Monday prayer & verses (23 11 2009)

Thought for the day

A band director was having a lot of trouble with one of his drummers. He talked and talked and talked with the drummer, but performance didn't improve.

Finally, in front of the whole orchestra, he said, "When a musician just can't handle his instrument and doesn't improve when given help, they take away the instrument, give him two sticks, and make him a drummer."A whisper was heard from the percussion section: "And if he can't handle even that, they take away one of his sticks and make him a conductor."

It is a biblical principle that if we are unable to handle the responsibility that God has given us, it can be taken away. Jesus told a parable in Matthew 25 about three servants who were given money by their master and were told to make use of it while their master was gone. When he returned, two of them had used their "talents" and one had not.

Jesus concluded the parable by saying:"For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away." (Matt. 25:29).

I need a constant reminder that all that I have has been given to me by God to use for His glory. It is an exciting thought to realize that as I use what God has given me, He will bless me with even more opportunities for service. On the other hand, it is a sobering thought to realize that if I fail to make use of what I have been given, I may lose it.

So what are you doing with what God has given you?

Verses

Hebrews 10:23

Let us cling to the confession of our hope and not waver in it. We can trust Him who gave us His promise.

Romans 4:20-21

He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

Ephesians 6:17

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

Matthew 21:22

Yes, if you have faith, you will get everything you ask for in your prayers."

2 Corinthians 9:8

God can give you more than enough of every good gift, enough for you to have plenty for yourselves always and in any circumstances, and to have enough left over to contribute to every good cause.

Prayer

Father, we’re reminded of Your absolute faithfulness as we reflect upon the Israelites journeying in the wilderness. Even when they were unfaithful, You in Your unwavering faithfulness, provided for their daily needs. We read the words of the prophet Jeremiah who wrote in Lamentations, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is Thy faithfulness.” And we sing along with the hymn writer, inspired by the words of Jeremiah, who penned these words, “All I have needed thy hand hath provided. Great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me.”