Wednesday prayer & verses (23 12 2009)

Thought for the day

Dear Ms. Ezell:

Thank you for your letter of April 17. After careful consideration I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept your refusal to offer me employment with your firm. This year I have been particularly fortunate in receiving an unusually large number of rejection letters. With such a varied and promising field of candidates it is impossible for me to accept all refusals.

Despite your company's outstanding qualifications and previous experience in rejecting applicants, I find that your rejection does not meet with my needs at this time. Therefore, I will initiate employment with your firm immediately following graduation. I look forward to seeing you then.

Best of luck in rejecting future candidates.

Sincerely,Matt Taylor

That's certainly a unique way of handling rejection (no, I don't recommend it to you seniors graduated a while back). But how do you handle rejection? We live in a world that rejects our belief in a Creator, our commitment to Jesus Christ, our morality. The rejection might be overwhelming if it were not for the assurance that those of us who are "in Christ" have been "made accepted in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:6)

"If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you." (I Peter 4:14)

Rejection doesn't have to be the end of the world, and it won't be if we live with the assurance that God has accepted us.

Verses

James 1:2-4

Count it a most favourable occurrence, brothers, when you meet with various trying experiences, recognizing that the testing of your faith gives rise to constancy. But let constancy fulfil its complete function, so that you may be whole and hale, deficient in nothing.

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Trial has not overtaken you more than men can endure: for God is faithful, Who will not permit you to be tried beyond what you are able; on the contrary, He will with the trial also provide the escape by which you will be able to come out of it.

Colossians 4:2

You must keep praying. Keep watching! Be thankful always.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each one should give, then, as he has decided, not with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly.

Prayer

Jesus, because You came as light into the world we, the redeemed, are “children of the light.” May we walk faithfully and earnestly in the light of Christ so that darkness dissipates wherever we go. May those still walking in darkness be drawn to Your light through the things we say, the songs we sing, the things we set before our eyes and the things we do as we represent You in the home, the workplace and wherever we go. In Your name we pray, Amen.