Month: April 2023

Now, our focus shifts from aligning with what God wants in the opening petitions to addressing our human needs by seeking God’s provision — Give us this day our daily bread (Mat 6:11).

The issue of God’s provision has been interpreted with extreme variations. Some focus on human effort with a divine assist; “God helps those who help themselves .” “Many have attributed its origin to Benjamin Franklin but the roots of this idea go all the way back to ancient Greece…” It was introduced in 17th c. England by a politician, Algernon Sydney (https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/why-god-helps-those-who-help-themselves-is-presumed-to-be-biblical.html). Unfortunately this perspective can create problems with pride and reluctance to embrace our dependence on God. Another extreme variation on provision finds expression in the prosperity gospel. I have an admitted bias opposing this focus. In this extreme, the divine/human relationship is about receiving material blessings (aka, the Cash Register God). A quick internet search for prosperity preachers produces Robert Tilton, T. L. Osborn, Joel Osteen, Creflo Dollar, Kenneth Copeland, etc.

The daily bread petition in the Lord’s Prayer presents a different perspective on God’s provision—Give us this day our daily bread. Here are some observations to consider:

Give us—These opening words place the petition in an intimate community (first person plural pronoun) that acknowledges its dependence on God. Previously, the Lord’s Prayer opened with praise and seeking God’s will, setting the context for pursuing divine provision. With confidence, we respectfully ask God to provide for our community (family, church, etc.) because God has always provided for believers (see manna in Exodus 16). From the time of Abraham until today, there is an unending witness to God’s provision. So much so, that this characteristic is revealed in one of the biblical names for God; Jehovah Jireh which means “the Lord will provide.” As a young husband and father, I took a 65% pay cut to go to seminary and enter the ministry. Every time I thought our little family community wasn’t going to survive financially, Jehovah Jireh provided. Our story isn’t unique, but is consistent with thousands of years of testimonies because manna is a sign of God’s hesed (see The Lord’s Prayer (Part 1)).

this day—We need God’s provision every day. This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t take reasonable measures to prepare for future needs, especially in these uncertain times. However, our security cannot ultimately come from temporary material things, no matter how much we have. It’s a matter of keeping our spiritual focus where it belongs. “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mat 6:19-21). In other words, our daily acknowledgment of God’s provision helps to keep our focus on heaven.

our daily bread—The commentators have long agreed that we are not just talking about our daily bread (food). “Indeed, many of the primitive fathers understood it as comprehending that daily supply of grace which the soul requires…” (Matthew Henry’s Commentary). But it’s important to remember that this is a reference to our needs, not our greeds. The soul doesn’t require yachts, exotic cars, or mansions. In fact, riches are often spiritual stumbling blocks (see Luke 18:25). What the human soul requires is continual contact with the Holy Spirit. There is no effective substitute for a daily supply of grace!

(TO BE CONTINUED with forgiveness — and forgive us our debts (trespasses), as we also have forgiven our debtors (trespassers).

The Barnabas Strategy is an initiative of the Holy Spirit free of institutional constraints. … Ron Bellomy

After a longer than expected Easter break, it’s good to be back with you. Last time we focused on opening prayer with praise by hallowing God’s name. It has been said that more of our prayer time should be spent in praise. To borrow a line from MercyMe: But still we praise our Savior in Spirit and in Truth
For we cannot say enough about You.

Next, we look at the opening petitions in the Lord’s Prayer: Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Mat 6:10). Here are some observations to consider:

Many of us in western culture have an aversion to the idea of kingdoms. The U. S. was established in opposition to this structure. However, history teaches us that the structure of the government cannot overcome unworthy/corrupt leaders regardless of their titles (king, queen, president or prime minister). Evil can find a way to corrupt any system. Jesus teaches us to pray for the Kingdom to come led by the only truly worthy King, who is incorruptible.

Praying for God’s Kingdom to come on earth is praying for God’s will to be done. It is aligning our prayers, our very spirits with divine intentions. (It’s important to note that these petitions focus us first on what God wants, not what we want.) Mark shows God’s intention with Jesus’ ministry by starting with the announcement of the Kingdom: “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mar 1:14-15).
Remember, gospel means good news. The Kingdom coming is God in Christ’s good news for everyone if we will accept it (repent and believe). Clearly, this is God’s will.

The Kingdom of God is initially internal, then becomes external. It is the liberation of humanity from the clutches and tyranny of the self. Prior to our conversions we are living imprisoned to the self with illusions of freedom. Jesus offers a prison shaking, life changing citizenship in the Kingdom. This new citizenship causes the will of God, the good news, to be shared with the world by Christian disciples (Kingdom citizens). In other words, this citizenship comes with a commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Mat 28:19-20).

(TO BE CONTINUED with seeking God’s provision — Give us this day our daily bread.)

The Barnabas Strategy is an initiative of the Holy Spirit free of institutional constraints. … Ron Bellomy

Having just experienced the glory of Easter, it seems more than appropriate to look at praise in the context of the Lord’s Prayer.

The importance of praise cannot be overstated. Derek Prince (Secrets of a Prayer Warrior, p. 139) writes about a confrontation between Jesus and the religious leaders:

“Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise’?”(Matthew 21:16). David wrote the words ordained strength. Jesus interpreted them as perfected praise. What does that tell us? That the ordained strength of God’s people is perfect praise. When you praise the name of the Lord perfectly, you shut the devil up.

Therefore, it isn’t surprising that, in the Lord’s Prayer, we find praise immediately following the relational greeting. We are simultaneously honoring God and silencing the enemy.

–hallowed be your name: To “hallow” is to honor as holy (an aspect of praise). In other words, to hallow is to set apart something as worthy of reverence and respect. The object of this reverence is the name of God, and names are very important in the biblical context. Names are not just identifiers but are related to power and sometimes life changing events (Jesus changes Simon’s name to Peter after his confession-see Mat 16:13-20).

Here, we are talking about the name that is unparalleled in power and importance; the name some consider “too holy to pronounce.” For us to truly hallow the name of God is to acknowledge the life changing experience initiated in our conversions and symbolized in our baptisms. To earnestly pray the phrase, hallowed be your name, is an acknowledgment of the unique nature of the One we have addressed. It is also claiming a spiritual weapon. Appropriately invoking a name of the Trinity with reverence is wielding a mighty weapon against evil and darkness. It is one of the ways we let our lights shine (see Mat 5:16).

Brothers, let your lights shine, honor God and shut up the devil. Hallow the name of God in all you say and do.

(TO BE CONTINUED with God’s purpose— “Your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”)

The Barnabas Strategy is an initiative of the Holy Spirit free of institutional constraints. … Ron Bellomy

I have noticed that the day before Easter (Saturday in Holy Week) can be tough, even symbolic of our struggles as believers. This side of Easter has always been a hard place to be. The disciples fled when Jesus was arrested (see Mat 26:56) and went into hiding. The crucified Jesus is dead and placed in a tomb. On this side of Easter all hope seems lost.

Brothers, don’t get trapped on this side of Easter! There will be times when life punches us in the gut, and we forget who we are and where we live. That is understandable. However, it is not acceptable to stay on this side of Easter where evil prematurely celebrates and chaos seems to reign; this is the deception and the lie. Remember:

Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning. (Psa 30:4-5)

Whatever struggles you face, push through… persevere… Never loose sight of the other side of Easter! Do you not know? Have you not heard? The joy and hope of Easter comes in the morning. As the sons of God, the other side of Easter holds our inheritance. On the other side of Easter, the Cross and the tomb are empty, and Jesus reigns forever:

There’s a day that’s drawing near
When this darkness breaks to light
And the shadows disappear
And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead

[Chorus:]
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles’ wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise. (I Will Rise, Chris Tomlin)

The Barnabas Strategy is an initiative of the Holy Spirit free of institutional constraints. … Ron Bellomy

Prayer is widely considered the primary basis for the spiritual life and the go to weapon for spiritual warfare. Then why wouldn’t we make the most out of this invaluable resource? I am a type A personality in a culture that fosters busyness. For years, I was guilty of prayer neglect and/or treating prayer as another bullet point on my “to do” list. I’m glad to say this is no longer true for me. Let me share some of what I have learned from my prayer life, personal study of the Bible, and the wisdom of true prayer warriors like Derek Prince (Secrets of a Prayer Warrior).

NOTE: Prayer is more than a conversation; it is an experience of the Lord Almighty and is worthy of a focused time of quiet preparation and reflection. After all, we are approaching the One who is all powerful (more so than a million suns), all knowing (anything less than brutal honesty is insulting), and all present (totally accessible).

JESUS ON PRAYER: Matthew 5-7 shares Jesus’ great teaching known as the Sermon on the Mount. The section on prayer opens with a brief tutorial (Mat 6:5-9a), “And when you pray…” Clearly, prayer is not optional. The transition into the Lord’s Prayer is “Pray then like this…” which is instructional and commanding:

—Our Father in heaven: This is a relational greeting and a reminder of the Father’s divine nature. One scholar comments that because of the Trinity, we have the privilege of calling the Lord of the universe, “Father.” The Bible describes our heavenly Father using the word hesed (one of my favorite Hebrew words). Hesed is “wrapping up in itself all the positive attributes of God: love, covenant faithfulness, mercy, grace, kindness, loyalty–in short, acts of devotion and loving-kindness that go beyond the requirements of duty,”  (Bible scholar Darrell L. Bock).

(TO BE CONTINUED with praise—“hallowed be your name” )

Until next time, rest in the unequalled hesed of our Father in heaven. Blessings to all… Ron Bellomy

The Barnabas Strategy is an initiative of the Holy Spirit free of institutional constraints. … Ron Bellomy

Before we move forward with our spiritual preparations, let’s examine an important issue: Why do we experience the chaos we acknowledged last week? One significant cause can be traced to the beginning in the Garden of Eden where we find original sin.

The more serious implication of original sin was not disobedience (which was sinful) as much as it was the desire to be like God. The serpent (Satan) tells Eve, “For God knows that when you eat of it (forbidden fruit) your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Gen 3:5, ESV). Since then, the human desire to be self-made gods has been a major factor in human suffering and societal turmoil. Ironically, this defiance does not deify us or even make us more than we are. To the contrary, it makes us less than we were created to be while initiating chaos.

Rejecting the complete sovereignty of the one true God, (Yahweh) means there is no firm basis for truth because truth (in ultimate terms) means whatever is consistent with the will (and Word) of God. Without God, there is no objective source for truth. There is no standard for morality, stability or even reality. Only relativism remains. (In cosmic terms, this is a demonic attempt to return to the chaotic void; see Gen 1:2). As a result, the “truth” is often determined by lesser serpents masquerading as leaders and foolish manipulated squawkers who shout “hosanna” at triumphal parades and “crucify him” just a few days later. These so-called leaders and squawkers may have their day, but they have in their very nature the seeds of their own destruction:

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil… Therefore, … as dry grass sinks down in the flame, their blossom go up like dust; for they have rejected the law of the LORD of hosts, and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. (Isa 5:20; 24), ESV; see also Rom 1:18).

In contrast, Christians must embrace the Holy One of Israel more closely than ever, even as we reject the relativistic messes in our culture. (Fence sitting is no longer a viable option. ) We know the ultimate reality and expression of truth. “Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life… (Jn 14:6, ESV). This truth never changes (see Mal 3:6 & Heb 13:8). and is the foundation for our reality (see Mat 7:24-27). To echo the hymn, on Christ the solid rock (we) stand. All other ground is sinking sand. Thanks be to God! Amen.

NOTE: From this shared understanding of reality, we can move forward. The next installment will share tips to increase intimacy with God as we revisit the Lord’s Prayer.

The Barnabas Strategy is an initiative of the Holy Spirit free of institutional constraints. … Ron Bellomy