Wash Up

Sunday, March 24, 2024

Good morning, Lord

Verse of the Day:    His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence. (2 Peter 1:3)

Memory verse: Romans 8:32 ►He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?  

Today's reading:  JOSHUA 19-21 LUKE 2:25-52

Wash Your Hands...

Jesus said, "When you pray, pray like this, Our Father,

who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name, Thy

kingdom come thy will be done on Earth as it is in

Heaven;

Give us this day our daily bread...

Why did Jesus not say, "Please?" It is a request, after all, to the king of the universe. Why did Jesus not teach us to say please?

Some may think I am reaching but bear with me. When we present our requests to God we are to go boldly.

James 1:6 Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who 'worry their prayers'; are like wind-whipped waves. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Jesus did not say please because He did not intend for anyone to plead to God for anything. Please may be good social manners but God intends for us to come before Him and put it out there in front of Him. Say what is on your mind and be quiet and listen.

God knows whose heart is humble before Him and no words will make a heart any more humble. Jesus even said it one place, You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true.

Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.(Matthew 5:36,37 The Message)

God never intends for us to plead. When we confess and are forgiven, 1 John 1:9, without our asking, God cleanses us from all unrighteousness so we can continue with clean hearts in seeking His righteousness and His kingdom.

Your words with God might be like this,

"Yes, Lord, this is my sin, I am wrong and You are always right. Thank you for your forgiveness and making me clean-now, I cannot make it today without Your bread for my life-whatever it is, I must have it!"

Urgency in prayer, real urgency, is honest and God always welcomes the honest heart. But we never need to plead to win God over-He is all about us and getting us what we need when we are truthfully serious about His work.

If we are not serious about seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness, no amount of 'pleases' will amount to anything. If sin is in the way, confess it and forget it-God wants us clean.

I tell people to wash their hands before they go to sleep so that whatever you are carrying you don't take to bed with you.

As you go to prayer, wash-confess your sin. Confess it and get on with Life-don't play around. Be real and get it out and get on with getting real before God.

Wash up and ask for bread...

...because he loves us...

Father in Heaven,

I confess it all-I am sick of not being truthful with you-Give me Your bread for today and the resolve to use it the way You want.

Merciful and true God,

In the name of Jesus,

Amen