Daily Prayer - Restraints

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.
 
I remember from the Alpha Course a story Nicky Gumbel told to illustrate why God gives us the "thou shalts" and the "thou shalt nots". Nicky talked of taking his young son to football (soccer) practice to find the coach was not there.  So he, Nicky, decided to run a scrimmage however he was not familiar with, and therefore could not enforce, the rules.  Mayhem ensued.  The kids were miserable because they didn't know where the boundary lines were, and what they could or could not do.  There was a lot of complaining.  Then the coach showed up.  He put down markers to delineate the pitch, blew his whistle, and generally brought order to the practice.  Once the rules were put in place, and being fairly enforced, the kids started having fun.
 
And so God's rules are for us.  They are not to restrict us, but to give us guidelines and structure which allows us to enjoy this life he has given us.  Imagine what life would be like without any rules!
 
Obeying God puts us in a position to be used by Him, to serve Him in ways we can't even imagine and to experience His power at work in our lives and the lives of others.
 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Bruce
 
 
Father, help us to remember that Your restraints are loving and holy, offered in the package of grace You extend to those who call on Your name.
 
When we refrain from activities and attitudes that displease You we're preventing erosion of Christian values and preserving Your Spirit of holiness.
 
The Bible says there is none righteous, no not one, but the Holy Spirit who resides within us draws us to You and thereby sets us apart for holy service.
 
Keep us separate and help us to say "no" to anything that would ensnare us to the enemy who seeks to devour and destroy us.
 
In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
 
(http://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/2014/01/20/a-prayer-of-thanks-for-restraints/)