Wednesday prayer& verses (26 11 2008)

Thought for the day

After spending three and a half hours enduring the long lines, surly clerks and insane regulations at the Department of Motor Vehicles, a man stopped at a toy store to pick up a gift for his son. He brought his selection -- a baseball bat -- to the cash register.

"Cash or charge?" the clerk asked."Cash," he snapped. Then apologizing for his rudeness, he explained, "I've spent the afternoon at the motor-vehicle bureau.""Shall I gift wrap the bat?" the clerk asked sweetly. "Or are you going back there?"

Ever had one of those days? Traffic, deadlines at work, rude customers, fussy children, registration for classes!!! There are perhaps some days that you're tempted to stop off at the store for a baseball bat.What is the key to surviving all the stress we encounter?

Simply this -- we must decide that we will not allow people and circumstances to determine our attitude (I said it was simple, I didn't say it was easy)."So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." (James 1:19-20)May you deal with the difficulties you encounter today with the spirit of Christ.

Verses

2 Corinthians 4:13

Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had who wrote, I have believed, and therefore have I spoken. We too believe, and therefore we speak.

Psalm 8:3-4

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

Deuteronomy 8:18

But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

Luke 18:1

Then he gave them an illustration to show that they must always pray and never lose heart.

Prayer
Jesus, when I get overly anxious about having the latest gadget or the newest fashion I usually overlook the fact that I have so much already at my disposal. So much, in fact, that I struggle to properly manage my possessions and can often be overwhelmed with clutter. Thank you for the people I know who live with less so that others can have more; more of the basics of life and the provisions needed to reach others with the Gospel message. Contentment from You cannot be packaged and sold, but it can be a way of life as I align my priorities in accordance to Your will. Teach me the great gain You want me to experience by setting my heart’s affections not on this world’s changing and peril-stricken economy, but by storing up treasures in heaven’s economy where eternal riches never perish, spoil or fade. May that precious truth help me find contentment in a non-content society. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.