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.