Thursday prayer & verses (14 01 2010)

Thought for the day

In one episode from the comic strip "Peanuts", Lucy comes up to her brother, Linus, and tells him that she has "converted" someone in her class to her way of thinking religiously. Knowing his sister, Linus couldn't believe it.

"How did you do it?" he asked.

Lucy explained,
"I told him everything I believe and asked him if hebelieved it, too. When we came to something he didn't see my way, Ijust hit him over the head with my lunch box until he believed it!"

I've seen some instances of "lunch box evangelism", haven't you? It's not very effective. Unfortunately, there are times that the way we talk and the way we act make it difficult for us to share our faith with those around us.

Listen to these words of advice Peter gives to Christian women who are married to non-Christian husbands: "In the same way, you wives should yield to your husbands. Then, if some husbands do not obey God's teaching, they will be persuaded to believe without anyone's saying a word to them. They will be persuaded by the way their wives live. Your husbands will see the pure lives you live with your respect for God." (I Peter 3:1-2, NCV).

Peter isn't saying that we shouldn't talk to people about the Christian life, but he is saying that it is more effective for others to see us actually living that life.

Know someone who needs to hear the gospel message? Put your lunch boxaway and be careful of the example that you set around them.

Verses

Luke 17:6

And the Lord said, If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you would in that case say to this sycamine tree, Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you.

Acts 5:16

Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

2 Corinthians 8:9

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Ephesians 6:18

Pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit's wishes. Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.

Proverbs 13:21

Misfortune pursues sinners, but prosperity rewards the righteous.

Prayer

Father, Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Help me to journey in faith when the path is dimmed or obscured. When I can only see through a glass darkly, help me to trust You for what is yet to come. May I have a believing, obedient spirit even when I don’t fully understand Your plan. For Your thoughts are not my thoughts nor are Your ways my ways. They are higher and wiser and are of divine origin, so help me to be mindful that You always know what’s best and will lead me according to Your will and Your timing. Amen.