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.