tprim12

The Prophecy Revealed In Matthew

Lesson Twelve: by turtle

Over the years one meets a lot of hypocrites. The main reason there are hypocrites is people change there mind in just a few
seconds of making a decision. People tend in general to make solid decisions that they can stick to, but there are always those
decisions one might over look. It like people that like to take credit for things they did not do. It is those people that seem to
want to be in the lime light that desire to be God and not a child of God that is a concern. They make rash decisions without
prayer or mediation. Desiring to be the star of the show. That how some people pray. People pray as to be seen by people and
not by God. There words being more important then the word of God. They stand in public spots to be seen and heard to be a
star. They hope their prayer that is heard will be heard by someone giving them a chance to minister. If they sing a chance to
sing. Yet is it to glorify God or glorify man. Hopefully to glorify God, but if it is for show it is not to glorify God. God desires
not the show, but the rendering of one heart in worship to Him.

Matthew 6:5 KJV
(5) And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the
corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Proverbs 16:5 KJV
(5) Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

In this next verse I want to share God is speaking about choosing of a king to Samuel. Kings are often in the lime light and God
desires people that are not desiring that lime light but He places them in place. God speaks to Samuel about one he thinks would
make a good king and says no he would not.

1 Samuel 16:6-7 KJV
(6) And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him.
(7) But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him:
for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

It not the appearance of the person that makes a person a prayer warrior before God it is the heart, just like a person for king.
God standard for all things never changes the heart is what matters. Good example in the old testament of piety is Hannah.

1 Samuel 1:7-11 KJV
(7) And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and
did not eat.
(8) Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved?
am not I better to thee than ten sons?
(9) So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of
the temple of the LORD.
(10) And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.
(11) And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and
remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the
LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

The rendering of the heart and not your garment.

Joel 2:12-14 KJV
(12) Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with
mourning:
(13) And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to
anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.
(14) Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto
the LORD your God?

God desires a contrite heart.

Psalms 34:17-18 KJV
(17) The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.
(18) The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Isaiah 57:15 KJV
(15) For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with
him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

To be contrite in spirit is a broken spirit. One of true humility. God will reward both contrite heart and a boastful heart. What
heart are you.

Matthew 6:6 KJV
(6) But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret;
and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Daniel prayed in his room, however all could see him.

Daniel 6:10-11 KJV
(10) Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber
toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did
aforetime.
(11) Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

Daniel gets in trouble by praying where one could be seen. However God uses Daniel trouble to glorify Him. Daniel is thrown
into the lions den for praying publicly to his God. No one can see what you do in secret, but God. Daniel broke the law. Yet
because Daniel heart was contrite in spirit God shut the mouths of the lions so no harm would come to him. Daniel was in the
will of God. However he broke the law. If you read of all of Daniel 6 you see evil men had plotted against Daniel. However
Daniel was going to honor God despite what man said do. Then the king abolished the bad law.

Last few lessons I have written about obedience to the law of the land in which onr lives. This seems in opposition. In truth it is.
Was Daniel out of order by the law of the land that God commands us to obey? Yes but God delivered him from death. God
says to honor Him first always. Daniel did what was his custom and not out of spite.

Then there is praying not with vain repetition.

Matthew 6:7 KJV
(7) But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much
speaking.

One needs not to pray in vain repetition has the heathens do. Heathens believe in false god and when they pray they perform all
kinds of rituals. Even cutting themselves.

1 Kings 18:26-29 KJV
(26) And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even
until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was
made.
(27) And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is
pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.
(28) And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.
(29) And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice,
that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

Also do not pray for things you need for the Lord already knows your need.

Matthew 6:8 KJV
(8) Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

This is still in regards to heathens. Heathen makes vain repetition to false idols for things they need. God knows our needs.
Instead we are to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 KJV
(2) Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou
upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

Genesis 18:27 KJV
(27) And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and
ashes:

Yet Abraham seeing his own stature before God still continues to speak to God. We are to come boldly to the Lord. However
boldly in repentance, seeking His mercy for God mercy is great. Not to be repetitive in our prays but come boldly to the thrown
of God.

Hebrews 4:16 KJV
(16) Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Next week we be looking at the Lords prayer and if whether or not the Old Testament teaching is the same as Jesus. The fact is
prayer should be a time of reverence before God.