Friday prayer & verses (19 06 2009)

Thought for the day

There is a story about a bride and groom long ago who were leaving on their honeymoon in a buggy pulled by a horse. As they traveled, a piece of paper fluttered across the road and the horse bolted. When the man regained control of the horse he said, "That's one!"

Later in the day, a rabbit jumped from the side of the road and ran in front of the horse. Again the horse bolted. When the man regained control of the horse this time he said, "That's two!"

Something similar happened later in the day and the groom said, "That's three!"

He then pulled out his gun and killed the horse.

His startled and bewildered wife said, "Why John, that's terrible; you can't do that!" Her new husband looked at her with expressionless eyes and said, "That's one!"

We have limits on how much we're willing to tolerate from others. Peter thought a generous limit was "seven times" of being sinned against (Matt. 18:21). Jesus said, though, that we are to forgive up to "seventy times seven" (Matt. 18:22), without limit.

I think one of the most difficult Christian traits for us to develop is forbearance, which is the ability to "put up with others". We expect others to tolerate and overlook our shortcomings, but we are often slow to do the same for others. Let us be reminded of these words from Paul: "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." (Col. 3:12-13).

Verses

Hebrews 10:23

let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not; for he is faithful that promised:

Matthew 8:17

in order that this prediction of the Prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled, <"He took on Him our weaknesses, and bore the burden of our diseases.">

Ephesians 5:1

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children

Matthew 7:8

"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (that is, He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do
without) a cheerful (joyous, prompt-to-do-it) giver -- whose heart is in his giving.

Prayer
Father, we thank You for Jesus and His obedience in dying for our sins that we might be forgiven and experience eternal life. We’re so glad that You did not abandon Him to the grave, but instead You raised Him up on the third day so that we might have eternal salvation. We place our hope in You for all that concerns us in this life. We also look beyond the grave knowing that our greatest hope awaits us there. Keep us faithful in life’s journey so that our hope on this side will be fully realized on the other side. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.