Tuesday prayer & verses (18 05 2010)

Thought for the day

"Sir, What is the secret of your success?" a reporter asked a bank president.

"Two words."

"And, sir, what are they?"

"Right decisions."

"And how do you make right decisions?"

"One word."

"And, sir, what is that?"

"Experience."

"And how do you get experience?"

"Two words."

"And, sir, what are they?"

"Wrong decisions."

There's a measure of truth in that. Though we can (and should) learn from the mistakes of others, experience truly does seem to be "the best teacher." The experience of making wrong decisions in the past should help us to learn so that we make better decisions in the future. But are we willing to learn?

Paul is a great example of someone who learned from his past mistakes and, as a result of that experience, made better decisions in his effort to serve God.

"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man...." (I Timothy 1:12-13)

I love the way that I've heard Randy Harris put it: "God loves you wherever you are........but He loves you too much to leave you where you are!"

Father, once again I come asking forgiveness for the many times I've let you down. As I confess to you my transgressions, I pray that you will help me to learn from my mistakes -- to recognize the consequences of following my stubborn will, to realize the heartache you feel when I turn a deaf ear to you, to learn from my error the need to follow your word more closely. I have made wrong decisions, but I pray that the experience of doing so will help me to develop the wisdom necessary to make better decisions in the future, as I strive to draw closer to you. In Jesus' name, amen.

Verses

1 Corinthians 15:57

God be praised, he gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 10:19

"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

1 John 5:4

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith.

Mark 11:24

For this reason I say to you, all things such as you go on praying for and asking for, go on believing that you did receive them, and you shall have them.

Joshua 1:8

This book of the law must never be off your lips, but you must muse over it day and night, that you may be careful to comply with all that is written in it; for then you shall make your life prosperous, and you shall succeed.

Prayer

Jesus, I want to be vigilant in equipping myself today as I battle the spiritual forces of evil. Though I wage war in this present and evil generation I have a body guard in the presence of the Holy Spirit Who gives me power over the enemy of my soul. Today, I stand against the devil’s schemes because I take on the full armor of God; the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. As I prayerfully take on this spiritual armor I am fully equipped with the necessary provisions to overcome discouragement and defeat. Instead I am a conqueror who stands triumphant by Your grace, Lord Jesus Christ! Amen.

Monday prayer & verses (17 05 2010)

Thought for the day

I heard about an old blacksmith who realized he was soon going to have to quit working so hard. With retirement in mind, he picked out a strong young man to become his apprentice, who, as fate would have it, was not the smartest fellow around. The old blacksmith was crabby, impatient and exacting. He told the young man, "Don't ask me a lot of questions; Just do whatever I tell you to do and you will do fine."

One day the old blacksmith took a white hot iron out of the forge and laid it on the anvil. "Get the hammer over there," he said to the boy, "When I nod my head, hit it real good and hard."

Now the town is looking for a new blacksmith.

"Don't ask me a lot of questions" is not very good advice. The truth is, it is almost always in our best interest to ask questions. Ask questions to learn something you don't know. Ask questions to clarify something you're not sure about. Ask questions to gain a new perspective on a matter.

Think of the men and women in the scriptures who asked questions:

The disciples came to Jesus and "asked him about the parable (of the sower)" (Mark 4:10). They received the best commentary in the world on Jesus' parables -- from Jesus himself! Why? Because they asked.

John the Baptist asked a good question -- "Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?" (Luke 7:20) Even though this may have appeared to be a "stupid question" coming from John, Jesus sent him a gracious answer.

The Philippian jailer asked perhaps the most important question in the world -- "What must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30) which led him to respond to Christ in an obedient faith.

I have known many people through the years who were hesitant to ask questions -- either in a classroom setting or even in private -- because they didn't want to appear to be stupid. As the saying goes, "There are no stupid questions." Don't be afraid to ask. The more you are willing ask, the more you will have the opportunity to learn!

Verses

Mark 5:36

Jesus heard them say this but took no notice. 'Do not be afraid,' he said to the governor of the synagogue. 'Only have faith.'

Deuteronomy 7:15

The LORD will keep you free from every disease. He will not inflict on you the horrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but he will inflict them on all who hate you.

2 Corinthians 4:18

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Acts 2:42

And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Let everyone give as he has determined beforehand, not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves 'a cheerful giver.

Prayer

Father, we thank You for our five senses of seeing, tasting, touching, hearing, and smelling that are essential to our lives as we gather and disseminate information from our sensory glands. As we interact with others today we want to release the aroma of Christ as the Holy Spirit makes us adequate for the task before us. We choose to focus on what You can do through us, not on what we do in our own strength. May others look beyond our physical inadequacies as they breathe in the spiritual fragrance of Christ, as His sweet presence is released through our endeavors. It is in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.

Thursday prayer & verses (13 05 2010)

Thought for the day

A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment.

The next week, the man realized that he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight to Chicago. Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (AND LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, "Please wake me at 5:00 AM."

The next morning the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and that he had missed his flight.

Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't awakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed. The paper said, "It is 5:00 AM. Wake up."

Communication -- such a vital part of keeping marriages healthy! Show me a married couple having problems and I'll show you a couple that's having difficulty communicating. The greatest of problems can be solved with good communication. Even the smallest of problems can be insurmountable without it!

Remember when you were dating? You spent a lot of time talking to each other. You could spend hours on the phone at a time, sharing your opinions and your preferences, or just talking about what's going on. But then you get married, you get to know each other and you tend to quit talking and quit listening (especially husbands!).

Strong families communicate often. They talk about anything and everything. They also listen to each other. If a member of the family isn't communicating, they find out why. "What's the problem? Let's talk it out, let's solve the difficulty."

Be willing to talk. Be willing to listen. And, perhaps most importantly, make time for both. In our hectic world where everybody is running in different directions all at the same time, we need to make time to be with each other and communicate.

"Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones." (Proverbs 16:24)

Verses

Mark 11:23

I promise you, if anyone says to this mountain, Remove, and be cast into the sea, and has no hesitation in his heart, but is sure that what he says is to come about, his wish will be granted him.

James 4:7

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Galatians 6:7

Make no mistake about this: God is not to be fooled; a man reaps what he sows.

Matthew 6:5

"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Proverbs 13:21

Curses chase sinners, while blessings chase the righteous!

Prayer

Father, we’re told to do everything without complaining or arguing, so that we shine like stars in the universe. We know that people are drawn to light where brightness is present and warmth is extended. Help our conversation to be full of grace, tenderness, light, and truth so that we will positively affect those around us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Wednesday prayer & verses (12 05 2010)

Thought for the day

I heard about a man who was sitting in the Phoenix airport when the announcement was made that a flight to Las Vegas was full. The airline was looking for volunteers to give up their seats. In exchange, they offered to give a $100 voucher for the next flight and a first class seat in the plane leaving an hour later.

About eight people ran up to the counter to take advantage of the offer. About 15 seconds later all eight of those people sat down grumpily as the lady behind the ticket counter said, "If there is anyone else OTHER than the flight crew who'd like to volunteer, please step forward."

If you've flown often, you know that it is sometimes very difficult for airlines to find men and women to volunteer to give up their seats. And if you have been in charge of any projects at your congregation, you know that it is sometimes just as difficult to find men and women who are willing to volunteer to give up their time and their efforts to accomplish a task.

The church has been described as a "volunteer army" and while sometimes I wish that members were required to be more committed and active, I ultimately respect the fact that God has given each and every one of us a choice. We can choose to give up our money, our energies and our resources to serve Him, or we can choose not to do so. As with the airline, there are benefits to be gained by volunteering. Still, it remains our choice.

So, who will volunteer? When the Lord asks, "Who will go for Us?", how many of us are prepared to say, "Here am I! Send me." (Isaiah 6:8)?

Verses

2 Corinthians 4:13

But we have faith. The Scripture says, 'I had faith, therefore I spoke.' We too have the same spirit of faith, and therefore we also speak;

Galatians 3:13

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"),

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Be unceasing in prayer -- praying perseveringly;

2 Corinthians 9:11

You will be richly endowed for every sort of generosity, and thus I shall be your agent in bringing much gratitude to God.

Prayer

Father, the mindset of the world too often is a driving force in the way I conduct myself day in and day out. But as I saturate myself in Your Holy Scriptures I am much more inclined to regard Your approval and Your direction in the way I live. May the meditation of Your Word keep my focus on You, not myself this day. Let my conversation be wholesome rather than empty or conniving so that I benefit both the listener and myself. Let the work of my hands be productive and helpful to others, my family and myself. Let it be a positive witness to unbelievers of the work You are doing within me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Monday prayer & verses (10 05 2010)

Thought for the day

Joe and Sam were talking one day. Joe said, "My wife asked me to
buy organic vegetables from the market garden."

"So were you able to find some?" asked Sam.

"Well when I got to the market, I said to the gardener, 'These
vegetables are for my wife. Have they been sprayed with any poisonous
chemicals?' The gardener said, 'No, you'll have to do that yourself.' "

There are some things in life that you have to do for yourself.
Your parents can't do them for you, nor can your spouse or your best
friend. Only you.

Whenever people try to point out the "contradictions" in the Bible,
they will frequently point to Galatians 6. They say, "Paul contradicted
himself within just a few short sentences." He said in verse 2, "Bear
one another's burdens" and then shortly after that, in verse 5, he said,
"For each one shall bear his own load."

"There, that proves that the Bible is contradictory!" Nonsense!
Giving it just a small amount of thought will cause you to realize that
while there are many areas where we need to help carry the load of our
brothers and sisters in Christ (being there in times of sickness or
sadness, for example), there are other areas where we cannot do that.

We can help carry the burden of difficulties this life has to
offer, but we cannot carry the burden of responsibilities we each have.
In regard to salvation, for example, I can't be saved for you. I can
teach you, I can encourage you, but I can't do anything to save you.
That's a load that you must bear.

In like manner, I can't fulfill your responsibility to live
morally, to visit those in need, or to give as you ought. In areas of
responsibility, you must carry your own load and I must carry mine.

"But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have
rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear
his own load." (Gal. 6:4-5)

As the gardener put it so well, "You'll have to do that yourself!"

Verses

Luke 1:37

For no word from God shall be void of power.

Exodus 15:26

saying, "If you will diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give heed to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon you which I put upon the Egyptians; for I am the LORD, your healer."

1 John 5:5

Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 Samuel 1:27

"For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition which I asked of Him.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Let each one give according as he has purposed in his heart, not out of an annoyed and troubled heart, nor because of necessity, for God loves a cheerful, ready giver.

Prayer

Father, the mindset of the world too often is a driving force in the way I conduct myself day in and day out. But as I saturate myself in Your Holy Scriptures I am much more inclined to regard Your approval and Your direction in the way I live. May the meditation of Your Word keep my focus on You, not myself this day. Let my conversation be wholesome rather than empty or conniving so that I benefit both the listener and myself. Let the work of my hands be productive and helpful to others, my family and myself. Let it be a positive witness to unbelievers of the work You are doing within me. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Tuesday prayer & verses (04 05 2010)

Thought for the day

These are actual warning labels on products:

ON TESCO'S TIRIMISU DESSERT - Do not turn upside down. (printed on the bottom of the box.)

ON MARKS & SPENCER BREAD PUDDING - Product will be hot after heating.

ON PACKAGING FOR A ROWENTA IRON - Do not iron clothes on body.

ON CHILDREN'S COUGH MEDICINE - Do not drive car or operate machinery.

ON NYTOL (A SLEEP AID) - Warning: may cause drowsiness.

ON A KITCHEN KNIFE - Warning: keep out of children.

ON A STRING OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS - For indoor or outdoor use only.

ON A FOOD PROCESSOR - Not to be used for the other use.

ON SAINSBURY'S PEANUTS - Warning: contains nuts.

ON AN AMERICAN AIRLINES PACKET OF NUTS - Instructions: open packet, eat nuts.

ON A CHAINSAW - Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands.

ON A HAIRDRYER - Do not use while sleeping.

ON A BAG OF FRITOS - You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside.

ON A BAR OF DIAL SOAP - Directions: Use like regular soap.

ON A FROZEN DINNER - Serving suggestion: Defrost.

ON A HOTEL-PROVIDED SHOWER CAP IN A BOX - fits one head.

Some of those warning labels conjure up some humorous images. Like the last one -- can you imagine trying to fit a shower cap onto two heads at once? Ridiculous, huh?

Almost as ridiculous as taking the body of Christ and suggesting it has more than one head. There is one body (Eph. 4:4), and it has only one head. Fortunately, that head is no earthly person or group of people. It is none other than the Son of God himself.

"And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence." (Colossians 1:18)

This day, give preeminence and praise to the one who is our head!

Verses

Hebrews 11:6

and without faith it is impossible to please him; for one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he is the rewarder of those who seek him out.

John 8:31-32

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Ephesians 2:10

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Mark 11:24

Therefore I say to you, That whatsoever ye shall pray and ask for, believe that it will be, and it will be to you.

Psalm 112:1,3

Praise the Lord! For all who fear God and trust in him are blessed beyond expression. Yes, happy is the man who delights in doing his commands. He himself shall be wealthy, and his good deeds will never be forgotten.

Prayer

Father, how grateful we are that we live in the time of Your favor. You favor us with Your goodness, love, and provisions. But most of all You favor us with redemption through the precious blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus paid the price and we are recipients of His love and forgiveness. We give thanks for our salvation and we pray for anyone who has not made that divine appointment with You to make this the day of their salvation, for now is the time of Your favor and now is the day of their salvation. Amen.

Monday prayer & verses (03 05 2010)

Thought for the day

One day a gentleman walked into one of Ben Franklin's book stores. As one of the clerks went to assist him, the gentleman asked the clerk the price of the book he wished to purchase. The young clerk looked at the price posted on the book and said, "That book is one dollar, sir."

The gentleman began to haggle with the clerk over the price. The clerk assured him that the correct price for the book was one dollar and no lower. As the man realized that his efforts to haggle with the clerk were going nowhere, he insisted on speaking with Ben Franklin directly.

Franklin stopped his work, walked out to the storefront and the gentleman asked, "What is the price of this book?"

Franklin answered, "One dollar and a quarter."

The gentleman was confused and replied, "Your clerk just said it was a dollar."

Franklin looked at the book again and answered, "Yes, it was a dollar. But now you're wasting my time."

Chances are you have haggled over the price of something. Maybe you've haggled over the price of a new (or used) car. Maybe you've gone to yard sales or flea markets and haggled over some treasure you discovered. In some countries, you are expected to haggle over much of what you buy in the stores.

So, I wonder if you've ever haggled with God. I wonder if you've ever thought that God's expectations are too high, and you've tried to get God to lower his "price." I'm reminded of the rich young ruler who had a conversation with Jesus about what he must do to inherit eternal life (Luke 18:23). Though he had done much, Jesus said that one more thing was required: "You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." (Luke 18:22). The response of the young man is sad. He turned and walked away, "for he was very rich."

What strikes me about that passage is that there is no room for haggling with Jesus. When this young man walked away, Jesus didn't go running after him and say, "No, wait, maybe I was asking a bit too much. Let's renegotiate." No, Jesus demands our all. All that we have. All that we are. He will not settle for any less. The price is not negotiable, so don't waste God's time trying to haggle with Him.

Verses

Romans 4:21

giving God credit for being able to carry out his end of the bargain.

John 8:31-32

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Matthew 18:19

"Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.

Mark 11:24

Therefore I say to you, That whatsoever ye shall pray and ask for, believe that it will be, and it will be to you.

1 Corinthians 1:5

in him you have received a wealth of all blessing, full power to speak of your faith and full insight into its meaning,

Prayer

Jesus, we know that Satan is a thief who “comes only to steal and kill and destroy” and millions fall victim to his enticements. You created us to have an emotional desire for physical and sexual intimacy and in Your perfect plan it is to be fulfilled in a marriage covenant. Knowing our inclination to sin, help us to carefully lay boundary lines where we are not feeding lust but are eliminating this destructive force in our lives. We desire purity and holiness as we daily pursue Your righteousness. Forgive us where we have resented, ignored, or disobeyed Your truths in this area of our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.