Everyday Conversations Series

Every Day Conversations

"The moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists in shoving it all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in."

C. S. Lewis

Most people don’t have a clue as to how to do slow down the chaos of life.

Every day is as rushed as a roller coaster on steroids. The idea of a quiet conversation with God is as unreal as communication with aliens from another universe.

This morning I want to help you change that in your life. I’d like to help you begin a new way of living – one that is built on a foundation of everyday conversations with your new best friend and your father God – the author of mankind and creator of all that there is.

We’re going to look this morning at Matthew 6:9. This is the “Lord’s Prayer”. Here is where Jesus taught his closest friends how to have everyday conversations with God.

Unfortunately we’ve made the “Lord’s Prayer” into a formal recitation that is disconnected from our everyday world. That should not be so. Jesus said, Pray like this…” The Lord’s prayer is a model for everyday conversations with God – but most people don’t know much about it…

Take the two men who were talking together. The first challenged the other, “If you are so religious, let’s hear you quote the Lord’s Prayer. I bet you $10.00 you can’t.” The second man responded, “Now I lay me down to sleep…” The first man pulled out his wallet and fished out a ten dollar bill, muttering, “I didn’t think you could do it!”

Let’s learn together today about how we can have an everyday conversation with your friend and father – the creator of the universe, the redeemer of your soul, the champion of the broken hearted, and the ultimate bringer of justice – the Almighty God.

Kinda exciting isn’t it!

Start with Hello

Our Father in heaven, may your name always be kept holy.

Matthew 6:9 New Century Version

It is important to remember who your friend is. He is God. He is not your buddy Bubba! I think there is a line between being in everyday conversation with God and with being a little too casual and familiar.

Some of you remember when JFK was president of the US. Life magazine published photos of his children, John Jr. and Caroline, playing with their toys on the floor of the Oval Office. Those images captured the hearts of the American people like nothing before or since. Why? I think it’s because it bridged a gap between two thoughts: Kennedy was the President of the United States, but he was also a father. He held ultimate political power in the Free World, but playing at his feet were two little kids who called him Daddy. I don’t think your kids would have been allowed to do that. Nor mine. But his kids were. Why? He was their father. He was not only President of the United States; he was also their dad.

In the same way, God is both our Father and the Lord of glory. We can approach Him confidently in prayer because we are His dearly beloved children, but we must never forget that He is also the Sovereign of the universe."

HONOR God – as God

"God cannot be grasped by the mind. If he could be grasped, he would not be God.”

Unknown Author

Honoring God’s Name

Names of God

Each of the many Old Testament names and titles of God shows a different facet of His character and its expression in His will. He is called, for example,

Elohim, “the Creator God”;

El Elyon, “possessor of heaven and earth”;

Jehovah-Jireh, “the Lord will provide”;

Jehovah-Nissi, “the Lord our banner”;

Jehovah-Rapha, “the Lord that healeth”;

Jehovah-Shalom, “the Lord our peace”;

Jehovah-Raah, “the Lord our Shepherd”;

Jehovah-Tsidkenu, “the Lord our righteousness”;

Jehovah-Sabaoth, “the Lord of hosts”;

Jehovah-Shama, “the Lord is present and near”; and

Jehovah-Maqodeshkim, which means “the Lord sanctifieth thee.” All those names speak of God’s attributes. Thus they tell us not only who He is, but also what He is like.

Jesus Himself provides the clearest teaching about what God’s name means: His very name, Jesus Christ, is God’s greatest name, and it encompasses His role as Lord, Savior, and King. As Jesus Christ, God drew to Himself many other names, including: the Bread of Life (John 6:35), the Living Water (John 4:10), the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6), the Resurrection (John 11:25), the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), the Branch (Isa. 4:2), the Bright and Morning Star (Rev. 22:16), the Lamb of God (John 1:29), and many more. One Old Testament passage in particular lists several names for Him, each one a designation of His nature: “Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). Jesus’ life was the perfect manifestation of God’s name.