Today’s communication capabilities have made it more convenient to talk
to anyone at anytime and in anyplace. Recently
a storm took out our cell phone service and we realized just how much we have
come to rely on it for our everyday life.
Today’s wi-fi connection illustrates the life of the
believer who connects to the Lord. Just
because you are online doesn’t mean that you are connected. The sender of
the message is the Lord and now he wants to receive one from you.
He wants to communicate with you. Have
you talked to the Father?
“A Pastor I know
had been on a long flight from one place to another.
The first warning of approaching problems came when the sign on the
airplane flashed: FASTEN YOUR
SEATBELTS.
Then, after a
while, a calm voice said, "We shall not be serving the beverages at this
time because we are expecting a little turbulence.
Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."
As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the
passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later,
the voice of the announcer said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to
serve the meal at this time. The
turbulence is still ahead of us."
And then the storm
broke. The ominous cracks of
thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines.
Lightning lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great
plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean.
One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the
next, it dropped as if it were about to crash. The pastor confessed that he
shared the discomfort and fear of those around him.
He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly
all the passengers were upset and alarmed.
Some were praying. The
future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through
the storm. Then, I suddenly saw a
little girl. Apparently the storm
meant nothing to her! She had
tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat; she was reading a book and
everything within her small world was calm and orderly.
Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she
would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world.
When the plane was
being buffeted by the terrible storm, when it lurched this way and that, as it
rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half
to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid.
The minister could hardly believe his eyes.
When the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers
were hurrying to disembark, our pastor lingered to speak to the girl whom he
had watched for such a long time. Having
commented about the storm and behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not
been afraid. The child replied,
"Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me home."
There are many
kinds of storms that buffet us. Physical,
mental, financial, domestic, and many other storms can easily and quickly
darken our skies and throw our plane spinning out of control.
We have all known such times, let's be honest and confess it.
Just remember: Our Father is the Pilot.
He is in control and will take us home!”
from an email.
Luke 11 One
day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his
disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his
disciples.”
2
He said to them, “When you pray, say:
“‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3
Give us each day our daily bread. 4
Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive
everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’” 5
Then he said to them, “Suppose one of
you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me
three loaves of bread, 6
because a friend of mine on a journey
has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’ 7 “Then
the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and
my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8
I tell you, though he will not get up
and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s
boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 “So
I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock
and the door will be opened to you. 10 For
everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the
door will be opened. 11
“Which of you fathers, if your son
asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he
asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If
you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask
him!” [1]
Am I online?
Am I connected? Can I be connected to God? Am I online with Him?
The Lord was praying in a certain place.
The disciples wanted him to teach them to pray.
Do you want to pray? Who
taught you?
- Prayer
Honors the Father first.
- Prayer
invites God and His kingdom to come. Do
you want God to come to you and this/your world.
- Prayer
asks for God’s provision.
- Prayer
asks for forgiveness and at the same time it assures that I will also
forgive. Why? I have been
forgiven and have forgiveness to give.
- Prayer
asks for God’s help and protection from the evil.
We recognize the power of temptation to evil. We know that our
Father is in control. He is
our pilot.
- Prayer
is asking, asking, asking, asking, and asking again.
Shows how much you want help from the Lord. Come to the throne of
the Lord with boldness.
Ask, seek, and knock and the door of God’s heaven will
be opened up.
Prayer gets you online and connected to the Lord.
Come to him boldly! Ask!
Is God your Father? Will
you come to ask him for help? What
will he give you?
What do you give to your children?
What did your father give to you? The
Father in heaven wants to give his Holy Spirit to you.
He will help you.
Through the Spirit we can become connected to the Lord.
He is the Lord in you. When
you prayer do you look inward? Where
is the Lord? Aren’t you his
temple? Look to Him and ask.
He will give you the best that He has.
He is your heavenly Father!
[1]The Holy
Bible : New International Version (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996,
c1984). Lk 11:1-13.