It was going like any other Sunday, I woke up, and had my coffee. Then our family began getting ready for worship. We made it to the building, and I taught our auditorium class, and preached the morning sermon. We had some family visiting that afternoon, and we enjoyed the company. Then it was time for us to leave our home and drive to Lindsay Ok. It was the night for our “preacher exchange” and I was scheduled to preach for that congregation. It was a pleasant experience, welcoming, friendly, and loving are words that quickly come to mind as I think about the church there. After my lesson was concluded, I sat in the pew so that I could learn a lesson…

I was holding my son Jagger during the closing prayer, hoping I could keep him quiet(ish) until the prayer was finished. Then I heard words uttered that stopped my thoughts. maybe I am the only person who has never heard someone say these words in prayer before, regardless of whether or not this is a “common” prayer, or straight from this man’s heart. The words he prayed meant the world to me!

What did he say?!? – You are asking, so now I will tell you.

“Father, please, help us each day to focus on your Son. Father please, help us all to live the life, that He gave up for us.”

WOW!

“Help us live the life, that He gave up for us” What a thought! I so appreciated this brother’s words. I needed to be reminded of them. Church we do not live “good lives.” We do not try to be the best “us” that we can be. We try to be like Jesus! (1 Cor 11:1) All along realizing that I am not perfect, and will never be just like Jesus. Is it truly on my mind, today, that I am going to live like Christ?

Do we live the life that Jesus lived when it comes to..

1. Our love?- John 3:16, John 15:9

2. Our Submission to the Father?- Matthew 26-27

3. Our forgiveness/mercy/ and grace? – John 8

And so many other categories? I have been challenged. I have been encouraged by this prayer, I hope that you will be too.

“Heavenly Father, we are humbled by the mere thought that you allow us to pray to you. Help us today, to live the life that Jesus gave up for us. Help others around us today, to see Jesus clearly in our lives. in His precious name we pray, Amen.”