Thought for the day
A mother wishing to encourage her young son's progress at the piano brought him to a concert given by the famous Polish pianist, Paderewski. When the evening arrived, they found their seats near the front of the concert hall and eyed the majestic Steinway waiting on stage. Soon the mother found a friend to talk to, and the boy slipped away.
At eight o'clock, the lights in the auditorium began to dim, the spotlights came on, and only then did they notice the boy upon the bench, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star".
His mother gasped, but before she could retrieve her son, the master appeared on the stage and quickly moved to the keyboard. He whispered to the boy, "Don't quit. Keep playing. "Leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in the bass part. Soon his right arm reached around the other side and improvised a delightful obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice held the crowd mesmerized.
In our lives, unpolished though we may be, it is the Master who surrounds us and whispers in our ear time and time again, "Don't quit. Keep playing." And as we do, He augments and supplements, until a work of amazing beauty is created.
"Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)
Verses
2 Corinthians 4:13
But since we have the same spirit of faith as shown in the Scripture passage, "I believe, and so I spoke," we also believe, and that is why we also speak.
Exodus 15:26
"If you will listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and obey it, and do what is right, then I will not make you suffer the diseases I sent on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord who heals you."
2 Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.
3 John 1:2
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
Proverbs 22:4
The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.
Prayer
Father, deep within our soul there is a yearning to know You more, to identify with You in Your power, and even in Your suffering, and also in Your victory over Satan. What a powerful example You give us when Jesus was tempted in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights. Satan had a plot, but You had a plan to refute every scheme he laid out when Jesus responded with Scripture. Scripture that was spoken and recorded long before the wilderness battle ensued. Help us to be like-minded, to learn and embrace the Scriptures, so that we will do battle with the enemy not by our might or strength that might actually be weakened in the midst of the battle, but in the powerful strength that comes through the inspiration of Your Holy Word meant for all time. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Tuesday prayer & verses (30 06 2009)
Thought for the day
The tribal wisdom of the Dakota Indians, passed on from one generation to the next, says that when you discover you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount.
However, in modern business, because of the heavy investment factors to be taken into consideration, often other strategies have to be tried with dead horses, including the following:
1. Buying a stronger whip.
2. Changing riders.
3. Threatening the horse with termination.
4. Appointing a committee to study the horse.
5. Arranging to visit other sites to see how they ride dead horses.
6. Lowering the standards so that dead horses can be included.
7. Reclassifying the dead horse as living-impaired.
8. Change the form so that it reads: "This horse is not dead."
9. Hire outside contractors to ride the dead horse.
10. Harness several dead horses together for increased speed.
11. Donate the dead horse to a recognized charity, thereby deducting itsfull original cost.
12. Providing additional funding to increase the horse's performance.
13. Do a time management study to see if the lighter riders would improveproductivity.
14. Declare that a dead horse has lower overhead and therefore performsbetter.
15. Promote the dead horse to a supervisory position.
We've all done it before -- committed a significant amount of time and energy to a particular project (or even a person) only to find that all our effort was to no avail. But we find it difficult to cut our losses and move on, so we keep trying and keep trying, pouring more and more of ourselves into it, all the while taking away resources that could be spent on something more profitable.
As difficult as it may be at times to do, the Dakota Indians were right -- when you find you are riding a dead horse, the only sensible thing to do is to dismount.
Jesus put it this way: "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." (Matthew 7:6)
Jesus was saying that there may come a time when we need to realize that we are wasting our time and energy trying to reach someone who has shown a total disregard for God and the things of God. We dare not reach such a conclusion too quickly (many of us are thankful for others who refused to give up on us), but once you become convinced you're riding a dead horse, there's only one sensible thing to do.
Take a look at how you're spending your time. If you're "spinning your wheels" and not making any progress, make sure that the horse you're riding is still alive.
Verses
Joshua 1:3
Every spot on which your foot treads I give to you, as I promised Moses.
Luke 9:6
So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
Matthew 7:11
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Never omit your prayers;
2 Corinthians 8:9
You know what graciousness was shown by our Lord Jesus Christ, how, although He was so rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, in order that you might as a result of His poverty become rich.
Prayer
Father, we consider the sentiment of the hymn writer who asked, “Where could I go, oh, where could I go? Seeking a refuge for my soul. Needing a Friend to save me in the end, where could I go but to the Lord?” Father, though You love us so much that You sent Your only Son to die on the cross for our sins we put up a struggle with You instead of surrendering to You. But when we finally do surrender, we find You to be a mighty Refuge from the storms of life, a Savior who redeems us from the sins that held us in Satan’s captivity. Even as we have received Your mercy and forgiveness from sins, we want to see others released from the devil’s stronghold as well. Enable us to be faithful witnesses to the lost. Give us a passion for souls so that Your kingdom will be enlarged and Satan’s domain will decrease. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
The tribal wisdom of the Dakota Indians, passed on from one generation to the next, says that when you discover you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount.
However, in modern business, because of the heavy investment factors to be taken into consideration, often other strategies have to be tried with dead horses, including the following:
1. Buying a stronger whip.
2. Changing riders.
3. Threatening the horse with termination.
4. Appointing a committee to study the horse.
5. Arranging to visit other sites to see how they ride dead horses.
6. Lowering the standards so that dead horses can be included.
7. Reclassifying the dead horse as living-impaired.
8. Change the form so that it reads: "This horse is not dead."
9. Hire outside contractors to ride the dead horse.
10. Harness several dead horses together for increased speed.
11. Donate the dead horse to a recognized charity, thereby deducting itsfull original cost.
12. Providing additional funding to increase the horse's performance.
13. Do a time management study to see if the lighter riders would improveproductivity.
14. Declare that a dead horse has lower overhead and therefore performsbetter.
15. Promote the dead horse to a supervisory position.
We've all done it before -- committed a significant amount of time and energy to a particular project (or even a person) only to find that all our effort was to no avail. But we find it difficult to cut our losses and move on, so we keep trying and keep trying, pouring more and more of ourselves into it, all the while taking away resources that could be spent on something more profitable.
As difficult as it may be at times to do, the Dakota Indians were right -- when you find you are riding a dead horse, the only sensible thing to do is to dismount.
Jesus put it this way: "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." (Matthew 7:6)
Jesus was saying that there may come a time when we need to realize that we are wasting our time and energy trying to reach someone who has shown a total disregard for God and the things of God. We dare not reach such a conclusion too quickly (many of us are thankful for others who refused to give up on us), but once you become convinced you're riding a dead horse, there's only one sensible thing to do.
Take a look at how you're spending your time. If you're "spinning your wheels" and not making any progress, make sure that the horse you're riding is still alive.
Verses
Joshua 1:3
Every spot on which your foot treads I give to you, as I promised Moses.
Luke 9:6
So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
Matthew 7:11
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Never omit your prayers;
2 Corinthians 8:9
You know what graciousness was shown by our Lord Jesus Christ, how, although He was so rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, in order that you might as a result of His poverty become rich.
Prayer
Father, we consider the sentiment of the hymn writer who asked, “Where could I go, oh, where could I go? Seeking a refuge for my soul. Needing a Friend to save me in the end, where could I go but to the Lord?” Father, though You love us so much that You sent Your only Son to die on the cross for our sins we put up a struggle with You instead of surrendering to You. But when we finally do surrender, we find You to be a mighty Refuge from the storms of life, a Savior who redeems us from the sins that held us in Satan’s captivity. Even as we have received Your mercy and forgiveness from sins, we want to see others released from the devil’s stronghold as well. Enable us to be faithful witnesses to the lost. Give us a passion for souls so that Your kingdom will be enlarged and Satan’s domain will decrease. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Monday prayer & verses (29 06 2009)
Thought for the day
"One day a drill sergeant came out and threw a hand grenade into a group of young soldiers. The men all ran away and took cover away from the grenade. Then the drill sergeant told them that the grenade was not set to explode and he just did it to see their reaction.
"The next day a newly recruited soldier joined the group. The drill sergeant told the other soldiers not to tell the new soldier what was going to happen. As the drill sergeant came out and threw the grenade into the crowd of soldiers, the new soldier, not knowing it wasn't going to explode, threw himself on top of the grenade to prevent it from killing the other men. He was willing to die for his fellow soldiers.
"That year the young man was awarded the only medal for courage and bravery that had not been won during battle."
How many people would you be willing to die for? Be honest now! Maybe your husband or wife, one of your children, but the list starts to get pretty short after that, doesn't it?
Can you imagine dying in the place of a convicted criminal? Someone is scheduled to die on death row for murder, and you say, "Please let me take his place!" Not very likely, huh? Paul was so right when he said, "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:7-8).
Why would Christ do that? As long as I define love by my own personal limitations, it will always be impossible to comprehend. Only the love of an Almighty God could be willing to sacrifice so much. I am led to respond in praise, and in a desire to give all my love and obedience to the One who loved me more than life itself.
Verses
Revelation 12:11
Our brethren have defeated him through the blood of the Lamb and through the might of their faith. For they preferred death to apostasy.
Exodus 15:26
and He saith, `If thou dost really hearken to the voice of Jehovah thy God, and dost that which is right in His eyes, and hast hearkened to His commands, and kept all His statutes: none of the sickness which I laid on the Egyptians do I lay on thee, for I, Jehovah, am healing thee.
1 John 5:4
for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Luke 20:47
"who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation."
Psalm 35:27
Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, "Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant."
Prayer
God, You’ve given the greatest treasure that is available to all people. We don’t have to fit into a particular segment of our population nor are we required to live during a certain time period to receive this unsurpassed gift. The gift of Your grace is available to every generation and exceeds any temporary material blessing that we’ll ever receive. Your grace not only brings reconciliation through Your Son, but it continues to pour into us grace upon grace, much like the waves of the ocean. Thank you that You gave in abundance so that we could be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God through the incarnation of your Son, Jesus Christ. How unlimited and ceaseless is your grace upon grace!
"One day a drill sergeant came out and threw a hand grenade into a group of young soldiers. The men all ran away and took cover away from the grenade. Then the drill sergeant told them that the grenade was not set to explode and he just did it to see their reaction.
"The next day a newly recruited soldier joined the group. The drill sergeant told the other soldiers not to tell the new soldier what was going to happen. As the drill sergeant came out and threw the grenade into the crowd of soldiers, the new soldier, not knowing it wasn't going to explode, threw himself on top of the grenade to prevent it from killing the other men. He was willing to die for his fellow soldiers.
"That year the young man was awarded the only medal for courage and bravery that had not been won during battle."
How many people would you be willing to die for? Be honest now! Maybe your husband or wife, one of your children, but the list starts to get pretty short after that, doesn't it?
Can you imagine dying in the place of a convicted criminal? Someone is scheduled to die on death row for murder, and you say, "Please let me take his place!" Not very likely, huh? Paul was so right when he said, "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:7-8).
Why would Christ do that? As long as I define love by my own personal limitations, it will always be impossible to comprehend. Only the love of an Almighty God could be willing to sacrifice so much. I am led to respond in praise, and in a desire to give all my love and obedience to the One who loved me more than life itself.
Verses
Revelation 12:11
Our brethren have defeated him through the blood of the Lamb and through the might of their faith. For they preferred death to apostasy.
Exodus 15:26
and He saith, `If thou dost really hearken to the voice of Jehovah thy God, and dost that which is right in His eyes, and hast hearkened to His commands, and kept all His statutes: none of the sickness which I laid on the Egyptians do I lay on thee, for I, Jehovah, am healing thee.
1 John 5:4
for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
Luke 20:47
"who devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation."
Psalm 35:27
Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, "Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant."
Prayer
God, You’ve given the greatest treasure that is available to all people. We don’t have to fit into a particular segment of our population nor are we required to live during a certain time period to receive this unsurpassed gift. The gift of Your grace is available to every generation and exceeds any temporary material blessing that we’ll ever receive. Your grace not only brings reconciliation through Your Son, but it continues to pour into us grace upon grace, much like the waves of the ocean. Thank you that You gave in abundance so that we could be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God through the incarnation of your Son, Jesus Christ. How unlimited and ceaseless is your grace upon grace!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Friday prayer & verses (26 06 2009)
Thought for the day
Everyday, without fail, there are a host of negatives in the world around us. Some of these negatives are passed down by family and friends, and some are in every conversation you hear between co-workers, or those you just happen to hear at the coffee shop, or around the water cooler. Just ask yourself, how many times have you engaged in negative thinking, negative conversations, or personal complaints?
On the other hand, how many times have you heard positive conversations, conversations of gratitude expressing thankfulness for what we have, of what we can do, or the choice of options that are available to us?
We are fortunate to live in a democracy where free choice to do, to have, to be what we desire is available. The sad situation, however, is that most people have lost sight of available options by falling prey to negative messages from those who choose NOT to make the most of countless opportunities. What is really interesting to learn is that you need to develop a mindset of "creativity" not "competitiveness".
This concept was clearly explained in a book from 1910 by Wallace D. Wattles, called "Science of Getting Rich". Napoleon Hill also wrote about aspects of the power of the positive mind in his book, "Think and Grow Rich", first published in 1937.
Despite information available to the contrary, it would seem that a lot of people would rather complain and moan about what they don't have, can't do, or wish they could have or do without exercising even one act that could start to turn their lives into a positive. Sure, there are obstacles - sure there are challenges - no one ever said that you'd get everything you wanted for nothing. The real fact is this - you can do what you want, have more, be more, but you need to develop a vision, an outlook of possibilities not an age old path of seeing a problem in everything you view.
Simple truth. By forming a thought or vision in your mind, you connect to a source of energy that can create what you're thinking about. If your thoughts are negative, you'll probably attract negative events into your life. You will see the bad, not the good. On the other hand, you can attract positives by being positive. Just try a simple exercise like smiling and saying hello to everyone at work. When you smile, in all likelihood, you will receive a warm response in return.
Verses
Hebrews 6:12
We don't want you to become lazy. We want you to be like those people who get the things that God promised.Those people get God's promises because they have faith and patience.
Exodus 23:25
You shall serve the LORD your God, and I will bless your bread and your water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of you.
Matthew 4:23
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.
Isaiah 56:7
even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations."
1 Corinthians 1:5
For in union with Christ you have become rich in all things, including all speech and all knowledge.
Prayer
Father, You grow and stretch our maturity through circumstances that don’t always reflect our choosing. It helps us to gain needed perspective and experience in situations not of our own choosing, but to our overall benefit. Help us to be patient as we search Your Scripture and seek to understand Your plan as it unfolds in our lives. Align our desires with Your own as we submit our will to Yours. May we not be overcome by adversity but ask You, Father, to use adversity as a tool by which You carve Your image and character deep into our hearts. We may make our plans but we realize that, as Your children, You will have the final say. Amen.
Everyday, without fail, there are a host of negatives in the world around us. Some of these negatives are passed down by family and friends, and some are in every conversation you hear between co-workers, or those you just happen to hear at the coffee shop, or around the water cooler. Just ask yourself, how many times have you engaged in negative thinking, negative conversations, or personal complaints?
On the other hand, how many times have you heard positive conversations, conversations of gratitude expressing thankfulness for what we have, of what we can do, or the choice of options that are available to us?
We are fortunate to live in a democracy where free choice to do, to have, to be what we desire is available. The sad situation, however, is that most people have lost sight of available options by falling prey to negative messages from those who choose NOT to make the most of countless opportunities. What is really interesting to learn is that you need to develop a mindset of "creativity" not "competitiveness".
This concept was clearly explained in a book from 1910 by Wallace D. Wattles, called "Science of Getting Rich". Napoleon Hill also wrote about aspects of the power of the positive mind in his book, "Think and Grow Rich", first published in 1937.
Despite information available to the contrary, it would seem that a lot of people would rather complain and moan about what they don't have, can't do, or wish they could have or do without exercising even one act that could start to turn their lives into a positive. Sure, there are obstacles - sure there are challenges - no one ever said that you'd get everything you wanted for nothing. The real fact is this - you can do what you want, have more, be more, but you need to develop a vision, an outlook of possibilities not an age old path of seeing a problem in everything you view.
Simple truth. By forming a thought or vision in your mind, you connect to a source of energy that can create what you're thinking about. If your thoughts are negative, you'll probably attract negative events into your life. You will see the bad, not the good. On the other hand, you can attract positives by being positive. Just try a simple exercise like smiling and saying hello to everyone at work. When you smile, in all likelihood, you will receive a warm response in return.
Verses
Hebrews 6:12
We don't want you to become lazy. We want you to be like those people who get the things that God promised.Those people get God's promises because they have faith and patience.
Exodus 23:25
You shall serve the LORD your God, and I will bless your bread and your water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of you.
Matthew 4:23
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.
Isaiah 56:7
even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations."
1 Corinthians 1:5
For in union with Christ you have become rich in all things, including all speech and all knowledge.
Prayer
Father, You grow and stretch our maturity through circumstances that don’t always reflect our choosing. It helps us to gain needed perspective and experience in situations not of our own choosing, but to our overall benefit. Help us to be patient as we search Your Scripture and seek to understand Your plan as it unfolds in our lives. Align our desires with Your own as we submit our will to Yours. May we not be overcome by adversity but ask You, Father, to use adversity as a tool by which You carve Your image and character deep into our hearts. We may make our plans but we realize that, as Your children, You will have the final say. Amen.
The Homeless Man
I was sent this remarkable story by a friend via email. I hope it encourages you all today, and warms your heart. It’s quite long, but well worth the read…
I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day. As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, “I will work for food.” My heart sank.
I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief.
We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat half-heartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car.
Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: “Don’t go back to the office until you’ve at least driven once more around the square.” Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the square’s third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack.
I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on. The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town’s newest visitor.
“Looking for the pastor?” I asked.
“Not really,” he replied, “just resting.”
“Have you eaten today?”
“Oh, I ate something early this morning.”
“Would you like to have lunch with me?”
“Do you have some work I could do for you?”
“No work,” I replied “I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch.”
“Sure,” he replied with a smile.
As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions. Where you headed?”
” St. Louis ”
“Where you from?”
“Oh, all over; mostly Florida .”
“How long you been walking?”
“Fourteen years,” came the reply.
I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, “Jesus is The Never Ending Story.”
Then Daniel’s story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He’d made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences. Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought.
He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly. He gave his life over to God. ”Nothing’s been the same since,” he said, “I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now.”
“Ever think of stopping?” I asked.
“Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me But God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles . That’s what’s in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads.”
I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and lived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: “What’s it like?”
“What?”
“To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?”
“Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn’t make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people’s concepts of other folks like me.”
My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused He turned to me and said, “Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I’ve prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in.”
I felt as if we were on holy ground. “Could you use another Bible?” I asked.
He said he preferred a certain translation. It travelled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite. “I’ve read through it 14 times,” he said.
“I’m not sure we’ve got one of those, but let’s stop by our church and see” I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful.
“Where are you headed from here?” I asked.
“Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon.”
“Are you hoping to hire on there for awhile?”
“No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that’s where I’m going next.”
He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we’d met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things.
“Would you sign my autograph book?” he asked. “I like to keep messages from folks I meet.”
I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, “I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope.”
“Thanks, man,” he said. “I know we just met and we’re really just strangers, but I love you.”
“I know,” I said, “I love you, too.” “The Lord is good!”
“Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?” I asked.
A long time,” he replied
And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, “See you in the New Jerusalem.”
“I’ll be there!” was my reply.
He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, “When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?”
“You bet,” I shouted back, “God bless.”
“God bless.” And that was the last I saw of him.
Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the hand brake, I saw them… a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them.
Then I remembered his words: “If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?”
Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. “See you in the New Jerusalem,” he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will…“I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.”
I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day. As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, “I will work for food.” My heart sank.
I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief.
We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat half-heartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car.
Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: “Don’t go back to the office until you’ve at least driven once more around the square.” Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the square’s third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack.
I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on. The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town’s newest visitor.
“Looking for the pastor?” I asked.
“Not really,” he replied, “just resting.”
“Have you eaten today?”
“Oh, I ate something early this morning.”
“Would you like to have lunch with me?”
“Do you have some work I could do for you?”
“No work,” I replied “I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch.”
“Sure,” he replied with a smile.
As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions. Where you headed?”
” St. Louis ”
“Where you from?”
“Oh, all over; mostly Florida .”
“How long you been walking?”
“Fourteen years,” came the reply.
I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, “Jesus is The Never Ending Story.”
Then Daniel’s story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He’d made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences. Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought.
He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly. He gave his life over to God. ”Nothing’s been the same since,” he said, “I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now.”
“Ever think of stopping?” I asked.
“Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me But God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles . That’s what’s in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads.”
I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and lived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: “What’s it like?”
“What?”
“To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?”
“Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn’t make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people’s concepts of other folks like me.”
My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused He turned to me and said, “Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I’ve prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in.”
I felt as if we were on holy ground. “Could you use another Bible?” I asked.
He said he preferred a certain translation. It travelled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite. “I’ve read through it 14 times,” he said.
“I’m not sure we’ve got one of those, but let’s stop by our church and see” I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful.
“Where are you headed from here?” I asked.
“Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon.”
“Are you hoping to hire on there for awhile?”
“No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that’s where I’m going next.”
He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we’d met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things.
“Would you sign my autograph book?” he asked. “I like to keep messages from folks I meet.”
I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, “I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope.”
“Thanks, man,” he said. “I know we just met and we’re really just strangers, but I love you.”
“I know,” I said, “I love you, too.” “The Lord is good!”
“Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?” I asked.
A long time,” he replied
And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, “See you in the New Jerusalem.”
“I’ll be there!” was my reply.
He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, “When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?”
“You bet,” I shouted back, “God bless.”
“God bless.” And that was the last I saw of him.
Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the hand brake, I saw them… a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them.
Then I remembered his words: “If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?”
Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. “See you in the New Jerusalem,” he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will…“I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.”
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Thursday prayer & verses (25 06 2009)
Thought for the day
Maybe you've seen a chain letter that's been going around for a number of years.
It says: "The result of a computerized survey indicates that the perfect preacher:
Preaches 15 minutesCondemns sin; but never offends anyone.
Works from 8 till midnight including janitorial work.
Makes $60 per week, wears good clothes, buys good books, drives a good car and gives $50 per week to the poor.
Is 28 years old and has been preaching for 30 years.
Is wonderfully, perfectly handsome.
Has a burning desire to work with teenagers but spends all his time with the older folk.
Smiles with a straight face because his sense of humor keeps him seriously dedicated to his work.
He makes 15 calls per day on church family, shut-ins, hospitalized, while evangelizing the lost.
He's always in his office when needed.
If your preacher does not measure up to this chain letter, send this letter to six other churches who also are tired of their preacher. Bundle up your preacher and send him to the church at the top of the list. In one year you will receive 1,643 preachers one of them should be perfect.
WARNING: Keep this letter going. One church broke the chain and got their old preacher back in six months. "The truth is, we use a lot of criteria to judge preachers. By contrast, here's God's view of preachers: "Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." (4:1)(1) Preachers are "servants". There are several Greek words in the New Testament that are translated "servant" and the word that Paul has chosen to use here is an interesting one.
The word literally means "under rower". Have you ever seen one of those old movies where the Roman ship is powered by slaves pulling hundreds of oars? This big guard cracks his whip and all the slaves pull on the oars. That's what this word "servant" originally meant. The lowest galley slaves, the ones rowing the bottom tier of the ship. They were the most menial, unenvied and despised of slaves. From that meaning the term came to refer to subordinates of any sort, to those under the authority of another.
Paul says that ministers of the gospel are first and foremost "servants of Christ". In everything they do, they are to be subordinate and subject to him.(2) Preachers are "stewards." A steward was a servant, but he was a servant with very special responsibilities. Perhaps the best way to express it is with the term "household manager". A steward was a servant who was placed in complete control of a house or an estate. He supervised the property, the fields and vineyards, the finances, the food, the staff members on behalf of his master.
Joseph in the Old Testament is a good example. He was a steward in Potiphar's house. Paul says that ministers of the gospel are stewards because they are entrusted with proclaiming the mysteries of God -- the gospel. As a steward of the gospel, it is the minister's responsibility to take God's Word and dispense it to God's household.
Those of us who are preachers appreciate being encouraged and edified like anyone else. But, when you're tempted to put your preacher up on a pedastal (or if he insists on climbing up there all by himself!), remember that we are but servants and stewards."So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gave the increase." (I Cor. 3:7).
To God be the glory!
Verses
Ephesians 6:11
Put on all of God's armor. Then you will be able to stand against the evil tricks of the Devil.
Matthew 8:17
This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, "He took our sicknesses and bore our diseases."
1 John 2:12
I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
pray constantly,
Psalm 112:1,3
Praise the LORD! How blessed the man who fears the LORD, who takes great delight in His commandments. There will be wealth and riches in his home. His righteousness goes on forever.
Prayer
Jesus, the race You’ve marked out for us doesn’t require nearly as much physical stamina as it does spiritual endurance. Those who are physically weak due to disease, illness, and aging are just as qualified to run as those who have young athletic bodies. It’s a spiritual race where You call us to perseverance as we discard anything that would trip us up or lead us on a disastrous detour. The great cloud of witnesses spur us on; those from the Biblical period, throughout history, and from our own generation. But above all we thank You, Jesus, that You endured the cross and all the suffering that accompanied it, being spurred on by the joy You knew that would be Yours afterward. You cheer us on by Your own example and by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit that sustains us in our struggle against sin. Keep us faithful to the end, for the end is only the beginning. Amen
Maybe you've seen a chain letter that's been going around for a number of years.
It says: "The result of a computerized survey indicates that the perfect preacher:
Preaches 15 minutesCondemns sin; but never offends anyone.
Works from 8 till midnight including janitorial work.
Makes $60 per week, wears good clothes, buys good books, drives a good car and gives $50 per week to the poor.
Is 28 years old and has been preaching for 30 years.
Is wonderfully, perfectly handsome.
Has a burning desire to work with teenagers but spends all his time with the older folk.
Smiles with a straight face because his sense of humor keeps him seriously dedicated to his work.
He makes 15 calls per day on church family, shut-ins, hospitalized, while evangelizing the lost.
He's always in his office when needed.
If your preacher does not measure up to this chain letter, send this letter to six other churches who also are tired of their preacher. Bundle up your preacher and send him to the church at the top of the list. In one year you will receive 1,643 preachers one of them should be perfect.
WARNING: Keep this letter going. One church broke the chain and got their old preacher back in six months. "The truth is, we use a lot of criteria to judge preachers. By contrast, here's God's view of preachers: "Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." (4:1)(1) Preachers are "servants". There are several Greek words in the New Testament that are translated "servant" and the word that Paul has chosen to use here is an interesting one.
The word literally means "under rower". Have you ever seen one of those old movies where the Roman ship is powered by slaves pulling hundreds of oars? This big guard cracks his whip and all the slaves pull on the oars. That's what this word "servant" originally meant. The lowest galley slaves, the ones rowing the bottom tier of the ship. They were the most menial, unenvied and despised of slaves. From that meaning the term came to refer to subordinates of any sort, to those under the authority of another.
Paul says that ministers of the gospel are first and foremost "servants of Christ". In everything they do, they are to be subordinate and subject to him.(2) Preachers are "stewards." A steward was a servant, but he was a servant with very special responsibilities. Perhaps the best way to express it is with the term "household manager". A steward was a servant who was placed in complete control of a house or an estate. He supervised the property, the fields and vineyards, the finances, the food, the staff members on behalf of his master.
Joseph in the Old Testament is a good example. He was a steward in Potiphar's house. Paul says that ministers of the gospel are stewards because they are entrusted with proclaiming the mysteries of God -- the gospel. As a steward of the gospel, it is the minister's responsibility to take God's Word and dispense it to God's household.
Those of us who are preachers appreciate being encouraged and edified like anyone else. But, when you're tempted to put your preacher up on a pedastal (or if he insists on climbing up there all by himself!), remember that we are but servants and stewards."So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gave the increase." (I Cor. 3:7).
To God be the glory!
Verses
Ephesians 6:11
Put on all of God's armor. Then you will be able to stand against the evil tricks of the Devil.
Matthew 8:17
This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, "He took our sicknesses and bore our diseases."
1 John 2:12
I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
pray constantly,
Psalm 112:1,3
Praise the LORD! How blessed the man who fears the LORD, who takes great delight in His commandments. There will be wealth and riches in his home. His righteousness goes on forever.
Prayer
Jesus, the race You’ve marked out for us doesn’t require nearly as much physical stamina as it does spiritual endurance. Those who are physically weak due to disease, illness, and aging are just as qualified to run as those who have young athletic bodies. It’s a spiritual race where You call us to perseverance as we discard anything that would trip us up or lead us on a disastrous detour. The great cloud of witnesses spur us on; those from the Biblical period, throughout history, and from our own generation. But above all we thank You, Jesus, that You endured the cross and all the suffering that accompanied it, being spurred on by the joy You knew that would be Yours afterward. You cheer us on by Your own example and by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit that sustains us in our struggle against sin. Keep us faithful to the end, for the end is only the beginning. Amen
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Wednesday prayer & verses (24 06 2009)
Thought for the day
The rules at a particular university were such that if the professor were not present in the classroom by 15 minutes past the hour, the class was considered a "walk" and the students were free to leave -- with no penalties for missing a class. The rooms were equipped with the type wall clocks which "jumped" ahead each minute, in a very noticeable fashion.
These clocks were also not of the most sophisticated construction. Some enterprising student discovered that if one were to hit the clock with chalkboard erasers, it would cause the clock to "jump" ahead one minute.So, it became almost daily routine for these students to take target practice at the clock (as it would have it, this particular professor was not the most punctual). A few well-aimed erasers, and lo, 15 minutes were passed, and class dismissed itself.
When the day for the next exam rolled around, the professor strolled into the room, passed out the exams, and told them "You have one hour to complete it."The professor then proceeded to collect the erasers from around the room and gleefully took aim at the clock. When he had successfully "jumped"the clock forward one hour, he closed the class and collected the exam papers.We'll all been in situations where we would like for time to jump ahead and move faster than it does. But, as we get older, we become aware than time is moving quite fast enough on its own, without any help!
"My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle..." (Job 2:6)"Now my days are swifter than a runner; They flee away....They pass bylike swift ships, Like an eagle swooping on its prey." (Job 9:25-26)"For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." (James 4:14b)
The Bible speaks often about how quickly life passes, not to depress us, but to bring us to the realization that we had better be preparing nowfor the eternity that lies beyond this life.If you find yourself watching the clock at work today, wishing the timewould pass faster, be careful! It will be gone before you know it.
Verses
Romans 10:17
Then believing comes out of hearing; and hearing, through Christ's word.
Exodus 23:26
There will be no miscarriages or infertility among your people, and I will give you long, full lives.
Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Romans 8:32
If God did not spare his only Son, but gave him up for the sake of us all, can we not be sure that with him there is nothing that he will not freely give us?
Prayer
Father, we don’t pray for a life of ease since we know that virtues listed in Scripture are often refined in our lives through the challenges, the overcomings, the mistakes and the hours we spend in prayer seeking You above all else. May the nature of Christ be much more visible than our human nature so that we are truly a reflection of Your image that is stamped deep in our hearts. We desire to “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness” so that we are truly fruitful in our pursuit of holiness. Amen.
The rules at a particular university were such that if the professor were not present in the classroom by 15 minutes past the hour, the class was considered a "walk" and the students were free to leave -- with no penalties for missing a class. The rooms were equipped with the type wall clocks which "jumped" ahead each minute, in a very noticeable fashion.
These clocks were also not of the most sophisticated construction. Some enterprising student discovered that if one were to hit the clock with chalkboard erasers, it would cause the clock to "jump" ahead one minute.So, it became almost daily routine for these students to take target practice at the clock (as it would have it, this particular professor was not the most punctual). A few well-aimed erasers, and lo, 15 minutes were passed, and class dismissed itself.
When the day for the next exam rolled around, the professor strolled into the room, passed out the exams, and told them "You have one hour to complete it."The professor then proceeded to collect the erasers from around the room and gleefully took aim at the clock. When he had successfully "jumped"the clock forward one hour, he closed the class and collected the exam papers.We'll all been in situations where we would like for time to jump ahead and move faster than it does. But, as we get older, we become aware than time is moving quite fast enough on its own, without any help!
"My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle..." (Job 2:6)"Now my days are swifter than a runner; They flee away....They pass bylike swift ships, Like an eagle swooping on its prey." (Job 9:25-26)"For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." (James 4:14b)
The Bible speaks often about how quickly life passes, not to depress us, but to bring us to the realization that we had better be preparing nowfor the eternity that lies beyond this life.If you find yourself watching the clock at work today, wishing the timewould pass faster, be careful! It will be gone before you know it.
Verses
Romans 10:17
Then believing comes out of hearing; and hearing, through Christ's word.
Exodus 23:26
There will be no miscarriages or infertility among your people, and I will give you long, full lives.
Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Romans 8:32
If God did not spare his only Son, but gave him up for the sake of us all, can we not be sure that with him there is nothing that he will not freely give us?
Prayer
Father, we don’t pray for a life of ease since we know that virtues listed in Scripture are often refined in our lives through the challenges, the overcomings, the mistakes and the hours we spend in prayer seeking You above all else. May the nature of Christ be much more visible than our human nature so that we are truly a reflection of Your image that is stamped deep in our hearts. We desire to “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness” so that we are truly fruitful in our pursuit of holiness. Amen.
Tuesday prayer & verses (23 06 2009)
Thought for the day
Below are excerpts reported to be from U.S. and British officer performance reviews:
Actual (?) lines out of U.S. Military OERs (Officer Efficiency Report):
-- Not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
-- Got into the gene pool while the life guard wasn't watching.
-- A room temperature IQ.
-- Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thingy to hold it all together.
-- Bright as Alaska in December.
-- Gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming.
-- So dense, light bends around him.
-- If brains were taxed, he'd get a rebate.
-- If he were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week.
-- Was left on the Tilt-A-Whirl a bit too long as a baby.
-- Wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead.
Actual (?) excerpts from Royal Navy and Marines officer fitness reports:
-- His men would follow him anywhere, but only out of curiosity.
-- I would not breed from this officer.
-- He has carried out each and every one of his duties to his entire satisfaction.
-- He would be out of his depth in a car park puddle.
-- This young lady has delusions of adequacy.
-- Since my last report he has reached rock bottom, and has started to dig.
-- She sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them.
-- He has the wisdom of youth, and the energy of old age.
-- Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap.
-- This man is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot.
It may be that the comments above are an indication of the intelligence of the men involved. But I suspect rather that they reflect the attitude of those men. You see, whether we want to admit it or not, the attitude that we have in the workplace makes an impression on others. And if we give only a half-hearted effort, or show disrespect for those in authority over us, then it not only leaves a negative impression of us, but of the Christianity we claim to believe and live.
Paul speaks in Colossians 3 to slaves of the first century, but his words apply to all Christians in the workplace: "Slaves, obey your masters in all things. Do not obey just when they are watching you, to gain their favor, but serve them honestly, because you respect the Lord. In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people." (Col. 3:22-24) In all that you do at work, it should be the very best you have to offer!
May that be the motto of every Christian in the workplace.
Verses
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the turning of dreams into deeds; it is betting your life on the unseen realities.
Matthew 8:13
Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And his servant was healed that same hour.
Genesis 8:22
"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Psalm 35:27
Let all who want me to win be happy and joyful. From now on let them say, "The LORD is wonderful! God is glad when all goes well for his servant."
Prayer
Father, it is Your desire that we stay faithful to Your teachings. Scripture gives many examples of those who knew to do right, but instead yielded to temptation. The consequences of their wrong actions inflicted a great deal of loss, life-long regret and emotional pain. Help us to avoid the traps Satan has set for the believers by not only reading the Word, but applying its truth to our lives, and standing firm when the temptation to do wrong is ever before us.
Below are excerpts reported to be from U.S. and British officer performance reviews:
Actual (?) lines out of U.S. Military OERs (Officer Efficiency Report):
-- Not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
-- Got into the gene pool while the life guard wasn't watching.
-- A room temperature IQ.
-- Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thingy to hold it all together.
-- Bright as Alaska in December.
-- Gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming.
-- So dense, light bends around him.
-- If brains were taxed, he'd get a rebate.
-- If he were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week.
-- Was left on the Tilt-A-Whirl a bit too long as a baby.
-- Wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead.
Actual (?) excerpts from Royal Navy and Marines officer fitness reports:
-- His men would follow him anywhere, but only out of curiosity.
-- I would not breed from this officer.
-- He has carried out each and every one of his duties to his entire satisfaction.
-- He would be out of his depth in a car park puddle.
-- This young lady has delusions of adequacy.
-- Since my last report he has reached rock bottom, and has started to dig.
-- She sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them.
-- He has the wisdom of youth, and the energy of old age.
-- Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap.
-- This man is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot.
It may be that the comments above are an indication of the intelligence of the men involved. But I suspect rather that they reflect the attitude of those men. You see, whether we want to admit it or not, the attitude that we have in the workplace makes an impression on others. And if we give only a half-hearted effort, or show disrespect for those in authority over us, then it not only leaves a negative impression of us, but of the Christianity we claim to believe and live.
Paul speaks in Colossians 3 to slaves of the first century, but his words apply to all Christians in the workplace: "Slaves, obey your masters in all things. Do not obey just when they are watching you, to gain their favor, but serve them honestly, because you respect the Lord. In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people." (Col. 3:22-24) In all that you do at work, it should be the very best you have to offer!
May that be the motto of every Christian in the workplace.
Verses
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the turning of dreams into deeds; it is betting your life on the unseen realities.
Matthew 8:13
Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And his servant was healed that same hour.
Genesis 8:22
"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Psalm 35:27
Let all who want me to win be happy and joyful. From now on let them say, "The LORD is wonderful! God is glad when all goes well for his servant."
Prayer
Father, it is Your desire that we stay faithful to Your teachings. Scripture gives many examples of those who knew to do right, but instead yielded to temptation. The consequences of their wrong actions inflicted a great deal of loss, life-long regret and emotional pain. Help us to avoid the traps Satan has set for the believers by not only reading the Word, but applying its truth to our lives, and standing firm when the temptation to do wrong is ever before us.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Monday prayer & verses (22 06 2009)
Thought for the day
A man dressed as Napoleon went to see a psychiatrist at the urging of his wife. "What's your problem?" the doctor asked."I have no problem," the man replied. "I'm one of the most famous people in the world. I have a great army behind me. I have all the money I'll ever need, and I live in great luxury."
"Then why are you here?"
"It's because of my wife," the man said. "She thinks she's Mrs. Smith.
"Pride tends to do two things with us. It causes us to see ourselves as more important than what we really are. That's why Paul wrote, "...Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought..." (Rom. 12:3, NIV).
But pride also causes us to see other people as less important than what they are. Someone has described us as having a "crab mentality." The term refers to a pot of crabs in which one tries to escape over the side, but is relentlessly pulled down by the others in the pot. As humans, we often act the same way. If we can't be somebody great, we can at least pull down others around us so that we look better by comparison!
In the Corinthian church, there was a lot of competition involving spiritual gifts. Those who had the more prominent or public gifts, such as the ability to preach or the ability to speak in different languages, regarded themselves as superior to those who held what they viewed as "less significant" gifts. Paul says, though:
"On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor....But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other." (I Cor. 12:22-25, NIV).
May God help us not only to ourselves as He sees us, but to see others around us as He sees them as well.
Verses
Hebrews 10:35-36
You must not throw away your confidence, for it will bring you a rich reward. What you need is the power to see things through. If you have that, you will obey the will of God, and so receive what he has promised.
Luke 10:9
"And heal the sick who are there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
Romans 12:2
Do not model yourselves on the behavior of the world around you, but let your behavior change, modeled by your new mind.
This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do.
Job 42:10
And the Lord restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Isaiah 61:6
but you shall be called priests of the LORD, you shall be named ministers of our God; you shall enjoy the wealth of the nations, and in their riches you shall glory.
Prayer
Father, we pray for our fathers, grandfathers, husbands and sons that they will pursue godliness above any earthly pursuit. We pray that they will resist the temptation to fall into the devil’s trap where foolishness and harmful desires will plunge them to ruin resulting in disappointment, loss and heartache. Help them to flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Help them to lead their families in the good fight of faith as they take hold of eternal life. Make them strong in their faith so that they throw away anything that hinders their spiritual walk. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
A man dressed as Napoleon went to see a psychiatrist at the urging of his wife. "What's your problem?" the doctor asked."I have no problem," the man replied. "I'm one of the most famous people in the world. I have a great army behind me. I have all the money I'll ever need, and I live in great luxury."
"Then why are you here?"
"It's because of my wife," the man said. "She thinks she's Mrs. Smith.
"Pride tends to do two things with us. It causes us to see ourselves as more important than what we really are. That's why Paul wrote, "...Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought..." (Rom. 12:3, NIV).
But pride also causes us to see other people as less important than what they are. Someone has described us as having a "crab mentality." The term refers to a pot of crabs in which one tries to escape over the side, but is relentlessly pulled down by the others in the pot. As humans, we often act the same way. If we can't be somebody great, we can at least pull down others around us so that we look better by comparison!
In the Corinthian church, there was a lot of competition involving spiritual gifts. Those who had the more prominent or public gifts, such as the ability to preach or the ability to speak in different languages, regarded themselves as superior to those who held what they viewed as "less significant" gifts. Paul says, though:
"On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor....But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other." (I Cor. 12:22-25, NIV).
May God help us not only to ourselves as He sees us, but to see others around us as He sees them as well.
Verses
Hebrews 10:35-36
You must not throw away your confidence, for it will bring you a rich reward. What you need is the power to see things through. If you have that, you will obey the will of God, and so receive what he has promised.
Luke 10:9
"And heal the sick who are there, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
Romans 12:2
Do not model yourselves on the behavior of the world around you, but let your behavior change, modeled by your new mind.
This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do.
Job 42:10
And the Lord restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Isaiah 61:6
but you shall be called priests of the LORD, you shall be named ministers of our God; you shall enjoy the wealth of the nations, and in their riches you shall glory.
Prayer
Father, we pray for our fathers, grandfathers, husbands and sons that they will pursue godliness above any earthly pursuit. We pray that they will resist the temptation to fall into the devil’s trap where foolishness and harmful desires will plunge them to ruin resulting in disappointment, loss and heartache. Help them to flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Help them to lead their families in the good fight of faith as they take hold of eternal life. Make them strong in their faith so that they throw away anything that hinders their spiritual walk. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Honorable lives
HONORABLE LIVES - Prophet Riaan du Toit
No two people on earth are alike in taste, experience or lifestyle. We all have to have certain character traits developed in us that is a requisite for life and godliness. I believe we have come to a season of no more compromise in our lives! This scripture therefore says separate yourself from the iniquity in the world!
In 2 TIMOTHY 2:19-21 there is a challenge for every believer to become a vessel of honor!How do we do this? It lists three statements of how to turn yourself into an honorable vessel:a) Whoever cleanses himselfb) Whoever separates himselfc) Whoever resists corrupting influencesThis is it. The moment you apply these, you have turned yourself into a honorable vessel! We generally want to put the responsibility on the pastor, our teachers or even our spouses. It emphatically states WE ARE RESPONSIBLE!
Those with whom you fellowship will form your future and direct your destiny. It’s a fact that our associates and fellowships are a door to our future! Be careful with whom you fellowship. The church has this issue with fellowships whether great or small. Every program designed is to get people together and have them fellowship with one another. Here we get a mixed multitude and mixed breed of opinions, contributions and backgrounds. It is also a fact that among those are vessels of dishonor. We can impact them and change their values or outlook.
How can we do this?1 JOHN 1:7 says if we live and walk in the Light AS HE IS in the Light a few things are evident:
a) We have true unbroken fellowship with one another
b) The blood of Jesus cleanses us
c) The blood of Jesus removes us from all sin and guilt
d) The blood of Jesus keeps us cleansed from sin!
The responsibility lies on us to walk holy, honorable and in the light, exactly as He is in the Light. When we do this, take responsibility for living honorable lives, we have UNBROKEN fellowship with one another!
We can then receive from God and declare that the blood of Jesus cleanses us and REMOVES US from sin. It does not state that our sin will be removed but we will be removed from sin! God will direct my steps and path away from all evil and snares. Not only that but He will keep me cleansed!Press in and live honorable lives. There is so much that will open for you!
All of heaven is available to work on your behalf if you will just take responsibility. In the Garden of Eden, God gave man responsibility and man lost it. We were born for greater things than what we are experiencing now. Make the transition and Transform Your World!
No two people on earth are alike in taste, experience or lifestyle. We all have to have certain character traits developed in us that is a requisite for life and godliness. I believe we have come to a season of no more compromise in our lives! This scripture therefore says separate yourself from the iniquity in the world!
In 2 TIMOTHY 2:19-21 there is a challenge for every believer to become a vessel of honor!How do we do this? It lists three statements of how to turn yourself into an honorable vessel:a) Whoever cleanses himselfb) Whoever separates himselfc) Whoever resists corrupting influencesThis is it. The moment you apply these, you have turned yourself into a honorable vessel! We generally want to put the responsibility on the pastor, our teachers or even our spouses. It emphatically states WE ARE RESPONSIBLE!
Those with whom you fellowship will form your future and direct your destiny. It’s a fact that our associates and fellowships are a door to our future! Be careful with whom you fellowship. The church has this issue with fellowships whether great or small. Every program designed is to get people together and have them fellowship with one another. Here we get a mixed multitude and mixed breed of opinions, contributions and backgrounds. It is also a fact that among those are vessels of dishonor. We can impact them and change their values or outlook.
How can we do this?1 JOHN 1:7 says if we live and walk in the Light AS HE IS in the Light a few things are evident:
a) We have true unbroken fellowship with one another
b) The blood of Jesus cleanses us
c) The blood of Jesus removes us from all sin and guilt
d) The blood of Jesus keeps us cleansed from sin!
The responsibility lies on us to walk holy, honorable and in the light, exactly as He is in the Light. When we do this, take responsibility for living honorable lives, we have UNBROKEN fellowship with one another!
We can then receive from God and declare that the blood of Jesus cleanses us and REMOVES US from sin. It does not state that our sin will be removed but we will be removed from sin! God will direct my steps and path away from all evil and snares. Not only that but He will keep me cleansed!Press in and live honorable lives. There is so much that will open for you!
All of heaven is available to work on your behalf if you will just take responsibility. In the Garden of Eden, God gave man responsibility and man lost it. We were born for greater things than what we are experiencing now. Make the transition and Transform Your World!
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