THE LORD’S PRAYER 2021
“…GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD…”
“…after this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 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…” (MATTHEW 6:9-13 KJV).
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Jesus said, in his prayer, “…GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD…” which means he acknowledged God, the Holy Spirit, as the SOURCE of daily, spiritual nourishment for HIMSELF and his DISCIPLES. Jesus did say, “…OUR…” Jesus was also straight forward in ASKING God, the Holy Spirit for his daily bread. He said, “…GIVE US…” In addition, he ASKED, specifically, for, “…BREAD…”
Jesus KNEW who he was when he prayed this prayer. “… I am the bread of life…” (Luke 6:48 NASB). “… [AND HE IS] … The Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). This is important, to know, when praying, that the DAILY BREAD is Jesus, who is ALSO the WORD of God!
God’s people are familiar with JESUS and his NAME. jesus’ name means: “savior” “anointed one” "Emmanuel: god is with us" “the lord of salvation” and “The Word of God…” Further, Jesus ALSO called himself, THE BREAD OF HEAVEN.
“…I’m telling you the most solemn and sober truth now: Whoever believes in me has real life, eternal life. I am the Bread of Life. Your ancestors ate the manna bread in the desert and died. But now here is Bread that truly comes down out of heaven. Anyone eating this Bread will not die, ever. I am the Bread—living Bread!—who came down out of heaven. Anyone who eats this Bread will live—and forever! The Bread that I present to the world so that it can eat and live is myself, this flesh-and-blood (the atoning sacrifice) self.” At this, the Jews started fighting among themselves: “How can this man serve up his flesh for a meal?” But Jesus didn’t give an inch. “Only insofar as you eat and drink flesh and blood (accept Jesus as the atoning sacrifice or the one who died for your sins), the flesh and blood of the Son of Man, do you have life within you. The one who brings a hearty appetite to this eating and drinking has eternal life and will be fit and ready for the Final Day. My flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. By eating my flesh and drinking my blood you enter into me and I into you. In the same way that the fully alive Father sent me here and I live because of him, so the one who makes a meal of me lives because of me. This is the Bread from heaven. Your ancestors ate bread and later died. Whoever eats this Bread will live always…” (John 6:48-58 MSG).
Jesus, God’s LIVING Word was the “…BREAD of HEAVEN…”, which meant this was a spiritual type of nourishment that was NECESSARY for the survival of the redeemed soul or New Creation in Christ Jesus. “…This is the Bread from heaven…” (John 6:48-58 MSG). “… I am the bread of life…” (Luke 6:48 NASB).
God, the Holy Spirit, is the SOURCE of this spiritual nourishment and we are to ASK for it EVERY "SINGLE" DAY when we PRAY to HIM. “… [God, the Holy Spirit] … will supply all [the need of his children]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). . “[God, the] …Holy Spirit …is the SOURCE [of it ALL]…” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
“…Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things…” (Matthew 6 KJV). “…God will supply all [your need]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “…Trust in the Lord with all thine heart…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…[I am] … the one who provides …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV).
“…You (his redeemed children) can ask for anything “in my name” (in his “word”), and I will do it...” (John 14:12-14 NLT).
The “…BREAD of HEAVEN…” is used as a figure of speech that means spiritual nourishment from God, the Holy Spirit. God’s people are to ASK, by faith, for this spiritual nourishment, that comes from God, the Holy Spirit, and God alone, day by day. “….Then you will know that I am the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT).
God’s people, PARTAKE, in this spiritual nourishment by faith in the PROVIDER who SUPPLIES, all and whatever they need, faithfully, every single day of their lives. “…GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD…”“….Then you will know that I am the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT).
During a TEST of faith, God is NOT simply wanting his people to TRUST and DEPEND upon what he CAN “DO” for them, but he wants them to TRUST and DEPEND on HIM as a LOVING GOD who LOVES THEM. “…For God so loved the world, that HE GAVE…” (John 3:16). “…Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and SENT…” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “… All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them …” (1 John 4:16 NLT).
If God people are to get to KNOW HIM as a LOVING God who LOVES each of them, personally, it will come through a loss of personal self-autonomy. THEIR faith is “not” TESTED simply to EXAMINE whether they will believe in what he can DO for them, but to EXAMINE what they believe about WHY or WHAT motivates God, the Holy Spirit, to DO IT! God’s people are NOT merely putting their TRUST in what God can DO for them, but, first and foremost, in his HOLY LOVE for them. “…We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love…” (1 John 4:16 NLT).
“… [God] knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me (tried my FAITH in his HOLY LOVE), I shall come forth as gold…” (Job 23:10 KJV). “…All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first…” (1 John 4:15-19 NLT).
God’s people left their OLD LIFE and became NEW CREATIONS in Christ. They are NOW on a Christian journey that leads them to eternal life. The Israelites were on a similar journey when they Left Egypt and journeyed to the PROMISED LAND. While in the wilderness they FACED many DANGEROUS and HARSH situations and circumstances. They murmured and complained to Moses and Aaron. “…The whole community of Israel complained about Moses and Aaron. “If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death…” (Exodus 16:2-3 NLT).
The LOVING God, who LOVED them didn’t hold that against them, but FOUND ways to PROVIDE for them. One of those provisions was MANNA or what they called “…BREAD from HEAVEN…” “…the Lord … has heard your complaints, which are against him, not against us. What have we done that you should complain about us?” Then Moses added, “The Lord will give you meat to eat in the evening and bread to satisfy you in the morning, for he has heard all your complaints against him. What have we done? Yes, your complaints are against the Lord, not against us…” (Nehemiah 9:9-12 NLT).
As you can see, God responded, to his complaining people, with patient love. “… I have heard the Israelites’ complaints. Now tell them, ‘In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT).
WHY DID GOD RESPOND THE WAY HE DID? God is love and love is patient and kind. “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…Love is patient, love is kind… It is not easily angered, It keeps no record of wrongs …Love never fails…” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV). …” (Psalms 117:2 KJV). “… The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness…” (Psalms 145:17 NLT).
“…That evening vast numbers of quail flew in and covered the camp. And the next morning the area around the camp was wet with dew. When the dew evaporated, a flaky substance as fine as frost blanketed the ground. The Israelites were puzzled when they saw it. “What is it?” they asked each other. They had no idea what it was…it is the food the Lord has given you to eat…” (Exodus 16:13-16 NLT).
The LOVING God, who LOVED his people PROVIDED for them and HELPED them. “…The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him…” (Psalms 37:40 NLT). “…Blessed are those who wait for his help…” (Isaiah 30:18 NLT). “…The Lord who made you and helps you says: Do not be afraid …my servant …my chosen one…” (Isaiah 44:2 NLT). “… The Sovereign Lord helps me…” (Isaiah 50:7 NLT). “… The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…” (Romans 8:26 NLT). “…You are my helper and my savior…” (Psalms 40:17 NLT). “….Then you will know that I am the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT).
This “…BREAD from HEAVEN…” was literally bread they could eat every day. God, the Holy Spirit, SENT the BREAD, to them, and it would miraculously appear each morning, for forty years, during their STAY in the wilderness. “…The Israelites called the food manna. It was white like coriander seed, and it tasted like honey wafers… everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed…So the people of Israel ate manna for forty years until they arrived at the land where they would settle. They ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.” (Exodus 16:16-18, 31, 35 NLT). “…the Lord brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders…” (Deuteronomy 26:8 KJV).
If you READ this story and ALL you SEE it what God, the Holy Spirit, DID for his people, then you MISSED the most important lesson. “… the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers…” (Deuteronomy 7:8 NASB). “… Blessed be the Lord your God who delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel; because the Lord loved Israel forever…” (1 Kings 10:9 NASB). “… Because the Lord loves His people …” (2 Chronicles 2:11 NASB). “ … your God loved Israel establishing them forever …”(2 Chronicles 9:8 NASB).
“… I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness…” (Jeremiah 31:3 NASB). “… Even as the Lord loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods…” (Hosea 3:1 NASB). “ … I led them … with bonds of love, And I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws; And I bent down and fed them…” (Hosea 11:4 NASB). He has “….loved [you]...with an EVERLASTING love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). A “…Love … [that] … never FAILS….” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV). “…We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love…” (1 John 4:16 NLT).
When God’s people are going through CHALLENGING TIMES they are only INTERESTED in or only FOCUSED on what God, the Holy Spirit, can DO for them. Most of the time anxiety, stress, worry, fear, and other negative reactions are still present in his redeemed people, because they are “not” INTERESTED in or FOCUSED on WHY God, the Holy Spirit, will DO for them what HE PROMISES!
FAITHFULLY, the LOVING GOD provided for the people, in the wilderness, he loved them just like he PROMISED he WOULD day after day. He gave them instructions too. God told the Israelites what to do every day in order to benefit from his provisions. “…These are the Lord’s instructions: Each household should gather as much as it needs. Pick up two quarts for each person in your tent.” So the people of Israel did as they were told. Some gathered a lot, some only a little. But when they measured it out, everyone had just enough. Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed. Then Moses told them, “Do not keep any of it until morning.” But some of them didn’t listen and kept some of it until morning. But by then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell …On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much as usual—four quarts for each person instead of two. Then all the leaders of the community came and asked Moses for an explanation. He told them, “This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow will be a day of complete rest, a holy Sabbath day set apart for the Lord. So bake or boil as much as you want today, and set aside what is left for tomorrow.” So they put some aside until morning, just as Moses had commanded. And in the morning the leftover food was wholesome and good, without maggots or odor. Moses said, “Eat this food today, for today is a Sabbath day dedicated to the Lord. There will be no food on the ground today. You may gather the food for six days, but the seventh day is the Sabbath. There will be no food on the ground that day.” …” (Exodus 16: 16-30 NLT).
Of course, like in the 21st century, there were THOSE who didn’t follow his instructions? “…Then Moses told them, “Do not keep any of it until morning.” But some of them didn’t listen and kept some of it until morning. But by then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell … Some of the people went out anyway on the seventh day, but they found no food. …” (Exodus 16: 16-30 NLT).
However, THOSE who choose to follow his instructions experienced, for themselves, the KIND of PROVIDER God, the Holy Spirit, truly was. “.. the people of Israel ate manna for forty years until they arrived at the land where they would settle. They ate manna until they came to the border of the land of Canaan.” (Exodus 16:16-18, 31 NLT).
God PROVIDED for them, faithfully, EVERYDAY for 40 years. “… the people gathered the food morning by morning, each family according to its need...” (Exodus 16:21 NLT). “…God is the one who provides …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV). “….Then you will know that I am the Lord your God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT). “…the one who provides …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV).
When God’s people pray, “…GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD…” like Jesus say to do, we are asking God, the Holy Spirit, for the spiritual nourishment we will need for “…THIS DAY…”
“…These are the Lord’s instructions: Each household should gather as much as it needs …Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough. Each family had just what it needed. Then Moses told them, “Do not keep any of it until morning.” But some of them didn’t listen and kept some of it until morning. But by then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell …” (Exodus 16: 16-30 NLT).
God WILL supply the spiritual NEED for his people day by day. They can depend upon it. “…God is the one who provides …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV). “… God will supply all [your need]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “…. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. ….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT).
LIVING by faith in NOT “only” about what God, the Holy Spirit, can DO for you, but it is MAINLY about his HOLY LOVE for you, which is the reason WHY he will DO it. This truth makes a BIG difference. “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…God is [REAL]… LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).
The REDEEMED experience “REAL” love WHEN they become RECONCILED AND RESTORED to God, the Holy Spirit, THROUGH Jesus, the indwelling Holy Spirit that is POURED into the hearts of God’s people. “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…God is [REAL]… LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…God’s …[REAL] … love has been poured out INto …[your]… hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us…” (Romans 5:5 NIV).
REAL LOVE (God, the Holy Spirit) is mankind’s FIRST LOVE because he loved them WAY BEFORE they ever loved him back. “…Herein is ...[REAL]…love, not that we loved God, but that HE [first] LOVED US...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “We love, because [REAL LOVE]… “FIRST” LOVED US…” (1 John 4:19 ASV). “….God SHOWED HIS GREAT [and real] LOVE FOR US by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners…” (Romans 5:7-9 NLT). “… [Nothing]…will be able to separate us from the [real] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB). He has “….loved [you]...with an everlasting … [real] love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). “…God is … [real] love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…There is no greater … [real] LOVE …” (John 15:13 NLT).
Therefore, “…This is REAL LOVE…” (1 John 4:10 NLT). “…This is REAL LOVE—NOT that we loved God…” (1 John 4:10 NLT). “…THIS IS LOVE: NOT that we loved God, but that he… [really]… loved us …” (1 John 4:10 NIV). “…THIS IS LOVE: NOT that we loved God, but that he …[really] … loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 4:10 NIV).
“… I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness…” (Jeremiah 31:3 NASB). “…A “…Love … [that] … never FAILS….” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV). “…We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love…” (1 John 4:16 NLT).
“…May the Lord DIRECT [your]… hearts TO the love of God ...” 2 Thessalonians 3:5 NASB).
First, Jesus PRAYED and started with this: “….Our Father, which art in HEAVEN…” Jesus KNEW who God, the Holy Spirit, was, to him, by DIVINE CONNECTION (he called him Father). “… “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).
Second, he also KNEW, exactly, where to FIND his Father, at ALL TIMES, in order to SPEAK with HIM (in the heavenly REALM that dwelled within). “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).
Third, Jesus said, in his prayer, “…HALLOWED BY THINE NAME…” which showed the respect and reverence he had for God, the Holy Spirit’s HOLINESS and his POWER. “… Glory in His “holy” name …” (1 Chronicles 16:10 NASB). “…I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence …” (Exodus 33:16-23 NIV). “…THY NAME is GREAT in might…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV).
Fourth, Jesus emphasized and acknowledge, in his prayer, that God’s KINGDOM had come. “…THY KINGDOM COME…” Jesus’ arrival, upon earth, was a MESSAGE that God’s KINGDOM had come, arrived, or was now PRESENT. The THINGS and EVENTS that HAPPENED, while Jesus was upon earth PROVED God’s KINGDOM had COME and was starting to MOVE forward to the KING of kings FULL REIGN.
Fifth, Jesus said, in his prayer, “…GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD…” which means he acknowledged God, the Holy Spirit, as the SOURCE of daily, spiritual nourishment for HIMSELF and his DISCIPLES. Jesus did say, “…OUR…” Jesus was also straight forward in ASKING God, the Holy Spirit for his daily bread. He said, “…GIVE US…” In addition, he ASKED, specifically, for, “…BREAD…”
Jesus KNEW who he was when he prayed this prayer. “… I am the bread of life…” (Luke 6:48 NASB). “… [AND HE IS]… The Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). This is important, to know, when praying, that the DAILY BREAD is Jesus, who is ALSO the WORD of God!
"....IF GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, IS FOR YOU, THEN GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT IS "MORE" THAN THE WHOLE WORLD AGAINST YOU...." (ROMANS 8:31).
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