Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

And God will generously provide all you need.
Then you will always have everything you
need and plenty left over to share with others.
2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT

Reflection:

Plow Work

Dr. Roy L. Laurin tells of a Christian businessman
who was traveling in Korea. In a field by the side
of the road was a young man pulling a crude plow
while an old man held the handles. The businessman
was amused and took a snapshot of the scene.
"That is curious! I suppose these people are very poor,"
he said to the missionary who was interpreter and
guide to the party. "Yes," was the quiet reply, "these
two men happen to be Christians. When their church
was being built, they were so eager to give something
toward it, but they had no money. So they decided to
sell their one and only ox and give the proceeds to
the church. This spring they are pulling the plow
themselves." The businessman was silent for some
moments. Then he said, "That must have been a real
sacrifice." "They did not call it that," said the missionary.
"They thought themselves fortunate that they had an
ox to sell!"
When the businessman reached home, he took
the picture to his pastor and told him about it.
Then he added, "I want to double my giving to the
church and do some plow work. Up until now I
have never given God anything that involved real sacrifice."

Do I really believe that God does provide? You know it
is so very true that if I really believe that my God will give me
everything that I need, then I certainly have plenty left
over to give to others. That is what real faith is,
having so much trust in God that He will take care of me,
in everything I need. If I believe this, then I can really give,
I can really sacrifice, I mean really sacrifice, for my church,
for my brothers and sisters who are in desperate need,
for the guy that needs a place to sleep, or that neighbor
who is ill and needs comfort, or visiting someone at the
hospital, maybe even someone I don't even know. Maybe
it means the sacrifice of loving someone who, all those around
me, hate. Maybe it means to stand up for my belief in what
is right in the eyes of my God, and suffer ridicule for it. MAYBE
IT MEANS GIVING UP MY OX AND PULLING THE PLOW
MYSELF!

Prayer:

Thank you God for Your sacrifice of Your Son Jesus Christ
for me.

Quote:

Emily Greene Balch
Leader of The Women's International League for Peace and
Freedom, Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize
(1867-1961)

"We have a long way to go. So let us hasten along the road,
the road of human tenderness and generosity. Groping, we
may find one another's hands in the dark

Gracious Lord, heavenly Father, on this day the
minds of men are turned in memory to those who
have laid down their lives in defense of our country.
We indeed owe a debt of gratitude to them who
gave their all that we as a nation may continue
our way of life.. Grant that we worthily carry on
where they have left off that our country may
enjoy for generation to come peace and
freedom. May we honor them by bringing the
tribute of a ready heart, an obedient life, a
worthy citizenship, to our country. Guide the
counsels of government. Strengthen the bonds
of true loyalty. Let the ideals of liberty and
peace prevail. Above all, grant that we, Thy
children by faith in Christ, find a field of service
in which we, as a salt and leaven, uphold
righteousness, order, and peace, In Jesus'
name I ask it. Amen!
(Taken from Lutheran Book of Prayer)

At the Outbreak of War

O lord God Almighty, who from Thy throne dost
behold all the nations of the earth, look down with
pity upon our country and those nations who are
now at war. I confess that, because of our sins,
we have deserved Thy chastening; and I pray
Thy forgiveness through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
I entreat Thee, O God of our salvation, make
war to cease, and give peace in our time, that
we and all Thy children everywhere may serve
Thee with a quiet mind, through Christ Jesus,
our Lord. Grant, heavenly Father, that hourly
the nation's leaders strive to bring bloodshed
to a conclusion. Hold Thy hand over women
and children. Check the hatred and cruelty
of mankind. Direct the counsels of neighbor
nations to overtures of peace. Instill in us all
a horror of war and grant us a mighty spirit
of prayer to intercede with Thee against all
bloodshed and destruction. O lord, Thou art
Master of the world, put an end to these
horrors. Bring peace to the people of the
earth, and use us to that end. I ask it for
Jesus' sake. Amen
(Taken from Lutheran Book of Prayer)

AMEN..................AMEN!

Quote:
"I think that people want peace so much that
one of these days government had better
get out of their way and let them have it."
(Dwight D. Eisenhower)