Thursday prayer & verses (01 01 2009)

Thought for the day

A young somewhat cocky cowboy was riding his horse one day when he spied a hunched-over old farm hand on a mule. Deciding to have a little fun, the young cowboy drew his six-shooter and told the old man to get down off his mule. He then asked the old man "if he had ever danced" and began to empty his revolver at his feet with great laughter.

The old man slowly turned back to his mule (unamused) and put his hand into his pack and drew a shotgun, aimed it at the now bulletless young cowboy and said, "Did you ever kiss a mule?"To which the young cowboy said with fright, "No, but I have always wanted to!"

There is nothing like a bullet for motivation. What is it, though, that provides you with the motivation to serve God day after day?Perhaps you are motivated by the fear of punishment if you don't. It's a valid motive -- that's why Jesus told us about hell.

Or perhaps you are motivated by the hope of reward. Again, it's a valid motive -- that's why Jesus told us about heaven.

But I would suggest to you that there is an even higher motive and that is to serve God out of a love and appreciation for all that He has done for us. As a parent, that's what I hope for my children. They may at times obey me to avoid punishment or to gain some reward I've promised them, but I hope that in time they come to listen to me simply because they love and respect me.""We love Him because He first loved us." (I John 4:19)Whatever your motivation, may you give your life wholly to God this day!

Verses

Matthew 9:29

Then he touched their eyes and said: 'Your reward shall be equal to your faith.'

Matthew 8:13

Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And his servant was healed that same hour.

John 10:10

"The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.

2 Corinthians 9:8

And it is in God's power to provide you richly with every good gift; thus you will have ample means in yourselves to meet each and every situation, with enough and to spare for every good cause.

Prayer
Father, we are so very thankful for all the blessings we enjoyed over the past year of 2008. There were many opportunities for rejoicing and many opportunities for trusting. Your mercies are renewed daily and Your provision is experienced in our lives each moment of every day. We seek You for guidance in the new year and growth in our daily Christian walk. Though we cannot predict the future we can predict Your faithfulness because You are a God that does not change. Every promise You’ve made is true as we have seen in the Biblical records. This gives us reason to trust You for the dawning of a new year where we will once again experience Your guiding presence in our daily lives. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Amen.