Thought for the day
Bob had finally made it to the last round of the $1,000,000 Question TV Quiz Show. The night before the big question, he told the host that he wanted a question on American History.
The big night arrived. Bob made his way on stage in front of the studio and TV audience. He had become the talk of the town. He was the best guest this show had ever seen. The host stepped up to the microphone."Bob, you have chosen American History as your final question. You know that if you correctly answer this question, you will walk away one million dollars richer. Are you ready?"
Bob nodded with a cocky confidence -- the crowd went wild. He hadn't missed a question all week. "Bob, yours is a two-part question. As you know, you may answer either part first. As a rule, the second half of the question is always easier. Which part would you like to take a stab at first?"
Bob was becoming more noticeably nervous, so he played it safe. "I'll try the easier part first."The host nodded approvingly. "Here we go, Bob. I will ask you the second half first, then the first half." The audience grew silent with anticipation....."Bob, here is your question: And in what year did it happen?"
So often in our spiritual lives, we want the "second part" first because it's easier without realizing that the "first part" is necessary before we can have the "second part. "Want some examples? We want the time of joy before we experience the time of grief (John 16:21). But Jesus told his apostles that the time of grief was as essential as the pain of childbirth is necessary before the joy of having a child (John 16:20).
We want to be forgiven by God without first being willing to forgive others. But Jesus taught that if we are not willing to do the "first part", we cannot expect the second part." (Matt. 6:14-15; 18:35). Perhaps, most of all, we want the quality of patience without the testing of our faith that precedes it (even though that testing is an essential element to our attaining patience). This is not one of our favorite passages, but one that we need to be reminded of often:
"My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need." (James 1:2-4, NCV).
The second part may be easier (and more pleasant), but sometimes the first part is essential.
Verses
Matthew 8:13
Jesus said to the captain, "Go your way. It is done for you even as you had faith to believe." The helper boy was healed at that time.
Matthew 8:17
so that that should be fulfilled which was spoken through Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities and bore our diseases.
1 Peter 1:23
having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever,
Mark 11:24
On this account I am saying to you, All things whatever you are praying and asking for, be believing that you received them, and they shall be yours.
2 Corinthians 9:10
And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness and charity].
Prayer
Father, we know that “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” Help us to know that as we pray we can trust You to hear and answer our prayer in Your time and in Your way. We want to also remember that our time in prayer is not just for the benefit of those whom we pray for, but it is also powerful and effective in our personal relationship with You. Keep us humble, faithful and ever-trusting just like the servant girl who bore the burden of Naaman’s leprosy. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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