Daily Prayer - Money for nothing

Good Friday morning, my friends.

This morning I listened to two very interesting perspectives on the same topic - money.  The first was a sermon by Andy Stanley (as you will have realized by now, I love listening to podcasts of his sermons), and the second was a CBC interview with an "expert on happiness" (I kid you not).

The sermon was focused on Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount:

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

"So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well"  (Matthew 6:24, 31-33)

The radio interview (and I only heard the first part of it) was asking the question "Can money but happiness?"  The answer, which should be no surprise to us, was "yes, but only temporarily".  Impulse buying can make us happy in the short term, but has no lasting effect.  In fact it can be quite detrimental.  However, the expert went on, spending money on other people brings more happiness.  Go figure!  Tis better to give than to receive?? Where have I heard that before???

Anyway, Jesus' teaching hits home for me.  Jesus is saying if you are worrying about your mortgage, the debt load you are carrying, paying for your kids education, retirement, etc. then you are basically a pagan.  A pagan is someone who does not believe there is a God who will provide for them so they have to look after themselves.  A pagan relies on their own wealth for security.  What God wants from us is an open hand, not an empty hand.  He wants to be able to take things out of our hands (take things away from us) but also be able to put things into our hands (blessings of many kinds) and trust that He will provide all that we need and more. Seek first His will for our lives, and live in His righteousness.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,
Bruce

"Two things I ask of you, Lord;
    do not refuse me before I die:

Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
    give me neither poverty nor riches,
    but give me only my daily bread.

Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
    and say, 'Who is the Lord?'
Or I may become poor and steal,
    and so dishonor the name of my God."

(Proverbs 9:7-9)

Daily Prayer - A graduate student in the School of Disappointment

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

While I was putting together yesterday's message about endurance and perseverance there were a couple of people foremost in my mind.  These are people I know who have been living this message, in some cases for years.  One of them was kind enough to share her thoughts with me, and she has graciously given me permission to share them with you:

When [pastor] Shawn first taught us about "Giving thanks in all things," and "considering it all joy" I thought he was asking just a bit too much. Then I started to think about my own troubles. In a flash I saw how God had reconciled every bit of suffering I had had, if not directly then indirectly. By "indirectly" I mean the times my troubles weren't resolved but nevertheless they allowed me to handle some future situation, personal or in my counselling of others, in a godly way.

That, in itself, is enough to give thanks for. When I awoke from my coma I realized I had to thank God for that too, and wondered how on earth I could manage it. But obedience has to be an all or nothing thing. I can't obey God just when it suits me. He said to give thanks in ALL things. So I did. And suddenly I saw the way my family had come to help me, never once leaving my side while I was unconscious. They came and rejoiced when I awoke, leaving me certain of a love I had, for various reasons, never been too sure of before. So what began as an act of pure obedience ended up reaping a phenomenal reward.

That's the way God is, isn't He? He's an all or nothing God who asks us only to do those things that help us. Now, I give thanks as a matter of course, not because I'm a good person but because I am a SAVED person, thanks be to God.

My friend could indeed be called a "graduate student in the School of Disappointment" but you would never know it by her attitude of gratitude.  She continuously finds God at work in the suffering of her life and is a great encouragement to me.  And I pray she is for you too.

Amazing Grace and Eternal Peace be yours,
Bruce

I am no longer my own but yours,
Put me to what you will
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.

Let me be employed for you or laid aside for you.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal

And now glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
You are mine and I am yours. So be it.
And this covenant now made on earth, let it be satisfied in heaven.

Amen

John Wesley

(http://www.wesleymission.org.au/christian_life/spiritual_help/prayers.asp)

Daily Prayer - School of Disappointment ...

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

Are you in the midst of a difficult situation and feel that God just isn't there for you?  Do you feel He is punishing you? Do you feel your faith is being tested? 

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance (James 1:2-3)

If you are not there now, you likely have been in the past and will be in the future.  James doesn't say "if you face trials" - it isn't optional. And God is not punishing you - He is building perseverance.

It is indeed natural to us to wish and to plan, and it is merciful in the Lord to disappoint our plans, and to cross our wishes. For we cannot be safe, much less happy, but in proportion as we are weaned from our own wills, and made simply desirous of being directed by His guidance. This truth (when we are enlightened by His Word) is sufficiently familiar to the judgment; but we seldom learn to reduce it to practice, without being trained awhile in the school of disappointment.  John Newton (author of Amazing Grace), August 17, 1767

Are you enrolled in "the school of disappointment"?  Are you paying attention to the lessons being taught?  Cause even though we are to "consider it pure joy" I don't think you want to repeat this class!

A note on the "pure joy" thing - we are not asked to "feel" it as joy, but to "consider" it as joy, which means we choose to see it that way, much like we might choose to love an unloveable person.  It is a decision, not a feeling.

And James' exhortation is not an isolated one:

 "For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart" (Hebrews 12:3).

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1)

"If we endure, we will also reign with Him" (2 Timothy 2:12).

"Endure hardship" (2 Timothy 4;5).

"…we ourselves speak proudly of you… for your perseverance in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions that you endure" (2 Thessalonians 1:4).

Grace and peace (and trials) be yours in abundance,
Bruce

 

Father, help us to contend with those obstacles that are a part of our strict training so that we will receive an everlasting crown. 

Help us to patiently endure and prayerfully endear the important truths You teach us in our spiritual training.

We want to hold on to Your unchanging hand as we build our lives not on the shifting sands of time, but on that which will never perish!

Amen.

(http://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/a-prayer-for-perseverance-8/)

Daily Prayer - Keeping between the guardrails

Good Monday morning, my friends.

We should always heed the advice of the apostle Peter: "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)

God's word provides us with lots of guidelines to keep us from straying off the narrow path and into the devil's territory.  We just don't always listen.  At least not to God.  We are more prone at times to listen to the lies of the devil.

Lift this prayer today for yourself, for me, and for your friends and family in the faith.

Amazing Grace and Eternal Peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

Father, it is because of Your wise and loving character that You teach us about the wiles of our adversary, the devil, and his cunning ways.

We are not caught unaware but recognize his strategy as we regularly read Your Word and store it up in our hearts.

Your precepts are right and because of that we hate every wrong path.

Direct our footsteps according to Your Word so that we stay in pace with You, observing the yellow lights of caution, stopping at the red lights of danger, and staying within the confines of Your guardrails.

As we do so we will not allow sin to dominate our lives or lead us astray.

We pray for Your guidance in Jesus' name.

Amen.

(http://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/2012/09/15/a-prayer-for-spiritual-guardrails/)

Daily Prayer - He gives rules to rescue us

Good Friday morning, my friends.

I was thinking about the message yesterday on rules vs no rules and I recalled a conversation I had with a good friend of mine not long after I came to faith.  He asked if I missed anything about my old life.  My response was that anything I had given up (or was giving up, or am giving up) was not good for me.  The Spirit in me told me those things were not healthy for me - either physically or emotionally, and certainly spiritually.

God does not want to keep us from any good thing, just resuce us from very bad things disguised as good things.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance!
Bruce

 

Ten Prayers God always says Yes to

The YES Prayer
by Anthony DeStefano

With praise for all you are, Lord
and thanks for all you bless;
Lord, grant these ten petitions
with your eternal Yes:

Please show me that you're there
when I can't see your face;
Send troubled souls my way
their wounds I will erase.

Let me see with your eyes
my mind with your thoughts fill;
but more than wisdom give me
the strength to do your will.

Bless me with abundance
then put me to the test;
Gladly will I give you
much more than I possess.

Send me your tranquility
In troubled times and calm;
with loving arms sustain me
through suffering and harm.

Forgive me for my sins
though legion they may be;
when death and evil triumph,
bring good from tragedy.

But most of all reveal
the meaning of my life
the purpose of my glories
the reason for my strife
my destiny in Heaven
no tears to flow again
My God please grant me all;
In Christ Our Lord,

Amen.

(http://www.tenprayers.com/preview.htm)

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Daily Prayer - Rules or no rules?

Good Thursday morning, my friends. When I took the Alpha course a number of years ago, Nicky Gumbel told the story of how he had to supervise one of his kid's soccer practices for a while because the coach was running late.  He talked of the chaos that ensued.  The kids were having a miserable time because they didn't know where the boundaries of the pitch were, and because Nicky did not know all the rules and therefore could not enforce them.  They complained about the ball being out of bounds, about hand balls, and all kinds of other infractions.  Nicky would just shrug his shoulders and say "play on!"  Then the coach arrived with pylons to mark the pitch, and a whistle to blow when any kind of infraction occurred.  The coach knew the rules and enforced them.  All of a sudden the complaining stopped and the kids started having a lot more fun because they knew what they (and the others) could and could not do. This is a metaphor for life.  Life with and without the Word of God.  Without it, without rules, it is chaos.  Do what you want, when you want, regardless of the effect on anyone else.  Or follow a set of rules that are designed to give you a fulfilling life with healthy relationships and grace and forgiveness when mistakes are made. Which sounds more appealing to you? Grace and peace be yours in abundance! Bruce I am at the point of death. Let your teachings breathe new life into me. When I told you my troubles, you answered my prayers. Now teach me your laws. Help me to understand your teachings, and I will think about your marvelous deeds. I am overcome with sorrow. Encourage me, as you have promised to do. Keep me from being deceitful, and be kind enough to teach me your Law. I am determined to be faithful and to respect your laws. I follow your rules, Lord. Don't let me be ashamed. I am eager to learn all that you want me to do; help me to understand more and more. Point out your rules to me, and I won't disobey even one of them. Help me to understand your Law; I promise to obey it with all my heart. Direct me by your commands! I love to do what you say. Make me want to obey you, rather than to be rich. Take away my foolish desires, and let me find life by walking with you. I am your servant! Do for me what you promised to those who worship you. Your wonderful teachings protect me from the insults that I hate so much. I long for your teachings. Be true to yourself and let me live. (Psalm 119:25-40 CEV) 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 use the link below.    forward to a friend   unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

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Daily Prayer - Pray for foolishness ...

Good Wednesday morning, my friends. Have you ever prayed to have discomfort?  How about anger? Tears? Foolishness? Yes, these seem like ludicrous things to pray for, but they are exactly what I am asking you to pray for today.  Pray that God will grant you these things so that you may do what he requires of you: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.     And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy     and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 Grace and peace be yours in abundance! Bruce   May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that we may live deep within our hearts. May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that we may work for economic justice for all people. May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, hunger, homelessness and rejection, so that we may reach out our hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy. And may God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in the world so that we can do what others claim cannot be done. (Source: Education for Justice. Click here for more information.) (http://www.micahchallenge.org.au/prayers)   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 use the link below.    forward to a friend   unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

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Daily Prayer - Is your fruit ripening?

Good Tuesday morning, my friends. There is a piece of paper posted over my desk with these words printed on it: Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness Self-control These are the fruit of the Holy Spirit as listed by Paul in Galatians 5:22.  Some days those fruit are evident in my life.  Some days I am more barren than the fig tree cursed by Jesus (Mark 11:12-14; 20-25).  Which of these fruit do you need to water and fertilize?  My prayer today for you and for me is that we bear more spiritual fruit on a daily basis.   Grace and peace be yours in abundance! Bruce   Father, You who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until You call me heavenward or until the day of Christ’s return. May I willingly submit and quickly obey Your voice so that I will bear much spiritual fruit. I pray that the Fruit of the Spirit will characterize my life as I faithfully yield to the work of the Holy Spirit. Amen. (http://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/2012/09/13/a-prayer-for-spiritual-fruitfulness-2/)   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 use the link below.    forward to a friend   unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

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Daily Prayer - That your love may abound ...

Good Friday morning, my friends. My wonderful wife, Rosemary, read me this prayer last evening.  And I pray it for you, and for me, today, to the glory and praise of God. Have a great weekend. Grace and peace be yours in abundance! Bruce   And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11)    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 use the link below.    forward to a friend   unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

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