20150810 KEEPING HIS NAME HOLY

KEEPING HIS NAME HOLY

Matthew 6:9 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may Your name be kept holy.

As I said in our last writing, God wants us to pray according to His will. Jesus gave us the Model Prayer, or what some call The Lord’s Prayer. Many people can quote this portion of scripture and do so often without giving much thought to what is being said. When we do that we babble as mentioned in verse 7. So, it is worth our time to take this passage verse by verse.

The prayer begins by naming who we are praying to, “Our Father in heaven,” our Creator who reigns and rules from the highest heavens.

The first thing Jesus told us to pray is for our Father’s name to be kept holy. Most of us would not consider using any of God’s names in vain, or in a swearing manner. We may even speak up if we hear someone else use His name like this. But, do we keep His name holy (to separate from profane things -THAYER)? This, like the other teachings here begin in our hearts and therefore, I quote again Psalms 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Is there, toward God, any awe in you when you pray? When you worship? When you wake up each day? Are you driven to moments of gratefulness and praise because you recognize God’s handiwork? Psalms 8:3-4  When I look at the night sky and see the work of Your fingers—the moon and the stars You set in place— (4)  what are mere mortals that You should think about them, human beings that You should care for them?

Do you remember throughout your day that the Holy Spirit is with you and in you at all times? 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, (20) for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” That means what you say, what you do, what you think should all honor God by keeping His name holy.

So when we pray, “Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy,” we are asking for us, all of us to do just that, keep His name holy.

A thought to ponder… If it were against the law to be a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you? Is His name holy in your thoughts, words, deeds?

Father in heaven, make this true in our lives, our thoughts, words and actions. Be glorified in us and through us. In Jesus name, AMEN!!!