GOODNEWSLETTER
Number 389 September 14, 2011
THE LORD'S PRAYER
"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," Matthew 6:9-10.
At the graduation ceremonies from grade school, our class sang "The Lord's Prayer." Several years later, I learned that Jesus taught His disciples to pray this prayer of Matthew 6:9. And today, I love to hear it; whether, sung or read. When you read it yourself, it's meaning fills you heart with joy as you listen to what Jesus taught about the Lord plan and what He had in mind, eternally, for mankind.
We call it the Lord's prayer when, actually it is the Disciple's Prayer. The prayer is God's purpose for man when Jesus returns. But, either way, the kingdom message carries truth about what we are to learn and practice, now. When believed and applied, the Disciples Prayer controls our lives today, and in church service.
Certainly, there's some present practice that the prayer teaches. Here's just a few points of the kingdom message.
1. We are to pray for the kingdom to come because it is not here, yet. (Eph. 1:13-14). When Jesus comes, the earth will have peace.
2. We are to know what the kingdom means by the parables as Jesus taught. It shows that not all the saved will be ready at His return.
3. The kingdom is an inheritance (Mt. 7:21). Understanding this truth makes the book of Revelation easier to study.
4. The kingdom is a mystery. The New Covenant reveals what the mystery is by the teachings of Jesus.
5. Presently, Israel is cut. Although, God's time-clock, the nation has to accept Jesus before She is restored to the Abrahamic Covenant.
6. The millenium is, of course, 1000 years long. It's when Jesus rules over the kingdom on earth. Today, His Heads His local church.
7. One teaching that humbles the heart is when Jesus steps off the throne (I Cor. 15:24-28) - at the end of the 1000 yrs. He then takes His position among those He died for; His people. Now, that my Brothers and Sisters is the meaning of love and how God's plan is achieved.
In order to know God's plan, we must repent and trust God's Son, Jesus Christ. Then, after we are saved, the Disciples Prayer begins with the Father. First, we acknowledged His holy Name and dwelling; then, we begin to see His plan: His will done on earth - "as it is in heaven," Matthew 6:9.
The prayer addresses the Holy Father in heaven with a purpose. We don't offer God just any words that sounds good; we offer Him the same prayer Jesus taught His disciples. A prayer of knowing that His "Kingdom (is to) Come." Man has an eternal place to live on Earth, finally.
Looking back, we see Eden was a type of what God has for man on the earthly orb. Let us pray for the day that we shall see His will done on earth just as it is in heaven (Mt. 6:10).