Seeds For Thinking

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. (Acts 3:4-5, NIV)

Look at me!
Often followed by, “When I am talking to you!” There are times when we want someone’s direct attention, and eye to eye contact is essential for communication to take place, or to be acknowledged.
Peter obviously had something more in mind than dropping coins in the beggar’s alms cup. The man gave them his attention. Through the name of Jesus Christ, Peter and John gave him something he never had - the ability to walk.
The phrase “Look at me!” is loaded with meanings, though, and really doesn’t tell us much unless it is put into context. It can be used as an exclamation (look here!) used to call attention to what one is going to say, as I have shown. It can be used as a statement of authority, or to establish communication. “To look” can mean to take heed, to perceive, to behold, to see, to regard, to examine, to investigate. We might look up to someone, to have a great deal of respect for them. Often actions or adornments speak louder than the actual words: The showoff, deliberately attracting attention. The ‘fashionista,’ enrobed in all the latest styles and ornamentation, and, these days, inked skin from top to toe. There is a word for behavior characterized by vulgar or pretentious display: ostentatious, meaning “designed to impress or attract notice.”
Jesus spoke against such practices by the Pharisees of His day:
"Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called 'Rabbi.'
But He passed on this advice to His disciple, and those who would follow in His footsteps: Don't let anyone call you 'Rabbi,' for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. (Matthew 23:5-8, New Living Translation (©2007)
I wondered if there is a record of Jesus using the phrase, “Look at Me!” in the gospels, much as Peter and John sought the attention of the lame man. Though I found no written record of such, I can imagine Him asking for attention, and eye to eye contact, prior to healing someone. Never-the-less, consider these two examples from scripture, seeking to establish communication, from a petitioner, and as a statement of authority from God:

O look upon me, and have mercy on me: give thy command to thy servant, and save the son of thy handmaid. (Psalm 86:16)

Look to me, and be you saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:22)
(Text: American King James Version)

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Scripture: Luke recorded, "One of His disciples said to Him, 'Lord, teach us to pray.'" Luke 11:1, NKJV

Oh! Come on now! The disciples didn't know how to pray?
They were, after all Jewish men, so prayers were a part of their daily lives.
Examples of prayers of confession, petition, thanksgiving, praise, recollection and intercession are found throughout the Testaments. The practice of prayer was also observed in pagan societies.
Morning prayers were a normal ritual, as expressed by the Psalmist, "Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." (Ps. 5:1-3)
The psalmist's prayer demonstrates several elements of prayer. My dictionary suggests that to pray is to ask for interposition and judgment, to cry or call out, to seek (the face of) to request, to inquire, (of an oracle) to intercede, to pour out one's heart. To pray is also to ask humbly and earnestly, an act of adoration. John the Baptist taught his disciples a way of praying. The Pharisees made a show of public prayer. The disciples were emersed in a society steeped in prayer and prayers, and of practices both pious and pompus.
For one thing, the Pharisees publicly prayed loudly and long, wearing the prescribed phylacteries (small leather cases that contain four passages of old testament scriptures) one on the forehead, and the other on the left hand. (See Mt. 23:5)
The intended purpose for the phylacteries was to serve as a reminder of what the Lord had done for them by bringing them out of Egypt, and that "the Lord's law may be in your mouth." (Ex. 13:8-10; 16) In essence, these prayers were more "How great I am," rather than, "O LORD, how great Thou art!) Jesus denounced the practice.
Jesus obviously engaged in a type of prayer that differed quite noticeably from the practices in vogue. Rather than rote recitation (routine or repetition carried out mechanically or unthinkingly) Jesus' prayers were a two-way conversation with His Father. Each prayer was fitted to the need and the occasion. Jesus also prayed in the common Aramaic language, rather than the more formal Hebrew.
So, Lord, how do you do this? Teach us to pray like you do, rather than like what we have been seeing and doing.
Think about the "Model Prayer" as a framework, the skeleton for your petitions. Flesh it out; use it as an anchor, a blueprint, a starting point. Pray in a spirit of adoration and reverence. Express your longings for God's kingdom to come, share your joys and sorrows, plead for your needs (not wants.)
Pray in a spirit of forgiveness; to forgive and be forgiven.
Pray in a Spirit of praise. Pray!
January 21, 2007

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com

Scripture: Paul wrote, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6, NIV

As I entered the bus for our return trip from Operation Christmas Child, it became apparent that all the seats were either filled, or had items in them, marking them as taken. No, I wasn’t late getting to the bus; I was taking pictures for a video about the trip. As I stood there, waiting for everyone to be seated, some acquaintances became concerned (anxious) that I wasn’t seated.
Did I worry that I would have to stand up all the way home? No, I knew there would be empty seats; the answer as to which seat just wasn’t apparent yet. Nothing to get excited about.
In due time, everyone settled in, and I had a choice of several seats. I took an isle seat across from Marsha and Dorothy.
The incident brings out the point that many people go through life worried and anxious about everything. It is one thing to be aware and informed and to consider future needs, but the Bible cautions against being worried and anxious about things that God will handle.
The Dutton Family sings a song acapella to do a microphone check, “Keep praying till the answer comes.” Good advice; don’t be anxious, keep praying for an answer. Notice I didn’t say “THE” answer of your choice, but an answer. There is a difference! Our ways are not always God’s ways. We need to be alert to see God’s answer, rather than our self-centered concerns. Be willing to go “outside the box” and look at other options.
We say, “Beggars can’t be choosers.” In truth, don’t we often come to God begging? Why, then, should we be so anxious about what we receive?
Many, many solutions to needs and problems are made by those who see beyond the known and accepted (acceptable) way of doing things. Rather than fret and stew about the ‘box’ they are in, the “Mission Impossible,” many open their minds to other possibilities. If the door seems to slam shut in your face, don’t rush forward and pound on the door. You may get nothing other than sore hands. Back off! Look around. Pray for an answer. Look - again I say - LOOK for an answer. God’s answer. God opens other doors.
The Christmas program we saw Friday night began with an illustration of how we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of fulfilling our idea of Christmas; presents, foods, preparations, getting it all just right!
Then “Santa” invited all to witness the real Christmas story, the Birth of Jesus the Christ/Messiah. Many were anxiously longing, awaiting the answer. When it came, they missed it. It wasn’t THEIR answer.
Will God’s answer become your answer? I hope so.
December 8, 2002

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: Luke recorded, "One of His disciples said to Him, 'Lord, teach us to pray.'" Luke 11:1, NKJV

Oh! Come on now! The disciples didn't know how to pray?
They were, after all Jewish men, so prayers were a part of their daily lives.
Examples of prayers of confession, petition, thanksgiving, praise, recollection and intercession are found throughout the Testaments. The practice of prayer was also observed in pagan societies.
Morning prayers were a normal ritual, as expressed by the Psalmist, "Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation." (Ps. 5:1-3)
The psalmist's prayer demonstrates several elements of prayer. My dictionary suggests that to pray is to ask for interposition and judgement, to cry or call out, to seek (the face of) to request, to inquire, (of an oracle) to intercede, to pour out one's heart. To pray is also to ask humbly and earnestly, an act of adoration.
John the Baptist taught his disciples a way of praying. The Pharisees made a show of public prayer. The disciples were emersed in a society steeped in prayer and prayers, and of practices both pious and pompus. For one thing, the Pharisees publicly prayed loudly and long, wearing the prescribed phylacteries (small leather cases that contain four passages of old testament scriptures) one on the forehead, and the other on the left hand. (See Mt. 23:5)
The intended purpose for the phylacteries was to serve as a reminder of what the Lord had done for them by bringing them out of Egypt, and that "the Lord's law may be in your mouth." (Ex. 13:8-10; 16) In essence, these prayers were more "How great I am," rather than, "O LORD, how great Thou art!) Jesus denounced the practice.
Jesus obviously engaged in a type of prayer that differed quite noticeably from the practices in vogue. Rather than rote recitation (routine or repetition carried out mechanically or unthinkingly) Jesus' prayers were a two-way conversation with His Father. Each prayer was fitted to the need and the occasion. Jesus also prayed in the common Aramaic language, rather than the more formal Hebrew.
So, Lord, how do you do this? Teach us to pray like you do, rather than like what we have been seeing and doing.
Think about the "Model Prayer" as a framework, the skeleton for your petitions. Flesh it out; use it as an anchor, a blueprint, a starting point. Pray in a spirit of adoration and reverance. Express your longings for God's kingdom to come, share your joys and sorrows, plead for your needs (not wants.)
Pray in a spirit of forgiveness; to forgive and be forgiven.
Pray in a Spirit of praise. Pray!
January 21, 2007