This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come (Matthew 6:9). As per the Amplified Bible’s translation Matthew also recorded Jesus saying, “Repent (think differently; change your mind, regretting your sins and changing your conduct), for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” Matthew 3:2. And Mark, “The time has come! The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the Good News!” Mark 1:14.
However, from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the Kingdom of Heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize — a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion] Matthew 11:12 AMP. We can find good and bad in just about everything. If we look at synonyms for the word violence we’d discover both mayhem, brutality, savagery, terror, mutilation but also – intensity, enthusiasm, passion, fervency, compassion, tenderness, infatuation, eagerness, zeal….
And this was John the Baptist’s message: “After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit,”
Mark 1:7. Jesus of Nazareth Whom God anointed and consecrated with Holy Spirit and with strength and ability and power so He could go about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him (Acts 10:38).
Jesus had said, “If you can believe, all things are possible to those who believe.” Yes, anything is possible for the person who believes with all their heart – those who adhere to, trust in and rely on the Truth, on God’s Word, Christ Jesus. The disciples were unable to cast a demon from a child, so they asked the Lord, “Why were we unable to cast it out?” Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief. This unbelief does not go out except by prayer and fasting,” We too should proclaim: We believe, Lord, help the unbelief within our heart (Matthew 17:20). Because, when we confess our sins, and know whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin! Whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful (Romans 14:23 AMP.)
So, when we confess our sins, our heavenly Father is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and when believe this with all our heart we are justified, for God and His Word will purify our heart, our mind, our system of beliefs from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
This Scripture – Acts 10:38 – serves as a foundational blueprint for the Christian walk, since all believers are entitled to receive the same promised Holy Spirit Who anointed Jesus, Who told us the Spirit of the Lord is upon Me. He has anointed Me to preach the Good News of the Gospel to the poor! He has sent me to announce release to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed – who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed and broken down by calamity – to proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord – the day when salvation and the free grace of God profusely abound (Luke 4:18).
The Amplified Bible’s version of John 3:34 tells us Jesus, Whom God sent, speaks the words of God, proclaiming God’s own message, so God does not give Him His Spirit sparingly or by measure, but boundless is the gift God makes of His Spirit! Holy Spirit sows the seeds of heavenly fruit within our soul – the work which His presence within accomplishes is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law that can bring a charge against us.
For those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (that godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
If we live by Holy Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct guided by the Spirit of Truth] Galatians 5:22. That we violently with all earnestness, enthusiasm, fervency, eagerness and passion pursue God’s promises with bold faith, confidence and determination.
That we too would model the Lord’s compassion, tenderness, zeal and loving-kindness so we can overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Our heavenly Father has told us, “This is the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo they heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke (Isaiah 58:6). God’s Word says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke of Truth upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light. For no one knows the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him,” Matthew 11:27.
Father, consider our threats
And enable Your servants to speak Your Word
With great boldness.
Stretch out Your hand, Father, to heal
And perform miraculous signs and wonders
Through the name of Your holy and precious
Servant Jesus
Acts 4:29