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May 27, 2013

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Forgiveness, Holy Spirit

GENESIS WEEK

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with a willing spirit. [Psalm 51:10-12 (ASV)]

Thank you, God, for always taking me back when I’ve wandered away. May I be a better person today than I was yesterday and a better person tomorrow than I am today.

God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don’t throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! [Psalm 51:10-12 (MSG)]

 

 

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May 26, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Love & Works, Today: Make it Count

TODAY IS THE DAY THAT COUNTS

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” [Proverbs 3:27-28 (NLT)]

Lord, I seem to expect you to respond immediately to my requests. Why do I seem so willing, then, to defer my responses to the requests of others? Help me make this day count!

I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. [Mahatma Gandhi]

Yesterday is a canceled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is cash in hand; spend it wisely. [Kay Lyons]

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May 25, 2013

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Bible Stories, Fear & Doubt, God's Promises, Trusting God

BELIEVE HIS PROMISES

The people refused to enter the pleasant land, for they wouldn’t believe his promise to care for them. Instead, they grumbled in their tents and refused to obey the Lord. [Psalm 106:24-25 (NLT)]

When the Israelites scouted out Canaan, they saw a rich and fertile country. Rather than believing God’s promise that the land would be theirs, however, they focused on their fears of the land’s inhabitants. Not only did they forget all of God’s previous miracles that led them out of slavery and through the wilderness, but the Israelites also doubted His promise to safely deliver them into Canaan. In fear, they refused to enter it. Because they were unwilling to take a simple step of faith, these people never lived to set foot in the Promised Land and it was forty more years of wandering in the wilderness before their offspring eventually did.

O Lord, what gifts of yours are we missing simply because we don’t trust you? What steps of faith do we need to take in order to enjoy your many blessings? Don’t let us forget your past miracles when faced with present challenges.

 

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May 24, 2013

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Family, Friends & Fellowship, Love & Works

“SANDPAPER PEOPLE”

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies. Pray for those who treat you badly. If you do this, you will be children who are truly like your Father in heaven. He lets the sun rise for all people, whether they are good or bad. He sends rain to those who do right and to those who do wrong. If you love only those who love you, why should you get a reward for that? Even the tax collectors do that. And if you are nice only to your friends, you are no better than anyone else. Even the people who don’t know God are nice to their friends. [Matthew 5:43-47 (ERV)] 

O Lord, we all have some “sandpaper people” in our lives. They just rub us the wrong way and they certainly don’t seem to be deserving of our love. Yet, you love them as much as you love us. Help us to be as generous with our love as you are with yours and please forgive us when we aren’t.

The more unlovable the person, the greater the statement about how much you love God. [Joe Stowell]

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May 23, 2013

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Attitudes & Behavior, Church & Worship, Family, Friends & Fellowship

GOD’S HOUSE HAS MANY ROOMS

Brothers and sisters, I encourage all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to agree with each other and not to split into opposing groups. I want you to be united in your understanding and opinions. [1 Corinthians 1:10 (GW)]

Methodist, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Baptist, Evangelical, Pentecostal, High Church or Low, Saturday worship or Sunday, written liturgy or spontaneous service, saying “trespasses” or “debts” in prayer – what difference does it really make? We’re all worshiping the same God; it’s just that we’re worshiping him in different rooms in the same house. Some rooms are fancy and some quite plain, some are noisy while others are sedate, some are traditional and others are quite modern, but they are all in the House of God. Let’s not allow denominational or minor theological differences keep us from being brothers and sisters in Christ.

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May 22, 2013

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Thanks & Praise, Today: Make it Count

OLD AGE IS A PRIVILEGE DENIED TO MANY

This is the reason we do not give up. Our human body is wearing out. But our spirits are getting stronger every day. [2 Corinthians 4:6 (NLV)]

Lord, as appreciative as we are for the time you’ve given us, it a little difficult to accept the deterioration of our bodies as the years progress. Keep us from allowing stiff joints and lagging energy to dampen our enthusiasm for life. Let our spirits be renewed by your power every day. We are truly thankful for each day with which we are blessed.

If wrinkles must be written upon our brows, let them not be written upon the heart. The spirit should not grow old. [James A. Garfield]