Your Kingdom Come

Show Notes

SHOW NOTES

We are taking a mid-summer break this week. Our weekly podcast, Walk with God, will return next week as we continue the current series, “The Power of Prayer.”

Spend some time reading Psalm 27 and listening to the song, “The Lord is My Light.”

Psalm 27 – Prayer of David.

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?

² When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.

³ Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

⁴ One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

⁵ For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.

⁶ Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.

⁷ Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.

⁸ My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.

⁹ Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.

¹⁰ Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.

¹¹ Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.

¹² Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.

¹³ I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

¹⁴ Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Listen to the podcast on the Discover God’s Truth website, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

Show Notes

Scripture: Matthew 6:1-8

SHOW NOTES:

We look for lessons and examples from Scripture to guide our walk with God. In the first part of this series, “The Power of Prayer,” we examined many examples from the Old Testament. Now, we turn to the pages of the New Testament. In today’s lesson, we will explore Jesus’ words in Matthew 6.

Jesus warns the disciples about hypocrisy. Yes, we are to live righteous lives, but “Watch out!”

“You are the light of the world … let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:14-16). We are to perform good deeds openly in front of a watching world, not for our praise, but to draw attention to our Heavenly Father and give Him glory!

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others.

– Matthew 6:5

Again, “Do not be like the hypocrites.” He references the Pharisees and Sadducees, the two main religious groups. They are obsessed with what others think of them. They seek recognition for their “good and righteous acts.”

We pray for the same reasons children talk to their parents. We share concerns. We have a relationship and seek fellowship. We want help when facing tough times and confusing situations in life. Children need the wisdom of a Father and Mother.

Lord, hear my prayer! Listen to my plea! Do not turn away from me in my time of distress. Bend down to listen and answer me quickly when I call to you.

– Psalm 102:1-2

Listen to the podcast on the Discover God’s Truth website, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

Show Notes

Scripture: Matthew 6:9 / Luke 11:1-2

SHOW NOTES:

Prayer is a vital part of our Christian life. We communicate with our Heavenly Father and seek His wisdom, guidance, and direction. Jesus’ disciples traveled with Him for three years. They listened to His teachings, witnessed His miracles, and heard Him pray. Many times, He would go off to pray in the evening or early morning hours.

In today’s lesson, the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. He responds with the prayer we often call The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-15) or The Disciples’ Prayer (Luke 11:2-4). This prayer is the example or model Jesus gave to His disciples.

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.”

He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name.’”

– Luke 11:1-2

God’s “name” reflects His nature. Jesus called God His Father. We also call Him our Heavenly Father to give Him glory and praise.

But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.

– 1 Peter 1:15

Listen to the podcast on the Discover God’s Truth website, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

Show Notes

Scripture: 3 John 1:3-4

SHOW NOTES:

Prayer is a crucial part of our spiritual journey with the Lord. As we learn more about Christian disciplines, we grow, develop, and mature. Many of us start by saying short prayers when we are young children, during mealtime, and at bedtime.

For this week’s lesson, we have a special guest joining us — our first grandchild and only granddaughter, Riley. We’re grateful that you want to share some of your spiritual journey with us today.

… telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth. I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

– 3 John 1:3-4

Head to Heart:

Ask yourself these questions: When did you decide to trust Jesus as your personal Savior? How do you live differently today because you are a follower of Jesus?

Reflect on your prayer life and ask the Lord for help in developing this spiritual discipline. What are other ways you can stay close to God each day?

Listen to the podcast on the Discover God’s Truth website, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

Show Notes

Scripture: Matthew 6:9-11 / Luke 11:2-3

SHOW NOTES:

During His earthly ministry, Jesus spent time praying, and the disciples asked Him how they should pray.

Once, Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” Jesus said, “This is how you should pray.

– Luke 11:1-2

He has given us an example, a pattern to follow. We approach our Heavenly Father, acknowledge His holiness, and remember the promise of His coming kingdom.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

– Matthew 6:10

Jesus then taught that we can bring our needs and struggles to our Father in prayer. We can ask for what we need and for provisions. We confess our sins and offer forgiveness to others. Finally, it is important to stay alert against the schemes of the evil one and ask the Lord for His protection and strength during times of testing.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

– 1 Peter 5:8

Listen to the podcast on the Discover God’s Truth website, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

Show Notes

Scripture: John 17:1-5

SHOW NOTES:

Today, we start a study of Jesus’ prayer in John 17. This prayer is often called “Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer.” It illustrates the high priestly ministry that Jesus officially began when He ascended into heaven.

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

– 1 John 2:1

Many believe this was spoken before Jesus and His small group of disciples left the Upper Room or while they walked across the Southern Steps on their way to the Garden of Gethsemane.

After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you.

– John 17:1

Jesus looks toward His Father in heaven and prays. He acknowledges that the time of crisis has come – “The hour has come.” This is not a hopeless prayer; instead, Jesus looks ahead to the cross and recognizes that this is the work the Father has given Him. Jesus alone can complete this task.

I brought glory to You here on earth by completing the work You gave me to do. Now, Father, bring Me into the glory We shared before the world began.

– John 17:4-5

Listen to the podcast on the Discover God’s Truth website, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.