Daily Prayer - Contentment

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

 

In thanking the church in Philippi for their gifts, Paul says "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:11b-13).  Well, we can't say "easy for you to say, Paul.  How hard could it be to start churches in the first century Roman world?"  Check out what he went through:

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? (2 Corinthians 11:23b-29)

Content in all circumstances.  This one hits home for me.  Little things can set me off - a minor, unexpected change in schedule; a missing tool; a mess created by dropping a dish; breaking an important piece in something I am assembling; having to wait for anything (or anyone)!  These things can change my mood in an instant and I am anything but content.  You probably have a list too.  And what about the bigger things: loss of a job; the end of a marriage; a child making very wrong decisions; expecting to win a contract or receive a promotion, but not getting it; a serious illness or injury.  How do we react in those situations?

 

Personally, I need to learn to pause in that moment before I react to the issue at hand.  I need to turn, as Paul did, and focus on "him who gives me strength", on God.  If I can look at my circumstances through the lens of faith and eternity, then my point of view changes completely.  I am given strength to control my frustration/anger/grief and realize that God is bigger than this situation.  He has a plan that is good and will prevail. 

 

Pray that I can live out this lesson and I will pray the same for you.

 

"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope." Psalm 130:5

 

Grace and peace and contentment be yours in abundance!
Bruce

 

 

Thank You, Lord, for those seasons of waiting through which You reveal Your grace and immeasurable love for us.

 

Help us remember Your sovereign goodness, depend on Your faithfulness of character, and rejoice in Your constant presence.

 

When waiting is hard, remind us that You're never late.

 

When waiting is wearing us out, show us if we're trying to do things in our own strength instead of allowing You to empower and equip us.

 

When waiting is lonely, give us courage to be still as You brush burdens off our shoulders and into Your capable hand.

 

Keep our eyes on the glory of the cross when the wait seems endless.

 

Bless us with peace and contentment that reflects our hope in You, not our circumstances.

 

Thank You for loving us too much to rush Your perfect plan for our lives.

 

You alone are worthy of our praise, Abba.

 

We trust You.

 

In Jesus' name, Amen

 

(http://inspirewriters.com/?p=4324)

 

 

Daily Prayer - Stumbling because of Jesus?

Good Monday morning, my friends.

Last week I listened to a podcast sermon on Matthew 11:2-11.  Yesterday, our pastor spoke on the same passage.  When God repeats a message to me, I have learned (am learning?) to pay attention.  This is the passage:

When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?"

Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me."

As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:

"'I will send my messenger ahead of you,

    who will prepare your way before you.'

Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

So here is John the Baptist, rotting in Herod's prison, waiting for Jesus to do something to get him out.  He even begins to doubt if Jesus is "the One" and even sends some of his followers to say "Hey Cousin - remember me?  Can I get a little help here?  You are God, right?  Right???"  Jesus does not chide John for his doubts, and instead sends him a wonderful, loving response.  But at the end of that response is a very curious message:  "Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me." Stumble "on account" of Jesus?  Seriously?  Who would do that?  Well, I could (and have).  And so could you.  When Jesus doesn't do anything to end what we see as unjust suffering, or doesn't meet our expectations of what He "should" be, we start to doubt Him.  Just like John did.  But like John we need to alter our perception and expectations of Jesus.  We need to recognize that our character is the ONLY thing that we will take from this life into the next and that building character can be a long painful process.  Just like when we tell our children (or were told by our parents) when there is task at hand they (or we) don't want to do - "It builds character".

Good luck with your construction project.  Just remember to follow the Architect's design ...

Grace and peace be yours in abundance!

Bruce

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, 

because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 

perseverance, character; 

and character, hope. 

And hope does not put us to shame, 

because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, 

who has been given to us.

(Romans 5:3-5)

Daily Prayer - Hungry?

Good Friday morning, my friends.

 

Pray today for a greater hunger for God's Word.  Pray that the Bread of Heaven will feed and satisfy that hunger.

 

Have a wonderful weekend.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance!

Bruce

 

 

Father, in the same way that we grow hungry before mealtime, stir up a hunger within us for the spiritual food You provide through the living Word of God.  

 

You are the Bread of Life who provides physically and spiritually for our daily needs.  

 

Following a hearty meal we often linger around the dinner table considering the tastiness of our meal.  

 

When we "taste and see that the Lord is good" we want to linger in Your presence and consider Your goodness, offering praise to You for all that You are and all that You provide for us.  

 

Bread of Heaven feed us until we are truly satisfied and filled with all the good things that come from You.  

 

In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

(http://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/2012/10/16/a-prayer-for-daily-bread/)

 

Daily Prayer - God, have mercy on me, a sinner

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

 

Do you ever have a period of time where things are going well - you haven't recently slipped back into that sinful habit; you are regularly spending time reading your Bible; you are taking part in a Bible study; and you are singing songs of worship in your head?  Don't you just feel in those times that God really hears your prayers?  

 

And then there are times where you "backslide"; where the old temptations are too difficult to resist; where you don't pick up your Bible from one week to the next; and some old Cher song is the only thing stuck in your head? You can't even bring yourself to pray because you know God is not listening to you.

 

With that in mind, read this familiar parable told by Jesus:

 

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

 

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

 

"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Luke 18:9-14)

 

Consider this Pharisee: He doesn't steal from his employer.  He doesn't cheat on his wife.  He fasts twice a week (when the law only required it once a year!).  He gives generously to his "church".  He is the guy you want to go to lunch with or have in your Bible study group!  And the despised tax collector does not so much as say he is sorry for all of the people he has ripped off, all of the money he has stolen for Rome, for being a traitor to his country.  He can't even lift his eyes.

 

I fall into the "Pharisee trap" all the time.  I get really proud of my humility.  But God isn't impressed one iota with my outward behaviour, with my "religion".  He is only concerned with where my heart is when I come to Him.  I have to remember to truly humble myself before entering His presence and to remember that nothing I have done has contributed to my salvation.

 

Conversely, if I (or you) are in that place where you don't feel you are "clean" enough to come to God, then we need to think again. We need to pray "God, have mercy on me, a sinner."  And allow His forgiveness, His righteousness, to wash over us.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

Have mercy upon me, O God,

According to your loving kindness;

According to the multitude

of Your tender mercies,

Blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

And cleanse me from my sin.

 

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Make me to hear joy and gladness,

That the bones you have broken may rejoice.

Hide Your face from my sins,

And blot out all my iniquities.

 

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from Your presence,

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

 

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,

And sinners shall be converted to You.

(Psalm 51:1-2,7-13)

Daily Prayer - Help us to be numbered among the encouragers

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

 

When I read this prayer today I was reminded of a sermon where I was taught that everyone should have a Paul, a Barnabas and a Timothy in their life.  Paul was a mentor. Barnabas was an encourager.  Timothy was being trained.

 

Do you have someone mentoring you?

 

Are you being encouraged and encouraging others?

 

Are you passing on what you have learned to someone younger than you?

 

Seek these people out in your life - your journey will be much richer for it.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance!

Bruce

 

 

 

Father, much like Barnabas the encourager, we want to be uplifting to our brothers and sisters, our family members, and others we see from day to day. 

 

There are those who've left us with stinging reminders of their hurtful words often accompanied by painful actions. 

 

Gratefully, there are others who have brought us strength and encouragement through their words of affirmation, hope, challenge, and helpful instruction. 

 

They remained supportive of us when others gave up. 

 

Help us to be numbered among the encouragers as we live in these perilous days where confusion abounds and deceitfulness is rampant. 

 

May we encourage others not only by our words but also by our steady, consistent, Christian lifestyle. 

 

In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.

 

(http://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/2012/10/22/a-prayer-for-encouragers-6/)

Daily Prayer - Lord, teach me to love You more.

Good Monday morning, my friends.

 

Just a simple prayer this morning to start off your week:  Lord, teach me to love You more.

 

If you feel the stress of a heavy week upon you, just spend a fem minutes meditating on the great love He has for you.  Yes YOU.

 

 

Amazing Grace and Eternal Peace be yours,

Bruce

 

Father God, I come into your presence so aware of my human frailty and yet overwhelmed by your love for me. 

 

I thank you that there is no human experience that I might walk through where your love cannot reach me. 

 

If I climb the highest mountain you are there and yet if I find myself in the darkest valley of my life, you are there. 

 

Teach me today to love you more. 

 

Help me to rest in that love that asks nothing more than the simple trusting heart of a child. 

 

In Jesus name, Amen

(http://www.beliefnet.com/Prayers/Christian/Guidance/A-Prayer-for-Resting-in-Gods-Love.aspx)

Daily Prayer - Right before your eyes ...

Good Friday morning my friends,

 

I have begun re-reading the Gospel of Mark. Just from the opening chapter I am struck again by Jesus' willingness to stop and help those who come into His path - the demon possessed man in the synagogue (Mark 1:23-25), Peter's mother-in-law (Mark 1:30-31), a man with leprosy (Mark 1:40-42).  Jesus was willing to interrupt whatever He was doing to help someone in need.

 

When we look around our world we see problems that are just too big for us to deal with.  And I am sure it was the same in first-century Palestine.  But Jesus did not deal with the problems of the world in His day-to-day activities (although His work on the Cross is another story).  Instead he helped the people who were right in front of Him.  Maybe we should emulate that a little more.  Maybe we should not walk by the homeless man without even acknowledging him.  Maybe we should set aside time to listen to the co-worker who is struggling with an issue.  Maybe we should give up our golf/hockey/jog/girls-night-out whatever to give our spouse a break and spend some time helping the kids with their homework.

 

Maybe we should love the ones that God puts right in front of us.

 

 

Grace and peace and love be yours in abundance!

 

Bruce

 

I pray that I will see God's children as he sees his children, 

that I will react to others the way God would react to them, 

and that I will forgive others the way God forgives them.  

 

Please Lord, give me the eyes of you.  

Help me to be the instrument and vessel that you need this morning!

(http://www.jonathancliff.com/2010/03/sunday-prayers-seeing-with-gods-eyes/)

Daily Prayer - This is your business ...

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

 
Yesterday we looked at how Paul's instruction not to judge those who are not Christians.  But there is a corollary to that message.  Paul also says in the same letter to the church in Corinth: "Are you not to judge those inside [the church]?" (1 Corinthians 5:12b).  And just prior to that he says "you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people." (1 Corinthians 5:11).  Paul is clearly talking about church goers here as he states "claims to be a brother or sister". 
 
At this point we are prompted to say "whoa - doesn't Jesus tell us not to judge?"
 
Not exactly. 
 
He says that in the way we judge others, we ourselves will be judged.  He then goes on to caution about trying to remove the speck from our friend's eye when we have a log in our own (Matthew 7:2-3).  So if we have habitual sin in our own lives, we are not in a position to be judging others.  Before confronting anyone with our concerns about their lifestyle, we are to do some self-examination and repent of our own sin. 
 
Isn't this a great model?  We are, contrary to Cain's words, our brother's keeper.  And they are ours.  It is a self-correcting system!  We must come to terms with our own sin before going to a friend with theirs.  If only the church would emphasize this more - dealing with our own behaviour and attitudes before looking at the behaviour and attitudes of those outside the church. 
 
As Andy Stanley puts it: "Judge the believin', not the heathen!"
 
 
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Bruce

 

 

Father, during life's testings You are providing us opportunities to examine our spiritual condition. 

 

It's far too easy to make faulty assumptions. 

 

When we fail we often cast blame on others, on circumstances, or sometimes we even question Your hand in the matter. 

 

Give us the courage and thoroughness to turn the search light on our own hearts rather than shining the spotlight on others.  

 

We invite the spiritual scrub brush of Your Holy Word to do the needed cleansing and purging. 

 

Your love is ever before us and will lead us in the way we should go!  

 

It's not by our strength or power, but by walking in Your Spirit that we cast out wrong attitudes and stop undesirable behavior.

 

Thank You for never giving up on us and for Your Spirit's conviction in our life!  

 

Amen.

(http://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/2011/08/26/a-prayer-for-self-examination/)

Daily Prayer - None of your business ...

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.
 
Why do you suppose those outside the Church see Christians as being so judgmental? 
 
Do you think perhaps it is because we are? 
 
We try to impose a set of morals on a group of people who have never bought in to that worldview!  But the New Testament is crystal clear on how we should look on the behaviour of those who are not Christ followers: it is none of our business.  Check out what Paul says:
 
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? ... God will judge those outside. (1 Corinthians 5:12-13a)
 
What business is it of yours or mine what those who are not Christians do or say?  None.  And yet the Church continues to try to impose a lifestyle and rules on people who have rejected our way of life.  Instead of condemning and judging people, we should simply be living and loving in such a way that people are attracted to us.  They should feel guilty, but not condemned.  Guilty because they see the way we treat our husband/wife/child/friend/boss/employee, the way we conduct business, the way we generously give, and are not doing the same.  But they should never feel condemned.  Unfortunately, the Church seems to have forgotten that Jesus said people would recognize us as His followers by the way we love one another.  He did not say they should recognize us by the way we look down on the way they live.
 
So instead of trying to impose the Gospel on people, perhaps we could just live it a little more.  A little less "turn or burn" and a little more "love and respect".  And let's mind our own business.
 
 
Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Bruce

 

Heavenly Father,
 
We confess to you our sins and the sins of our forefathers - that we have not loved one another as Christ prescribed and that we have judged others in ways your Word prohibits.
 
Lord, please, through your Holy Spirit, prompt us to live a life guided by love.  Help us to love one another as you love us.  And through that love may you draw others to your Son.
 
In the name of Jesus Christ we pray.
 
Amen.

Daily Prayer - Fear not!

Good Friday morning, my friends.
 

But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; When you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. Isaiah 43:1-5 ESV

   

Amazing Grace and ETERNAL Peace be yours,
Bruce

     Heavenly Father, the Scriptures are a balm for the broken, ballast for the bewildered, and bread for the hungry. Your Word is both timeless and timely—a treasury to be mined and a voice to be trusted. You know what to say just when we need to hear from you. No god is as near as you are and no god is as good as you are, in every storm and stressful season. These words from Isaiah don't give us promises to be claimed but a God to be known. We come to you now as you run to us in your Word.

     Father, you've created us and you're redeeming us, all for your glory. You've summoned us by name, calling us to life in the gospel. You've given us a new name and its "Mine." There's no sweeter name we could possibly hope to be called. We praise you for the security of being in your family and embrace.

     We also praise you for your honesty. You've never promised we won't experience floods and torrents, and fires and flames. But you do promise you'll be with us at all times. To know you are near and to know you are good is all we really need. We'll go anywhere and do anything, as long as we're certain you'll never abandon, shame or reject us. In the gospel, you give us this certainty.

     Father, we know ourselves to be precious and honored in your sight, and greatly loved, only because you gave Jesus in exchange for us. Though Jesus was rich, yet for our sakes, he became poor, so that through his poverty we might become rich (2 Cor. 8:9). We praise you for the one and only truly indescribable gift! (2 Cor. 9:13) And since you didn't spare your own Son, we can trust you graciously to give us everything else we need (Rom. 8:32), for every season and storm ahead.

     We don't have to be afraid of anything or anyone. You are with us and you are for us. Continue to write bigger and better stories of redemption than we, ourselves, would ever choose to pen.

So very Amen, we pray, in Jesus' bold and beautiful name.
 

(http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/2011/02/26/a-prayer-of-encouragement-for-times-of-storm-and-stress/)

Daily Prayer - Who's stupid?

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.
 
In my message yesterday I touched on the subject of eternity, and how if we were to focus on it the decisions we make in this life would be much more Kingdom-centred than self-centred.
 
But we don't or can't focus on eternity because it is a concept that is just so difficult for us to grasp.  Here is a video that brings the idea into focus better than any other example I have seen.  It is just five minutes long but packed with meaning.  And it answers the question: "Who's stupid?"
 
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14)
 
 
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
 
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:9-13)
 
 
Amazing Grace and ETERNAL Peace be yours,
Bruce
 

Father, we too easily misplace our affections on that which lasts only a season, instead of that which is for eternity. 

We thank you for our temporal dwellings; for the comforts they provide, for the joys we experience under our own roof. 

And yet we look forward to a new day when we leave behind our perishable body here on earth and are promoted to our home with the Lord Jesus, where we will fully realize the worth of our heavenly citizenship. 

We so look forward to a new heaven and earth where we will live among the righteous for all eternity. 

And it's all because of Jesus, for which we give thanks!  Amen.

(http://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/tag/eternity/)

Daily Prayer - Giving Thanks

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone, and I expect most of us have spent time in prayer at some point in these past few days thanking God for His many blessings. Of course, Thanksgiving Day is not the only day we are to give thanks.  Indeed Paul admonishes us to always be thankful (Ephesians 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:18).  If we could only see how short this life is, with the pain and sorrow it brings, compared with eternity in heaven where all tears are wiped away, where sin, death and suffering are no more, then our whole perspective on gratitude would change.  The result would be that the decisions we make in this life would be much more Kingdom-centred than self-centred.  And joy would permeate our lives, creating an overflowing into those around us.

Cast your eyes upon the Lord and upon that eternity today.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance!
Bruce

 

Lord Jesus, you are the God of all, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love You and keep your commandments. Every good and perfect gift comes to us from Your hand.

I thank you for all that I have received. Lord, I ask that you would bless me so that I can be a blessing to others. That You would fill my house with Your peace and Your Presence. Give me wisdom to make the right decisions in every situation so that You can prosper me in all that I do. Give me favor in all of my relationships, with family, friends and coworkers. Help me to be a testimony of your love to everyone around me. Fill my life with Your purpose, Lord Jesus.

Help me find joy in every day, even in the smallest things. According to Your word, surround me with Your favor as with a shield, and guard my going out and my coming in. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and empower me to walk in the fullness of my destiny. I pray in Jesus mighty name, Amen!

(http://www.donotgiveup.net/encouragementprayers1.htm)

Daily Prayer - Hope and a future

Good Friday morning, my friends.

Do you truly believe that the Lord has "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).  God does not make promises that He doesn't keep.

As you lift this prayer today, please don't skim over the frist paragraph.  In fact, do not even move on the the next one until you have truly pondered and agree with these statements.  Then, in the humility of knowing Who God is, and who you are as His child, enter the Throne Room.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Bruce

 

Lord, You have the name that is above all names. You are Lord forever and there is no one who can challenge Your authority and power. You rule forever and ever, and there is no end to Your Kingdom.

I bring myself before Your throne of grace, and ask that You would look upon me with Your favor. Your word says that You give strength to the weary, so I ask that You would strengthen me. Bless me Lord with Your presence, and encourage my heart. Remind me of Your faithfulness and Your love that I might stand in faith against the issues that I face.

I bind the schemes of the enemy to tear me down, and I rebuke the spirits that have been assigned to harass me. I ask You Lord to minister fresh strength and joy to me. I agree with Your word that says Your plans for me are to give me hope and a future, let it be so, according to Your will. I pray in Jesus mighty name, Amen!

(http://www.donotgiveup.net/encouragementprayers1.htm)

Daily Prayer - Community

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

I am seeking to be in a deeper more intimate relationship with Christ.  And I assume that since you are a disciple, that is your goal as well.  I have tried to do it on my own through prayer, Bible reading/study, and sheer will.  "How's that workin' for ya?", you ask.  Not so well.

But here is what I am discovering:  God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit live in a community of mutual love, encouragement and support.  And the church was given to us by Christ as a way to model this type of relationship with other believers.  And by extension with Himself as Head of the Church.  If we want a deeper relationship with Christ, we need to truly be living in community with others; learning what love, sacrifice, and humility truly are.  Just as Jesus modeled with his disciples when He walked the earth.

So are you in this type of community with a group of like-minded people?  And church on Sunday doesn't count.  I am talking about a small group, maybe 3-10 people, who regularly meet to encourage, exhort, caution, and pray for one another.

Yes, community can be annoying, uncomfortable, even ugly, but it is through these tough experiences that we truly learn to become more like Christ, and thus closer to Him.  Are you willing to put in the effort?  Am I?  I hope so.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance!
Bruce

 

Lord Jesus I love You.

Lord I pray You would refine me by the power of Your Holy Spirit so there will be more of You in my life.

I realize I am made in Your image.

My desire is to reflect who You say I am in my life.

Help me to take steps towards Spiritual maturity.

Lord I pray You would bring someone along side of me who has come to know You and committed to their walk with You to help me grow, to know Your Word and how I am able to apply it to my life.

Thank you for your interest in my life Jesus.

Amen

(http://www.theverseoftheday.info/prayers-for-today/23/)