Thought for the day
I have heard that there is a monastery in Greece perched high on a cliff, several hundred feet in the air. The only way to reach the monastery is to be suspended in a basket which is pulled to the top by several monks who pull and tug with all their strength. Obviously the ride up the steep cliff in that basket is terrifying.
One tourist got exceedingly nervous about half-way up as he noticed that the rope by which he was suspended was old and frayed. With a trembling voice he asked the monk who was riding with him in the basket how often they changed the rope.
The monk thought for a moment and answered serenely: "Whenever it breaks."
We are shocked that someone would wait that long before changing the rope. It only makes sense that the rope ought to be changed long before reaching that point. But it dawned on me that God operates the same way in our lives. If we were to ask God when He will change our lives, His answer might well be, "Whenever you break!"
You see, our lives can only change once we have what the Bible refers to as a "broken spirit". As long as we remain arrogant and determined to do things our way, God can't shape us and mold us. Like a wild stallion, we remain useless until we are "broken"."
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit." (Psa. 34:18).
Father, I so often want to stubbornly do things my way. Help me as I strive to have a broken spirit, recognizing my shortcomings, humbly willing to listen to Your instruction. In Jesus' name, amen.
Verses
2 Corinthians 5:7
(for here I live by what I believe and not by what I see),
Exodus 15:26
"If you will listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and obey it, and do what is right, then I will not make you suffer the diseases I sent on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord who heals you."
Romans 6:23
When someone sins, he earns what sin pays--death. But God gives us a free gift--life forever in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew 21:22
and all that you ask for by prayer, if you have faith, you shall receive.
2 Corinthians 9:10
And God, who supplies "seed for sowing and bread for eating,"
will certainly supply seed for you to sow in ever-increasing abundance, so that the fruits of your piety will be multiplied.
Prayer
Father, we are so very thankful for all the blessings we enjoyed over the past year of 2009. 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
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