Weekly posts from pastor Jay Johnston to encourage, educate, and equip you with lessons from the Scriptures
Forgiveness does not mean saying what someone did was okay. It isn’t about forgetting or downplaying the hurt. Instead, forgiveness is a choice to let go of the offense, trusting God’s justice and mercy with the pain.
This powerful doxology is a declaration of worship, surrender, and perspective. After lifting up our needs and seeking God’s guidance and protection, we end the prayer with our eyes fixed on the majesty of God.
Jesus concludes this part of the Lord’s prayer with a strong plea for help and protection. It reminds us that we are engaged in a spiritual fight, and we need God’s safeguarding not only from temptation but also from the evil one himself.
Pride, anger, lust, fear, doubt—whatever it may be—we all face moments when our faith is tested and our desires are challenged. We can learn from Jesus' teachings that we should be proactive in prayer, asking God not to let us slip and fall, but to guide us along a better path.
Jesus teaches us to seek God’s forgiveness daily, not out of guilt, but out of a desire to walk in freedom and intimacy with Him. Our “debts” are the sins, failures, and shortcomings that separate us from God’s holiness.
This prayer reminds us that we are supported in every way by God's gracious provision. Jesus directs us not to worry about tomorrow but to focus on living in the present, taking each day as it comes and trusting Him for today's needs.
We have a verse given to us as both a declaration and an invitation that captures the core of our prayer life. When we pray, "Your kingdom come," we are asking for God's divine rule and reign to take over our world, starting within our hearts.
Friends, when we say, “Our Father,” we declare that we are not just people wandering alone; we are loved members of God’s family. This truth gives us great comfort and a sense of belonging, and assures us that we’re never alone in our struggles or joys.
This series will explore the Lord's Prayer verse by verse. I pray that the Lord will use this to encourage you, renew your heart for God, and give you a fresh sense of God's power in your life and in the lives of others.
In the face of adversity, Jesus invites us to do the unthinkable: rejoice in the face of persecution. This radical perspective on suffering is rooted in the assurance of our eternal reward.
Living for Christ in this world can be challenging. Standing for truth, integrity, and biblical values may bring rejection, ridicule, or resistance. But Jesus calls those who endure such persecution blessed. Why? Because theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
When we embody peace, we reflect the heart of God and demonstrate our identity as His children.
