TRADITIONS, LIES, and TRUTH – PART SIX
Saturday – February 23, 2019, Adar A 18, 5779
Greetings precious brothers and sisters of the Kingdom and welcome back to this wonderful study of the Truth and the expulsion of the traditions of men and the doctrines of devils (lies). As you will recall I am elucidating the difference between prayer and commands or decrees. However, let me be one of the first to point out that the word ask can be used to describe prayer but we must have context. Remember we have a Covenant which spells out what belongs to us. In the proper context our asking has to do with having the Father (Holy Spirit) assist us with finding the will of God or in the context of placing a demand upon the Covenant, in either case a demand is made upon God. Placing a demand upon the Covenant is like presenting a demand note (check or debit slip) to the bank to withdraw our own money. The Holy Spirit pointed out that prayer is mainly for the prayer closet and decrees are for ministry, accomplishing things for the ministry (see last weeks teaching). Of course, there is a place for public prayer, a place for private decrees, and various mixtures.
I had pointed out last week that we see in Scripture many times where Jesus went to pray but we have no record of those prayers, why. We then reviewed one prayer that we have a record of in the Garden of Gethsemane and you might refer back to last week. I then introduced The Lord’s Prayer and I will discuss that today as we move on into areas that may set your hair on fire or cause you to exclaim, “it is about time someone told the Truth”.
Matthew 6:6-15 (KJV)
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Given the admonition of Christ Jesus, Head of the Church, above to pray in private, where did the idea of public prayer came from? In verses six through eight Jesus is telling us to talk to our Father in private and the reward or result of that would be seen by all. Prayer is talking, a conversation with the Father. Verse eight does not give me the impression that we are to spend much time on the needs of our personal lives for these things are already known by our Father and they are a part of our Covenant ratified by the Blood of Christ Jesus. We are to declare these things, place a demand for them, and give thanks for them. Read verse eight carefully putting the word ‘demand’ in place of “ask”. Everything in the Kingdom operates by faith and love as its foundation so any asking (placing a demand on the Covenant) must be in faith powered by love (agape).
Everything in the Kingdom is accomplished by us doing our part and the Father doing His part, neither can operate independent of the other. This is how it worked in the “Old Testament” and in the ministry of Jesus, and it isn’t changing now. Not my idea guys, it is the design of God from the beginning. I have an idea there is a lot of at least singed hair by now but press on and read every word with diligence. However, as we continue in our text, we see a focus shifting to Kingdom work and our own preparedness for that work. Then we see it is vital that we are not harboring unforgiveness. The idea of our being free from unforgiveness is a theme echoed time and again. Our text of the “Lord’s Prayer” sounds a lot like the following statement later in this very chapter. God is so good to repeat things over and over so that if we don’t get it one way, we can get it another. In both, it is vital that our primary focus is the Kingdom of God, putting God in the very highest place. When Adam and Eve didn’t do that, we saw how well that worked out (tongue in cheek and sarcasm).
Matthew 6:31-34 (KJV)
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
I hope we can all see that we are NOT to just leave our needs, welfare to chance so to speak, it has to do with focus. As we focus on the Kingdom, the Father is able to focus on our needs. Keep in mind we are not talking about bare necessities here we are talking about all that the Father has put in our heart and all that it takes to do our missions (assignments). Our first priority is to accomplish the will of the Father today, tomorrow, and for eternity. In the present time He will give us wisdom so that we not neglect our other obligations like to a job, marriage and so on. The will of God will never require us to neglect others however we may be required to temporarily give something up.
Mark 10:29-30 (KJV)
29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,
30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
Lord willing, I will pick up right here with this fascinating and vitally instructive teaching on prayers and commands next Saturday. Until our next publication, as a Bible Teacher and Prophetic Voice I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it by faith in Jesus name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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