Daily Prayer - Born for ALL People

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

 

Possibly my favourite part of the Nativity narrative is the story of the shepherds:

 

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.  Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."

 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

 

        " Glory to God in the highest,

      And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

 

(Luke 2:8-14)

 

"For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."  Born to whom?  The lowly shepherds.  The tax collectors.  The prostitutes.  The pharisees.  The homeless.  The CEO's.  You.  Me.  All people! 

 

Glory to God in the highest!

 

We will be leaving tomorrow to head East for Christmas and will have very limited Internet access, so you may not hear from me again before January.  Have a wonderful, Christ-filled Christmas.

 

 

May grace and peace truly be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

Lord, like the shepherds let me be,

Who kept their watch so faithfully,

With diligence and constant care

Performed the task before them there.

 

Lord, like the shepherds let me hear

A word from Thee fall on my ear,

And may Thy glory 'round me shine

To know Thy presence all divine.

 

Lord, like the shepherds let me run

Rejoicing in the Promised One,

With hearts believing when they heard

That this small babe was Christ the Lord.

 

Lord, like the shepherds let me be,

Once having caught a glimpse of Thee,

With great rejoicing take Thy Word

To share with those who have not heard.

 

Oh, like the shepherds let me speak

And point men to the Hope they seek.

Lord, use my life that I may be

A faithful shepherd serving Thee.

 

By Ann Shorb

 

(http://ccesonline.com/devotionals/holidaysseasons/my-christmas-prayer/)

 

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

 

Daily Prayer - O Come All Ye (Not So) Faithful

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

 

I really like this message from John Fischer.  Particularly this: "if our security with God depended on our faithfulness to Him, I'm afraid we would all be in bad shape; but the good news is: our security with God depends on His faithfulness to us."  My response to that is "Thank God!"

 

 

O Come All Ye Faithful                    

 

by John Fischer 

 

...And not so faithful, too.

 

There is a saying that was popular in the early days of the church. Paul called it a "trustworthy saying" in a letter to Timothy: "If we died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will disown us; if we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself" (2 Timothy 2:11-13 NIV).

 

Have you ever come to the Christmas season, caught yourself singing, "O Come All Ye Faithful," and wondered: "Who's that? Who can say they have been faithful to Christ?" If we were honest, could anyone say they were entirely faithful in their walk with God? I would want to add, "Compared to what?" because "faithful" would have to be a relative thing. We all fail Him. We all struggle with faith. We all prove to be unfaithful partners with God.

 

In other words, if our security with God depended on our faithfulness to Him, I'm afraid we would all be in bad shape; but the good news is: our security with God depends on His faithfulness to us.

 

Jesus chided his disciples for having "little faith," but He did not kick them off the team for it. He called His followers an "unbelieving generation," but He did not abandon them. And in spite of the saying above about disowning those who disown Him, Jesus apparently made an exception to that rule for Peter, who on three occasions disowned having any part of Christ. He later forgave Peter and accepted him back.

 

As we come to the end of another year, I'm sure we can all recall times when we struggled with faith, had a hard time finding it, or perhaps found ourselves unfaithful to God. Some may be in such a place right now. This is a time to worship God for His faithfulness to us. We may have let go of Him, but He will never let go of us, because we are His, and He cannot disown what belongs to Him.

 

So for us, faith is a relative thing. We all struggle with our own demons. Maybe for you, "faithful" means you're ready to get yourself back in the fold. Can't think of a better time to do it.

 

"O come all ye faithful..." and not so faithful, too! It doesn't matter as much how you come, but that you come. Get yourself to Him; that's what counts.

 

 

John Fischer

The Catch Online

 

 

Amazing Grace and Eternal Peace be yours!

Bruce

 

(Please get out there and help a needy family – and let me know the results!)

 

Lord Jesus, I am full of gratitude today as I consider Your abiding presence in my life. 

 

You planned my existence in my mother's womb before I even drew my first breath. 

 

When so many people have come into my life and exited it throughout the years You have taken up residence and You forever rule my heart. 

 

When the path before me was unclear You have always gone before me sustaining me in my wilderness journey.

 

Though all forsake me You remain faithful, and remarkable as it seems, even if we are faithless, You will remain faithful, for You cannot deny Yourself. 

 

Thank You for being my Supreme Savior and the Sustainer of my soul. 

 

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

(http://www.prayerfortoday.net/)

 

 

 

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

 

Daily Prayer - Take up the Challenge!

Good Monday morning, my friends.

 

I have been thinking and praying over the weekend about the Daily Prayer I sent out to you on Friday.  I finished that message with this:

 

There is a family near you that needs help too.  In your appartment building, in your daughter's school, on your son's hockey team, at your workplace.  Somewhere around you is a family that needs to know Christ was (and is) love.

 

Today I want to CHALLENGE you.  There is still some time (almost a whole week!) before Christmas.  And someone around you needs your help.  Contact your pastor or priest, local school principal, child's coach, or whoever  today to see if there is a need that is going unmet this Christmas.  And then go meet that need!  I would love to hear back from you on your experience and share it (anonymously) with the rest of the community here.

 

The prayer below may be the one you are answering.

 

A couple of things – if you find a need that you cannot meet on your own, join with others around you to accomplish it or contact me and I will see what I can do to help.  Secondly, if you are the one in need this Christmas, please reach out.  We are a community and we want to prove Jesus right when he said that the world "will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:15).  So let us love you.  Contact your pastor/priest or me.

 

 

May you receive the gifts of grace and peace this Christmas,

Bruce 

 

lord,

this year has been very hard,

the light i never thought id see,

sometimes i feel like a failure,

like im not the mom , im supposed to be.

so i have a special prayer for you,

and its not even for me.

my prayer is for a christmas miracle,

for the 2 kids in my family.

my son doesnt believe this will work,

he thinks no one will even care.

but lord, please hear and answer,

this needy mothers prayer.

please send someone to help me,

make them smile at least one day.

let them forget their worries

as they laugh, and eat and play.

please send someone kind and generous,

who has a little extra to share

and let them see and answer

this needy mothers prayer.

a toy, a game, a christmas meal,

to let them know that kindness is real,

that there are truly those who care,

who'll open their hearts and take time to share,

someone, lord, anywhere out there..

please see and answer,

this needy mothers prayer.

 

Written by needymom

(http://begslist.org/toy-donations/looking-for-angels-to-answer-my-christmas-prayer)

 

 

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

 

Daily Prayer - The "W" in Christmas

Good Friday morning, my friends.

 

Below is a story that came our way from a friend this morning.  I love the simplicity of the message, and the entertaining way it is told.  I hope you do too.

 

 

The "W" in Christmas

 

Each December,  I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience.

 

 

I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

 

 

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher.

 

She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation.

 

All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then.  Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.

 

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

 

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.

 

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."

 

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W". The audience of 1^st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W".

 

Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.  A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities.

 

For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:

 

"C H R I S T W A S L O V E"

 

And, I believe, He still is.

 

 

Indeed He is.  And we are the embodiment of the love of Christ in this world.  I have told you about the Christmas Breakfast I had with my hockey buddies. I have just had the priviledge of handing out the second envelope that resulted from that breakfast.  We were able to not only support HMI but also two local families – two single moms each with two children who were seeking help this Christmas.

 

There is a family near you that needs help too.  In your appartment building, in your daughter's school, on your son's hockey team, at your workplace.  Somewhere around you is a family that needs to know Christ was (and is) love.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

 

Bruce

 

Lord, let your love watch over all the children of the world,
the rich and the poor alike,
let it help them grow in grace and wisdom.

Keep in us, too, a childlike spirit of humility
and a love of our personal poverty
that we may one day enter your Kingdom.

We ask this of you in the name of Jesus,
who was born for us, a poor child in Bethlehem,
and who rules with you forever.

 

Amen.

 

(http://www.cbservices.org/shareware.nsf/pages/cprayer.htm)

 

 

Bruce MacPherson

macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821

 

You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material.

 

If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address.

 

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Daily Prayer - Change for a Dollar

Good Monday morning, my friends.

 

My sister, Beth, had posted a link to this video on Facebook.  If you can, take 10 minutes to watch it: "Change for a Dollar". 

 

It is amazing what kind of "change" this man gets for a dollar.  Reminds me of the story of the "Widow's Mite":

 

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts.  But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.

 

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."  

(Mark 12:41-44)

 

It has nothing to do with how much we give, but in what God can do with it.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

Almighty God,

be pleased to grant that these gifts,

being dedicated to your service,

may be used for your glory and the good of your church and people,

through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

 

(http://pwad.org.au/pray/offering.htm)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

 

Daily Prayer - The Breakfast

Good Friday morning, my friends.

 

Well, this morning we had our game and breakfast.  Having an ex-NHL star on the ice seemed to motivate everyone to elevate their game just a little and it was a lot of fun.  There was a little more bumping and grinding out there than usual (in fun), and I think that our guest thought he was back playing against the Philadelphia Flyers!

 

Laurie (Boschman) is very soft spoken, but he had the full attention of every guy at the table this morning as he mixed his hockey story with his story of faith.  The guys seemed very receptive so I ask you to please keep up your prayers that God will send others to water and tend the seeds that have been planted.

 

And just to make it more interesting, and to let us know that God was listening, at the very end as a few of us were standing around chatting, Gerry Organ (former place kicker and Grey Cup champion with the Ottawa Roughriders) came over to say hi!  Gerry is also deeply involved in Christian ministry through his organization One Way Ministries.

 

All in all it was a wonderful morning and I thank you deeply for your prayers.  I offer this prayer for all of you today.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

Blessed are You, loving Father,

For all your gifts to us.

Blessed are You for giving us family and friends

To be with us in times of joy and sorrow,

To help us in days of need,

And to rejoice with us in moments of celebration..

 

Father,

We praise You for Your Son Jesus,

Who knew the happiness of family and friends,

And in the love of Your Holy Spirit.

Blessed are you for ever and ever.

 

Amen.

 

(http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=890)

 

 

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

 

Daily Prayer - Prayer and Hockey

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

 

These are a few of my favourite things ... prayer and hockey! (OK, so I don't sound like Julie Andrews.)

 

I have a special prayer request for you today.  I have been playing pick-up hockey with a great bunch of guys for many years now.  The past 5 or 6 years we have been gathering for a Christmas Breakfast early in December where we collect money to help a local family or families who need some extra help.  Our 2011 breakfast is after hockey tomorrow morning and this year we are adding an extra dimension.  The organizers have invited ex-NHL star (former captain of the Ottawa Senators) Laurie Boschman to join us on the ice.  Afterwards at the breakfast, Laurie will tell the guys a bit of his story, mixed with a few good hockey anecdotes, and will present the gospel to them!

 

Would you please pray that even now the Holy Spirit is preparing the soil for the seeds that Laurie will be planting tomorrow?  Pray that God will "open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are being sanctified by faith in Jesus Christ."  (Acts 26:18)

 

(Laurie now heads Hockey Ministries International, an organization that runs world-class hockey camps and provides them free to under-privileged kids.  Hockey instruction is presented alongside a solid Christian gospel message.  Half of what we collect tomorrow will be donated to this organization, and the other half will be used to support a local family.)

 

As you lift this prayer, be mindful as well of your own family and friends who do not yet know Christ.  Thank you!

 

 

Amazing Grace and Eternal Peace be yours,

Bruce

 

Dear Heavenly Father,

 

We are so burdened over our unsaved loved ones. We come to you, standing in the gap, interceding for them in prayer, until they come to you for salvation.

 

Remind us that Jesus came to seek and save those who are lost. (Luke 19:10) He is seeking our loved ones right now, whether we see evidence of it or not. May they respond to him so they won't be lost. Because of your great love for them and your richness of mercy, make them alive with Christ, even though now they are dead in their transgressions. Draw them to be saved by your grace. (Ephesians 2:4,5)

 

May our prodigals come to the point where they confess with their mouths the Lord Jesus, and believe in their hearts that you raised him from the dead, and be saved. (Romans 10:9) May they be new people in Christ, with all the old lifestyles and behaviors passed away, and all things becoming new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

 

Remind our loved ones that you are good, ready to forgive, and will have abundant mercy to all who call on you. (Psalm 86:5) Convince them that you loved the world so much that you sent your only Son. Cause them to believe in him so they will not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

 

Help them to know that if they confess their sins, you are faithful and just to forgive their sins, and cleanse them from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) Though their sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18)

 

Cause them to know and believe the truth, and be set free by it. Jesus, please set them free, and they will be free indeed. (John 8:32,36)

 

While we are waiting for our prayers to be answered about our loved ones, keep us in perfect peace, because our mind is stayed on you and we trust in you. (Isaiah 26:3)

 

In the saving name of Jesus we pray,

 

Amen

 

(http://articles.faithwriters.com/reprint-article-details.php?article=796)

 

 

 

Bruce MacPherson

macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821

 

You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material.

 

If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address.

 

Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

 

 

 

 

Daily Prayer - Counting our blessings

Good Tuesday afternoon, my friends.

 

Join me in this prayer of thanksgiving for the many blessings God has bestowed upon us.  If you are not feeling very blessed today, then perhaps this prayer is especially for you.  I believe God wants us to see beyond the short-sightedness of our every day lives.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

Father, You have poured out Your abundance on us from the heavenly realms in all manner of blessings.

 

You forgave our sins and broke the chains that once enslaved.

 

You brought fulfillment in our lives as You gave us a sense of purpose.

 

You provided for us a roadmap through the Holy Scriptures that leads ultimately to heaven. 

 

You've promised us eternal life. 

 

We experience peace that surpasses human understanding and the list is unending. 

 

For this and so much more we are eternally grateful. 

 

We deserve none of Your blessings and yet we receive them all, not only in this life but we lay hold of future blessings in the life to come.  

 

Prompt us to focus on our blessings since they far outweigh our troubles.

 

Even when shadows darken the view of our blessings may they visibly surface as the indwelling Holy Spirit brings them to our remembrance. 

 

May it be our heart's desire to refresh others whom we meet from day to day in life's journey as we walk in the power of Your Holy Spirit. 

 

In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

 

(http://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/a-prayer-for-counting-blessings/)

 

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

 

Daily Prayer - What is our motivation?

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

 

Have you ever noticed the contrast between these two passages in Matthew's Gospel:

 

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

(Matthew 5:14-16)

 

and

 

    "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

    "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."

(Matthew 6:1-4)

 

So which is it – do your good deeds so that they may be seen by others or in secret so that God will reward you?

 

More and more I have come to actually appreciate these apparent contradictions in scripture.  Why?  Because they challenge me to spend more time trying to discern what God is really saying.  In this particular example the key is in the phrases "to be seen by them" and "to be honored by others" in the second quote.  It (always) comes back to our motivation.  Why are we giving (or fasting, or helping, or whatever)?  If it is to glorify God and give thanks for all He has done for us, then He will be pleased with our sacrifice.  If it is for other selfish reasons, then we are wasting our money, time, etc.

 

Consider this as you do your Christmas shopping this season… unless of course you finished that in August like a few people I know!

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

Loving Father, Help us remember the birth of Jesus,

that we may share in the song of the angels,

the gladness of the shepherds,

and worship of the wise men.

 

Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

 

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

 

by Robert Louis Stevenson

 

(http://www.happywink.org/christmas-day/christmas-prayers.html)

 

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.