The Lord's Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer

Matthew 6:5-13

Jesus warned the disciples in Matthew 24:11, “And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” How? They’re not in the Word of God; they’re not reading the Bible. Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” There are confusing and distracting voices sent to keep us from the path, yet God promises His Word will illuminate our way forward.

I. Bread of Life:

a. There is a daily provision which Jesus promises to give us. He is the Bread of Life (John 6:48-51). If you neglect the Bible, you are going to become weak, and you will end up very confused and off track. Incorrect thoughts about God will find their way into your mind and begin to guide you in the wrong direction. We need the Bread of Life every day.

II. Bread from Above:

a. In Exodus 16:14-15, we learn about this "living bread" when it came in the form of manna each morning. Everything the body needed was found in this “manna.” (Exodus 16:16) Fathers, you must gather some manna from the Bible for your house daily! You must read the Word when you get up in the morning. Mothers too! (Exodus 16:17-18) You may not be able to read a whole basketful in the morning, but God knows what you are going to face and He is able to take the little bit you gathered and multiply it to meet your needs for that day! (Exodus 16:19-20) Don’t let the daily promises of God for you go to waste!

III. The Lord’s Prayer:

a. (Matthew 6:12-13) Jesus said, "And forgive us our debts." "Forgive me for being lazy and not spending time in the Word.” "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from [the] evil [one]." "Don’t let me start to agree with the devil's condemnation of me." "For Yours is the kingdom." "Yours is the only kingdom that will last. Your words are the only words that will never pass away or fail." "And the power." "Your Word has power over death, the world, the flesh, and the devil, for an abundant and everlasting life, to recreate my heart and mind, and to take me where You want me to go." "And the glory." "The glory of Your purpose and plan for my life; the glory of knowing Your Word abides in me; the glory of having a renewed mind, washed in the water of your Word—that glory that belongs to You!"

IV. Where to Start:

a. Simply pray, “Lord, will You help me to read the Bible? Would you establish my thoughts in Your ways? Would you take me farther than I have ever gone before?" Start in Matthew and read the Gospels through Acts, then the Psalms, and Proverbs. Read them until they become a part of you. Read a modern word-for-word translation (not a paraphrase) you can understand. Then, believe it! And make sure it’s quality time with God, even if it is only fifteen minutes in the morning. Go before the Lord with your Bible and say, "Father, speak to me today. Speak to my mind; speak to my heart. Guide me and guard me. Let me see throughout the day how your Word will keep me." And then watch what God will do!