Bible Teachings:

Matthew - New Revelation Concerning Prayer

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy Kingdom come, they 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 forever.

Amen.

Welcome Brothers and Sisters to another chapter in Bible Teachings. As the starting point this is what Jesus has told us how to pray. In Matthew 6, Jesus has said in verse 5-7 how to pray like the last BT for Matthews. This is because when we seek God in Prayer or Fasting, we need to do this in private or not show boat ourselves in public. Back in the days Pharisees and Scribes followed the Torah, which is from the Books of the Bible in order Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. This is the beginning of the Bible when the Lord's words came into the Bible today. They are still important, but the Pharisees and Scribe over time had forgotten why God made them and for what purpose. That being it was a time as Christ came to fulfill the prophecy to give salvation for our sins. The Law is a reminder that we are sinners, but through Jesus we repent our sins and are forgive through the blood of Christ Jesus.

Here as the whole Matthew Chapter 6 Jesus is explaining how we should pray and fasten when seeking our Lord. Most of them involve towards secret and private when seeking the Lord. This also implies when we boast in public or try to make ourselves known, we are seeking as proud people. Being prideful at your own strengths and achievements is not what God wants us to be like. For many in the Bible and history itself have people including Israel have lived in moments of pride, only to be brought down when God is involved.

Even in history of many kingdoms, empires, civilizations, governments, countries, many who can act on pride or believe they are great, can and will be brought down if God allows this. For many unbelievers and believers alike we are fortunate that God is merciful and loving for us. But we also must remember when we allow our sins to grow in our lives and commit them unforgiving, we are in danger or reminded of who's in charge and that God is always watching.

Another to remember is about Fasting. In this time and age many aren't too familiar with this term or why it's important. To be frank I didn't understand it at first when hearing about fasting. But as you start to look towards it's meaning, fasting is the time when you allow yourself to focus on God more then what's around you. There are two different foods that exist in our lives. The first is obviously the bodily food we digest on daily life, this is the basic needs and way for us to live and grow on this world. However the other food is something that's more harder to obtain, that's the spiritual food. This basically means for us to read the bible daily, live on prayer, have fellowship with others and spread the good news.

For Fasting, it's requires our undivided attention towards god in certain amount of days. This is to help us communicate and learn more about God, his wisdom, and be more loving towards Jesus, our Heavenly Father, and thanks for the Holy spirit. How to fast can be found by others who have search this topic on internet or people that have this experience. For example, when I did fast I mustn't eat any foods for certain period of time, but I do drink water. In this time I would focus more on prayer, seeking God, reading and studying the Bible for treasures in wisdom. In the old and New testament fasting is the most important part of our daily living, but for beginnings there are ways to do them for first time. Believe me it's hard, it's a feeling where you have something living in your stomach demanding food at all times, for anyone living in USA that's extremely hard. America lives on the fast food and eating anything we can. But when seeking God you have to allow yourself to discipline your body and allow yours soul/spirit to grow.

When understanding the chapter 6 of Matthew, Jesus is telling us when we do these things, we must do them in honoring our Lord. Many of the Pharisees and Scribe in his time showboated themselves, saying they are doing what God has commanded of them. While many are fooled, Jesus wasn't and knew what laid in their hearts. This is why we are warned about this, for there are heavenly treasures that are rewarded to those seeking God in private and not in public boasting. These Treasure are something that can't be physically earned or work for on our own. They are by God's grace that we earn them by not only honoring our heavenly father, but also serving others. In this Jesus is the example of how we should live. For many that followed his example and pass on, they are people that served other people and honored God in name and action.

Another interesting note on this chapter is how Jesus tells us not to worry. In this he means when we lack faith in times of trouble or have little faith, Jesus tells us that God knows of our needs and will provide. The example is the bird that lives, feeds and dies by God's hand. In short Jesus is saying do not get discourage or worry what hasn't happen, what are you doing, how should you dress or anything. But trust in our Lord and he will provide no matter the situation and circumstance. I cannot say how much Jesus did for our lives and how much the words of wisdom matters. Yet from the Lord, can truly say that he only commands us this because it's not only for our obedience, but it's for our own good. Many times if we try to live outside of God's way things won't end well, and Christ also says not to worry no matter what. If we're believers, we need to be bold as a lion. Basically be living in light and truth as God's representative, for when we serve our lord and people we are examples of God's holy living.

But know that since we live in a world of sin, we are still sinners on this earth. However because we commit ourselves to God, we are to follow Christ because of both our willingness and by command. Know that our sins and this world's ruler will do whatever it takes to keep you from seeking God, for we are not fighting against people, but our own living flesh and ways that only thinks of it's desire. And remember, you will have times of failures, times of defeats, times when everything became dark, grim, hopeless or just urge to give up. Yet when you continue praying to God, seeking him in those times of trouble and free times. He will be there and we can thank Lord Jesus for redeeming us and giving salvation to all that hear the good news.