Friday, March 20, 2020


WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday March 22, 2020

Over 233,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

AN ARGUMENT AGAINST CORRUPTION
(The LORD’s judgment against corrupt leadership)
(Micah 3 and 6:6-8)

   The prophet Micah was a contemporary of the prophet Isaiah, and he preached to both, northern Israel, and Judah, in the 8th century B.C. Micah lived in the small town of Moresheth, about 25 miles southwest of Jerusalem. His message from the LORD was not only directed to the people of Jerusalem, but also to the people of northern Israel’s capital city, Samaria, as well.
    Micah was a “pre-exilic” prophet who prophesized during the reigns of kings Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. His book contains three messages which begins with the words “listen to what the LORD has to say to the nations!”. And although he clearly mentions the destruction of northern Israel by the Assyrians in 722 B.C., his main focus was on the people of the southern kingdom of Judah, who saw themselves as being “more GODly” than their relatives to the north. History now tells us that they too, were ultimately captured and destroyed in 586 B.C. by Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian forces.
    GOD’s standard of measurement for our lives has always been predicated upon the wording of the Mosiac Covenant which HE has made with all those who desire to be HIS people. We are expected by GOD to live according to the laws that are stipulated in that Covenant, which includes the Ten Commandments. GOD says that, if we obey them, blessings will come, and if we disobey them, curses will come (Deuteronomy 28:15-68).
    Micah’s messages denounced the oppression by the wealthiest citizens of Israel, upon the poor and economically challenged sectors of its population. He also denounced the pride, greed, corruption, arrogance, and religious hypocrisy that had begun to prevail among the leadership of Israel in those days.
    The leadership of Israel, who were supposed to know right from wrong (one of the qualifications necessary to be in leadership in those days, and should be now), were acting like wild beasts, who devoured the people’s flesh and broke their bones. Instead of practicing truth and justice, they, instead, hated “good” and loved “evil”.  
    “Justice” has to be the main concern of government, and it should be contextually fair to both, the rich, and, the poor. The imagery that Micah gives us in verses 1-4 of chapter 3, of the, “tearing of flesh from the poor”, vividly and graphically communicates how corrupt government officials use their position for personal gain, rather than in service to the people who elect them. And after perpetrating all this evil upon the people, they have the audacity to turn around and ask the LORD for HIS help in times of trouble (v.4).
    The LORD says to false prophets in verse 5; “You are leading MY people astray! You promise peace for those who give you food, but you declare war on anyone who refuses to pay you” (NLT).
    In the Hebrew, the word used for “peace”, “shalom” (shaw-lome), means more than just “the absence of war”. It also means “good health, wholeness, and security”. While the false prophets lied to Israel about her “spiritual condition”, true prophets of GOD, like Micah, spoke out strongly for the “justice” that is needed to bring true peace to the souls of men, through their recognizing and repentance of their sins against GOD.
    Whenever religious leaders turn a blind eye towards corruption in society against the people of GOD, they too, become responsible for their pain. In the book of Micah, in chapter 6, verse 6-8, the prophet tells us what we can do to make up for the things we have perpetrated against the LORD our GOD. It is not the sacrifices from our corrupt lives, or songs from our corrupt mouths that GOD is seeking in order to gain HIS atonement. In verse 8 Micah closes out this chapter with his, now famous, exaltation that was given to him from the mind of GOD. There he so poetically states; “No, O people, the LORD has already told you what is good, and this is what HE requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with GOD”. Amen.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website



        

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Friday, March 13, 2020


WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday March 15, 2020

Over 232,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

CONSEQUENCES FOR INJUSTICE
(The LORD’s second reply to Habakkuk)
(Habakkuk 2)

   In Habakkuk 2, verses 1-5, as Habakkuk awaits in a “watchtower” (“mismeret” in the Hebrew) for an answer from the LORD to his second complaint in chapter 1, the LORD tells Habakkuk to write HIS answer in large, clear letters on a tablet so that even a man who is running by can read it, and pass the message on to everyone he meets.
    The LORD warns Habakkuk that the things HE planned will not happen right away, however, slowly but surely the time nears when the vision HE shows him will be fulfilled. And if it seems too slow, just be patient, because it will surely come to pass.
    The LORD then tells Habakkuk to look around at all the confident, arrogant faces of those who trust in themselves, even though their lives are crooked. By contrast, those who are humble and righteous will simply “live by faith”, “depending only on GOD” for their survival.   They will be faithful to GOD, and because of their faith and patience, they will live eternally with GOD at the end of this earth’s history. Those who trust in themselves, on the other hand, will die by their own hand, and join satan in the pits of Hell following the “White Throne Judgment”.
    Verse 5 describes wealth as being “treacherous”, and the arrogant as being “never at rest”, or, “never satisfied”. It is a comparison that pits these two together, with “greed and death”. Wealth and arrogance combined together, are like greed and death, and neither one, is ever satisfied. 
    The consequences for injustice in devastating, and in verses 6-20, Habakkuk gives us a vivid description of the coming judgment of the Almighty GOD in Heaven, upon those who have profited by unjust means. Here the LORD warns us, through Habakkuk, of how terrible it will be for those who gather wealth by wicked methods of operation.
    In this passage the prophet Habakkuk tells the wicked, unjust operators of Israel, that, “their wealth can never buy them security from GOD’s powerful wrath”. Even the materials used to build their houses, which GOD HIMSELF created, will cry out against them, because of their evil gains. GOD has never made a mineral, or natural resource on this earth that is stronger than HE is.
    The people of Israel had built cities, including Jerusalem, with money gained by murder, corruption, and all manner of evil. Here in this passage GOD solemnly promises, that, “the wealth of those who cheated to gain it, would, ultimately turn to ashes”. All those who work hard doing evil in order to prosper, and ignoring their service to GOD, will ultimately find that their hard work was all in vain.
    There will come a day when our jobs that we worshipped, and ignored GOD to perform, and our houses, cars, and all “the things that have stolen our hearts”, and taken the place of GOD in our lives, will be taken away, or rendered meaningless and useless, to save us from HIS judgment. All that will be left is what man had in the beginning, “the Word of GOD the CREATOR”, WHO will ultimately judge us, “according to our reaction to human need”.
    When all is said and done, the day will have finally arrived, when all the earth will be filled, just as the waters fill the sea, with an overwhelming awareness of the glory and presence of the Almighty GOD in Heaven, WHO is our SAVIOR, through JESUS CHRIST, our LORD. And all the earth will be silent before HIM (v.20b).
   
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website


 

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Friday, March 6, 2020


WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday March 8, 2020

Over 231,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

A PRAYER FOR JUSTICE
(Calling to GOD for help)
(Habakkuk 1)

   The Scriptures mention nothing about the ancestry or place of birth of the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk (Huh-BAK-uhk). His name means “embraced by GOD”, and history tells us that he was both a poet and a prophet. His hatred of sin often compelled him to cry out to GOD for justice. Ironically, that same sense of justice also led to Habakkuk’s foolish challenge of the LORD’s plan of judgment on the nation of Judah, where HE would use the evil pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar and his Babylonian forces to ultimately annihilate Judah in 586 B.C.
    The book of Habakkuk deals with the age-old problem of evil and human suffering in the world. Each chapter presents a very striking contrast, and in the first two chapters, Habakkuk’s complaining, and questioning technique is actually used to drive home a powerful message concerning the coming judgment of the Almighty GOD in Heaven.
    This terse book begins with a cry of woe, as Habakkuk sees injustice running rampant in the nation of Judah, and the people who were seeking righteousness, being overtaken by the wicked. The law seems powerless to stop this madness, and it also seems that the LORD HIMSELF has abandoned HIS chosen people to these evil circumstances.
    Many of the earlier prophets had also seen the societal injustices in Judah, and vehemently spoke out and objected to them. However, years ago, while still under the 55-year reign of King Manasseh, the father of Josiah, the nation of Judah had become committed to the idolatry and evil practices of the pagan nations around them. Those prophets were not able to convince the people to abandon those practices, any more than Habakkuk would be able to, with his warnings in his day.
    Like Isaiah, Hosea, Micah, and Zephaniah, Habakkuk ministered during the reign of King Josiah, Judah’s last GODly king. Josiah came to the throne at the incredibly young age of eight, and with the help of his queen mother, he was able to grow up with a moral compass to guide him. As a result, when he was older, he initiated many religious reforms, and a spiritual revival, in an attempt to move the people of Judah, back towards GOD.
    Sadly, Josiah was not able to root out all of the deeply entrenched evil that had dug its way into Hebrew society, and Habakkuk pleaded with GOD for an explanation as to why HE had allowed this wickedness to persist, and the innocent to suffer for all those years. He wanted to know why GOD would use a less righteous people (Babylon) to punish, what he considered to be, a more righteous nation (Judah). And even though there was already a precedent established with the downfall of northern Israel to the Assyrians in 722 B.C., Habakkuk was still troubled by what he felt was an overbearing moral issue.
    In fact, even today, that is a concern about GOD that still troubles a lot of Christians, that age-old question of, “Why HE allows evil to exist and prevail in the world”. However, the answers we find in this message of Habakkuk, clearly shows us that no one, good or evil, can escape the disciplining hand of GOD, when HE decides to apply it.
    Here in Habakkuk chapter 1, taking up at verse 5, the LORD replies to HIS prophet’s complaint by telling him HE will use the nation of Babylon, a superior military force, whose own strength is their god, to devastate the nation of Israel, and, the rest of the world as they knew it at that time  (Vs.5-11).
    The Babylonians, who literally enjoyed cruelty and violence, would sweep across the land, building dirt ramps up against “walled cities”, including Jerusalem, and dragging all of their brightest, and most prominent young citizens back to their own land, and re-training them all to serve King Nebuchadnezzar in his kingdom.
    This chapter ends as it began, with Habakkuk firing off a series of complaints in the form of questions for the LORD. Habakkuk felt that there were so many more unrighteous people outside of Israel than there were within, and he couldn’t seem to bring himself to understand why GOD was using one of those nations to punish them, a seemingly more righteous nation.
    Habakkuk seemed to miss the fact that, “to whom much is given, much is required”. GOD expects much more (in the form of our behavior) from those who pledge themselves to HIM, than HE does from those who pledge themselves to the world, and its material gods.
    In Deuteronomy 28, GOD specifies a number of punishing disasters that HE would use to discipline Israel, if they fell out of line with HIS laws and precepts. Habakkuk has to know that “defeat in war” is one of those forms of punishment (Deuteronomy 28:25-29). And so, without further hesitance, Habakkuk accepts the LORD’s devastating announcement regarding Judah (v.13a). For he knows now that the LORD’s punishment with this coming invasion will not spell the end of the Hebrew nation.
    However, Habakkuk saw a more profound problem if the wicked Babylonians succeed in destroying Jerusalem, and their gods then being exalted over the GOD of Israel. There would be “no moral governor” supervising the affairs of mankind, anywhere on earth. Through GOD’s punishment, Habakkuk reasoned, HE would seem to be allowing the wicked to prosper, and thus raising doubt in the minds of HIS OWN people about HIS very existence and superiority.
    In the Hebrew, the concept of the word “listen”, “shama”, (pronounced “shaw-mah”), means more than just “hear”. In the biblical sense, when GOD says “listen” it implies that we respond intelligently and understand HIM through our GOD-given human properties. GOD always hears and understands our righteous prayers. And the more we “listen”, and get to know HIM, the better we will understand “what to pray for” and “how to pray”, to HIM.
    We should always pray that we will accept GOD’s Will being done in our lives on earth, just as it is always done in Heaven, because of the obedience to HIS Will that is found there. Sometimes GOD’s Will may be something that we don’t perceive as being right in our own sinful eyes, however, we must accept the fact, like Habakkuk did, that “GOD is always right”.
    GOD is always about “justice”, and when HE disciplines us, HE does it in righteousness, which is the only way that HE operates. Bless the LORD our GOD, WHO can only make “right decisions”. That is why we should worship and praise HIM every day, “through our behavior, publicly and privately”, and not just “with our lips in public only”. And the GOD WHO always hears and answers the prayers of “those who are seeking righteousness”, will surely bless us with answers that will put us back into, and keep us safely, within the boundaries of HIS Will.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website


 
  

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Friday, February 28, 2020


WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday March 1, 2020

Over 231,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

A CALL TO ACCOUNTABILITY
(Warning of the coming judgment)
(Amos 5:18-26)

   The events in the Book of Amos take place during one of the most prosperous times in northern Israel’s history. Their dynamic King, Jeroboam II, had led the nation to successful victories over their hostile neighbors in war, and as a result, had won control of the lucrative trade routes that now poured tremendous wealth into Samaria, northern Israel’s capital.
    It was a golden age for the wealthy who built grand homes and proud public facilities near the worship centers of Bethel and Dan. Even the fertile land of northern Israel presented bumper crops, year after year, in those days. Unfortunately, beneath the glitter, glamor, and prosperity of this golden society, lay the dark tragedy of social injustice and economic disparity.
    The rich in Israel, at that time, had little regard for GOD, nor, any of HIS sacred laws. The poor in Israel, were mercilessly oppressed by merchants who regularly used unjust weights and measures in the marketplace, and, by the judges (“dayyaneh Gezeloths”) in the court system, whose justice was for sell to the highest bidder.
    And so, it is against this backdrop of “prosperity” and “wickedness”, that we find the Prophet Amos, a farmer from nearby Judah, being called by GOD to deliver a series of resounding messages to his wayward kinsmen of northern Israel. In this deeply penetrating prophesy, Amos exposes the very underbelly of this, seemingly, upright society.
    Here in Amos chapter 5, we see a continued denunciation by GOD, through Amos, of the legal injustice that is being perpetrated by “robber judges” who sold their court decisions to the wealthy, and, against Government workers who overtaxed the poor. Here Amos also cites the landlords who overcharged for rent in subpar housing, while all the time they claimed to be children, or followers of GOD. All this displays the kind of “religious hypocrisy” that we still see in today’s society (Vs.10-13).
    In verses 14-15 we see that the possibility still exists for the people of Israel to separate themselves from these evil practices. Here Amos urges them to repent and begin to do that which is good and just and right in the eyes of the LORD. However, history now tells us that they, instead, chose to continue on in their sin and revelry.
    In verses 16-17, Amos concludes this, his third message of his prophecy to northern Israel, by returning to his opening plea, and reminding the people of the severe death penalty that is inevitable, if they failed to heed GOD’s warnings.
    Over in the New Testament, JESUS was still warning the people of Israel to discontinue the “hypocrisy” of “religious pretense” and “public show” (playing church) that had become so deeply engrained in their worship services in the church (Matthew 6:5-8, and Matthew 23). Here in verses 21-24, we see Amos reminding the Israelites of that same fatal flaw.
    Like the Christian Church today, the Israelites of the 8th century B.C., and in the 1st century, had developed a tendency to live in “religious hypocrisy”. GOD’s anger has always been directed largely at those of us who choose to live in such a manner. It is this kind of “empty worship” that GOD simply will not tolerate, and especially from Church leadership.
    GOD makes it quite clear, throughout the history of HIS Word, that HE strongly detests our “showing off in public”, while continuing to live an unGODly life in private. HE will not ever accept our tithes and offerings, and nor will HE accept our hymns of praise, and in fact, songs from the disobedient are like “noise to HIS ears and HE simply will not even listen to such “melodic hypocrisy”. Amos tell us here that GOD, instead, wants to see “a mighty steam of justice” flowing from among us, and a “river of righteous living” that will never run dry (Vs.23-25).
    Money and riches are not intrinsically evil. However, too often wealth promotes “self-indulgence”, and makes us “indifferent” toward others. Remember, JESUS, WHO was GOD’s greatest human representative on earth, ever, also preached and clearly understood the dangers of prosperity better than anyone ever has. HE taught that, the more we gain in life, the more we need GOD, not the opposite. When the Israelites were poor, they were humble and full of worship. However, the fuller their pockets became, the emptier their worship became.
    To go with everything in life, we need GOD, and with wealth and prosperity, we need HIM all the more. It is very possible to be wealthy, and also have a heart for GOD, and King David, the first GODly king of Israel, stands as a wonderful example of this. However, history also tells us that “most people refuse to pursue, both, GOD, and money. In fact, it is overwhelmingly proven throughout world and Church history that most people will choose “empty worship and prosperity”, over GOD.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website


 


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Friday, February 21, 2020


WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday February 23, 2020

Over 230,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

EVER-PERSEVERING PETITIONS
(Teaching about prayer)
(Luke 11:5-13)

    In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 11, verses 5-13, JESUS gives us two parables that teach us that prayer grows out of a persistent, experiential relationship with GOD. In verses 5-8 HE teaches us a “good lesson” by using the “bad example” of a man who does not want to be bothered, and who refuses the petition of a neighbor because he felt that it was too late at night for someone to come calling for a favor.
    Here JESUS states: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You would say to him, “A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat”. He would call out from his bedroom, “Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and we are all in bed. I can’t help you this time”. But I tell you this_ though he won’t do it as a friend, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you what want so his reputation won’t be damaged” (NLT).
    JESUS goes on to say: “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door in opened to everyone who knocks (Vs 9-10) (NLT).
    JESUS then shows the contrast of the ways of a loving GOD, WHO wants us to pray to HIM, no matter what time it is, or how many times we need to ask. Here JESUS is encouraging us to be persistent, not in order to change GOD’s mind, but rather, as a way of being steadfast in praying, so that we might receive our every need.
    In verses 11-13 JESUS gives us a second parable in the form of a question, in an attempt to teach us that GOD gives HIS children “what they need”, and not necessarily “what they want”. Here JESUS says to the fathers who are present, and, who are responsible to lead their families in prayer: “You fathers, if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not!”  “HE goes on to say, If you sinful people know how to give gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly FATHER give the HOLY SPIRIT to those who ask HIM”.
    We can always rest assure that GOD will grant, through prayer, all of our needs, simply because HE knows what they are, and HE knows that “our needs can never harm us”. However, on the other hand, GOD often does not grant some of the things we want, simply because, oftentimes, those very same things will harm us, even though we may not think so at the time. On those occasions when our “wants” and “needs” are one and the same, GOD is more than happy to grant our petitions. HE will always grant that which is good for HIS children, and always decline to grant those things that are not.
    However, JESUS reminds us in verse 13b that, the greatest gifts that GOD can bestow upon anyone is the gift of “salvation” and “the HOLY SPIRIT” through CHRIST JESUS our LORD. And with that in mind, let us, at all times, be inspired to continue to go to the LORD in prayer, and quite literally, we must do so, without ceasing, because, if we are honest with ourselves, our need for GOD, will never cease.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website



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Friday, February 14, 2020

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday February 16, 2020

Over 229,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

KINGDOM-SEEKING PRAYERS AND FASTING
(Pray to live as citizens of GOD’s coming Kingdom)
(Matthew 6:9-18)

   In the previous lesson (Matthew 6:1-8) we addressed the subject of “having the correct attitude towards giving sacrificially” to GOD, and, to each other as Christians living here on earth, under GOD. We have to be “spiritual minded” if we are to truly “follow JESUS” into eternity.
    Most people today are more interested in “playing church” than they are in “building GOD’s Church in their hearts”. They are satisfied with living life as “hypocrites” before men, seeking earthly accolades and rewards for what they do publicly as a means of “self-promotion”. In the previous passage JESUS warned against “giving for the purpose of promoting one’s self”.
   JESUS also warned us in the previous passage about praying as hypocrites pray, desiring only to “pray in public” while our private life is totally absent of any communications with GOD, whatsoever (Vs.5-7). As I stated last week, “the effectiveness of prayer” is based on “the righteousness of the petitioner”. And so, here in verses 9-13, JESUS takes time out to address the request from HIS disciples, “LORD, teach us how to pray, just as John taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1). What we’ll now do, is learn what is encompassed in this brilliant “blueprint” on how we, as CHRIST-followers, should present our petitions before GOD.
    However, before we get into details, there are certain general facts that should be noted. First of all, this passage represents a guideline by which we should pattern our daily prayers, and is indeed, a petition guide that only a true disciple of GOD can follow consistently. By that I mean, only a person who is truly committed to GOD can pray this prayer with any meaning, or effectiveness.
    This is not a “child’s prayer” per-say, as it has often been stated in our society, but rather, it is a prayer for those who have reached an age of accountability. It is only out of the heart of a person who is truly committed to GOD, that this prayer can realize its full meaning and effectiveness. And with that said, let us now analyze this terse, but brilliant petition guideline that was handed down to us by CHRIST JESUS that day, on the slopes of the Mount of Beatitudes, in far-off Palestine.
    The first line of our prayer should identify WHO it is addressed to, and that of course is; “Our FATHER WHO art in Heaven”. Next, we see the proceeding three lines in this blueprint acknowledges GOD the FATHER and HIS glory; “Hollowed be THY name. THY kingdom comes. THY will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven”. These kind of statements express how blessed the name of the LORD is, and our desire for earth to reflect the ways of GOD’s Kingdom, and, they express our personal desire for this earthly realm to become 100% obedient to GOD the FATHER, just like it is in heaven.
    And so, we see that, in our prayers, we must first acknowledge GOD the FATHER as being in the supreme place in our hearts, and, in HIS universe. This must be done before we turn to ourselves, and our own needs, which GOD already knows about anyway (v.8). Only when GOD is given HIS proper place in our lives, will everything else in our lives fall into place.
    Then, the next three lines in this blueprint have to do with our needs. They deal with “the three essential needs” of all mankind, be they rich or poor, and no matter what their race, creed, sex, or national origin may be. These three essential needs are “maintenance of life”, “forgiveness”, and “help with temptation”.
    These three lines also deal with the three spheres in time through which every man, woman, and child must travel, “the past”, “the present”, and, “the future”. “GOD the FATHER” assigns HIMSELF with the task of providing for our “presence” (our daily bread), GOD the SON, JESUS CHRIST, has the task of “forgiving our past” through HIS vicarious sacrifice (forgiveness of our sinful past), and GOD the HOLY SPIRIT is assigned with the task of leading and guiding us into a future of obedience to GOD.
    The whole GODHEAD is busy watching over us, every second of every day, and so, here in this passage JESUS is saying that, the whole GODHEAD, or “TRINITY”, must be acknowledged in our daily prayers. “Give us this day our daily bread” turns our thoughts to “GOD the FATHER”, our CREATOR and constant SUSTAINER of all of life. This line brings our needs of “the present” to the Throne of GOD.
    “And forgive our debts, as we forgive our debtors” turns our thoughts to “GOD the SON”, our LORD and SAVIOR, and GOD-appointed, ultimate JUDGE. This line brings our “past” before the Throne of GOD. And finally, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” turns our thoughts to “GOD the HOLY SPIRIT”, our GOD-appointed COMFORTER, STRENGHTHENER, and GUIDE. This line commits our “future” into the hands of GOD.
    And so, we see in this “prayer blueprint” from JESUS, that, HE is actually teaching us how to lay “the present”, “the past”, and “the future”, at the mercy and grace of GOD in Heaven, in our prayers. Here HE, quite literally, instructs us on how to bring “the whole of life” (the present, the past, and the future) to “the whole of GOD” (GOD the FATHER, GOD the SON, and GOD the HOLY SPIRIT), and “the whole of GOD, to “the whole of man”.
    Prayer should never be an attempt to “bend the Will of GOD”, but rather, it should always be aimed towards “submitting ours wills” to “the Will of GOD”. And then we should “fast” on a regular basis, to teach us how to maintain discipline and self-control over our own bodies, minds, and “human spirits”, willing to sacrificially “give up” for while, even the two things that we “need” to sustain life (food or water).
    Giving up porn, the internet, shopping, TV, cell phones, etc. is not “fasting”. We don’t need those things to live anyway, and so those things are not necessary to maintaining life. True fasting is being willing to give up for a period, “things that we need”, not “things that we greedily, or sinfully desire”. We have to train ourselves how to “eat to live”, rather than to “live to eat”, and how to “give” and “give up” for each other, as JESUS “gave” and “gave up” for us.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                
                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website





     
     
   
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Friday, February 7, 2020


WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson commentary
For Sunday February 9, 2020

Over 229,000 readers worldwide
larrydalexander.blogspot.com

GOD-HONORING PIETY
(JESUS’ teaching about giving to the needy, and prayer and fasting)
(Matthew 6:1-8)

   If a man goes his own way, he will automatically drift farther and farther away from GOD, and in the end, the gulf will have become so wide, that GOD will have been reduced to a distant, obscure figure of which he once knew, and then, wishes only to avoid.
    The Christian reward can only be realized by going the way of CHRIST JESUS. HE has shown us in 100% human foam, the only way to GOD the FATHER in Heaven. There is no other way by which we can be saved. And as an extra measure of assistance, JESUS then sent us the HOLY SPIRIT to teach each generation all things about HIM (John 14:26). It is a blessed assurance that we can forever rely upon in this life.
    In the middle of JESUS’, now famous, “Sermon on the Mount”, HE attempts to show HIS followers, just who we need to impress, in order to receive those rewards from GOD that are “everlasting”. In this passage, Matthew 6, verses 1-8, JESUS begins HIS teachings on two very important issues concerning the “Christian Walk”. Here HE addresses the kind of “attitude of spiritual mindedness”, that, HIS “true followers” are required to have, and, maintain.
    Two very important attitudes, that must be synonymous with the Christian lifestyle, are;

·          Having the correct attitude towards “giving”
·          Having the correct attitude towards “prayer”

    In the biblical Greek, the word used for “hypocrites” is “hupokrites” (hoop-ok-ree-tace), and it describes “one whose whole life is a piece of acting”. In this passage JESUS urges HIS followers not to let hypocrisy define their daily walk. HE also urges them to NOT be seekers of “the rewards of men”.
    In verses 1-4, JESUS, first of all, addresses the subject of “giving”. Here HE admonishes us to be careful not to do our good deeds “only in public”, just to be seen by men. When we give to those in need, we shouldn’t go around announcing and talking about it, “blowing our own horn” and “calling attention to ourselves”.
    The motive of “self-promotion” is “the wrong attitude” by which to give. Anyone who helps someone simply to gain accolades and awards from men on earth, has nothing to look forward to from GOD in Heaven. JESUS says, we should not let our right hand know what our left hand is doing. Any gift given in secret, for a GODly cause, is a gift-giving action that will be rewarded by GOD in Heaven, WHO “always sees you”.
    In verses 5-7, JESUS issues another stern warning for us, and that is “to NOT pray as hypocrites do”. Here JESUS says that hypocrites love to pray in public so that everyone can see and hear them pray, and those same people are the very ones least likely to pray to GOD “humbly” in private. Here JESUS also admonishes us “not to babble on and on with long drawn-out, repetitive prayers”, as if we are trying to demonstrate “who can pray the longest”. There can be no “prideful” “prayer competitions” before GOD, only before man.
    GOD already knows our needs, even before we ask, and in fact, HE’s the ONE WHO gives us those needs before we utter a single word. GOD wants us to rely on HIM, and so HE created us to have a need for HIM “like a child needs a parent”. In fact, we’ll never come to GOD if we don’t believe that we need HIM.
    Our prayers only need to be “earnest”, and “from the heart”, and, “faith based”. For these reasons, they don’t have to be long, and nor do they have to be public to get GOD’s attention. “The effectiveness of prayer” is based on “the righteousness of the petitioner” (James 5:15-16). We must learn to honor GOD with piety. Amen.

A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander





                                 
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