by R. Herbert | May 11, 2014 | Gratitude, Prayer
Have you ever noticed that the “Lord’s Prayer” – the model prayer outline given by Jesus to his disciples (Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4) – does not contain any word of thanks? This might seem strange, but context probably explains it. The disciples knew that it was certainly Jesus’ custom to give thanks. We see examples of this not only in his giving thanks for food (Luke 22:19), but also in the thanks included in his other prayers (for example, Luke 10:1).
When we look at the outline prayer Jesus gave, we see (especially in Luke’s narrative)that the context was one of things for which we should ask (Luke 11:9-13). We can presume that knowing Jesus’ own example, the disciples would understand that rather than a separate point of thanks in prayer, every request would be made with thanks – both for help already given in that area and in faithful expectation of God’s continued help.
As the apostle Paul wrote, we should: “… not be anxious about anything, but
in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6, emphasis added). Our attitude of prayer should clearly be one of: “Giving thanks always for all things to God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). Such an attitude of thankfulness follows the example of Jesus himself and explains why the “Lord’s Prayer” has no separate point of thanksgiving.
Want to learn more about how and what we should pray? If you haven’t already read them, take a look at our articles on the following subjects:
Before You Ask
Another Look at the Lord’s Prayer
When Prayer Is Unanswered
Do We Pray “Without Ceasing”? 
by R. Herbert | May 8, 2014 | Service
Map by Florentine Films
The journals of US Army Captain Meriwether Lewis and his second in command, William Clark, recording their epic journey of discovery of the American West, are full of amazing details about the hardships they endured and their great accomplishments. The perilous journey lasted from May 1804 to September 1806, and in his August 18, 1805 journal entry Lewis wrote:
“This day I completed my thirty first year. I reflected that I had as yet done but little, very little indeed, to further the happiness of the human race, or to advance the information of the succeeding generation…. I resolved in future, to redouble my exertions …”
Lewis wrote this at the point when he, Clark and the expedition members had not only reached the source of the Missouri River, but had also finally crossed the almost impenetrable Rocky Mountains. He and the others with him had vastly advanced the knowledge of the American West and had done a great deal toward opening up vast areas which would further human success and happiness on the continent. Yet he felt he had done little if anything.
The story reminds us of the words of the apostle Paul who, after incredible accomplishments for the work of God, wrote in his letter to the Philippians:
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14).
This phenomenon is easy to see in our own lives. The more important a task to which we commit ourselves, the less we sometimes feel we are succeeding in it. Yet there is encouragement in this if we realize we often simply do not see, ourselves, what we are accomplishing in the work God gives us to do. This is probably especially true in work which shows no immediate or obvious tangible results. But the success of any spiritual venture is in God’s hands, not ours, if we are doing what we can do. I know of many servants of God who have felt total lack of success after preaching a sermon or writing something which they felt in retrospect would probably not really help anyone – only to be told by someone that the particular message was of great personal help.
The truth is, like Captain Lewis, we may not see the significance of the work we do, but (although we may not have accomplished anything like they did) like Lewis, and like Paul, if we continue to rededicate ourselves to the mission we have been given, time will show that we did, in fact, make a difference.
by R. Herbert | May 4, 2014 | Difficult Scriptures, Great Commission
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12).
The words of Jesus are clear, yet we may wonder how this can be. Jesus performed miraculous deeds seen by many, healed the lame and the blind, raised Lazarus from the dead – how can we do greater works than these?
A key in understanding this verse in John is to realize the difference between the “signs,” “wonders,” “miracles” and “works” performed by Jesus. There is certainly some overlap in the use of these terms, but generally speaking there is a difference. The words “signs” (Greek semeion), “wonders” (Greek teras), and “miracles” (Greek dunamis) are all frequently used of the miraculous deeds Jesus performed as signs of his Messiahship. Jesus spoke of his followers doing such things, though usually in the context of faith – that if we have faith we, too, would be able to accomplish great deeds with God’s help.
But beyond these miraculous deeds, Jesus also performed many other works of teaching, guiding and helping his disciples and the crowds that followed him. The word “works” (Greek erga) used in John 14:12 can include miraculous deeds, but it signifies other non-wondrous works as well. In fact, erga can include ongoing duties, works, business, rather than just individual acts; and the word certainly covers Christ’s ongoing teaching and guidance.
When we look at the broader and often more ongoing sense implied by erga, we can see that Christ’s statement that his followers would do greater “works” than he had done likely refers to his work of teaching, guiding, etc. Such deeds were not entirely dependent on faith to accomplish them, and faith is usually not mentioned in the same context – as it is not in John 14:12. These works would be “greater” than those he had done, and this can mean greater in extent rather than greater in type.
Although Jesus taught large crowds, sometimes of thousands of people, we have only to look at the eventual effects of the printing press and, in our own age the internet, when used to spread the word of God and to explain its teachings to millions of people, to see the extent of these works has indeed been greater than any individual could have accomplished in the time of Christ. But we should also remember that “no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him” (John 13:16) – the greater works that might be done in later ages by Jesus’ followers are still done by Him through us!
by R. Herbert | May 1, 2014 | Prayer, Updates
In 1952, the Congress of the United States of America established a National Day of Prayer as an annual event by a joint resolution. This resolution was signed into law by President Harry Truman, who called for the nation to take time “to turn to God in prayer and meditation.” Every president over the last 62 years, regardless of political or religious affiliation, has proclaimed a National Day of Prayer which is now set by law to be observed on the first Thursday of May each year.
The roots of this day of prayer may be said to go back to 1775 when, on the very eve of the US War of Independence, the First Continental Congress called for a day of prayer. Today such public devotion may seem foreign to many, but the principle of approaching God in a spirit of national rededication is itself an echo of such days in biblical times. The National Day of Prayer is a great opportunity for us to give thanks and to remember the spiritual problems and needs of our nation.
by R. Herbert | Apr 30, 2014 | Positive Living
If concern about specific aspects of your future, or the future in general, affects you, there are two statistics you might want to keep in mind.
The First Statistic: How we see the future is so often a measure of important aspects of who we are – particularly, one would think, a measure of our religious faith or lack thereof. We would expect people of faith to have less fear of the future – despite medical, economic or social problems. However, a recent Barna Group survey conducted in the United States revealed an interesting fact: while 77% of Americans in general were found to be concerned about what the future holds, 82% of Protestant Christians expressed concern for the future. (You can view the Barna infographic with these statistics
here.)
While it may be that some Christians felt concern regarding possible “End Time” scenarios shaping up in the world around them, it seems paradoxical that those of religious faith should fear the future more than the average person in society. This is perhaps especially true for Christians when we consider the words of Jesus: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear” (Matthew 6:25). Jesus went on to give the parable of the birds of the air and the flowers of the field that do not worry about the future, but are provided for, and said that we should not worry about anything: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself” (Matthew 6:24).
The Second Statistic: These words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 6 are not just a positive parable in isolation. The Barna survey results are surprising considering another statistic – a biblical one – that we should consider seriously if we feel apprehensive about the future. The most frequently repeated command in the Bible is: “Do not fear” or “Do not be afraid.” When we read each instance of these many scriptures telling us not to fear, we find that they cover almost every aspect of life and its fears – economic, social, and physical safety and well being.
It is important that we as Christians remember this fact. The Son of God experienced life just as we do and experienced the same causes of concern and apprehension. Perhaps precisely because of this, and the fact that He clearly overcame the temptation to fear, He urges His disciples continually to do likewise and to refuse to fear the future. If fear and apprehension about tomorrow are concerns with which you wrestle, see one of our most popular articles: “
Facing the Future Without Fear” for practical advice. Decide now that if the first statistic given in this article applies to you, with God’s help you will make the second statistic apply to you, also.
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