LET THE BIBLE SPEAK.

The Proper Content of Our Prayers In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus sets forth a model prayer (Matt. 6:9-13). Luke records that when Jesus had finished praying, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.” Again, he offered a model for prayer (Luke 11:1-4). These passages become a starting point as we consider the appropriate focus for our prayer. Significantly, Jesus shows that prayer should have a threefold focus. We should pray for the things of God. We should pray for the things of others. We should pray for the things of self. We Should Pray For The Things Of God 1. Praise To His Name. Our prayers should express praise for God’s name. Jesus began the model prayer by saying, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” (Matt. 6:9; Luke 11:2). Strong defines the Greek word hagiazo, which is translated “hallowed,” as “to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate.” Normally it is used in ...

Jesus' Example In Prayer Ronny Milliner Indianapolis, Indiana Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased," Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age (Lk. 3: 21-23a). Jesus began His ministry praying. He ended it praying, "Father, 'into Your hands I commend My spirit'" (Lk. 23:46, all references from the NKJV). If there ever was a man who prayed without ceasing (cf. 1 Thess. 5:17), it was Jesus of Nazareth. He prayed "in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight" (Mk. 1:35). He prayed during the day (Matt. 15:36; Jn. 11:41-42); and He prayed during the night (Matt. 14:23). Jesus was also One who prayed everywhere (cf. 1 Tim. 2:8). He prayed in the mountains ...

Diary Of A Bible Recently I read the "Diary Of A Bible." I do not know the author. Any one of millions of Bibles covered in dust could have written the following: January 10. Been resting for a week. The first few nights of the New Year my owner read me regularly, but he has now forgotten me already, I guess. February 7. Clean up time. I was dusted with other things and then put back on the shelf. February 9. Owner used me for a short time after dinner looking over a few references. Went to Bible school today. March 6. Clean up. Dusted again. Have been in the hall since my trip to Bible school last month. March 30. Busy day. Owner had young people's meeting and had to look up references. He had an awful time finding them but they were there all the time. May 3. In Grandma's lap again this afternoon. She spent most of her time in 1st Corinthians 13 and the last four verses of the 15th chapter. May 7, 8, 9. In Grandma's lap again this afternoon. She spen...

LEAVING A SPIRITUAL LEGACY:  Focus on the Big Picture by Paul Linden Synopsis: Recognizing that devoted disciples of Christ will endeavor to leave a spiritual legacy, Paul focuses on the big picture, and offers practical admonitions on how to achieve this noble goal. Introduction These lessons emphasize the importance of making faith our own and leaving a spiritual legacy. What could be more important? Have you ever been to a cemetery and looked at a tombstone? Typically, you see a name and two dates separated by a dash. Our life is a dash—short but significant. In the US, the average lifespan is 78.7 years. While this represents a small increase from previous decades, it remains amazingly close to the average lifespan given in Psalm 90:10, which says, "As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, or if due to strength, eighty years, yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; for soon it is gone and we fly away." By some measures, a lifespan of 70-90 ...

COVERING MY MISTAKES. When I started using pen in my primary school, and I made a mistake, I would try hard to erase it before submitting to my teacher. Sometimes, I use chalk to clean my mistake but it later reappeared. So I began to use saliva, it worked, but only to leave holes in my books. My teachers then used to beat me for being outrageously dirty. But all I tried to do was to cover my error. One day, a kind hearted teacher who loved me so much called me aside and he said, " Anytime you make a mistake, just cross it and move on" . He said further " Trying to erase your mistakes would only damage your book to nothing. I told him in protest that I don't want people to see my mistake. My loving teacher laughed and said " Trying to erase your mistake will make more people know about your mess and the stigma is for life". Have you made some mistakes in life? Cross it over and move on. Don't ridicule yourself as a result of trying t...

HOW TO AVOID EMOTIONAL AFFAIR... Even if you are married to the best spouse in the whole world, if you do not guard your heart, you may end up "falling in love" with someone aside your spouse and eventually ruin your marriage.  No one gets married and plan to have affair but lots of married men and women are into affairs today because they slept when they should have been wide awake with their five senses alert. 1. Don't be too friendly with the opposite sex. This is where lots of married people land in trouble. Over spirituality and pride will destroy your marriage! You can't handle close friendship with the opposite sex as a married person. Your heart is involved. Set boundaries. Be disciplined. Be cordial. Be respectful. Be godly. Be holy. 2. Don't share your personal problems with an opposite sex friend. It will bond you together. Problems bond people. 3. Don't contact any opposite sex you are fond of. If you secretly admire them, you are fond ...

Bible Tongues Speaking  There is much misunderstanding as to what the Bible teaches about tongue speaking. This misunderstanding is beginning to creep in among the people of God. Let me call to your attention eight things the Bible teaches about tongue speaking. (1) Bible Tongues Were Languages. When the apostles spoke in tongues in Acts 2, "the multitude was confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language" (Acts 2:6). There were several different languages represented as Jews had come from all nations to keep the day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:51). They heard the apostles speak in their "own tongue, wherein they were born" (Acts 2:8). So, Bible tongues were not just a lot of jabbering but languages which were spoken at the time. (2) Bible Tongue Speaking Was Associated With The Baptism Of The Holy Spirit. The Lord promised that He would send the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. "And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you:...