And Jesus said unto them, even the same that said unto you from the beginning. I have many things to say and judge of you: but He that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of Him. They understood not that He spoke to them of the Father. Then Jesus said unto them, when you have lifted up the Son of man, then you shall know that I AM HE, and that I do nothing of myself; (vs.58) before Abraham was, I AM.”

Is Jesus who He says He is? Or, is He insane? His proofs? Am I insane to believe who He is right in me and I AM right inside Him? Cloned by D.N.A. blood. Proofs? Feeling or fact? Witness His work in me. He is lifted up in me. “I AM” exists in His presence. Am I insane to act otherwise? Our genetic code, coded to trust “OUR” Father. Faith!

“For there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (I Tim.2:5)

Read I Corinthians chapter 15.

Now tell me, where did we go wrong when we first believed the Words that gave us life? If God is not “OUR FATHER” then we are a miserable people who are most to be pitied. If there is no God, then earth just happened like they say and our parents are all we need to describe who we are.
To hope for any future bliss for our loved ones would all be meaningless. If Christ is not raised: our faith in “OUR FATHER” (that is the faith that Jesus gives us) is in vain. But, Father (God) creates in us a knowledge (acknowledged) of His person in the presence of His one and only Son, Jesus, through His Holy Spirit, giving US life (eternal) and we are not lost (still in our sins) without knowing God “Our” Father.
When I say “We, Us, Our” I AM speaking of Jesus in me along with those who also believe included.

“WHO IS OUR FATHER”
“It is He that has made us and not we ourselves.”
“I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
“Made in the image of God.”
“Conformed”
“Our Father”
Intelligent Designer! God made imagination into “BE”ing. What all had to be in place to see, hear, to touch, to taste, smell; makes sense?
Vision – The eye, your brain and light to see. To think and illuminate.
Blood – All elements of life, healing and heat.
Cells – Illustration: Like a mousetrap that has to have all its parts in place to function: a board, a hammer, a spring, a catch, and brads to hold it in place for it to work; so everything in every cell (millions of them) is designed in its structure from the beginning to function together having each part in place to begin with. (D.N.A. designed) – Michael Behe – Darwins Black Box
Hear – Vibrations to the mind.
Touch – Nerve endings, feeling.
Taste – A tongue, saliva, swallow, glands.
Smell – Distinguishing odors, scent, aromas. Sniff out differences.
Eternal life in Christ takes a Father, creator, A sacrificial Son, a person, words, light, belief.
Reality of redemption – The cross, resurrection, results of atonement is life. (eternal)
Note: It is His Life!
IMMORTAL – INVISIBLE, GOD ONLY WISE.
“Because of His Love God had already decided that through Jesus Christ He would make us His children – this was His pleasure and purpose.”
“You created everything, and it is for your pleasure that they exist and were created.”
“The Lord has made everything for His our purpose.”
Everything COMES from God alone. “From Him.”
Everything LIVES by His power. “Through Him.”
Everything IS for His glory. “To Him.”
“I am your creator, you were in my care even before you were born.”
“You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book.”
“You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something.”
“It is in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for: long before we first heard of Christ and got our hope up He had His eye on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose He is working out in everything and everyone.”
“For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible – everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him”

FATHER ("OUR")

KINGDOM – NATION – CHRISTENDOM – ADOPTED ISREAL – A HOLY NATION – SAPARATED ONTO HIM. (Context of Isa.63:7-64:9)

“Tell of the loving kindness of God. Praise Him for what He has done.
Rejoice in His greatness and goodness. Granted in accordance with His mercy and love.
‘They are my very own.’ ‘Surely they will not be false again.’
He became their Savior. In all their affliction He was afflicted. He personally saved them.
In His love and pity He redeemed them. He lifted up and carried them through all the years. But, they rebelled. . . against Him and His Holy Spirit.
He became their enemy and personally fought against them.
Then He remembered those days of old. . .
Vs.15 – O Lord, look down on us from Heaven and see us from your Holy, glorious home; where is the love for us you used to show – your power, your mercy, and your compassion? Where are they now?
SURELY YOU ARE STILL OUR FATHER! RETURN AND HELP US, FOR WE WHO BELONG TO YOU NEED YOU SO.
O God, why do you treat us as though we weren’t your people? As though we were a heathen nation that never called you Lord?

Oh, that you would burst forth from the skies and come down! . . . For since the world began no one has seen or heard, of such a God as Ours, who works for those who wait upon Him! You welcome them who cheerfully do good, who follow godly ways.
But we are not godly; we are constant sinners all our lives. . . how can we be saved?
AND YET, O LORD, YOU ARE OUR FATHER. . . OH LOOK AND SEE THAT WE ARE STILL YOUR PEOPLE.”

KNOW GOD? “When they knew God, they glorified Him not as God – neither were thankful. . . They became vain in their imaginations and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (context Rom.1:2)

“The fool has said in his heart, there is no God. Corrupt are they, and done abominable iniquity: there is none that does good.”

“God looked down from Heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek after God. Every one if them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that does good, no not one. Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge? Who eat up my people as they eat bread: they have not called upon God. They were in great fear where no fear was: for God has scattered the bones of them that encamps against you: you have put them to shame, because God has despised them.” (Ps.53:1-5)

“You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe and tremble.” (Lk.4:34)

Devils speaking to Jesus – “What have we to do with you, Jesus, the Son of the most High God.” (Mk.5:7)

Un-godly = No God (just like the un=cola that has no coke)

Our "FATHER"

“FATHER” (My Utmost For His Highest – Oswald Chambers)

To view Fatherhood of God pleasantly – He is so kind and loving that He will forgive us, has no place in the covenant which is based on the only ground which He can forgive us is the tremendous tragedy of the cross of Christ. Forgiveness on any other ground is unconscious blasphemy. To view the Fatherhood of God without the cost of the cross would be to deny the divine miracle of grace before He could forgive sin and remain Holy God. To forgive without the gift of His only Son would contradict His nature. The only way we can be forgiven and reinstate us in His favor is by being brought back to Him through the cross. The great miracle of the grace of God is that He forgives sin. It is the death of Jesus Christ alone that enables His Divine nature to forgive.
It is shallow nonsense to say that God forgives us because He is love. Without conviction of sin and repentance the meaning of Calvary would be lost. I am forgiven into a recreated relationship by the identification with God through Christ. The miracle is that God turns me into a new disposition of Jesus Christ. (“Quote - unquote”)

I cannot make myself right with God, I cannot make my life perfect. I cannot make me a son; Only He can make me accepted through His atonement. An absolute gift that is received freely, gives me the right standing in His presence by His atonement. I then am a purchased possession, Holy acceptable unto God.

“What on earth am I here for?” (A Purpose Driven Life)

“For me to live is Christ” –
“To die is gain” –
“Whether we die, we die unto the Lord.” –
“Whether we live, we live unto the Lord.” -
“Whether we live or die, we are the Lords.”
“He is the Lord of the living and the dead.” (Rom.14:8; Phil.1:21)

"OUR" Father

“GOD SENT FORTH His Son. . . to redeem them that were under the law, that WE might receive the ADOPTION OF SONS.”
“Who were foreordained unto the ADOPTION AS SONS by Christ Jesus unto Himself.” (Eph>1:5)
“Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto US, The WE should be called the SONS OF GOD; therefore the world knows US not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, NOW ARE WE THE SONS OF GOD, and it does not yet appear what WE shall BE: but we know that when He shall appear, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM; for WE shall see Him as He is.” (context of I Jn.3:12) (Do you know the tune to this song?)
“Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but (equal) FELLOW CITIZENS WITH THE SAINTS, AND OF THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD.” (OUR) (Eph. 1:5)
INTAMACY – (ABBA)
“Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” (cuddle or snuggle up close) (James 4:8)
John 3 – New Birth – Born Again,
It is His life, He is the Father and creator of it. We do not create a god, HE GOD, creates US in His Image. We are His idea!
My sons are my sons naturally. When the received the Spirit of God, through trusting Jesus as their own personal Savior, confessing and turning from their sin, accepting what Jesus has done for them, paying for the penalty for their sin instead of having to themselves. God’s plan of a new creature, born from above, gives my natural sons eternal life; God’s life. It is the same as His only Son’s life of resurrection bestowed on US through regenerating faith, (becoming someone I was never before) trusting Christ, makes US CHRIST-IAN, God is “OUR” Father!
BORN – Naturally is our birth.
RE-BORN – Supernaturally is HIS.
We are a Spiritual “BE”ing, not a being of spirits. (trying to be spiritual)
“I must be about my Fathers House” (R.V.) “Business” (K.J.)
“You are a Spiritual house, not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens.”
“My house shall be called a house of prayer.” “For all Nations.”
God so Loved the world. . . “Lord the one you love is. . .” (Lazarus is sick)
“We love Him because He first loved us.” “Herein is love; not that we love Him. But that He loves US.”
O Holy Father, in the name of Jesus, Our Lord, please come and rule and reign over all the earth. Take control of those nasty nations doing things against your will. Be in control of our country, those doing evil in high places that attack your people. O God, remove them from office, from the hurt and accusations they make against your children in the name of their position in government. This next election year, help us to choose those who will seek you will first before their own elite ideas put us in harms way. Yes, deliver us from the evil one; Those with a devilish agenda.
Dear Lord, help us here at home, in our neighborhood, we need you more than political, but in our schools, our offices, on our streets we need your will throughout our State in the lives of your people, our neighbors and friends. The opposition to you and your Word seems to be growing, there seems to be less knowledge of your will, less mow than ever. Right here in our home, in our family we need you in control of what we do and say and to be pleasing Lord to you. Thank you for forgiving us when we have been able to admit our need. Please continue the cleansing process and your Holy presence in our lives.
Lord, what we ask for others, we ask for our self. We are more in need than they. We are the ones who need your rule and reign, your will be done. We are the unholy ones that seek your righteousness, your deliverance. Come Holy Spirit, we need you.
“I believe, help my unbelief.”
CONVERSATION – “Our Father”
“Let no unwholesome talk come out of our mouth.”
“Put a watch over the door of our lips.”
“Guard our tongue.”
“Keep our mouth shut.”
“Wash our mouth out with soap.”
“If you don’t have anything good to say Don’t.”
Didn’t you know that the word conversation is sometimes translated into lifestyle?
Your “lifestyle” – manner of living.
Did you know our English word for God was from the only translation, the word “good”? Good God!
If I called on you in the highest court in Heaven to give a witness of the things said and done here on planet earth, would you be able to say to the judge of the universe that; “I never knew you?” “Did I say that?” “Did I do that?”
“Let us consider one another, to spur us on to good works.”
“Pray for one another.”
“The prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

"I AM LOVED"

"OUR FATHER"
“That in the dispensation of the fullness of times HE MIGHT GATHER TOGETHER IN ONE all things in Christ, both in Heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: IN WHOM ALSO WE HAVE OBTAINED AN INHERITANCE, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will: THAT WE SHOULD BE TO THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY, who first trusted in Christ. IN WHOM YOU ALSO TRUSTED, after that you heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, which is THE ERNEST OF OUR INHERITANCE until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.” (context Eph.1:10-14)
“Our FATHER who art __________.”
LOVE SAYS – OUR
FAITH SAYS – FATHER
“Our FATHER who art in Heaven.”
“FATHER” (GOD) the self existent One. Creator of life. . . His life.
Cloned from the original. Blood relationship, Jehovah. Genetic code. DNA
Beginner, sustainer. Life chain. Coded to ownership.
Father, you make all things happen. Who we are. You have a plan, an intelligent design. (traced back to the original)
“It is You that have made us, and not we ourselves.” Our Designer.
As a Father He has all the resources to give us, mercy and grace to forgive us, knowledge and strength to lead us, and once this is complete, brings honor and glory to His name: Christian. (Christ-Ones)
Through Christ WE come to You “OUR” “FATHER”.
“. . . . as a Father deals with His own children,
encouraging
comforting
urging you to live lives worthy of God who calls you into His Kingdom and glory.”
(I Thess.2:11)
I AM HIS AND HE IS MINE – “OUR FATHER “
“. . . a scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His name. They will be mine says the Lord Almighty, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.” (Mal.3:16-18)
Through the faith that Jesus gives, as adopted sons through the death benefits of Our Father’s one and only Son, Our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, in receiving an inheritance of promised possessions, An estate that “fadeth not away”, “incorruptible.”
Our Statement of Faith: When we pray, “OUR FATHER”, we make our Declaration of Faith.
When we say “OUR FATHER”, we are saying that we believe in God through the Holy Spirit, Jesus as the only Son of God, the Christ anointed to show us God, The Lord that made the Heavens and the earth; and made us to know Him; living in a body, alive forevermore, where He is most at home, seated in Heaven beside “Our Father” at His throne interceding in “OUR” behalf, and who is soon coming again to receive us unto Himself, that where He is we may be also. It is He that says “OUR” to Our Father.
Christ makes the “OUR” Ours.
Through the Holy Spirit we know the “OUR” to be ours when we say with the Son and the Spirit; the Holy Spirit bear us witness with our spirit that we are the Sons of God. We are an answer to His prayer (John 17) by the all inclusive term, that we all be one. (“Those who shall believe on Him”)We enter into His presence through the Holy Spirit, saying: “OUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN.”
Our shows possession:
We are Yours
You are ours
We are not alone
We belong to each other
We owe each other (a debt of love)
We represent us.
There is no singular personal pronoun in “Our” all encompassing prayer to “OUR” Father. (No I, me, my or mine)
“I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for ALL men.” (I Tim.2:1)
Who is on our Most Wanted list? Just our four and no more?
God “Desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.” (I Tim.2:4)

"OUR FATHER"

ABBA, Father. How do we get our heart and mind fixed on you? How do we wrap our arms around the thought of you? How are we related?

These thoughts of you, are they only in our mind? Can we get a concept of belonging to you and each other? Where can we go with this? Does this make us closer to you? Is there a reason we call you “OURS”? If we had to put a name on what it is that connects us, would that be Jesus, your Son, our Savior? Is it He that causes us to "BE" able to say you are “OURS”?

What a concept, just the idea, of our being inter-related to the one who put the universe in place, wrote His-Story surrounding His only Son. Is that where we are? Is this the sense of belonging to you and each other, and all those who have gone before us? We think presently in our mind of those inter-connected in realms of their presence in the here and now, in this space of time. How real is this identity of you being in us? You are the reason for our existence, so how could we ever ignore that our identity is in the image of your Son, the one who bought us and brought us to you? Can we ever deny we never knew you, or Him or others identified with Him? Are even our forefathers, those whom we have touched in this life exempt from knowing? Are they part and parcel of all we tend to believe about you and them? Can we give testimony on our behalf of seeing you alive and well in these lives that have passed from our scene? The tapestry of the inter-connected threads of our lives will give proof of your presence. This web of inter-net that goes way out from us touches a greater family, a family of God. Is this Heavenward, a place of “BE”ing? Is this a place you have prepared for us “TO BE”? Those we touch and hear of and their testimony to the truth they handle the Word of life, Jesus; could we ever be able to say, “I never knew you” to them or to you?

You be the judge, not us, of our existence being in you. We can’t deny the facts, how you could love us? How can we who love you deny your presence? Is the answer in – we can’t? Is this what eternal life is all about? Is the life we live by the faith of the Son of God the connecting rod that brings us to you? This is easy to believe, It doesn’t take any science to receive our existence is being in you. Is this what we truly are in being yours? I AM AGE?

Lord, we can put names on the face of those who have gone before us in our life, those are the ones we can call “OURS.” But, is this also progressive, in that it is leading us into a never-ending eternal future-stance in your realm – “Your Kingdom Come”? This could go on forever, couldn’t it Lord? Only You know!

When the tentacles of our faith reach out and touch one another; who can say that it wasn’t faith? Why do we believe we do what we do is for you? Do we have any reason to believe otherwise? Is that faith?
Stop and think! When and where does it end that in the beginning, God. . . by Jesus Christ touches all the lives down through the ages, touched us, and those who you have touched and then they who shall believe touch? An unending story! Is all the glory of it in Him?

"OUR FATHER"

Our “FATHER”
I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God!
To reverence God as Father (term of endearment) The “OUR” Spirit says – “YEA” – WE may call Him Our Father - - - “Approach the Throne of Grace Boldly.”

The SON (the Lord Jesus) calls Him Father. . .
FATHER *

SON *________* SPIRIT
(Connect the dots, They are All One in the same.)
“Now are WE the sons of God.”
May WE say – “OUR FATHER”?
The Holy Spirit within US says – “YEA”!
Cry out “Abba”, “Father”, Dear Daddy, Papa!
Cuddle up, Snuggle up close.
“He took (little children) up in His arms. . . and blessed them.” (Mk.10:16)

He still embraces His children, no matter how old they are today.
With Childlike trust, WE hug Our Father today.

We are loved, we are loved,
We can risk loving you,
For the One who loved us best,
Loves us most!

(Col.3:12-14)
Chosen to put on:
1. Compassion
2. Kindness
3. Humility
4. Gentleness
5. Patience
6. Pardon
Perfect Love

"OUR" Father

“Our Father

WHICH ART in Heaven.”
(A fact)
WHO ART
(A person)

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must BELIEVE THAT HE IS, (First – a fact and secondly – a person) that He rewards them that diligently seek Him.” (Heb.11:6)

“Not that any man has seen the Father, save He which is of God, He has seen the Father.” (John 6:46)
Father, God, You, Your presence, awareness of You and who You are is not a figment of our imagination. It is Your idea to make Yourself known to US. We didn’t dream You up. We get to know You better as WE become more intimately aware of who WE/YOU are, not just in our imagination, but as WE grow, like a child who lives in a family.
Born again! He is “IN US” and WE are “IN CHRIST.” (R.C.)
Heb.1:1

“God speaks by Prophets
2 “ “ “ His Son
3 “ “ “ Glory
the express image of Him.
11:1 “Faith is the substance of
things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen
were not made if things
which do appear.
“You shall Love the Lord your God with all your –
HEART -emotion, will, spirit.

SEEK
SOUL -the real me, self

KNOCK
MIND -understanding

FIND
And STRENGTH -ability to “BE” DOERS
“Be still and KNOW that I AM GOD.” SELAH - Stop and think about it!
If it were up to US to write the Bible, His Word would never have been written. Mere man would never say the things contained in the Bible. Man is too proud to condemn himself. He is too selfish. In fact he would destroy the very words in the Bible, if he could. It is man’s (I, me, myself) rights that opposes God’s rights. It is HIM (a person) right-in-us not what is right in us that makes US His possession.
His righteousness not ours. “All our righteousness is like filthy rags.”
“All have sinned.” It is God’s Word that caused the Bible to be preserved for us to know Him. It is His idea. He is the only one who can make it happen. We are His possession – His creation. Without a creator, we would be just another creature. We are His Word in a skin costume, (Earthsuited for Him) Intelligent design, a word maker, thinker, user. Life has everything to do with words. Not just an animal, but created in HIS IMAGE. (imagination, image that) After HIS KIND with God consciousness – awareness of His presence. Who lives forever more!
TO SEE WHO GOD IS – SEE HIS ONLY SON, HIS WORD IN AN EARTHSUIT!

"OUR" Father

(Not Your ordinary Dad)
I said, “Your Church”, and he said, you mean “Our Church”. Think about it; what’s the difference from “Our Church” and “Your Church”? One little letter -“Y”! Why should I call “Your Church” “Ours”? When does possession become 90% of the law? Is there a common denominator? A Denomination? Is it the people that make the difference? The Pastor? A community? How do we relate? Who seals the deal? You? Jesus? Does HE make the difference? Change one letter than I see that the meaning is His best choice for me. I can drop the “Y”. He gives US a sense of belonging, membership, relationship. Someone said, “It’s all about HIM!”
Context of Ephesians One and Two and continuing to conclusion in 3:17,18. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, “BE”ing rooted and grounded in Love, may be able to comprehend with all saints _ _ _.”
So, “Our Church” “Is not a building built with hands; you also, as living stones, are built up a Spiritual house _ _ _.” “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted _ _ _.” “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” “Unto Him be glory in the Church _ _ _.”
If I said this is "MY" Prayer Journal or "YOUR" Journal instead of "OUR" Prayer Journal, meaning "JESUS'" Prayer. It He that teaches US To Pray. What is Jesus's is mine by faith. Jesus and Me, the "OUR" moral majority. Change "My" or "Y" in "Your" to "OUR" Prayer Journal. Please Pray with me. Log in and Pray. Did you notice there is neither male nor female, young or old, rich or poor, pretty or ugly, skinny or fat, smart or not-so-smart in His presence.

“OUR Father Who is in Heaven”

“When I consider Your Heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; what is man, that You are mindful of him?” (Ps.8:3,4)

Is it presumptuous to assume the Creator would have a particular interest in a minute part of His creation? That Micro management is Our Fathers intense interest in His creation? We are significant to Him! (Whose we are!) He created us in His I AM age. (Who we are!) He meets our needs of identity; our unique, particular self-significance, great and small, little or tall, rich or poor in this time of space with a sense of purpose in His Kingdom; National family pride.
Lord, You are “OUR” God. We have no other gods before You. You are “OURS” and WE are Yours: We belong - Your possession, Your ownership; purchased with a price. . . Adoption (select, election, privileges and responsibilities) Chosen by God before the foundation of the World to “BE” His and a relationship within His family, as children. Praise You “OUR” Father. When we pray “OUR” for US, We take on the role of Priest, at this time NOW in space; a position of Kings and Priests, eternal.

When we pray “OUR” Father who is in Heaven, my mind is fixed here in a place of worship, a spot in a circle that moves into a chair, a room, a home, a town, on the street where we live with a family in a neighborhood of friends in a church, a school or place of work and recreation.

A Secret Place of Prayer – To listen of God’s Word.

To go beyond this structure takes influence from outside forces (ie: word pictures, spiritual discernment) to invade this place of “BE”ing in including all of us as “OUR’S” (Jesus and me)

We are lifted up to this privileged place of prayer.

When Jesus taught US TO PRAY, to say “OUR” Father, did He mean that we too are included into that same relationship He has with “OUR” Father because of our relationship to Him? Does Jesus make the “OUR” ours? How can we know for certain we are included when He said I AM to pray to say, “OUR” Father? Is the faith that Jesus gives, to call on Him who has made us to know Him enough alone? Or is it His I AM AGE conformed in us the identity to know I AM His and He is mine? Does the Holy Spirit mark us out as belonging to “OUR” Father?

When our wife was in the Hospital having our younger son, I took the three older sons along with their friends on the Bobalo boat to the Island. They all would line up close together at the rides with a hand outstretched, as I pealed off tickets for each of them. I included our son’s playmates as being one of our very own family. I thought how “OUR FATHER” includes us too in His gift of handing US a ticket to His Heaven by “BE”ing close to His Son.

"OUR" Father

Yes! “It is you that have made us and not we our self”. We belong to you and we are yours. You are our Father. Our family; as we think of them by name, we pause to give them into your hands for safe keeping. Our neighbors who live on our street and in our town, we name their family name in your presence. We bring to your ear those who rule over us in our community, our county, our state and our nation. Thank you for all those who have named the name of Christ Jesus. In our life Lord, be glorified!
With the Psalmist we sing:
I will praise thee O Lord my God,
I will praise you with all my heart,
I will glorify your name in all the earth,
I will glorify your name in all the earth,
(I repeat)
May your name be worshipped and adored because of our choice to do so.
Hallowed “Be”!
Come rule and reign in our heart, Lord Jesus. Take control of all we do and say. Be Lord of our life. Give us what is necessary to be what you want us to be from your Holy Word, to live the life of your Son, our Savior, all over again in these bodies of ours today. You have the bread of life. Feed us ‘til we want no more so that we will know what it is that you want us to do; Your will “BE”ing done in us here and now, just as though we were already in your presence in Heaven.
Lord, forgive us the times we get in the way and quench your Spirit, Holy clean and reverent. We sin when we are in control and see the same mistakes in others; forgive US. We hurt you just like those who have hurt us with their sin. Come Holy Spirit we need you.
Lead us not into difficulty. Help us to escape, to be free from evil influence. Deliver us from circumstances that would harm and hinder your Kingdom coming again in the earth. Thank you Our Father. We are yours, Praise God!

"OUR"

As we consider those whom you have called; the list in “OUR” minds eye: Our family, friends, neighbors; our town, county, state and nation. Our whole wide world.
“I exhort, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and all that are in authority ; that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty.” (I Tim.2:1,2)
If I were ambassador to these nations –
Or it’s President –
Or it’s King –
Or it’s Priest –
How faithful would I be in representing them?
Could they count on me to speak in their behalf?
“We are Christ’s Ambassadors.” (II Cor.5:20)
O God you have made us to be Kings and Priests. You have given us these Nations as an inheritance. We represent your Holy Nation to them, and we represent them to You. Today, I AM faithful to that duty of praying in their behalf.
Ambassadors – “OUR” Father, in this day and at this hour; a representative of your Kingdom.
“Ask of me, and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.” (Ps.2:8)
Christ said: “My house shall be called a house of prayer FOR ALL THE NATIONS.” (Mk.11:17)
Jesus said: “I must be about my Father’s house.” (Business)
I can say that too!
In your journal, make a list of the individuals, families, or whole countries that you know need to hear the message of the Gospel. Then, begin to fervently ask God to raise up, equip, and send laborers into those harvest fields. His answer to your prayers will be cause for much rejoicing both on earth and in heaven!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

LOVE says – “OUR”
“Behold what manner of Love the Father has given unto us. That we should be called the sons of God.”
FAITH says – “FATHER”
That we all be one from John 17 is answer to Jesus prayer. Communion, common-union, oneness as a fellowship of believers, others beside us, to stand along side, beside us, to pray; family intimacy, we are not left alone there is togetherness and connectedness. It sounds just like you O Holy Spirit.
I met some old acquaintances from church at a funeral home. I have seen them several times around town at reunions, weddings, etc. I have immediate strong desire to renew previous intimacy of past association; Wanting approval of identity, to love them back. Hoping as in the past that we would return to the place of our relationship – the church invisible.
Focus is on God, “OUR” Father. Not on a string of relationships that He calls us to remembrance, even in praying for the dead. (we never crossed them off our list) “Is He not the Father of the living and the dead?” If called on in the highest court of Heaven to give testimony of OUR relationship, would we ever be able to say, “I never knew you?”
Someday the “OUR” will all be together forever, forefathers, parents, prophets, loved ones in Jesus. That is the time we will have time to spend with the brotherhood of man as a common creator. “It is He that has made US and not WE ourselves.”

(WE, US, OUR: is His idea!)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Abba Father, Abba Father, Deep within my soul I cry;
Abba Father, Abba Father, I will never to cease to Love you.
(Tom Fettke & Steve Fry)

(Don Wyrtzen set to music Psalm 63:1)
O Lord, you are my God, earnestly I seek you,
My soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water,
My soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you,
O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you.
Behold what manner of Love the Father has given unto us,
Behold what manner of Love the Father has given unto us,
That we should be called the sons of God,
That we should be called the sons of God. (I John 3:1)

You can sing the “LORD’S PRAYER.”

WE ARE GOD’S PEOPLE
We are God’s people, the chosen of the Lord,
Born of His Spirit established by His Word;
Our cornerstone is Christ alone,
And strong in Him we stand:
O let us live transparently,
And walk heart to heart and hand in hand.

We are God’s loved ones, the Bride of Christ our Lord,
For we have known it, the love of God outpoured;
Now let us learn how to return
The gift of love once given;
O let us share each joy and care,
And live with zeal that pleases Heaven.

We are the Body of which the Lord is head,
Called to obey Him, now risen from the dead;
He wills us be a family Diverse yet truly one:
O let us give our gifts to God,
And so shall His work on earth be done.

We are a Temple, the Spirit’s dwelling place,
Formed in great weakness, a cup to hold God’s grace;
Yet joined in one the flame burns on
To give warmth and light, and to inspire.

LETTERS ON PRAYER

Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer (C.S. Lewis, notes) “The increasing list of people (places & events) to be prayed for is, nevertheless, one of the burdens of old age. I have a scruple about crossing anyone off the list. When I say a scruple. I mean precisely a scruple. I don’t think that if one prays for a man at all it is a duty to pray for him all my life. But when it comes to dropping him now, this particular day, it somehow goes against the grain. And as the list lengthens, it is hard to make it more than just a string of names. But herein to some measure – a curious law comes into play. Don’t you find that, if you keep your mind fixed upon God, you will automatically think of the person you are praying for; but that there is no tendency for it to work the other way around?” Sometimes there may not even be a name of reference, as in this lengthy journal listing, only a mental picture of that person from memory, or a place or a event request. I don’t think this is what Lewis refers to in “wordless” praying. However avoiding names and substituting mental images. “is best.” Ready made prayers, keep in touch with sound doctrine, reminds one of “what to ask” (especially for others), keeps urgent in perspective with necessities, provides ceremony (agenda), corrective one sided view, reverence. A good reason for a secret place, journey in a Journal of Prayer. (R.C.) Written logs, journals, reminders of lengthy lists. “Out of sight, out of mind.” Absence (does not) make the heart grow fonder. Did you ever forget someone or fail to remember them in prayer, (you never crossed them off the list) and then all of a sudden, the Lord brings them back into your life? Separated small group rejoined. (ie: reunions, contacts, thoughts, etc.) What do you do now with old family of friends? A mind fixed on Our Father – He will automatically cause the remembrance. A desire to pray as you did before during the times of intimacy of relationship at the time of involvement (family, extended family, schoolmates, neighbors, co-workers) has not changed. Your desire to pray as you did then is renewed because of the earlier memory. There is a similar desire as before for Godly action and intervention on their behalf. There is a sense of shame in that past misrepresentation of God at work in lifestyle being unresolved in time of correction. You really meant God’s best for them then and now, except for that sin that ruined any response to answer that call to prayer. (ie: spousal coming together after times of separation) Another function comes into play when meeting old friends once prayed for. In addition to sometimes warm greeting there is inspiration to Holy boldness even with old wounds that asserts a desire for Godly intervention.

To Pray

Lord this is just an outline to guide us, as a pattern or model of how you want us To Pray, To Say: Our agenda! To "ASK" is to question?
WHO - "Our" "Father" "Art"
WHAT - "Hallowed" "Be" "Thy Name"
WHEN - "Kingdom comes" "Will done" "This day" "Daily" "Forever"
WHERE - "In us" "As in Heaven"
WHY - "Thine is the Kingdom, power and glory" HOW - "Give us" "Forgive us" "Lead us" "Deliver us"

Please pray with me as Our Lord has taught us TO PRAY to say:
"Our Father, Lord, not only our four and no more. Our spouse and family, but Our neighbors, friends and in our community, those who rule over us in on our job, in our schools, our State and our Nation. As we think of whose we are, we lift up these family names to you today. It is you who made us 'TO BE". You are Our Father of all we believe. We come into your presence in the name of your Son, Our Savior, Jesus Christ, through your Spirit, saying Holy, Holy, Holy is your name to "BE" Worshipped and adored. We sing with the Psalmist:
"I will praise you O Lord my God, I will praise you with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever more, I will glorify your name forever more." (Repeat)
"Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Worthy is the Lamb, worthy is the Lamb; You are Holy, Holy, Holy.
May we reverence you in Our life by "BE"ing Holy as you made us "TO BE". Come, O precious Father to rule and reign. Take control of every area of our living the life of your Son all over again in these bodies of ours. We are yours. Lord, show us what it is we need "TO BE" Sons and Daughters from your Word to do all that made us to be. May we be doers of the Word and work. Give us today whatever it takes to do that. Fill us with the Bread of Life, here and now just as though we are already in your presence in the place you have prepared for us to be. Forgive us Lord when we stand in the way of that happening the same way we forgive others we see making the same mistakes. Grant us the grace to be just like you, Jesus, in how we treat others, like we want to be treated. Lead us to be in that place you desire us to be, in your presence daily, fed by your Word.
May we not all have difficulty in living the life of your Son today, not into any temptation to evil, but to be delivered from the testing trials and tribulation of the circumstances we find ourselves in this day. Deliver us from the evil one who would bite and devour, lie, kill and destroy. You are Our King in whose domain we remain. We dwell in your power and Kingdom glory. To the One who is able to keep us from falling and present us faultless before your throne, forever and ever. Let it be so. We pray. Amen.

THE PERFECT PRAYER

by Anabel Gillham

I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us; that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17:20-21

There are prerequisites for answered prayer. We know them. We incorporate them into our personal prayer life. Pastors will preach and teachers will teach that sometimes our prayers are hindered because of something we have done or have not done . . . a prerequisite that we have not met. And we don't really argue about this. We realize our imperfections and are constantly asking the Lord to search me and show me if there are things in my life that are disappointing to you and lead me in the right direction.

Well, there has been one perfect Person and we are confident that the Father heard His prayers and answered them--no prerequisites necessary. That Person is Jesus, of course. But did you know that He prayed for me? for you? for every person who would believe? I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word . . . There I am! There you are! Believers. And what did He petition the Father to do for us? To make us one with Him just as He was one with the Father. That's Romans 8:28-29: "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son . . .." Becoming one with Jesus that we might become one with the Father. God is busy about answering that prayer right now in my life and in your life. He isn't really asking our opinions or requesting our permission: What is our plan on becoming one with my Son? orDo you want to go through this time of stress now? orCan you endure this situation at this time? orDo you have a better idea? No. He is directing His efforts to bring about the answer to His dear Sons prayer for you . . . and in the fullness of time we will understand and be amazed at His wisdom, His plan, and thrilled at our likeness to His Son.

Dear Father, please make this truth acceptable to us, not that we must fully understand, but that we will be willing to trust You fully to bring the prayer of Jesus to completeness in us. "Be very careful when you try to be so good in performance of prayer that you get applause from men. That's all you will get for it."

Our Father is an audience of one. You will get Our Father's appreciation publicly after having found that secluded quiet space with Him. No role playing, no production, just honest to goodness, we just have to talk conversation. He knows what you have need of before you ask, before the words are formed on your lips.

"SELAH!" Stop and think, you don't have to keep reminding him of something He knew before you did, or keep repeating it like you are into some kind of prayer beads or something. Try to listen and pray simply like this:

"OUR" (Who is that?)

"FATHER" ("It is He that has made us and not we ourselves")

"WHO ART" (You really are who you say you are.)

"HEAVENLY" (Your place to be.)

"HALLOWED" (In Holiness being worshipped and adored.)

"IN NAME" (Above every other name)

"RULE AND REIGN" (Your domain)

"DOING AS YOU WOULD HAVE DONE"

"IN US AS IN HEAVEN" (Like little Angels.)

"GIVE US" (What we need for that to be.)

"TODAY" (One day at a time sweet Jesus.)

"DAILY BREAD" (Fed from you Word.)

"FORGIVE US" (Yes, like our forgiveness?)

"LEAD US" (Take complete control of Our life.)

"NOT INTO TESTY SITUATIONS" (Suffering difficulties.)

"BUT" (We still trust you when tough times do come.)

"DELIVER US" (You are the victory that overcomes.)

"FROM THE WORLD, THE FLESH AND THE DEVIL."

(Fair to phrase Mt.6:5-13)

HOUSE OF PRAYER

“. . . and the Lord shall reward you openly” (Mt.6:6)

List answers “NEVERTHELESS” to your journey of prayer.

“It is good for us to keep some account of our prayers, that we may not unsay them is our practice.” (Matthew Henry)


Answers to our prayers –
On Account. . . (jewels, precious assets, treasures in Heaven)

Date: Description: (trophies)




















“Don’t be weary in prayer; keep at it. Watch for God’s answers and remember to be thankful when they come.” (Col.4:2)
“Watching there unto with all perseverance.” (Eph.6:18)

“But God not only heard me, He listened to my prayer. Blessed by God who neither ignored my prayer nor deprived me of His Love.” (Ps.66:19,20)

The Great House Of God – Max Lacado

Boldness before the throne – “Let us then feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace.” (Heb.4:16)

Jesus tells us. . . “When you pray, pray like this, ‘Our Father who is in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy Kingdom come.’” When you say, “Thy Kingdom come,” you are inviting the Messiah Himself to walk in your world. “Come, my King! Take your throne in our land. Be present in my heart. Be present in my office. Come into my marriage. Be Lord of my family, my fears and my doubts.”

This is no feeble request; it is a bold appeal for God to occupy every corner of your life. [And] Who are we to ask such a thing? Who are you to ask God to take control of your world? You are His child for Heaven’s sake! And so you can ask boldly. (Max Lucado)

KEEPING COMPANY WITH GOD – (R.C. Notes – Max Lucado)

What if daily communion with God ceased? Could you live – minute by minute – in the presence of God? Is such intimacy possible?

Frank Laubach asked, “Can we have contact with God all the time? All the time awake, fall asleep in His arms, and awaken in His presence? Can we attain that? Can we do His will all the time? Can we think His thoughts all the time? . . . Can I bring the Lord back to my mind flow every few seconds so that God shall always be in my mind? I chose to make the rest of my life an experiment answering this question.

He chronicled this beginning January 30, 1930 at the age of forty five. Dissatisfied with his spiritual life he resolved to live in “continuous inner conversation with God and in perfect response to His will.” Not a monk, but a very busy, dedicated instructor. His techniques of education were known on almost every continent by the time he died in 1970. The desire of his heart was not recognition, however, but the unbroken communion with the Father.

Jan. 1930: I am feeling God in each movement, by the act of the will – willing that He shall direct these fingers that now strike this typewriter – willing that He pour through my steps as I walk.

Mar.1, 1930: This sense of being led by the unseen hand which takes mine while another hand reaches ahead and prepares the way, grows on me daily. . . Sometimes it requires a long time early in the morning. I determine not to get out of bed until that mind, set upon the Lord, is settled.

April 18, 1930: I tasted the thrill in fellowship with God which has made anything discordant with God disgusting. This afternoon the possession of God has caught me up with sheer joy that I thought I never had known anything like it. God was so close and so amazingly lovely that I felt like melting all over with a strange blissful contentment. . . The thrill of filth [now] repels me, for I know its power to drag me from God. And after an hour of close friendship with God, my soul feels clean, as new fallen snow.

May 24, 1930: This conversation with God is strenuous, but everything else has ceased to be so. I think more clearly. I forget less frequently. Things which I did with a strain before, now I do easily and with no effort whatsoever. I worry about nothing, and lose no sleep. I walk on air a good part of the time. Even the mirror reveals a new light in my eyes and face. I no longer feel in a hurry about anything. Everything goes right. Each minute I meet calmly as though it were not important. Noting can go wrong excepting one thing. That is that God would slip from my mind.

June 1, 1930: Last Monday was the most completely successful day of my life to date, so far as giving my day complete surrender to God is concerned. . . I remember how as I looked at people with a love God gave, they looked back and acted as though they wanted to go with me. I felt then for a day I saw a little of that marvelous pull that Jesus had as He walked along the road day after day, “God intoxicated” and radiant with the endless communion of His soul with God.

What do you think? How would you answer his question? Can we have contact with God all the time? All the time awake, fall asleep in His arms, and awaken in His presence?

Is such a goal realistic? Or do you think the idea of constant fellowship with God is somewhat fanatical, even extreme? You have to agree with his observations about Jesus, He enjoyed unbroken fellowship with God. And if we are to be just like Jesus, you and I will do the same. Our Savior was always aware of His Father’s presence. Clearly, Jesus didn’t act unless He saw His Father act. He didn’t judge until He heard His Father judge. No act or deed occurred without the guidance of His Father.

"WHEN YOU PRAY"

If the disciples think they know how to pray, then they wouldn’t ask. They knew their need of prayer. They knew they did not know how to pray and they knew who to ask. “Lord, teach us TO pray.” Do we know how to pray? Can we admit we don’t know how? Who can we ask? Where can we seek and find? “When you pray say . . .” Are we confident that when we pray as Jesus taught? How do you feel about prayer requests? What do you think when you ask someone to pray? Are you as sure, honestly, when someone asks you to pray? When I obey and do my duty to pray and when I express my attitude of Love to “The Father” by my action of praying as He asks me to; my prayer is more than emotional or inspirational feeling, but a faithful action of a child of “Our Father”, being open and obedient, saying what we think and feel is important to the possessions and inheritance the Father has given to the one praying in “OUR” behalf. The priests possessions may include entire Nations, kings, governments, authorities, organizations, schools; or may include individuals named as “Our” family, friends, missionaries and fellowship of believers and their events; knowing that a faithful hand of our Father will take and sift them, keeping that which honors Himself. (Jesus prays for us with the Holy Spirit making intercession) We don’t know how to pray as we ought. We can’t know everything about everyone. Prayer begins at the house of God – YOU! “As stewards, it is more that a man be found faithful” even when we don’t feel like it. “Nevertheless”, we will continue (until?) in behalf or “Our” spouse, our family, our relatives, our friends, our church, our schools, our official authorities who rule over us in our cities, state and country, and also our enemies. If we can’t pray for them, who will? Jesus! “He who ever lives to make intercession for them.” (Heb.7:25) Jesus witness to us, “The witness of Christ is far better.” Jesus teaches us to pray saying, “OUR FATHER”. His cliam to Sonship is witness enough for “Our” approval of adoption as Sons-of-God. Intellectual assent is not enough to know that God is “Our Father”. What is Jesus’ is also ours who share the same inheritance. A return to our true identity is a renewal of the image of God. Our Father created in us and is in the process of “BE”ing conformed into the image of His Son.” Redeeming Love! “Both the one who makes men Holy and those who are made Holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.” (Heb.2:11) “I know you by name.” Personally “OUR”! (YES! I do believe) “TEACH US TO PRAY” (Luke 11:1) Sometimes we would rather not. Our eyelids get heavy. We are not prepared to be in your presence. Like you asked your disciples, “What could you not watch with me one hour?” Lord Jesus teach us (how) To Pray. (Matthew 6:5-13) We are welcomed in your presence. Here we watch and wait. Jesus, what is your Word to us you want to share in our inner most thoughts with you today? (Mk.14:31-39) Jesus calls His followers, having compassion on the multitude because they have nothing to eat. (“Give us this day our daily bread.”) “You give them lest they faint in the way.” “You have seven loaves and a few fish.” “Have them to sit down.” Receive blessed broken bread from Jesus. Yes Lord we are hungry for your Word of life. Father, we are thankful to be here today to receive even the left over scraps from your table. We are grateful to share with others. Like Paul’s instruction to Timothy (II Tim.2:2) “The things we have seen and heard, we will pass on to others who are able to pass along to others also.” We count the vast multitudes, how vast you domain. You said, “Greater works shall you do.” We share seven daily loaves of bread of life with some fish (meat) for this day. Day 1. “OUR” “FATHER” “WHO ART” “IN HEAVEN” Day 2. “HALLOWED” “BE” “THY NAME” Day 3. “THY KINGDOM” “COME” Day 4. “THY WILL” “BE DONE” “IN EARTH” “AS IT IS IN HEAVEN” Day 5. “GIVE US” “THIS DAY” “OR DAILY” “BREAD” Day 6. “FORGIVE US” “OUR SIN” “AS WE FROGIVE” “THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US” Day 7. “LEAD US” “NOT INTO TEMPTATION” “BUT” “DELIVER US” “FROM EVIL”

How We Pray

This is how we pray.
“And it came to pass, that, as He was praying in a certian place, when He ceased, one of the disciples said to Him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And He said to them, when you pray, say, Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in Heaven so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.” (Luke 11:1-4) Jesus does not need to pray like this; we do. We need to know our real Father and worship Him, asking for His rule and will done in His gifting to us in daily living; to be forgiven, led and delivered from the evil one. Jesus is still interceeding . . . the Lord’s Prayer (John17) including us; “They that shall believe”. Paul also uses the same model of prayer. (Ephesians 3) Lord, performance of public prayers is drama poured out for the hearers. Privately Lord, you look into the heart of the performer. Just you and me Lord. When we are asked to pray publicly, may we say what we have already said privately. Praying the same prayers we’ve said in secret, that others may hear our secret being exposed. “The Father which is in secret, shall reward you openly.” (Mt.6:6) “He that dwells in the secret place of the most high shall dwell uder the shadow of the Almighty.” . . .
“There shall no evil befall you.” . . .
“He shall give His Angels charge over you.” . . .
“He shall call upon me, I will be with him in trouble, and honor him.” (Psalm 91:1,10,15) May our prayer be an intimate conversation with you our best friend, Jesus. Oh to love you as much as Our Father does, as you have first loved us. Our need to know to pray as Jesus taught His disciples to pray is the same today. Their need to know how, just like John taught his disciples. What was it in John’s praying that Jesus’ disciples saw that they thought they needed? What was John’s prayer like they desired? Comparing our praying to other saint prayers, would that fulfill our desire to pray? Or, to pray like Jesus taught His disciples to pray? Privately or publicly? Our public life will be transformed if we invest private time with the Almighty. When we have been alone with Jesus, people will know it. Performer, is our walk and talk a performance? “And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the street, that they may be seen of men, truly I tell you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees you in secret will reward you openly. When you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do; for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. Therefore, don’t be like them; for your Father knows what things you have need of before you ask Him. After this manner therefore you pray: (an outline) Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven, Give us this day our daily bread, And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors, And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil; For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen.” (Matthew 6:5-13) Pattern for praying. (your agenda), Model Prayer. (”When you pray, say . . .” “After this manner, pray . . .”)

Unceasing Prayer

(Oswald Chambers) “Pray without ceasing”. Childlike habit of prayer in your heart all the time. Think of prayers as breath of the lungs and blood from our hearts. Not conscious of it, but always going on. Prayer is not as an exercise, it is the life.
What if daily communication with “Our Father” ceased? Could you live? Moments of intimacy with the Almighty choked out with the urgency of the moment. The presence of God pressed out by the passion of the minute details. Do you care? YES! Caring thoughts of the Love of God has shown in the past is ever present today, we still belong. The very fact of this now moment is proof He is alive and well in your earthsuit on planet earth is A NOW moment, aware of His touch in this time of awareness of whose we are. His seed is not crushed by today’s traffic, even when we have this moment to remember. The hush of these quiet times away from every thing that would shout for attention leaves us with feelings of peace with God.
“He shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Him.”
Rest: “Why are your fearful, O you of little faith.” (Mt.8:26) What happens when bumped by the storms of life? Faith reveals joy to our Father when confidence remains in His care no matter what. “Though they slay me, I will believe.”
Provoke our imagination by recollection and affection for you our Father. Our Journal of Prayer. Remembrances of you. Ready to meet you in today’s events that we would miss out on meeting with you. To face you in life circumstances always ready for a surprise visit. “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants to make you just like Jesus. (Max Lucado) Yours is the Power, the Kingdom and the Gory, forever. Amen!

To Pray To Say "OUR"

“OUR” What?
Who is the “OUR”?
When is the “OUR” Ours?
Where is the “OUR”?
Why “OUR”. Anyhow?
How is the “OUR” possible?
THIMK! (Misspelled to make you stop and think!)
We do not go unnoticed by the God who made universe; we are special to Him, made in His Image. In fact, the Word that made the Heavens and “OUR” world also made us. We are significant to Him. To know, to think, to feel His presence in us is not arrogance, it is the truth. His Word says – Christ is “in me” and I AM in Him.”
I remember as a child I would hear my mother say in describing members of our family as Our Donald or Our Doris, etc. I picked up on that and when talking about a family member I too would often say Our Donald or whatever. Why? Was I conditioned by my Mom to say “OUR” that would include me in our family relationship?
Later a playmate called me on what I was saying and without thinking about it, I was embarrassed and discontinued using that term, “OUR”, when talking about my brothers and sisters. But now, when talking to “OUR” Father God, I always include them all in praying to “OUR” Father, because of His inclusive inheritance.
Jesus’ prayer includes “US” in praying as He taught US To Pray To Say “OUR” Father. The all inclusive future term WE that “shall believe” from John 17.
Lord, in “OUR” journey of prayer, TO PRAY as you ask US To Pray on behalf of those listed here in “OUR” Daily Prayer Journal, WE first recognize the WE are Yours and that You are “OUR” Father. In our Journal we have a string of names that get longer as the years go by. It is not the names (places or events) that we visualize to bring to You this day and at this hour, but the face of who You are in US.
Listed here in Your Journal is “OUR” spouse, family, friends and neighbors. We cry out to You in naming OUR Authority in our county, State and Nation, As the list lengthens we find recall to be easier to picture them in Your presence, face to face, belonging to You, as we point out individuals in our request to You on their behalf.
We ask that we would be wholly Holy, in our lives as we worship You. Please rule and reign in us to do Your will, ever present within us. Give us today what is necessary for Your Word in us to “BE” all You intended it to “BE”, “OUR” Father. For-give us of hardly noticing when we do it wrong. It is You we want right in us. We take notice of our sin and thank You for forgiveness and cleansing. Lead us far from what would keep us separated from You. May we not have difficulty in living the life of Your Son, Our Savior, all over again by delivering us from the evil one.

Lord, teach us TO pray – “How to” – “After this manner” to “Our Father” that’s who to.
When we pray “HE” is “Our Father” and we are His. What do we say: “Name that is Hallowed.” “A Kingdom come”. A “Will done”. “To give us”, “Forgive us”, “Lead us”, and “Deliver us”. That’s what! Why we pray – “To be Heavenly on earth, like in Heaven.” Receive a gift of daily bread, forgiveness, escape from temptation and to be delivered from evil. “It’s His Kingdom, power and glory. Where? “On earth as it is in Heaven.”
Is this a time, (of day, an hour) To Pray?
Prayers Answered?
“Even so” should Jesus come “Today” find us faithful?
Prayer as work – fervency.
Jesus sweat as great drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane where He “Offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death” (context: Heb.5:7) Is this something we should know about?
Faithful praying admits a nod of the head, straying thoughts, distractions that is strenuous but once in awhile breaks through all that clutter that is boring and confusing into a personal ecstatic experience that lifts you up into a Heavenly realm. Prayer is the labor of love that is worth all the intense intimacy of always praying attitude. Practiced Presence!
“Could you not keep watch with me one hour? WATCH and PRAY so that you will not fall into temptation. The Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”
Praise God for those times of intense intimacy with Him. “And satan left Him.”
“Continue in prayer, and WATCH in the same with thanksgiving; withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ.” (In you, context: Col.4:2,3)
“Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God.”
. . . “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (James 5:13-16)
… “As day and night I constantly remember you in my prayers, recalling your tears, longing to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.”

Teach us "To Pray"

What is it that quickly gets our attention? Where are we running off to? Distractions, frustrations, lust, greed, fill our days. We are filled with feeding at the trough of self-indulgence, our affections and appetites. Our plates are full of tastes of the world. Look at us now, barns all filled; What else can we get for Christmas? Solomon was not as arrayed as our grandchildren. From early until late we respond to emergency, the urgent. Duty calls, hungry, angry we meet the challenge of the moment. We arise and go, drawing us away to our own love of what satisfies. The arousal of emotion that beats in our hearts, feelings that fill us up with what entertains. Surface relationships, short term interests, escapes from reality take us into spaces of happiness based upon happenings. To be honest with our self, to get real with where we are headed, being brutal in our assessment of why we do what we do for enjoyment. We want to admit to where real joy is. Believe what is true, clean and decent.
Care for what God cares about. "Casting all our cares upon Him, for He cares for us." Where do we go, but to the Lord? Who is the Maker and the Master of our living? These first love thoughts about you, Jesus, makes us blush in confession of whatever separates us. We feel forgiven, cleansed and in your presence, accepted during this secret quiet time place being alone with you. What we ask for ourselves we ask for others who would cry out to you too, knowing you hear us and answer any who ask. This is just who you are; it has very little to do with our asking, it is what you have created us for; to bring glory to your name.

“OUR FATHER” What is it that gets in the way of your way?
Should we stop praying?
Do we see a loss of “In Touch” with the Almighty when we discover our mind is blank concerning Him? We are caught up in the details of living that seem to be important enough to squeeze Him out of our thoughts.
We get caught up in stuff to do and in memories of old stuff long gone. Why is it keeps coming up again and again? The regurgitated remembrances get in the way of pure excellent thinking and cancel out confessions and commitments. Hasn’t correction been complete? Isn’t it fixed? Schedules and plans compete for attention to who I really “AM” and how I got to “BE”, who “I AM” (like in ’I AM who ‘I AM”). He brought us safely to this point through confusion to confession knowing where we belong and whose we are. We need to maintain the face of God and not muddle up with good intentions (stuff to do). We need to be made fit for God; A Son! Not some sense of duty or idea of what we think a Christian life should look like (appearances).
“OUR” aim: “Thy will be done”; knowing when we have a dead set purpose of “BE”ing a disciple and get in the way of HIS purpose. He does the choosing, not us.
I AM that I AM, that’s who “I AM”. Let go and let God engineer our goings. Not that I got God and I go, but that He has got me and I go. Resting in the promise “I AM with you always. . .” He was there all the time.
Praying in the Spirit, not conscious prayers.
“We know not what we should pray as we ought, but He the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.” (Rom.8:26)
Are we there yet? “HE (the Spirit who lives in you) makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
The Holy Spirit Himself prays in us prayers which we could never utter. For us it is unthinkable. Lord, how could we pray as you taught us TO PRAY? (Lk.11:1)
Can we find that which searches our hearts, to know the prayer of the Holy Spirit?
“My house shall be called a house of prayer; but you have made it a den of thieves.”
“Know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit?”
Conscious of this fact; “What manner of persons ought we TO BE? (our responsibility)
To BE or not to BE?. The real question. “OUR” Secret place of prayer?
If not; than forgiveness and cleansing, if we confess. (I Jn.1:9)
God’s Holy Spirit will look after the unconscious part that we know nothing about. Our discovery is in Jesus! “He must increase and I must decrease.” He is worthy!
(The Chamber, Oswald and Dad)
Question? Is it the place that is the secret or the prayers? Kept a secret from whom? Is it the dwelling or under the shadow of the Almighty? Is it behind closed eyelids or closed doors? Prayer as evangelism “OUR” “Not willing that any should perish, but all come to repentance.” (II Pet.3:9)

Watch & Wait - "One Hour?"

Redemption is Key to intercession – Reason behind His affliction: Resurrection. If Jesus’ only prayer was that He should not have to go through the cross, and if that prayer were answered; where would we be? Would we still be lost in our sins with no hope? Do we see answers to prayer when we pray – NEVERTHELESS?
Answers to Our Lord Jesus’ prayer:
Alone in the Garden
Disciples abandon Him
Peter denies Him
They crucify Him.
No that is not what He prayed to avoid.
Sure those things did happen. (He knew and yet did not pray about what was to happen to Him and His disciples)
His prayer was: “Thy will be done” not “Let this cup pass from me; (struggle)
“NEVERTHELESS” Three times “Your will be done”
Your will be done in us as it is done in Heaven.
And Give us this day what we need for that to be done; to live the life of your Son, Our Savior, all over again in these bodies of ours by being Lord and Master of all we do and say, so that Your name may be Hallowed.
Apparent answers to prayer require: “NEVERTHELESS” in: “Your will be done”, When we think it is not being done; “Lead Us”, and we think we are in control of ourselves. We would rather do it our self. We been college and got knowledge and can handle it our self. “Deliver Us”, and it seems Evil forces are growing; we ask forgiveness and ask repulsive to others who do exactly the same sins we are guilty of. Where is that Godly Love? When is His name “Hallowed” in us, or Christ in charge of our lives when we ask Him to be our King? Are our needs met when wee ask Him to “Give Us This Day?”
Do we pray – NEVERTHELESS?
Why is it fear of failure in praying when foolish sinful thoughts enter our mind? Eyelids get heavy? Our desire is for pure excellent thinking and up pops impure thoughts? We drive it out so it will not nest there.
IT takes – ‘NEVER-THE-LESS”
· In praying this prayer
· Being faithful
· Claiming victory and deliverance from the evil one
· Intimacy with the Almighty
· Lord, Being our Master.
“WATCH AND PRAY THAT YOU ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION. THE SPIRIT IS WILLING BUT THE FLESH IS WEAK.”
The desperate cry out! (Spiritual Sweat and tears) “Jesus cried out with tears to Him who is able to save Him from death.” (Heb.5:7) Watch and Wait – “One Hour?”

PRAYER IS RELATIONSHIP

It's an ongoing conversation between you and me - two people who want to get to know each other better. Sure, I don't mind you asking for things, Daddies like that. They just don't want to be all about responding to requests. I want you to talk to me about what you love and what you hate. I want you to thank Me for the things I do for you and ask Me what I want for you. I want you to forgive Me and hear Me when I forgive you. When you don't get what you want, I understand your anger and frustration. But I want you to know Me well enough that you come to Me and say how angry you are, and you can hear Me say, "I know, and I love you. And even though you are angry now, I AM doing what is best for you because you are My child. I can't help by want the best for you." I want your prayer times to be times when you sense my love AND experience My joy. I want to reach out into the cell structure and electric impulses going on in your incredible mind that I made for you, and I want you to walk away at times knowing exactly what I have said. And at times, I want you to walk away and have no idea what I have in mind for you. That way, you can trust Me and talk to Me all day and all week and all you life. I don't want prayer to be just those times you get alone and spend a few minutes or a few hours. I wish for it to be CONSTANT in your life. I want you to feel and know that I AM walking with you every second. And because I AM there, you can't help but notice and chat about almost every little thing that crosses your path. And there will be times, because of who you are BECOMING and because of who I AM, that you will go to your closet or your room or your bed, and you will cry out and I will answer; And My touch will make your insides shake and your heart pound and tears flow uncontrollably. And you will lie there in awe and be speechless because you KNOW I AM there. After you've experienced those times with Me, our relationship will never be the same. We will meet on a different plane, and we will walk, and we will talk, and your petitions will be fewer, and your praises will be greater; And it won't matter so much to you anymore that it rains or it doesn't . . . and Christmas will be tomorrow every day.

ASK

To “ASK” is to question?
WHO – “OUR”? “FATHER”? “ART?
WHAT – “HALLOWED”? “BE”? “THY NAME”?
WHEN – “KINGDOM COME”? “WILL DONE”? “THIS DAY”? “DAILY”?
WHERE – “IN US AS IN HEAVEN”?
WHY – “THINE IS THE POWER AND GLORY”?
HOW – “GIVE US”? “FORGIVE US”? “LEAD US”? “DELIVER US”?
Were there no God, we would be in this world with grateful hearts, and no one to thank." (Christine RTossetti 1830-1894)
“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none. (how sad) (Ezekiel 23:30)
“What, could you not watch with me one hour?” Jesus leaves the disciples asleep.
“And He spoke a parable unto them to this end that men ought always to pray, and not faint; saying there was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: and there was a widow in that city and she came unto him, saying, avenge me my adversary. And he would not for awhile; but afterwards he said within himself, though I fear not God, nor regard man; yet because this widow troubles me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me, and the Lord said, hear what the unjust judge says, and shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry out day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily, nevertheless when the Son of man comes, shall He find faith on the earth?” (Lk.18:1-8)
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (I Tim.2:1-5)
“And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have opportunity let us do good unto all men, especially unto them that are of the household faith.” (Gal.6:9,10)
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Eph.6:18)
“Pray without ceasing.” I Thess.5:17)
“Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.” (Eph.1:16)
“And in that day you shall ask me nothing. Truthfully, I truly say unto you, whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you. Hitherto have you asked nothing in my name: ASK, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full.” (Jn.16:23,24)

ASK
SEEK
KNOCK “And I say unto you, ASK, and it shall be given you; SEEK, and you will find; KNOCK, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asks receives; and he that seeks, finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened.” (Lk.11:9,10) Lord, your disciple wants to know how we can talk to you. Are we to pray like others pray? Like someone "crying in the wilderness", looking to find you, knowing you are coming? (read in context of Luke 11). Crying out loud in repentance to be prepared for the "Way of the Lord." Do we look to you or should we be looking for someone else? You seem to fit all we need. Yes, Our need "TO PRAY" (as we ought). The discipline of intimate words with you Jesus. Surely you know we need you, desperate to know you, to speak, to love, to show and tell, to shower you with all our desire. Our desire is "TO PRAY" as you teach your disciple "TO PRAY". We admit our need of confidence in approaching "OUR FATHER". Other disciples seem to have it all together when addressing you, but we are not as sure of ourselves, so we ask you, because we know you came out of "OUR FATHER" and always do as He asks. We desire to pray as you pray. Our brokenness is in not knowing our position in prayer. Not necessarily to kneel, with hand raised, or to cry out loud, etc., but in our approaching you. Is it in our mind to agree with what our heart is telling us, we belong to you? Your Holy Spirit says we are yours and you are "OURS", in constant conversation with "That still small voice" telling us, yes! It is you, Lord Jesus, you to whom we are praying to. To Pray - to say - "OUR FATHER", as you know we know, our need to belong. You never, ever, leave or forsake us. You enter our very "BE"ing when we call out to you. Help us continue before our prayers evaporate into the day. This time meeting with you, bottle up the essence, "The sweet smelling savor" of our prayers and keeping a lid on them even when we can't recall, so that they remain where we intended them to stay, in your presence.
Father, does our prayer revolve around behavior? Does it have a lot to do with what I do? Is it in what I see others are doing? Do I pray what I am seeing, what I judge? I am aware of all that goes on around me, all day long. I am looking for you. What is it with my spouse and our kids? As I approach you I am guessing what is going on with my neighbors, here at home in our country and those in other nations. My honest guess is it has more to do with what I think than you dear Lord. My mind is full of words, chosen by what I believe. The shift of focus from who you are and what you are doing in our world, or it seems, not doing what I think should be done, gets back to me and my worldview, rather than not seeing you at work and those whom we've been talking to you about. Evil exists, sickness persists, the poor are still poor, ignorant still do not want to know anything. Why so much hate? Can't we see you, instead of avoiding you? I confess I need you more than they. It is not they that need you to master our living, it is I, myself. Oh, Holy Spirit, keep us awake and aware of your presence in those around us who we may touch. Surround us with your love and forgiveness. May we not rub each other the wrong way, that would make us bristle, but help us to see you alive and well on planet earth in others today. I spy, I am looking for you! To draw our attention away from you Lord, to focus on our self and our needs, takes away from the face-to-face devotion we desire when we come to you. Intimate contact with the Almighty is the awesome place we want, being near you. Anything that would distract us from that is less than perfect. A mind fixed on you is the closeness you desire of us. You said, "If we would draw near to you, you would be near to us.". This bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh, ABBA, Papa, daddy; the nearness of you, radiates warmth, a desire to love you, your touch, to cling, to grasp, to hug, to hang unto you seeing you face to face, not in our boldness to rush in where a Angels fear to tread, but like the Angels, welcomed in your presence, to worship in the joy of praise, offering thanksgiving of gratitude just being in your family, for all you've done to allow us to be near you, God of creation, who made us to know you. Father, we love you, we worship and adore you, Glorify your name in all the earth; Glorify your name, glorify your name, glorify your name in all the earth.

Fulfilling the mandate - (Bill Gothard)

1. SUPPLICATIONS
WE (“OUR” Nation, neighbors, Church, home, school, world)
WE begin our appeal to a Holy God with recognition that WE have broken His laws, defied His Authority, and blasphemed His name. WE are deserving of nothing but His swift judgment. Explained in Deuteronomy 28.
His final and most severe judgment is the breakup of the family so that there is separation between husbands and wives, children and parents, grandparents and grandchildren. Unwise leaders, calamities, diseases and debt are also judgments of God upon a community and Nation.
God promises that if WE humble OURselves, turn from OUR wicked ways, confess OUR sins, and seek His face, He will hear OUR Prayers and heal OUR land. (See II Chronicles 7:14)
A Prayer of Supplication (Daniel 9:17-19)
2. PRAYERS (As He taught US To Pray – His say so!)
· Prayer is asking God to fulfill His Word and will, not our selfish desires. (See James 4:3)
· A “burden” is signal that God is waiting to fulfill a specific prayer. (see Nehemiah 1)
· “Effectual” prayer is the Holy Spirit praying Scripture through US to God. (See Romans 8:27)
· Prayer is answered immediately; a process of seeking and finding may follow. (See Matthew 7:7)
· When two agree in faith and pray, God breaks the power of satan. (See Matthew 18:19)
3. INTERCESSIONS
· Intercession is breaking satan’s influence in another persons life. (See Luke 22:3,32)
· Intercession is placing a “hedge of protection” around a Godly person’s life. (See Job1:10)
· Intercession is placing a “hedge of thorns” around a rebellious person’s life. (See Hosea 2:6)
· Intercession is required by God. (See I Samuel 12:23)
· Intercession protects from common pitfalls.
4. THANKSGIVING
· For the power of the names of Jehovah.
· For God, the Father of OUR Lord Jesus Christ.
· For Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for US.
· For the Holy Spirit, Who convict, teaches and guides.
· For the wisdom of God and His laws.
· For mercy, grace and Holiness of God.
· For patience and long suffering of God.
· For peace that comes under wise leadership.
· For family, church, government, employer.
· For civil leaders as “ministers of God for good.”
· For protection of law enforcement officers.
· For Spiritual care from church leaders.
· For diligence of company founders.
· For public utilities and community order.

The Lords Prayer

As a child, C. S. Lewis enjoyed reading the books of E. Nesbit, especially Five Children and It. In this book, brothers and sisters on a summer holiday discover an ancient sand fairy who grants them one wish each day. But every wish brings the children more trouble than happiness because they can't foresee the results of getting everything they ask for. The Bible tells us to make our requests known to God (Philippians 4:6). But prayer is much more than telling God what we want Him to do for us. When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He began by reminding them, "Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him" (Matthew 6:8). What we call "The Lord's Prayer" is more about living in a growing, trusting relationship with our heavenly Father than about getting what we want from Him. As we grow in faith, our prayers will become less of a wish list and more of an intimate conversation with the Lord. Toward the end of his life, C. S. Lewis wrote, "If God had granted all the silly prayers I've made in my life, where should I be now?" Prayer is placing ourselves in the presence of God to receive from Him what we really need. —

We grasp but a thread of the garment of prayer;We reel at the thought of His infinite care;We cannot conceive of a God who will say:"Be careful for nothing; in everything pray." —Farrell

Our highest privilege is to talk to God; our highest duty is to listen to Him.

Listen; what do you hear? A still small voice, saying "this is the way", you "walk in it". "Lord, speak, your servant is listening."

Oswald Chambers - My Utmost for His Highest The Purpose of Prayer
. . . one of His disciples said to Him, ’Lord, teach us TO PRAY . . ’ —Luke 11:1
Prayer is not a normal part of the life of the natural man. We hear it said that a person’s life will suffer if he doesn’t pray, but I question that. What will suffer is the life of the Son of God in him, which is nourished not by food, but by prayer. When a person is born again from above, the life of the Son of God is born in him, and he can either starve or nourish that life. Prayer is the way that the life of God in us is nourished. Our common ideas regarding prayer are not found in the New Testament. We look upon prayer simply as a means of getting things for ourselves, but the biblical purpose of prayer is that we may get to know God Himself. "Ask, and you will receive . . ." ( John 16:24 ). We complain before God, and sometimes we are apologetic or indifferent to Him, but we actually ask Him for very few things. Yet a child exhibits a magnificent boldness to ask! Our Lord said, ". . . unless you . . . become as little children . . ." ( Matthew 18:3 ). Ask and God will do. Give Jesus Christ the opportunity and the room to work. The problem is that no one will ever do this until he is at his wits’ end. When a person is at his wits’ end, it no longer seems to be a cowardly thing to pray; in fact, it is the only way he can get in touch with the truth and the reality of God Himself. Be yourself before God and present Him with your problems— the very things that have brought you to your wits’ end. But as long as you think you are self-sufficient, you do not need to ask God for anything.
To say that "prayer changes things" is not as close to the truth as saying, "Prayer changes me and then I change things." God has established things so that prayer, on the basis of redemption, changes the way a person looks at things. Prayer is not a matter of changing things externally, but one of working miracles in a person’s inner nature.

The apostles said, "We will give ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word." Their ministry was powerful for that reason. On the day of Pentecost, three thousand were converted under the preaching of the Word in the same city where Christ was crucified less than two months earlier. Ten days of prayer prepared for that great day of harvest.

LOVE LETTER

Dear Lord Jesus,

I have never written a Love Letter to you. What can I say? It is You who have Loved me from the start. Your Spirit came into me the moment I trusted You as my Savior. You are such a comfort to me, never to leave me, always there helping me. Yes, sure your Holy Spirit corrects me, mostly from your Word when I need it. I thank you for forgiving me when I hurt You with my actions. You never forsake me. You never hide your face from me. It’s me who buries their face in our hands in shame.

You give me confidence to come to You just as I AM because of Your forgiveness; sin is forgotten, removed, hid and buried making me as a son of “Our Father”. It is because You choose to Love me this way. I Love You Jesus for giving me a right to be a part of the family of God.

We are Pure and clean, a Holy person in Your presence. That is how You make me feel when I AM with You. I want to be all Yours, I need you to help me serve You. I want to know more about You each day Lord Jesus.

Why is it I fail so often? Is it because of others around me do not see You as I do, to recognize that You are in me. Or is it their criticism gets to me and I feel like a failure? They always say negative things about us. They seem to never be aware of any virtue or positive traits in our relationship. Maybe that is why I need more of You, to feel Your presence and encouragement with Your Words to me. They come all day long from a song or spoken and written words of Your Love for me. The World including member of my own family can’t recognize You and would shut you out. But when I AM with You. It brings me acceptance and comfort to know that I AM Loved by You. Thank You Jesus!

You are always working on me, wanting to change me for the better. The way You would like to see me. Sometimes I hurts me when I fail to see You leading me or am too busy doing my on thing and winding up in a jam. Help me to be more careful in watching and waiting for You to come to me, to pay attention to You.

I Love You Lord Jesus because you first Loved me. I Adore You!

Thank You,

Your Bride.

SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER

"May my prayer be set before you like incense." (Ps.141:1,2) I Love your Lord, and I lift my voice, to worship you, O my soul rejoice, Take joy my King, in what you hear, may it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear. "Don't you know you are a temple of the Holy Spirit?" "His house shall be called a house of prayer." "And he took the scroll, the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each with a harp and golden vial filled with incense - the prayers of God's people!" (Rev.5:8) "A sweet smelling savor." A sense of what Jesus has done in providing forgiveness. "We are to God the fragrance of Christ." (II Cor.2:15) "He was bruised for our iniquities." My sin, O my sin, my Savior is laid upon you, to be crushed for me. "Myrrh" (separated for royalty) "Frankincense" (pure Holiness) for His bride, the church. Our essence of "BE"ing - Incense - savor - fragrance (crushed spice) sweet confession, Godly sorrow for sin . . . "Lord, be merciful to me a sinner." "Against you and you only have I sinned." ". . . leads to repentance unto salvation."

"Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered. And He that searches the heart knows the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God." (Rom.8:26,27) If we are to have the same mind of Christ, "let this mind be in you that is in Christ Jesus," then what did He men when He said we were to pray like this: "Our Father"? What does He have in mind for us to pray as He taught His followers. Jesus says we may say "OUR FATHER", in fact To Pray that based upon His own Sonship. We are also included when we say in confidence of that fact, He is who He says He is, and has included us in His relationship with Our Father. "Be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray." (I Pet.4:7b)