Monday prayer & verses (05 10 2009)

Thought for the day

The story is told of two polite people who are having dinner together. On the table there is a dish with one big piece of fish and one small piece of fish.

They politely say to each other: "You may choose first."

"No, you may choose first." This goes on for a while.

Then the first person says, "OK, I'll take first."

And he takes the BIG piece of fish.

The second person says, "Why did you take the big piece? That's not polite!"

The first person says, "Which piece would *you* have taken?"

The second person replies, "Why, I would have taken the SMALL piece, of course."

The first person says, "Well, that's what you have now!"

New Collegiate Dictionary defines a polite person as someone who is "marked by an appearance of consideration, tact, deference, or courtesy." The quality of politeness is one which seems to be disappearing in our society. As I grew up, I was taught to say, "Yes, ma'am" and "Yes, sir", terms not often heard by young people today. Even the words "please" and "thank you" are not used as often as they should be.

Some might say that politeness is a "small" thing, and it is, but that doesn't mean it is insignificant. Politeness is a lot like salt -- you don't always pay attention to it when it is present, but it is very obvious that something is lacking when it is absent.

Of all people, Christians should be most polite because politeness is a characteristic of agape love."

"Remind the believers to....be ready to do good, to speak no evil about anyone, to live in peace, and to be gentle and polite to all people." (Titus 3:1-2, NCV)"[Love] does not behave rudely."(I Cor. 13:5a) Make an effort today to see that the love you show to others around you includes the quality of politeness.

Verses

Jeremiah 1:12

"You see correctly," the LORD told me. "I'm watching over My word to make it come true."

Jeremiah 33:6

'Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth.

Philippians 2:13

For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants.

Colossians 4:2

Persevere in prayer; and be watchful in it, and in giving thanks.

James 1:4

Be sure that your endurance carries you all the way, without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Prayer

Father, help me to be Your hand extended to those in need. We so often complain about our own needs but in reality much of our own needs are met as we reach out to others in need. Your Scripture declares, “Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Help us not to put off that which You lay upon our hearts. May our gentle and loving touch be the finger of God reaching down from heaven to earth. We were created in Your image and we desire to portray Your loving character as well. Amen.