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.