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Luke 11:2-4 THE LORD'S PRAYER Our Father in heaven, THE LORD'S PRAYER the first word - OUR The first word is a weighty and crucial word for a child of God in following Jesus' model prayer that throughout is addressing the Father as from "us," "we" and "our." This word confirms our need to understand that Jesus never suggested an isolated gospel of individualism or that anyone in God's Family, including Himself, should ever stand alone. This is in marked contrast to the lying doctrines of the devil, the enemy of God and deceiver of the saints. Satan's success in his own delusion as well as in his deception of human beings is completely dependent upon the "doctrine" of isolation; Or better stated: Personal Sovereignty. If the deceiver can successfully delude one of us into believing that we are isolated and self-dependent, he can pour his gall through us and support us with plenty justification - at least in our own mind. There could never have been a Nero, a Hitler, an Idi Amin, Sadam Husein or a broken Terry Clark, for that matter; There would never have been the need for mental institutions; There would never have been murder, theft, adultery, fraud nor any courts to judge them - if this doctrine did not exist and have power to seduce Man. Jesus never stood alone. Whether He can is not an issue because the fact is that He won't. During His public ministry He never stood alone. He never broke relationship with our Father. He said what He heard the Father say and did what He saw the Father do. Only in that moment on the Cross when the Father had to turn away did he not stand with Him. And that was only to stand with us in our dark separation from God. Having carried out the instructions from the Father qualifies Him now to stand with us and the Father. All things are in His hands and authority. There is no success, alone. There is no winner in any sphere who is isolated. "Sinner" is, in a classical sense, one who chooses not to be in relationship. The concept of individualism and self-sufficiency is an illusion that lies at the core of Satan worship and fundamental illness. The antecedent and antidote for individuality syndrome is the "spirit of power, love and a sound mind," characteristics of personality from God our Creator. Personal Sovereignty, deified individuality, is the death of all satisfying and fruitful relationship. More on the antidote in the forth-coming series - BODY WORKS JESUS' WORDS If the literature being read, the tapes being listened to and the services being attended are not stating and making clear the mind and instructions of Jesus, we may never be able to taste the peace and joy we sing about. And certainly we will never actually experience what He came and died to make available. (John 6:63, 8:51-52, 12:47, 14:15-23, 15:7, 10, 14, 20) Well, what ARE His commands, then? What DOES He say about... for instance, the question needing an answer in your life right now? Jesus was not only in on creating human beings but also became one so He could be the undisputed authority. When He walked the dusty trails of Judea, sat on the Mount of Olives and stood in a boat on the shore of Galilee, the words He spoke were not high-sounding religious rhetoric. Jesus never spoke King James English or even our current christianeze. The Language was Aramaic, the down-to-earth straight talk of the common man. That was who he came to speak to and that is who heard His words clearly. Today His words are still Spirit and Life and if you are really listening, they will truly be a lamp unto your feet. As we study the Words of Jesus the most important question to keep in view is, "What is Jesus saying TO ME?" Open the ears of your heart and hear Him speak privately and intimately to you. Then determine that you will not be a hearer only, but a doer as well. Father, bless my brothers and sisters as we study Your Word together. Amen. |
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