Daily Prayer - Why?

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

 

As I read the prayer below, my thought was: I can't send that - it isn't true.  At least it isn't fully true for me.  But perhaps that is the point.  Perhaps it is meant to make us take stock of our relationship with Christ, to ask "why?".  And to contemplate on that for a while.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Bruce

 

Not for some promised crown,

Nor for your kindness shown;

Not for the things you've done,

Nor even the victories won;

I love you, Lord, for you,

And not just what you do.

 

(http://bobhostetler.blogspot.ca/2014/04/for-you.html)

Daily Prayer - The Hounds of Heaven

Good Monday morning, my friends.

For the grace of God has appeared; bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age. (Titus 2:11-12)

I am learning through my own struggle, that God is teaching me.  He is showing me his Grace in ways I have never seen before, opening my eyes to situations and opportunities that I would have missed.  It is still difficult, but the rewards will make it worth it.  

How is God showing you Grace through struggle in your life?

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

Thank You, dear Lord, for the beautiful way You teach us. 

Thank You for Your patience when we fail. 

Thank You for Your understanding in the midst of all our own confusion. 

Thank You for reaching down to us when we would never have reached up to You. 

Thank You for stopping us when we were running in the wrong direction, for setting the hounds of heaven after us. 

Thank You especially for Your grace. 

For by grace we have been saved through faith; and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 

What a great reminder.

Thank You, dear God, for being tough with us when we needed it, for disciplining us so that we would walk worthy of the calling. 

How grateful we are that You have promised us a heavenly home free of guilt and shame and sin and sorrow and death. 

We look forward to eternity with You, with our Saviour whom having not seen, we love; in whom, though now we see Him not, yet believing, we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

In the great name of Jesus we thank You. Amen.

(Excerpted from The Prayers of Charles R. Swindoll, Volume 1, Copyright © 2010 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide.)

Daily Prayer - How great?

Good Friday morning, my friends.

 

How big is your God today?

 

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,

 Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

 

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1hVY7bmqsA

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

Open up my eyes and mind and heart, Lord,

to ponder and to wonder at how great,

how very great you are...

 

And when I try to put you in a box,

when I think I know you inside-out,

when I'm pretty sure I know exactly

what you think and just what you would do

then put me in a box

'til I recall how far  beyond my dreams,

how much deeper than my knowing

are you, my Lord and God,

whom nothing, whom no one

can embrace, contain or hold...   

 

When I'm stingy with forgiveness

and a miser with my love,

when I box up all I have

just to keep it to myself:

remind me, Lord, how great you are,

how broad and deep your mercies,

how everlasting is your love,

how nothing I imagine

could encompass or take in

the fullness of your life,

flowing always fresh from your heart

into mine...

 

How great you are, O Lord,

how very great you are...

 

(http://concordpastor.blogspot.ca/2014/04/pause-for-prayer-friday-425.html)

Daily Prayer - Stupid is as stupid does ...

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

 

I hope and pray that your Easter, your Resurrection Weekend, was an amazing time with family and friends and even more so with God.

 

As I read this prayer this morning I realized something:  I'm stupid.  Or at least really, really thick. 

 

I can look back on a number traumatic or stressful episodes in my life where God was whispering softly that He was in control, He was working things out, but of course I was quite doubtful and unbelieving.  Then, afterwards, I would look back and see what He had accomplished in myself or others through that time.  Or simply how He cared for me. 

 

And still, in the midst of difficulties He whispers. And I ignore.  When will I ever smarten up??

 

I need this prayer as much as any one.

 

 

Grace and peace and faith be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

 

I ask for a lot, Lord, and I complain

when I think you've been slow

to hear my prayer and answer me

just the way I want...

 

And often I'm not satisfied

when you send hints and buds of promise

telling me: you're on the case,

you've heard my plea,

that you're answering my prayer

in your wisdom and good time...

 

Open up my eyes to see

the ways you slowly, surely move

within my heart and in my days:

help me notice every sign

of how you're with me,

how you're walking by my side,

how you're answering my prayers...

 

Keep me grateful for the gifts you've given

and mindful of the ways you keep your word

to guard and guide me, keeping and holding me

within the palm of your own hand...

 

Give me a grateful heart, Lord,

for all I have and all you promise me,

especially the gift of your abiding love...

 

(http://concordpastor.blogspot.ca/2014/04/pause-for-prayer-tuesday-421.html)

Daily Prayer - Hallelujah!

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

 

As we approach the Easter I wanted to share with you this God glorifying version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah".  The singer is my cousin, Kelley, who re-wrote the words to tell the story of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord.  Have a wonderful Easter.

 

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=0E02FMNU&utm_source=GodTube%20Must-See%20Video&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=04/17/2014

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

Lord,

wash,

not my feet

only,

but also

my hands

and

my head.

And

my heart.

And

my mind.

And

my life.

Amen.

 

based on John 13:9

(http://bobhostetler.blogspot.ca/2014/04/maundy-thursday-prayer.html)

Daily Prayer - Just a closer walk with Thee

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

 

A thought occurred to me this past weekend:  Am I walking with Jesus?  Or am I just checking in with Him from time to time?  The answer was obvious to me.  So I have been contemplating this, and working on a closer walk with Him.

 

How about you?  How often during your day are you aware of His presence?

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

Just a closer walk with Thee,

Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,

Daily walking close to Thee,

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

 

I am weak, but Thou art strong,

Jesus, keep me from all wrong,

I'll be satisfied as long

As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

 

Through this world of toil and snares,

If I falter, Lord, who cares?

Who with me my burden shares?

None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

 

When my feeble life is o'er,

Time for me will be no more,

Guide me gently, safely o'er

To Thy kingdom's shore, to Thy shore.

 

(traditional gospel song, author unknown)

Daily Prayer - I choose today, Lord

Good Friday morning, my friends.

Jesus said “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Do you have a burden you want to lay down today?  As you lift this prayer you should feel the weight fall away.  Chose today to believe in His good plans for you, and choose to walk in faith.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

I choose today, Lord, 

to believe in you 

and in your good plans for me. 

I choose to walk in faith, 

not to hurry or panic,

not to fear, not to stress,

but to stand still and see the salvation

of the Lord.

Amen.

(http://bobhostetler.blogspot.ca/2013/03/i-choose-today.html)

Daily Prayer - Economy

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

 

Here is a difficult prayer.  It requires self-examination - never an easy thing.  It is easy to pray a prayer like this, with conviction and good intentions, and then move along to the next thing in our day.

 

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. (James 1:23-24)

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

 

Lord God Almighty,

 

I spend too much; I confess it.

I spend wrongly; I confess it.

I limit my ability to be generous by planning poorly and spending and owning far more than need requires; I confess it.

 

I pray for economy in my life.

I ask you for self discipline in this area.

I plead for help in reining in my household's expenses.

 

Teach me how to

earn more,

save more,

give more...and spend less,

consume less,

and waste less,

 

in Jesus' name, amen.

 

(http://bobhostetler.blogspot.ca/2014/04/economy.html)

Daily Prayer - A gift of peace and a time of grace

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

 

I didn't write this prayer.  But the words sure could well be mine.  I would bet the farm that there are others reading this who can relate and really need to lift this prayer today.  And maybe you need to share this with someone near to you.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

Good morning, good God!

 

Must be the time of year, Lord!

There's just too much going on,

too many things happening,

too many demands on everyone’s energy and time,

just too much…

 

And though I’d like you to take it all away, Lord  -

I know that’s not how you work -

and, in fact, it's not really what I want you to do...

 

So I offer you my tired confusion,

my short fused temper,

my temptation to cut corners

and my fantasy of just running away from it all...

 

When my day is jumbled and just too busy,

help me see what’s important and what’s not,

help me know what you’d have me do first, Lord -

and what you’d have me not do at all…

 

Help me to know what you want of me, Lord;

give me strength to accomplish what’s mine to do;

speak straight to my heart

and, with the truth of  your word,

open my will to yours...

 

When my heart doesn't know where to turn,

where to go, what to do:

give me your wisdom and counsel

to encourage and lead and guide me...

 

Rouse me when I’m tired, Lord,

and give me your strength when mine is all gone;

help me spend it on only what’s good and fruitful

for me, for others

and for all whose paths cross mine…

 

Lift me up when I’m bowed down, Lord;

refresh your spirit within me;

renew my hope and trust in you;

give me a new beginning this Monday morning

and make of this time of year,

make of this busy season,

make of this week and this day and tonight

a gift of peace

and a time of grace…

 

Amen.

 

(http://concordpastor.blogspot.ca/2014/04/monday-morning-offering-47.html)

Daily Prayer - Wisdom

Good Friday morning, my friends.

 

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. (James 1:5)

 

We all need wisdom.  Where do we find it?  How does God give it to us?  He provides it in scripture.  He provides it through life experience - our own and observing others. And He provides it in answer to prayer.  The trick is to put wisdom into practice.  It's one thing to have the wisdom to know what to do; it's another to have the courage to do it.  Pray for both.

 

 

Grace and peace and wisdom be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

Father, we are advised by the apostle James to ask for any wisdom we lack, and You will give generously to us that which we ask.

 

So much wisdom is attained by carefully reading, studying, and applying the Scripture.

 

Additional wisdom is granted through the experiences we go through in life and also observing others, their response to critical situations along with their life choices and the results that follow.

 

There are many things we observe and learn as we go through life’s journey.

 

Help us to hold on to that which will profit us, that which will benefit or broaden our understanding.

 

Enable us to reject and dispense of that which is in direct contrast to Your Holy Word so that we are not led astray or misguided by teachings the world deems to be knowledgeable or wise.

 

In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

 

(http://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/2014/04/03/a-prayer-for-wisdom-2/)

Daily Prayer - Sick Saints

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

 

Are you questioning the amount or type of suffering in your life?  Are you wondering "God - where are you in all this?"  My wonderful wife, Rosemary, sent me this quote this morning because she knows that I am struggling with this question.  Maybe you, as I, needed to hear this today.

 

Under your cross you have many special comforts. There are cordials which God gives to sick saints which he never puts to the lips of those who are in health. Dark caverns keep not back the miners, if they know that diamonds are to be found there: you need not fear suffering when you remember what riches it yields to your soul. There is no hearing the nightingale without night, and there are some promises which only sing to us in trouble. It is in the cellar of affliction that the good old wine of the kingdom is stored. You shall never see Christ’s face so well as when all others turn their backs upon you. When you have come into such confusion that human wisdom is at a nonplus, then shall you see God’s wisdom manifest and clear. Oh! the love-visits which Christ pays to his people when they are in the prison of their trouble! Then he lays bare his very heart to them, and comforts them as a mother does her child. They sleep daintily who have Jesus to make their beds. Suffering saints are generally the most flourishing saints, and well they may be, for they are Jesus’ special care. If you would find a man whose lips drop with pearls, look for one who has been in the deep waters. We seldom learn much except as it is beaten into us by the rod in Christ’s school-house under Madam Trouble. God’s vines owe more to the pruning knife than to any other tool in the garden; superfluous shoots are sad spoilers of the vines. But even while we carry it, the cross brings present comfort; it is a dear, dear cross, all hung with roses and dripping with sweet smelling myrrh.

 

Charles Spurgeon

3 April 1864

 

Doesn't the line "We seldom learn much except as it is beaten into us by the rod in Christ’s school-house under Madam Trouble" paint quite a picture?

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

Lord God, you have provided,

you are providing,

and you will provide:

I believe,

help my unbelief!

 

From unexpected places,

in unmistakeable ways,

with gracious generosity

and gratifying regularity

you have provided for the needs

of me and my family,

and graciously kept our stores

of oil and flour

from running out.

 

I thank you, Sovereign Lord,

with my whole heart,

and ask you to please

continue.

 

Amen.

 

(http://bobhostetler.blogspot.ca/2014/03/a-prayer-from-zarephath.html)

Daily Prayer - April Fools

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

 

Happy April Fool's Day!

 

 

Fool's wisdom

by John Fischer  

 

On April Fool's day it's only appropriate to think about the foolishness of knowing Christ. 

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:18-25)

 There's no getting around it: you and I are fools for believing and following Christ. How does it feel to be a fool? It feels great.

 

What if it took extra special smarts to be a Christian? Who would want that? Then those who were Christians could lord it over those who weren't. As it is, we're the fools for believing that a dead man on a cross could save us. We're the losers. We're the sinners in need of salvation. Frankly, it feels good to be bottom rung. We are not the elite. We don't have anything to claim or anything to prove. All we have, we have received. We haven't earned anything. We accepted a free gift, and suddenly we are in the family of God.

 

We are fools because human nature is to succeed. To be great. To be strong. Human nature separates the men from the boys.

 

The gospel is for the weak, the lowly, the broken down, the hungry, the thirsty, the addicted - those who think they got a bad shake in life. Those who can't help themselves. This is true of all ages, all cultures, all people. This is the best news ever. The gospel is for fools and we all qualify.

 

April fools? No, April wisdom.

 

John Fischer                

Fischtank.com           

 

 

Grace and peace and wisdom be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

A fool though I am, Lord,

let me not be like the fool

whose thoughts are wicked,

who flirts with temptation,

who "goes along to get along."

 

Make me instead a man

who loves your Word

and dwells in your presence.

 

Make me like a tree,

planted by a flowing stream,

bearing fruit season after season,

never withering,

always prospering,

in Jesus' name, amen.

 

Based on Psalm 1:1-3

 

(http://bobhostetler.blogspot.ca/2014/04/a-prayer-on-april-1.html)