The Key of Me

The Key of Me

Prayer is a powerful aspect of a follower of Jesus because it is the communication avenue with the Father. The spiritual armor of a Christian includes prayer. (Ephesians 6.18) Paul, in describing the full armor of God, tells us to pray at all times.

While we know about prayer, and we even recognize the need for daily prayer, for what are we praying? As our words leave our minds to reach God’s ears, what are we asking God to do? Or what words are we saying?

Patrick Morley took time to consider what he was praying. In examination of his words, he compared his prayer with the Model Prayer of Matthew 6.9-13. As he concluded his examination, he said, “I realized most of my prayers were prayed in the key of me. So I started praying all my prayers in the key of we. It is amazing how our prayers take flight when they soar on wings that include them.” (The Christian Man, Patrick Morley, 2019, page 103)

If you were to examine your prayer life, would you pray in the key of “me” or the key of “we?” When you take a moment and examine the Model Prayer of Matthew 6, what do you see? A quick examination of the words of Mathew 6.9-13 show the words, “our,” “us,” and “we.”

Even the prayer of Jesus as He was about to face crucifixion found His words focused on others. The words recorded in John 17 show the purpose of Jesus as He seeks to glorify God through His life, then He prays for the people around Him.

While there is nothing wrong with asking God to be with us, or sharing our wants and needs with the Father, are we praying for others as well?

Just some thoughts,

The Key of Me

How Many Reasons Can You Give?

“The sun comes up; it’s a new day dawning; It’s time to sing Your song again. Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me; Let me be singing when the evening comes.”

Those words begin a song written by Matt Redman describing the reasons to give thanks to the Lord. We know that each day is a blessed day. (Psalm 118.24) We know, as Christians, God will take care of us throughout our lives. If He takes care of the birds of the air, He will take care of us. (Matthew 6.26)

How many reasons can you give for offering praise to God?

In an interview with Worship Leadership Magazine, Matt Redman said these words about the song, “10,000 Reasons”:

“The point behind the song is this, if you wake up one morning and you cannot think of a reason to bring God some kind of offering of thanks or praise, then you can be sure there’s something wrong at your end of the pipeline, and not His. We live beneath an unceasing flow of goodness, kindness, greatness, and holiness, and every day we’re given reason after reason why Jesus is so completely and utterly worthy of our highest and best devotion.” 

As you reflect on your life, how many reasons can you give to praise the Lord?

The song, 10,000 Reasons, is based on the words of Psalm 103. In that psalm, David says, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103.2-5)

Are you praising the Lord today?

 Just a thought,

Here is an acapella version of 10,000 Reasons from The Acapella Company.

Full Victory – Bulletin Article

Full Victory – Bulletin Article

Moments of history have a way of helping us to understand spiritual truths. While we know they are different, various world events become seared in our minds and illustrate a spiritual point.

On June 5, 1944, a photograph was taken of General Dwight Eisenhower which tells a rich story as the invasion of Normandy was to come the next day.

The 101st Airborne Division was stationed in Greenham Common, England when General Eisenhower spoke to them.  During his message to the troops, the commander said, “Full victory – nothing else.”

Those words, “Full victory – nothing else” describe the life of a Christian. They also described the sacrifice of Jesus.  In Matthew 16, Jesus told his disciples that the “gates of Hell” would not prevail against the church. Those words are words of full victory – nothing else.

Christ’s death brought us full victory.

“Oh death, where is your victory? Oh death, where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15.56, 57)

Christians are preparing for their eternity in heaven because of the full victory Christ offers.

He paid the price.

He was our sacrifice.

In the end, He wins.

So, because we know the end of all things, let us…

“…be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15.58)

Just some thoughts,

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