we need to remind ourselves…

we have been looking at the LORD’s prayer and the phrase, hallowed be YOUr name.  to those who are a part of HIS family we need to remind ourselves when we are striving to it alone that we are HIS child.

one way to do that is to write down something like i will act like GOD’s child by… what?  how do you need to act like GOD’s child this week?  by asking forgiveness of somebody in your family?  or forgiving somebody in your family?  GOD is forgiving so HIS children should act forgiving.  act like GOD’s child by taking a step of integrity at work?  even if that step of integrity means you might lose your job.  GOD has integrity.  HE expects his children to have integrity.  you may have been facing this integrity decision at work for a long time.  you know deep down if you take that step even if it has tough consequences you’re never going to regret it.  you’ll never regret doing the right thing.  maybe you need to act like GOD’s child this week just by realizing HE loves you even though you don’t feel like it right now.  GOD’s love isn’t dependent on my feeling.  there are many days i don’t feel like HE loves me but HE still does.  HE’s still there.

but then maybe you need to become GOD’s child today.  You are going it alone.  GOD doesn’t force any one into HIS family.  HE invites us all into HIS family.  maybe you need to take the step of faith to realize GOD wants you to be a part of HIS family.  HE sent JESUS CHRIST into this world to say, “I’m willing to open the door.  I’m willing to forgive you of the wrong things you have done if you’ll trust me to do that.  I’m willing to be your father and begin to lead and guide your life if you trust me to do that.”  as you trust HIM in that simple way through prayer, you come into GOD’s family. 

whatever step you need to take it’s going to involve trust because GOD’s children trust HIM.  that’s what marks one of GOD’s children.  psalm 33.21(lb), no wonder we are happy in the LORD for we are trusting HIM.  we trust in HIS holy name.

the result of trusting in GOD’s name, honoring GOD’s name, hallowing GOD’s name should be happiness.  GOD’s name is not meant to be a curse.  it’s meant to be a blessing as we honor it in our lives.

just a thought from the front porch…