Last here, first there. Disabled here, enabled there!
We could look at this teaching and say, “Boy, I am sure glad I don’t have much” believing little is expected of you. Money, fame intelligence, speaking ability, and dexterity are all gifts from God. But re-read the words of Jesus up above; do you think all of those gifts carry no particular obligation? What if you were the person with any or [...]
Heaven…we can only imagine how perfect it will be.
Father, You know how we love life and all of its opportunities yet we also look forward to perfection, an eternal life without sin and suffering. We who love You and have committed ourselves to Your service await the moment in time when we finally see all that You have prepared for us. You tell us that eye has not seen nor has mind imagined that [...]
Forgiving someone, difficult or absolutely necessary?
Jesus, You make it clear that harboring ill feelings towards someone that has wronged us, is prohibited. You did not say it was not a good thing; You said if we do not forgive others, You would not forgive us. That is a very heavy burden for some of us to bear. Help us to examine our hearts and see if we are holding any grudges or ill feelings towa [...]
My loving God angry? What’s up with that…
Father, we know that in the end, your righteous indignation with those who did not accept You nor Your Son, is promised. We do not know the specifics of their fate but we do not need to know. All we need to do Father is to be among those who are saved, whose salvation is assured.
Just how much license does our liberty give us?
You tell us that if we are insensitive to the needs of a weaker brother that we are sinning against You. That is a powerful reason for us to show patience when we are inclined to do otherwise.
Inexpressible joy…a saved child.
Father, we are Your children and You have taught us that the saints are on tiptoes, so to speak, watching for the arrival of a soul into the kingdom. Your joy in our redemption, made possible by Jesus’ cleansing, preparing us for entry into Your presence, is even greater than our joy in our children.
Deny God? Not me, not ever!
The children are a special treasure in Your eyes. What is it Father that we adults lack? Do we lack the forthright nature of a child? Their innocence is genuine, not contrived. Their faith in Your love and the love of those around them is not like our faith as we mature. Our faith in other adults is usually conditional, based on how things are goin [...]
What is wrong with “getting even”?
Jesus, You taught us that if we do not forgive our enemies You will not forgive us. You said to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Yet when the enemy attacks we are inclined to take matters into our own hands. Give us the courage, we pray, to display patience when our lower nature tempts us to “get even”, right now!
Darkness preferred over Light? You must be kidding.
You are the light, Jesus. As we come to You we are directed and taught, as friends. In seeking You and Your Holy word, fervently, we are voluntarily coming to the light that our lives might be clearly seen as a loving witness of Your presence in us.