Daily Devotions

Posts tagged “Matthew 6

Our Lord’s Prayer Requests

MARTY GABLER—As the people of God assemble today, may our Lord’s prayer requests be prayed by His people. May those things He desires on earth, in the lives of people be prayed in agreement with His heart and purposes.  “In this manner, therefore, pray:  Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  10  Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt.6:9-10, NKJV)


Thoughts on Prayer

MELISSA–Here are some thoughts on prayer during times of war, such as we are dealing with at this time.  In Matthew 6:7 Jesus gives insight on prayer, “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.”  Vain repetitions here means: “To chatter, be long-winded, utter empty words, stammer, repeat”.  In times like these there is a tendency to just rattle off every fear and concern we have.  Jesus gave good advice here as he explained in verse 8, “Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”  We need to come to God prepared to hear an answer and not just to throw up our worries all over Him.  This really came to life for me recently when I had just had one of those days where my concern list got filled up.  That evening I sat down to be quiet and listen when, all of a sudden, I was standing in this beautiful garden.  The trees caught my attention because they seemed lively and animated.  As I was taking in their beauty they all turned in one direction and I realized they were responding to the Lord walking through the garden.  I saw Him walking toward me when this thought hit me, “He knows”. In that moment I literally felt my shoulders and body relax.  I knew He knew about all of those things on my list.  Not only did He know, He already had an answer for each of them and my part was to simply trust.  As we navigate this time of war we don’t have to rattle off our fears to God.  He knows not only what’s manifesting but what is behind each manifestation.


The Lord’s Prayer Requests

As the people of God assemble today, may our Lord’s prayer requests be prayed by His people. May those things He desires on earth, in the lives of people be prayed in agreement with His heart and purposes.  “In this manner, therefore, pray:  Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  10  Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt.6:9-10, NKJV)


Deliver Us From Evil

There was an intercessors meeting where I was asked to speak. I was talking about all the demonic activity and agendas being promoted in our culture and that it might be a good idea for us to look to Scripture and heed our Lord’s instruction in the Lord’s Prayer to ask our Heavenly Father to deliver us from evil. There was a known minister from the region in attendance and he spoke up and said that in that particular context (Matt.6:13), the original language isn’t referring to evil in general but to “the evil one” and we were delivered from him at the cross. (In that particular context it seemed as though he was implying that we are not supposed to pray to be delivered from evil.) And, believe it or not, I am actually aware of the truths stated by that gentleman. But, first of all, I still desire to continue to be delivered from the evil one (it appears these days that he is still quite active), his activities and his agenda in my generation and I desire the nearly-destroyed-by-evil people I minister to, to be delivered also. Then, when I further consider him and all that is quite apparently evil and devilish in the culture of this nation, I think the present condition of the world around us begs the question, “How many know that you don’t get the dog without his fleas?” There is not only an “evil one” but it is my belief that in Mk.5:9 where the man said, “My name is Legion, for we are many” we are shown that, though he was just one man, the “dog’s fleas” (more than one) had so infested him that he was tormented and terrorizing the region of the Gerasenes. That level of demonization and demonstrative display are not the only ways evil is manifested. Evil can function quite often in disguised, subtle and hidden ways, yet leave its disturbing, harassing residue over a wide area. I regularly pray for said deliverance from evil in society and regularly declare it over hurting people. I shall continue to pray for insight, wisdom and discernment for myself and others as we move forward in facing the challenges of evil and move forward in the purposes of the King of Kings as the powers of darkness continue to oppose the Kingdom of Light (Jn.3:19-20;Col.1:13;1Pe.2:9;1Thess.5:22).


Putting Our Heart Into It

KATHY—The Holy Spirit gave me specific instructions one day to put my heart into the day. Graciously, He did not say, “Instead of murmuring today, try living like it connects to My good plans for you.” Whether we can see past the smoke of the fire we are in or not, we can decide to persevere each day with the confidence that it truly is an investment toward tomorrow and our potential in 2023. Mt.6:34,TPT—“Refuse to worry about tomorrow, but deal with each challenge that comes your way, one day at a time.  Tomorrow will take care of itself.”


Faith, Prayers, Availability

As the Word of God says, “Everything that can be shaken will be shaken”. For 2,000 years the prayers of the saints have been going up to the throne of God in obedience to the instruction of our Lord when He taught His disciples to pray, “Thy Kingdom come.” God Almighty has not been deaf upon His throne. Just like rats scurrying to get out of a collapsing building, the powers and principalities in second heaven are feeling the pressure of Third Heaven coming into the earth (Mt.6:10). They are scurrying about the earth and our nation affecting everything and everyone that will allow it and they are attempting, through willing dupes, to dismantle everything they can. Throughout history, when a retreating army leaves an area, they burn and dismantle everything they can so that their enemy cannot use it to their advantage. We should not, at all, be surprised at the attempts to dismantle the Word of God and the institutions that uphold it and our constitution. Hence, our faith, prayers and unwavering availability must facilitate the coming of heaven into earth. 


The Power of Forgiveness

Kathy — Mature sons know that walking confidently in the freedom and power of forgiveness only happens “AS” we forgive others and un-tether them from a future dictated by the past. As we release others, dead or alive, from what they owe us in apology for pain, hassle, grief or injustice, we are freed up from the debt we have built.  Debt erased from our future will change it.  Matt.6:12,TPT—“Forgive us the wrongs we have done as we ourselves release forgiveness to those who have wronged us.”


Evil Not Hinder Kingdom

Jesus gave instructions on prayer that superceded the apocalyptists view which conceded the present age to evil. HIs instructions were to pray “deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom.” The emphasis Jesus gave His disciples says, “Thine IS the kingdom”-Matt.6:13. This phrase is not an afterthought, it is the central thought. The Kingdom does not and cannot ever belong to evil, nor can evil hinder the establishing of the Kingdom of God.


Deliver us From Evil

The first consideration we must deal with is that it is possible to be delivered from evil or our Lord would not have instructed His disciples to pray for deliverance from evil. The second consideration to deal with is that we can be delivered from evil in this present age. Matt.6:13,Amp — “Rescue us every time we face tribulation and set us free from evil. For you are the King who rules with power and glory forever. Amen.’”


Heaven-to-Earth

Kathy — We have to have our minds renewed to think like our Father. A renewed mind equips us to walk in dominion because we are enabled to discern both what’s going on and what to allow in earth that aligns with “as in heaven”. When Jesus taught the disciples to pray “Father, Your will be done on earth as in heaven”, who knew how much the answer to that prayer would extensively involve sons and daughters? We are all involved in this heaven-to-earth process, and our starting posture is looking to Him.  


God’s Mercies New Every Morning

Rather than trust God for courage to walk out one day at a time relying on Him for daily supply, the Israelites resigned themselves to sliding back into the old faithless rut (Ex.3:7). A lot of folks find it difficult to trust that God’s mercies are, indeed, “new every morning.” (Lam.3:22-23) We want a guarantee of comfort by having it all before we step out of the boat. Jesus said pray, “give us our daily bread.” (Matt.6:11)


The Lord’s Prayer Requests

PrayForOneAnotherAs the people of God assemble today, may our Lord’s prayer requests be prayed by His people. May those things He desires on earth, in the lives of people and nations be prayed in agreement with His heart and purposes. “In this manner, therefore, pray:  Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.  10  Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt.6:9-10, NKJV)


Hard to Forgive

Kathy — A person who has been abused will find it hard to forgive when emotion morningsunrisingdemands they keep a vigil over injustice. Thinking differently would mean trusting God’s Word that He is faithful to bring justice. It is a challenge to forgive by choice; it is a directive from the God we trust. God supplies enabling grace to follow His directive and forgive when it is not deserved. Though difficult, it is not impossible. Matt.6:14, Amp — “For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”


Prayer and What Prayer is Not

Kathy — As we read Matthew 6 and Luke 10, we find Jesus teaching the disciples to Pray one anotherpray.  The verses leading up to the actual prayer reveal firstly what prayer is not.  Prayer is not practicing your righteousness before men.  Prayer is not using surplus words trying to cover your bases.  Prayer is not from any motive that would manipulate God or man.  Then, Jesus gives directions to His disciples on how to communicate with the Father.  His instruction becomes a model for us known as “The Lord’s Prayer”.


In Spite of it All

I invite you to fill in the blank:  In spite of ______________, the Kingdom of God is advancing.  The Kingdom is advancing in spite of anything you can put in that somethingbiggerblank. You are part of something that is bigger than you are and it is still standing and it is still advancing. The Kingdom is BIGGER: i.e., in scope and purpose – THEREFORE… being in that which is bigger than you are, you are carried along by its momentum. When you focus on and put your energies on and into that which is bigger, other things are taken care of and met by virtue of your being in a purpose that is greater than you.  “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.” (Matt.6:33, Amp)


Processing Things in Us

Face-in-Mirror1Isa.9:7 speaks of the increase of Christ the King’s government. The Kingdom of God will increase in us first, then in the areas where we have influence. But first comes self-government. God is processing things in us so He can do things thru us. Any movement toward order will expose things in us that are out of order. ”The fruit of the Holy Spirit is… self-control (self-restraint, continence) ”Gal.5:23-Amp (Also Mt.6:22)


The Thrust of Relationship

PointToSelf.jpgNeed-based relationship: someone being in a relationship for what the other person or institution can do for them, not for what they can put into the relationship for a greater cause. There should be a point at which seeking to be part of the expression of Father’s Kingdom and being productive for Father is the main thrust of the relationship and His meeting our needs is just a bi-product of facilitation for that purpose. (Matt. 6:33)


Marty will be speaking at Kingdom Congress 2020 on March 6 __ NO FEE
Location: Grace International Willis,TX
CLICK ON THE BANNER BELOW for all information on KC2020.
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Investment Toward Tomorrow

SmokeFire.jpgThe Holy Spirit gave me specific instructions one day to put my heart into the day. Graciously, He did not say, “Instead of murmuring today, try living like it connects to My good plans for you.” Whether we can see past the smoke of the fire we are in or not, we can decide to persevere each day with the confidence that it truly is an investment toward tomorrow. (Mt.6:34) —Kathy


What Prayer is Not

BibleHandsPrayBefore Jesus taught the disciples to pray in Matthew 6, He told them what prayer was not:  prayer is not practicing your righteousness before men, prayer is not using surplus words trying to cover your bases and prayer is not from any motive that would manipulate God or man. –Kathy Gabler


Benefits of Redemptive Power Exercised

One of the benefits of the church trampling on destructive serpents and exercising the King’s redemptive power is healing and deliverance. People get healed without anyone laying hands on them. People walk up after a meeting and tell me they were healed of something that was not even mentioned in a word of knowledge. People with cancer are healed without anyone laying hands on them. We heard a report of severe Parkinson’s being healed. An alcoholic was completely delivered during a ministry time of word of knowledge and prophecy but no form of dependency was even mentioned in the word. He was delivered right where he was seated. His wife reported that she knew the moment he was delivered. A very angry, rebellious 16 year old whose father had abandoned him attended one of our meetings recently after having refused to attend with his mother for months. At the end of the service his mother asked him if he would let me pray for him. He came forward with her and I prayed for them and prophesied to him. The word of the Lord so impacted him that his life was transformed. He was totally different from that moment. On his own accord he went to the pastor and apologized and asked him to be his father and volunteered for any work needing done. We are already seeing the power of the new era. (Marty will be speaking at Kingdom Congress March 6, 2019. All information for KC2019 CLICK HERE)


Representing the Father

The glory of God through us, His creation, is not our putting forth effort to hit an ideal or to align with a creed or even getting to heaven. It’s accomplishing things that show His character, His Name in this earth in spite of the influence of culture. That which is in heaven comes to earth through an earthen vessel (Jer.18:4-6; Matt.6:10) and continually points back to its Source in heaven (Matt.5:16). That is why Jesus could say, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father” because He never misrepresented the Father, no matter how hard people (and the devil) tried to get Him to adjust to their expectations. 


The Lord’s Prayer

PrayingHandsFoldedAs we read Matthew 6 and Luke 10, we find Jesus teaching the disciples to pray.  The verses leading up to the actual prayer reveal firstly what prayer is not.  Prayer is not practicing your righteousness before men.  Prayer is not using surplus words trying to cover your bases.  Prayer is not from any motive that would manipulate God or man.  Then, Jesus gives directions to His disciples on how to communicate with the Father.  His instruction becomes a model for us known as “The Lord’s Prayer”.

(This is the first excerpt from Kathy’s article “Praying As Sons“ which was published in SEEC Magazine [Marty and Kathy’s ministry magazine]. More excerpts will be posted Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.)