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'Christ in You...'
by Dale Krebbs
There is a word used many times in the Bible that carries more weight and authority than any other in the Bible.
It is used often in public prayer, as well as private conversations. We use the phraises "heavenly Father', "God", "Lord God", "Holy Father", etc. And these expression of worship and thanks are appropriate.
But one word stands out as perhaps the most important word we can use in praying and references to God, whether in private prayers, giving of thanks, or public worship.
That word is "Lord".
This word means one to whom you yield complete, unconditional surrender. When the word "Lord" is used throughout the Bible, it is used by those who understood that it mean utter yieldedness. Throughout the prophetic books - Jeremiah, Ezekiel, etc - the word is always in connection to the One who is God, to whom there is unconditional yieldedness.
This is shown clearly by God who repeats this fact by referring to Himself by the phrase "I am the Lord". after revealing the action He was to take against the disobedient kingdoms of Judah and Israel. Jesus refers to His disciples as using the phrase "the Lord" many times. The title Lord is today used in our prayers to Him, in sermons, etc.
The magnitude of the title is all inclusive, and refers to all power and authority over all humanity and all believers, from old testament times down to all those who profess belief in Jesus Christ. Thomas declared the end of all the doubts he may have had when he saw and felt with his hand the wounds of the resurrected Christ.
A footnote from the Amplified Bible states:
"On the basis of the fact that God uses it (the word Lord) more often than any other important word in the Bible, the word "Lord" becomes the most essential term in any language for the welfare of any person. It is not enough to that God is God, and that He is, for only a fool would deny that (Psalm 53:11), but God demands of every person who is to be recognized by Him that he accepts Him as the Lord of his life, his Sovereign Ruler, to Whom to whom he yields implicit obedience. When Thomas was able to say of Jesus "My Lord and my God"...his doubts ceased to exist. Nothing short of that kind of expression of Christ's lordship meets God's demands.
Watch for the word "Lord" in the Bible: it occurs about 5,000 times."
It is difficult to imagine the magnitude and authority that one word conveys. So when we pray, or give thanks over a meal, it is important to use the name "Lord" in our prayers. If indeed he is our Lord.
Is He your "Lord"?
"Then He said to Thomas, Reach out your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand and place [it] in My side. Do not be faithless and incredulous, but [stop your unbelief and] believe! Thomas answered Him, My Lord and my God! Jesus said to him, Because you have seen Me, Thomas, do you now believe (trust, have faith)? Blessed and happy and to be envied are those who have never seen Me and yet have believed and adhered to and trusted and relied on Me." - John 20:27-29 (AMP)
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