Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Misunderstanding and Forgiveness

PM#0030


Eph 1:17; 3:17

Have you ever had a misunderstanding where you honestly understood one thing, but the other party was adamant that they said something else? That stirs up a lot of emotions, especially when the other party does not give some measure of grace in understanding.


How do you deal with this when your emotions have flared up? Christ said to forgive. But when we have been wronged, it is hard to settle down and forgive.


To obey Christ, we must take the step to forgive. When we do, forgiveness will help us settle down. Following forgiveness, I would encourage one to ask a blessing for the other party. Here is a blessing that could be prayed: “that the Lord would bless them with knowledge of Him and be grounded in His love. Eph 1:17, Eph 3:17.


Father, many have wrong us in the past. Help us to forgive them and to ask your blessing for them. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


©2005 Lewis Turner

Sonship

Matthew 6:9, Matthew 6:12

Did you ask your parents for anything when you were growing up?? Probably you did and you probably asked for many many things. However there may have been some things which you wanted, but may have been afraid to ask for.

One area many of us do not like to approach or ask is when we mess up is for is forgiveness when we mess up. At those times, we are often embarrassed. God knows that problems happen and He speaks to it in the Lord’s prayer. In Matthew 6:12 it says, “And forgive us our debts or trespasses.”

Inspite of those problems, God wants us to know that He wants to forgive us. All we have to do is follow His instruction and come to Him in prayer.

Father, may we realize the privilege we have as You being our Father, to come to you for forgiveness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


©2005 Lewis Turner


Lordship

Lord's Prayer

PM#0088


Matthew 6:10

How should we pray? Prayer sometimes is seen as a way to get our way, but what does the Bible say about how we should pray?

The Lord's Prayer says "Your will be done". It is referring to the will of God and Christ. That is how we should be praying. I have to admit that many times I have asked for my plans instead of God's purposes. When we pray "Your will be done", we will become firmly rooted in Christ. He then helps us to pray referring to Him when we say "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done."

Father, help us to honor you and to seek your will by asking that it be done. In Jesus’ name. Amen.



©2005 Lewis Turner

Worship

Lord's Prayer

PM#0089


Matthew 6:9

Have you ever given thought to the meaning of a name? Names do have significant meaning.

As our relationship to God grows, understanding the name and character of God will help us worship God and pray. Even the declaration of the name of God in prayer is worship. As you learn the names of God and appreciate them and pray using them, your love for God will grow.

Father, may we learn to understand who you are by learning your names. May they be burned into the tables of our heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.



©2005 Lewis Turner

Relationship

Lord's Prayer

PM#0090


Matthew 6:9

Did you know that true prayer comes from a relationship with God?

In the Lord's Prayer, Christ makes it clear when we pray that our prayer comes from a relationship. When we start praying "Our Father" we acknowledge a relationship with God in a personal way. God wants us to be aware of this relationship when we pray

Father, in the Name of Jesus, we ask you to help us be aware of our personal relationship to you and the love a Father has for his children. In Jesus’ Name, amen.


©2005 Lewis Turner