Tuesday prayer & verses (27 04 2010)

Thought for the day

One teacher asked her young pupils after Christmas break how they spent their holidays. One small boy wrote the following:

We always spend Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa. They used to live in a big brick home, but Grandpa got retarded and they moved to Florida. Now they live in a place with a lot of other retarded people. They all live in little tin boxes.

They ride on big three-wheeled tricycles and they all wear name tags because they don't know who they are. They go to a big building called a wrecked hall; but if it was wrecked they got it fixed because it is all right now. They play games and they do exercise there but they don't do them very good.

There is a swimming pool there. They go into it and just stand there with their hats on. I guess they don't know how to swim. As you go into their park here is a doll house with a little man sitting in it. He watches all day so they can't go out without him seeing them. When they can sneak out they go to the beach and pick up shells they think are dollars.

My Grandma used to bake cookies and stuff, but I guess she forgot how. Nobody cooks, they just eat out. They eat the same thing every night -- "early birds". Some of the people are so retarded they don't know how to cook at all so my Grandma and Grandpa bring food into the wrecked hall and they call it "pot luck".

My Grandma says Grandpa worked all his life and earned his retardment. I wish they would move back up here, but I guess the little man in the doll house won't let them out.

That's certainly a unique view of retirement! I suppose most of us look forward to the time when we can retire and take it easy. As long as we don't retire from serving God!

I love reading about Caleb in the book of Joshua. Caleb is best known for being one of the two faithful spies as the Israelites first approached the land of Canaan. Not only was he an example of faith in his youth, but in his old age as well.

Caleb said to Joshua, "And now, behold, the LORD has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the LORD spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in. Now therefore, give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke in that day; for you heard in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fortified. It may be that the LORD will be with me, and I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said." (Joshua 14:10-12).

What a great example! At the age of 85, Caleb requested the most difficult mountain in Canaan to conquer, with faith that God would be with him. And he took it!

Very few of us will be fortunate enough to have that kind of strength at the age of 85, but we can be fully committed to doing all we can for God at whatever age we may be, young or old.

Verses

Hebrews 10:35-36

You must not lose your courage, for it will be richly rewarded, but you will need endurance if you are to carry out God's will and receive the blessing he has promised.

Ezekiel 47:9

"And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes.

Galatians 6:7

Don't be under any illusion: you cannot make a fool of God! A man's harvest in life will depend entirely on what he sows.

John 15:7

'If you dwell in me, and my words dwell in you, ask what you will, and you shall have it.

Proverbs 10:22

The blessing of the LORD brings riches and he sends no sorrow with them.

Prayer

Father, whether in life or death, whether in times of rejoicing or times of enduring we make it our goal to testify to Your grace that keeps us keeping on. It is Your grace that makes us more than conquerors in this life and assures us of heaven in the hereafter. In our desire to bring as many with us as possible help us to sort through the menial tasks that deter or weigh us down from the greater task of witnessing to others of Your saving and keeping grace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Monday prayer & verses (26 04 2010)

Thought for the day

I do not know the author of this list of "Rules of Combat", but you may find it helpful:

1. If the enemy is in range, so are you.

2. Don't look conspicuous: it draws fire.

3. The easy way is always mined.

4. Try to look unimportant, they may be low on ammo.

5. The enemy invariably attacks on one of two occasions:
a. When you're ready for them.
b. When you're not ready for them.

6. Teamwork is essential; it gives the enemy someone else to
shoot at.

7. If your attack is going well, you have walked into an ambush.

8. Don't draw fire, it irritates the people around you.

9. The only thing more accurate than incoming enemy fire is
incoming friendly fire.

10. When the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is *not* our friend.

11. If it's stupid but works, it isn't stupid.

12. When in doubt, empty the magazine.

13. Anything you do can get you shot -- including doing nothing.

14. Make it too tough for the enemy to get in and you can't get
out.

15. Mines are equal opportunity weapons.

16. A Purple Heart just proves that were you smart enough to
think of a plan, stupid enough to try it, and lucky enough
to survive.

17. Don't ever be the first, don't ever be the last and don't
ever volunteer to do anything.

18. The quartermaster has only two sizes: too large and too small.

19. Five second fuses only last three seconds.

20. It is generally inadvisable to eject directly over the area you
just bombed.

The Bible has a set of "rules for combat" as well. Rules such as, "Place high priority on making things right" (Matt. 5:23-24), "Stand ready to forgive" (Matt. 18:21-22), "Don't go to sleep angry" (Eph. 4:26), "Avoid strife whenever possible" (Prov. 20:3), "Don't lose your temper" (Prov. 15:18), "Keep your mouth shut" (Prov. 21:23), and "Don't argue with a fool" (Prov. 23:4).

We'd like for our lives to be filled only with peace, but times of combat are bound to come. However, the outcome doesn't have to be devastating if we follow God's rules!

Verses

Romans 8:28

And we know with an absolute knowledge that for those who are loving God, all things are working together resulting in good, for those who are divinely-summoned ones according to His purpose.

Proverbs 16:24

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

Acts 2:36

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--this Jesus whom you crucified."

Jude 1:20

But you, dear friends, must build up your lives ever more strongly upon the foundation of our holy faith, learning to pray in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 4:19

But my God shall fully supply all your needs according to His abundant wealth so glorious in Christ Jesus.

Prayer

Father, the philosophies, trends, and mind-set of the world stands in great contrast to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Your Word tells us that those who are not for You are against You. We can’t walk on both sides of the fence so we are faced with a choice we must make; the same kind of choice Joshua gave to the Israelites thousands of years ago. We must choose whether to follow after the gods of this world and forsake You or we must forsake the world and devote ourselves to You. Father, I choose to follow after You; You who reconciled me to Yourself through Jesus. You have proven Yourself trustworthy for Your promises are true. You provide the power and presence of Your Holy Spirit to lead me and direct my every path. Your Word illumines my every thought. I choose You today, exclusively and eternally! Amen.

Friday prayer & verses (23 04 2010)

Thought for the day

"And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: `Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they
shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds
of evil against you falsely for My sake.'" (Matthew 5:1-11)

Then Simon Peter said, "Do we have to write this down?"
And Andrew said, "Are we supposed to know this?"
And Philip said, "What if we don't know it?"
And Bartholomew said, "Do we have to turn this in?"
And John said, "The other disciples didn't have to learn this."
And Matthew said, "When do we get out of here?"
And Judas said,' "What does this have to do with real life?"

Then one of the Pharisees present asked to see Jesus' lesson
plans and inquired of Jesus his annual goals and short term
objectives in the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains.

And Jesus wept.

Those of you who are teachers can relate to this (all too well, I'm sure you would say). And all of us who have been students can recall having the same attitude in school: "If this isn't going to be on the test, then I'm not going to write it down, I'm not going to learn it, I'm not going to remember it, and you can't make me!"

Perhaps some of that same attitude carries over into the workplace. "If doing this doesn't contribute to my chances for a promotion down the road (translation: 'it's not on the test'), then I'm not about to put forth the extra effort it would require."

Or how about at church? Ever heard someone say, "I don't attend on Sunday nights and Wednesday nights because I don't think you have to do that to go to heaven"? (translation: "I don't think it's on the
test")

At what point in our Christian lives did we turn from wanting to learn, wanting to grow, wanting to do everything we can possibly do for God, to doing the least amount necessary to just barely "pass the test"?

"This is my prayer for you: that your love will grow more and more; that you will have knowledge and understanding with your love; that you will see the difference between good and bad and will choose the good; that you will be pure and without wrong for the coming of Christ; that you will do many good things with the help of Christ to bring glory and praise to God." (Philippians 1:9-11, NCV)

That truly is my prayer for each of you. Have a great day!

Verses

Romans 10:17

So then the faith comes from hearing and hearing comes through the word of God.

Mark 11:25

"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.

Romans 5:10

For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

John 15:7

If you remain in me, and if my words remain in you, ask anything you wish, and it will be done for you.

2 Corinthians 9:6

All I will say is that poor sowing means a poor harvest, and generous sowing means a generous harvest.

Prayer

Father, we who have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the power it brings to our lives are hungry to know more and more of that which You desire to reveal to our hearts. We build upon the elementary truths of the gospel and move on to spiritual maturity partaking of solid food which teaches us about Your righteousness. As we regularly partake of solid food we are training ourselves to distinguish right from wrong, good from bad, light from darkness. We want to be zealous in our faith and untiring in our study of Your Holy Word. Amen.

Tuesday prayer & verses (20 04 2010)

Thought for the day

Note: The following piece came to me "author unknown." It is not humorous,
but is designed to cause us to reflect. I hope you appreciate the change of
pace.

DYING TO SELF

When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and
you don't sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is
happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ, that is dying to self.

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your
advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger
rise in your heart, or even defend yourself, but take in all in patient,
loving silence, that is dying to self.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity,
any impunctuality, or any annoyance; when you stand face-to-face with waste,
folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility -- and endure it as Jesus
endured, that is dying to self.

When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any
society, any raiment, any interruption by the will of God, that is dying to
self.

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record
your own good works, or itch after commendations, when you can truly love to
be unknown, that is dying to self.

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can
honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God,
while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances, that is
dying to self.

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature
than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding
no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart, that is dying to
self.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me,
let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever
desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My
sake will find it." (Matthew 16:24-25)

Verses

Revelation 12:11

But they have gained the victory over him because of the blood of the Lamb and of the testimony which they have borne, and because they held their lives cheap and did not shrink even from death.

Exodus 23:25

And give worship to the Lord your God, who will send his blessing on your bread and on your water; and I will take all disease away from among you.

Romans 8:32

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

John 14:13

Whatever you ask the Father in my name, I will do -- that the Son may bring glory to the Father.

2 Corinthians 9:10

God is the One who gives seed to the man who plants. And he gives bread for food. And God will give you all the seed you need and make it grow. He will make a great harvest from your goodness [giving].

Prayer

Father, I marvel at the trace of Your hand in my life. If I were to speak of the “stones” of deliverance and provision the first and most important “stone” would be the moment You delivered me from darkness and transferred me into the kingdom of Your light. You took the uncertainties of my life and gave me an eternal purpose for living. I am so grateful for the “stone” of salvation that is the starting point for the path of stones where I’ve seen Your hand in my life as I’ve experienced Your deliverance, provision and faithfulness every step along my pilgrim journey. Step by step, Lord, You walk with me on this straight and narrow path that leads to life eternal.

Monday prayer & verses (19 04 2010)

Thought for the day

The famous tenor Luciano Pavarotti once said, "When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of song. He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice. Arrigo Pola, a professional tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil. I also enrolled in a teachers college. On graduating, I asked my father, 'Shall I be a teacher or a singer?' "'Luciano,' my father replied, 'if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one chair.'

"I chose one. It took seven years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance. It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera. And now I think whether it's laying bricks, writing a book -- whatever we choose -- we should give ourselves to it. Commitment, that's the key. Choose one chair."

Pavarotti's words are only good advice in choosing a career, but good spiritual advice. Too often, the mistake we make is that we are too divided. We want to focus on both the things of this world and the things of God, but it's not possible. "If you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them."

"Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8)

Gary Henry has written, "What we need to do is develop a more single-minded love for God. We need to eliminate any concerns that compete for our allegiance to God and resolve to give Him nothing less than our whole hearts....A worthy and fruitful relationship with God must be more than simply one item on a crowded agenda. It must be the central focus and aim of our lives, the only thing that really matters."

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other." (Matthew 6:24)

The choice is yours. But just remember -- "If you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them."

Verses

John 14:18

I am not going to leave you alone in the world-- I am coming to you.

Matthew 8:7

And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him."

Galatians 6:7

Don't be misled; remember that you can't ignore God and get away with it: a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows!

1 Timothy 2:8

Therefore I desire that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

2 Corinthians 9:8

God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more, so that there will not only be enough for your own needs, but plenty left over to give joyfully to others.

Prayer

Father, help me to fix my thoughts upon the living hope I have in Jesus Christ my Lord. I anchor my soul in the bedrock of Your Holy Word so that when other viewpoints counter the truths prescribed in Your Word my anchor remains firm. When difficulties appear insurmountable remind me that I serve an extraordinary God who does not rely on natural solutions but works in the supernatural realm to meet each one of my needs. I am not tossed to and fro by wishful thinking but I am firmly grounded in the living hope of our resurrected Savior and it is in His name that I pray. Amen.

Friday prayer & verses (16 04 2010)

Thought for the day

An out-of-towner drove his car into a ditch in a desolated area. Luckily, a local farmer came to help with his big strong horse named Buddy. He hitched Buddy up to the car and yelled, "Pull, Nellie, pull!" Buddy didn't move. Then the farmer hollered, "Pull, Buster, pull!" Buddy didn't respond. Once more the farmer commanded, "Pull, Coco, pull!" Nothing.

Then the farmer nonchalantly said, "Pull, Buddy, pull!" And the horse easily dragged the car out of the ditch.

The motorist was most appreciative and very curious. He asked the farmer why he called his horse by the wrong name three times.

The farmer said, "Oh, Buddy is blind and if he thought he was the only one pulling, he wouldn't even try!"

We're a lot like Buddy. We don't like to do something if we think we're the only one pulling. Need an example?

Ever said, "Why should I pour my time and effort into the work of the church? No one else seems to care!"

Or, "Why should I put forth the extra effort to do a good job at work? No one else does, and it wouldn't be appreciated anyway!"

Or, "Why should I be nice to him? He's certainly not going to make any effort to be nice to me!"

See what I mean? Like Elijah in the cave, we say to God, "I alone am left." (I Kings 19:10). Nobody else is faithful. Nobody else is trying.

But God told Elijah he had 7,000 on His side. Like Buddy and Elijah, we may be blind. Blind to what others are doing around us. But, even if we are the only one doing what is right, we need to continue.

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." (Galatians 6:9)

Hang in there, and have a great day!

Verses

2 Corinthians 4:18

So we set our eyes not on what we see but on what we cannot see. What we see will last only a short time.

But what we cannot see will last forever.

John 6:63

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

1 Peter 5:5

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders.

Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

Mark 11:24

This is why I am telling you: When you are praying and asking God for something, believe that you have received it, and it will happen for you.

Prayer

Father, we find ourselves often like Adam and Eve who, instead of looking upon ALL that You had given to them for enjoyment and sustenance, chose to partake of what little You forbid. Sometimes we set our eyes on that which is too expensive and unnecessary, or that which belongs to another causing us to covet and break Your commandment. Help us to be thankful for that which we have and share with those who have less. Guard us from greed and discontent as we are daily mindful of our blessings. Help us to rejoice in other’s blessings instead of resenting them. All that we have need of is daily provided by Your generous hand. We thank You, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Thursday prayer & verses (15 04 2010)

Thought for the day

From our "stupid criminals" file:

A man, wanting to rob a downtown Bank of America, walked into the branch and wrote "This iz a stikkup. Put all your muny in this bag."

While standing in line, waiting to give his note to the teller, he began to worry that someone had seen him write the note and might call the police before he reached the teller window. So he left the Bank of America and crossed the street to Wells Fargo.

After waiting a few minutes in line, he handed his note to the Wells Fargo teller. She read it and, surmising from his spelling errors that he was not the brightest light in the harbor, told him that she could not accept his stick up note because it was written on a Bank of America deposit slip and that he would either have to fill out a Wells Fargo deposit slip or go back to Bank of America.

Looking somewhat defeated, the man said "OK" and left the Wells Fargo. The Wells Fargo teller then called the police who arrested the man a few minutes later, as he was waiting in line back at the Bank of America.

With all the stories going around, you have to wonder if one of the qualifications of being a bank robber is having an IQ lower than the temperature in Minnesota this time of year. He actually believed the teller when she said he couldn't do it! What a dummy!

Before I get carried away, though, how many times have I been "dumb" enough to believe somebody when they told me something couldn't be done? "We tried that once before, and it just didn't work!" "You're wasting your time!" "It'll never work!"

If we listened to everyone who told us what "can't be done," we'd never accomplish anything. How different was the attitude of Paul:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Verses

James 1:2-4

My brothers, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials, the result is the ability to endure. Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Philippians 2:9-10

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,

John 16:33

"I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble. But be brave! I have defeated the world!"

Matthew 6:9

"In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

2 Corinthians 8:9

For by experience you know the unmerited favor shown by our Lord Jesus Christ; that although He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, in order that by His poverty you might become rich.

Prayer

Father, we are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy when we proclaim, “The Lord is risen. He is risen indeed!” Though we were not personal eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Your Son we have personally experienced and witnessed in others the transformational change that the ever-living Christ brings about in the lives of those who believe. The completion of Christ’s incarnation took place at the tomb when death was swallowed up in victory as He overcame the power and terror of death’s penalty. Satan’s plot failed as God’s plan flourished making us more than victors through Christ who loves us and atoned for our sins! Thank You, for all You went through so that we might have abundant life here and eternal life on the other side. Amen.

Wednesday prayer & verses (14 04 2010)

Thought for the day

The following piece was written by Mary Rita Schilke Korzan and comes from the book "Stories For The Heart":

When you thought I wasn't looking you hung my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another.

When you thought I wasn't looking you fed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking you baked a birthday cake just for me, and I knew that little things were special things.

When you thought I wasn't looking you said a prayer, and I believed there was a God that I could always talk to.

When you thought I wasn't looking you kissed me good-night, and I felt loved.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt -- but that it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking you smiled, and it made me want to look that pretty, too.

When you thought I wasn't looking you cared, and I wanted to be everything I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking -- I looked . . . and wanted to say thanks for all those things you did when you thought I wasn't looking.


Those of us who are parents are ever conscious of little eyes and ears watching and hearing all that we do and say. But all of us have an effect not only on younger ones watching us, but others as well -- people around us at work and at school. People are watching us, even at times we may not be aware of it.

Recognizing that fact, may God help us to live in such a way that others are led closer to God by our example.

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)

When you thought others weren't looking...........they were. Thanks for doing and saying those things that have brought people a step closer to the Savior.

Verses

Matthew 9:29

He then touched their eyes and said, "According to the measure of your faith it shall be to you."

1 Peter 2:24

He personally carried away our sins in his own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. You have been healed by his wounds!

Hebrews 13:5

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Acts 4:31

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

1 Timothy 6:17

Enjoin upon those who possess worldly wealth not to be proud on this account, and not to trust in their perishing possessions, but to trust in God, who gives abundance of this world's goods, not that we may be proud over them, but that we may rightly enjoy and use them.

Prayer

Father, I thank You for Jesus who entered the Courtroom of Justice with me as I sought favor with You. I went to relinquish my sins but I had no defense or gift to offer in exchange for them. I entered the Courtroom dressed in my very best as I presented to You my righteous acts one by one, but I quickly realized they were seen as filthy, crimson rags. They were like leaves that shrivel up when detached from the vine.

But then Your Son, Jesus, my Advocate, took His robe of righteousness and lovingly placed it over my heavy shoulders. It was at that glorious moment that You looked away from my filthy, crimson rags that Jesus removed and You looked upon my new robe of righteousness. I was able to give You nothing but a heart full of crimson stains but You exchanged it for a surrendered heart that is now white as snow. I am wholly grateful that when You look at me You see Jesus’ righteousness. He paid the full price, He paid it all. I owe Him everything and it will take all my days here and throughout eternity to express my love and gratitude for His incomparable love and sacrifice toward me. Amen.