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February 8, 2014

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God's Plan, God's Promises, Prayer

He Promises

Have faith that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. [Matthew 21:22 (GW)]

How do we reconcile this promise to God’s frequent denials of our petitions? We ask God for what we want but what He gives us is rarely on our timetable and frequently is not what we specifically requested. God may not give us what we want right now but He will give us everything we need, not just for now, but for the future as well. He probably won’t pay our credit card bills, make our teenagers behave, fix our cars or relationships, or get us that raise; he may not even heal us. He will, however, ease our fears, give us wisdom to solve our problems, guide us in our relationships, encourage us when we are weary, strengthen our faith in a crisis, bless us with inner peace, and provide courage enough to face any challenge. We will, indeed, receive what we have asked for in prayer.

Don’t pray to escape troubles. Don’t pray to be comfortable in your emotions. Pray to do the will of God in every situation. Nothing else is worth praying for. [Samuel M. Shoemaker]

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February 7, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, God's Plan, Joy, Thanks & Praise

It’s a Wonderful Life

You have done many miraculous things, O Lord my God. You have made many wonderful plans for us. No one compares to you! I will tell others about your miracles, which are more than I can count. [Psalm 40:5 (GW)]

I’ve heard people complain that life hasn’t turned out the way they had expected. I respond, “Thank God!” If we’d gotten exactly the life we’d expected, we would have seriously short-changed ourselves. We could never have imagined all of the blessings that would come into our lives: the joy, love and laughter that have been ours. Of course, we made more than our share of mistakes and experienced heartbreak and disappointment along the way. Moreover, it is likely that the future will bring its share of difficulties for us as well. Yet, along with those difficulties will come unimaginable blessings as well. Let us lift our hands and thank the Lord for the life with which we have been blessed. Let’s raise our voices and sing, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow!”

Life does not have to be perfect to be wonderful. [Annette Funicello]

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February 6, 2014

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God's Promises, Peace of God, Prayer

Sweet Dreams at Night

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone will keep me safe. [Psalm 4:8 (NLT)]

Father in heaven, thank you for getting us safely through the challenges of this day. May we have a peaceful night and a productive tomorrow. If it’s not too much to ask, could tomorrow also bring some sunshine, an extra dose of patience, a little laughter and lots of love.

I will give you peace in the land, and you will be able to sleep with no cause for fear. [Leviticus 26:6a (NLT)]

I found the “if I should die before I wake” part of the traditional children’s prayer a bit worrisome for my little ones and so combined various versions of the “Now I Lay Me” prayer into this evening prayer for our grands:

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep.May angels guard me through the night,
And wake me in the morning’s light.
When in the morning light I wake,
Show me the path of love to take. Amen.

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February 5, 2014

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Faith & Hope, Thanks & Praise

From a Senior Citizen in Christ

2014-2-5So we do not give up. Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day. [2 Corinthians 4:16 (NCV)]

Lord, you may not change through the years but I surely have. Although I may tire more easily, please keep my spiritual life robust and lively. As my body becomes weaker, please make my faith stronger. May the fact that it is increasingly harder to get on my knees (let alone get back up again) never keep me from prayer. My heart will always kneel before you in praise and thanksgiving. Thank you, God, for all that has been and all that is yet to be.

My body and my mind may become weak, but God is my strength. He is mine forever. [Psalm 73:26 (NCV)]

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February 4, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Word: The Bible, Love & Works

Be an Example

Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. [1 Timothy 4:12 (NLT)]

One of my Bible translations is called The Living Bible. The real living Bibles, however, are you and I. After all, we may be the only Bible some people ever read! When we’re opened up, what do they see? How does our faith translate in our daily actions? Lord, fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we always live in such a way that people will be able to see Christ within us.

Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words. [St. Francis of Assisi]

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February 3, 2014

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Forgiveness, God's Grace & Love

How Can He Do It?

Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all. [Psalm 65:3 (NLT)]

It just takes a glance at the newspaper or a few minutes of television to see how absolutely horrific we humans can be to one another. The abuse of power, the exploitation, atrocities, corruption, selfishness, violence and depravity that exist in our world are both overwhelming and depressing. It seems that every day brings another news report that makes me ashamed of being part of the human race. How can we call ourselves “civilized”? That God is capable of repeatedly forgiving the evil mankind regularly recommits is hard to believe. Moreover, that He actually does forgive us our sins is astonishing. I find it absolutely mind-boggling, however, that God hasn’t given up on us in despair. Instead, He sacrificed his son for our salvation. If He hasn’t given up hope in the human race, neither will I.

Thank you, O Lord; we are so unworthy of your love, mercy and forgiveness.

The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. [Psalm 145:8-9 (NLT)]