Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the LORD Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God – just as you are doing – that you do so more and more. 1 Thessalonians 4:1.
Consider what I say, for the LORD will give you understanding in everything. Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. 2 Timothy 2:7-9.
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our LORD. Romans 8:37-39.
And continuing our 351 Old Testament prophecies, promises of God, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, we come to number 178: The Wonderful One, Peleh. Isaiah 9:6: For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. And, Luke 4:22: And all were speaking well of Him, and wondering at the gracious words which were falling from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
This morning in our Friday Zoom retreat we were led to a closer understanding of the LORD’S Prayer given to the disciples and found in Matthew 6:9-15. Our presenter kept reminding us of metanoia. Looking up the definition: Metanoia is a profound and fundamental transformation of one’s heart, mind, worldview, or spiritual direction. And as you read the LORD’S prayer slowly and with intention, a Lectio Divina, you allow the Holy Spirit to reveal God to you, just as our presenter pointed out happened to Peter when Jesus asked the disciples who they say He is and Peter was able to reply, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Peter didn’t know that on his own. That was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit. Can we ask the Holy Spirit to come into our own hearts and minds? Are we willing to be led by God into deeper understanding that is eternal – metanoia? Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Right at the beginning, Jesus directs us to the Father. He is in heaven and His name is holy. With that understanding, can we truly pray for His perfect Will and not our own misguided will, nor any misguided will of men, to be done on earth just as it is in heaven? And can we trust God’s perfect Will that we cannot see clearly now, in spite of how confusing and troubling things are here on earth, just as things on earth were confusing and troubling during the times of the disciples and indeed in every generation of men? We are confused but our Holy Father is not. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Jesus is our bread, the very bread of Life. As we take Him daily indwelling us, forgiving is His understanding imparted to us and we can forgive ourselves and others because we trust the source of all Life. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. And as our presenter said, this is addressed to our Father, so You do not lead us into temptation, but You deliver us from evil. Something wonderful happens as we give ourselves to Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit. We are not alone. We are part of a Family that has existed before creation and time itself. He opens our hearts to see Him. He opens our understanding to see how deep and sure and true is His word. And the real work of becoming Family with Him and His children dearly loved can begin. Jesus came to show us the way and He is working still as is His Father and as is the Holy Spirit indwelling us. If you have never experienced His still, small voice within, now is a good time to be still. Read the prayer Jesus gave to us revealing the Father and His love. Read slowly and listen. His words are Life.
***THY GRACE IMPART – O LORD, Thy heavenly grace impart and fix my frail, inconstant heart; henceforth my chief desire shall be to dedicate myself to Thee – to Thee, my God, to Thee. Whate’er pursuits my time employ, one thought shall fill my heart with joy: that silent, secret thought shall be that all my hopes are fixed on Thee – on Thee, my God, on Thee. Jean Frederic Oberlin (1740-1826), “Thy Grace Impart,” 1853.***
