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The Benefits Of Fasting
MATTHEW 6:16, 'Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.'
MATTHEW 6:14-18
It was a Jewish custom to anoint one's self with olive oil and in Jesus' day it was apparently customary to anoint the heads of your guests, also (Lk. 7:46). At times ointment or perfumes were used in this personal anointing. A lack of having one's head anointed was associated with mourning or sorrow.
Jesus is saying that there should be no external sign of fasting or sorrow, but it should be done secretly to the Lord to receive a full reward. Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 7:5, that...
Victory - A Provision
Matthew 6:13, 'And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever. Amen.'
MATTHEW 6:9-13
A temptation can be a difficult situation or a pressure. Contrary to popular belief, God is not the source of our temptation (Jas. 1:13). When we are under pressure, it is important to realize that God is not trying to entrap us. Satan is called the tempter (Mt. 4:3; 1 Th. 3:5). Then why did Jesus instruct us to pray that the Father would not lead us into temptation? This was simply a request for guidance so that we could be delivered from evil.
Jesus himself was tempted by Satan (Mt. 4, Lk. 4). He trusted God fully for provision, protection,...
Salvation Begins Now
MATTHEW 6:10, 'Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.'
MATTHEW 6:9-13
We do not have to live a beggarly existence here on this earth and just wait till we all get to heaven to begin to experience the benefits of our salvation. Jesus told us to pray 'thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.' In heaven, He will 'wipe away all tears from our eyes' (Rev. 21:4), so here on earth we can pray and believe to receive 'joy unspeakable and full of glory' (1 Pet. 1:8). Healing, prosperity, and all the other benefits of heaven are ours here on earth to the degree that we can believe and receive them.
It is God's will to deliver us from this present evil world. The Lord didn't save us...
THIS IS A DIFFERENT WAY OF LOOKING AT JOHN 9, WHERE JESUS HEALED THE MAN THAT WAS BORN BLIND. PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN THIS PASSAGE TO SAY THAT GOD HAD PUT THIS ON THIS MAN TO GET SOME KIND OF GLORY OUT OF IT. VERSES 3-4 IS WHERE THEY GET THIS FROM "Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me," YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT
A Loving Father
Matthew 6:9, 'After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.'
MATTHEW 6:9-13
Although God was referred to as 'our Father' 13 times in the Old Testament, Jesus' frequent use of this title brought a whole new understanding of our relationship with God. Jesus referred to God as His father over 150 times, and He spoke of God as being our father 30 times. This infuriated the religious Jews of Jesus' day who considered it blasphemy to call God their father, because they understood that to mean they were equal with God (Jn. 5:17-18).
This title has become so common in the church today that we, many times, don't perceive its real significance. The revelation that we are...
Quality Prayer
Matthew 6:7, 'But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.'
MATTHEW 6:5-8
Some of the most effective prayers are the shortest prayers. Jesus said, 'Peace, be still,' and the wind and the waves ceased (Mk. 4:39). He said, 'Lazarus, come forth,' and Lazarus came back from the dead (Jn. 11:43-44).
Today, there is a new emphasis on the quantity of prayer instead of the quality of prayer. Jesus never advocated long prayers, and there are only a few instances where Jesus prayed long prayers. This is not to say that communion with God is not important. It certainly is, but formal prayer is only one part of our communion with the...