“Our Father in Heaven”

By Lindy McDaniel

Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. How we address God is the first and foremost lesson. Prayers must be uttered in terms of the deepest adoration of and respect for God. The expression "our Father ... hallowed be Thy name," if prayed with understanding and sincerity, meets the highest standard of how we should address God.

Addressing God as Father

It is the Christian's privilege to be able to address God as "Father." The expression, "our Father" is an affectionate term. It has to do with our nearness to God and the availability of a loving Father to His children. It speaks of God as provider, pro­tector, and defender ... the perfect ideal of all that a father should be. Those who have not resolved the question of God's goodness and mercy cannot sincerely address God as their heavenly Father. We must be convinced of God's good and benevolent character if we expect Him to respond to us.

Praising God’s Name

The phrase "hallowed be thy name" is an expression of praise which God richly and justly deserves. It shows our awareness of the great gulf that exists between God and man in terms of His infinite holiness, power and knowledge. God must be addressed in keeping with the dignity of His high estate. In prayer we are addressing the most supreme person in the universe ... the creator of all things, the giver and sustainer of all life, the giver of every perfect gift, the only true and living God (Gen. 1:1; Acts 17:24-26; James 1:17). The first three of the Ten Commandments given to Israel have to do with proper respect for God. The writer of Proverbs said: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" (Prov. 1:7).

The Seriousness of Prayer

I would suggest that praying to God is a most serious matter requiring both conscious and earnest effort (James 5:16). Although we are to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17), prayer should never become just a form or matter of routine. The more we understand about the character and attributes of God, the greater our respect for God should be. Jesus spoke of some who prayed using "vain repetitions" (Matt. 6:7). How weary God must be of recitals that require little thought or effort! He wants an alert, grateful, respectful and loving heart! Listen, you are talking to God almighty! Imagine a creature of dust addressing God as "the old man upstairs"! Some pray to God as if He were someone to be ordered around and must be ready at all times to do their bidding! Others rush through prayer as if it were an intrusion into their lives that must be dispensed with as quickly as possible so that they can get on with more important matters. But what is more important than addressing the God of the universe? How do you think God feels about the careless and unthinking way He is so often approached'?

There is no such thing as acceptable prayer unless it is uttered to God in a humble, respectful and loving way. This is the point that Jesus was making when He taught His disciples how to address the Father in heaven. This characteristic of acceptable prayer is found throughout the scriptures (Psa. 51:17; 2 Kings 20:5; James 4:7-10).

The Privilege of Prayer

Even though we recognize the awesome power of God, we should regard prayer as one of the greatest privileges afforded a child of God. We are addressing the One who has both the power and desire to act on our behalf. As His children we have direct access to God through Jesus Christ at any time and during any circumstance (Phil. 4:6; Heb. 4:14-16). We also know that if we pray in harmony with His will that He not only hears us but will answer in the affirmative (1 John 5:14-15). What great power and blessing is presently available to God's children! &

Attitudes and Motives

By Earl Fly

We sometimes write articles on controversial subjects, using plain language. There is nothing personal involved, even when we identify a teacher or a doctrine. We have no malice or ill will toward anyone or group on earth. There is absolutely no bitterness or envy in our hearts. Neither do we have a contentious heart, a belligerent attitude or a quarrelsome disposition. We have no "chip on the shoulder," and we are not looking for a fuss or wrangle. What then is our motive in writing articles which plainly identify sins, false doctrines and those who teach and practice such, whether in or out of the church?

We realize that error condemns the soul (2 Thess 2) that false doctrine condemns the preachers (Gal. 1:6-9; 2 John 9; Rev. 20:10). “Knowing the terror of the Lord we persuade men" with "great plainness of speech” (2 Cor. 5:11; 3:12). We have a sincere love and concern for all men everywhere, and hence we kindly strive to expose error and present truth. We always try to be kind, fair, honest and Christ-like in earnestly contending for the faith (Jude 3).

It is not our desire or purpose to ever offend anyone. We regret that it becomes necessary to identify individuals who mislead people (1 Tim. 1:19-20; 2 Tim. 2:17-18) but our love for the lost will not allow us to sit idly by while false teachers lead them to torment (Matt. 15:14). We are obligated to "fight the good fight of faith" (1Tim 6:12) by disrobing the wolves in sheep's clothing (Matt. 7:15) and exposing Satan's ministers who are disguised as God's (2 Cor. 11:13-15). We must preach the word in season and out of season, rebuking and exhorting (2 Tim. 4:2). "Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?" (Galatians 4:16) (Via Pekin , Indiana , Bulletin) &

Meet the Apostles (Part 3)

By Bob Myhan

We are given less information about the last group of four apostles than the first two. James the son of Alphaeus is always listed first and is always followed by Thaddaeus (AKA Lebbaeus), Simon and Judas Iscariot, in some order.

James the son of Alphaeus is called "the Less,” in Mark 15:40, most likely to distinguish him from James the brother of John. It is not known if he was less in age, height or significance, although some translations have “James the younger.” Matthew was also “the son of Alphaeus” (Matt. 9:9; Mark 2:14-17; Luke 5:27-32), but this is not sufficient reason to conclude that James and he were brothers. They are never referred to as brothers and Alphaeus was a common name.

Thaddaeus is called “Judas the son of James” by Luke. Not much more is known of him other than what he said to Jesus during the farewell discourse.

Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" (John 14: 22).

Simon was a Galilean, as were most of the apostles. “Cananite” is a political, not a geographical term. It was equivalent to the Greek word, “zelotes,” which is translated “Zealot.” The Zealots were a political faction, dedicated to the violent overthrow of Roman governance. 

Then, finally, we come to a name that is so reprehensible we would not think of giving it to our child: “Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.” The name, Iscariot, is literally, ish-kerioth, meaning “man of Kerioth,” a small town in southern Judea . Thus, he was the only one of the twelve who was not a Galilean. “Judas” was an honorable name before he denigrated it with the single most shameful act in history. His father’s name was Simon, another honorable name. It is not known whether Simon Iscariot was still alive to see his son’s despicable act. It is of interest that the betrayer is mentioned in the gospels more frequently than the other eleven, with the exception of Peter and, possibly, John. His motive in betraying the Lord Jesus Christ is not known. But insight into his character can be gained by a consideration of his reaction to Mary the sister of Lazarus, when she anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive oil.

Then one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, who would betray Him, said, "Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?" This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. (John 12:4-6)

Of course, “Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.” (John 6:64) Indeed, Jesus was never surprised by the actions of any man. He “had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.” (John 2:25) &