Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 13:13 (New International Version)

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.

Reflection:

By the time our children reach adulthood,
most of us have formed opinions of our
children.  Many parents are proud of pretty
much everything their children have
accomplished.  Other parents, however,
expressed real misgivings or disappointment
about the choices their children have made.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:4-13
(New International Version)
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not
envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not
easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with
the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies,
they will cease; where there are tongues,
they will be stilled; where there is knowledge,
it will pass away.
Remember when our children no longer seek our
advice, THEY STILL VALUE OUR LOVE.
In every stage of parenting, it's not only
what we say but what we do that counts.

Prayer:

Oh Lord in Your mercy grant to us a home
where Christ is our shepherd, and God is
our Father.  Oh Jesus give up peace and
joy from heaven above and abide in our
family from day to day.  In Jesus Name
Amen

Reminder:  "A parents love never, ever
ends!"

Scripture:

Who else protects the poor and needy
from those who want to rob them?
Psalm 35:10 NLT

As for me, I am poor and needy, but
the Lord is thinking of me right now.
Psalm 40:17 NLT

He will rescue the poor when they
cry to him; he will help the oppressed,
who have no one to defend them.
Psalm 72:12 NLT

Reflection:

"I'll just have to go blind"

A man was having a lot of trouble
with his eyes. His doctor examined
him and recommended the name of
another doctor he should visit, saying,
"I would advise you to go at once and
take plenty of money with you, for it's
going to cost a lot."

The man had eighty dollars in the bank,
so he got his money and went to see
the other doctor. After examining him,
the doctor said, "I never accept less than
five hundred dollars for this particular operation."

"Well, then," said the man, "I guess I'll
just have to go blind, because I have only
eighty dollars."

But the good doctor said, "There is one
other way to solve our trouble. You don't
have enough to pay the bill, and I can't
charge you as little as eighty dollars,
but there is another way open to us—
I will do the operation for nothing."
And that is just what he did.

adapted from a story by Kenneth N. Taylor,
quoted in 1001 Great Stories and Quotes by
R. Kent Hughes (Tyndale House) p 180

Prayer:

Father, in your wisdom you have made
us dependent on one another, and so
we pray for the starving millions in our
world. Give us true repentance for our
greed and selfishness. Empower us to
make amends as best we can. Help us
to find the ways to share so that no one
hungers at the table of life. We ask this
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture:

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people.
As you make your requests, plead for God's
mercy upon them, and give thanks. Pray this
way for kings and all others who are in authority,
so that we can live in peace and quietness, in
godliness and dignity.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 NLT

Reflection:

Paul urges Timothy to lift up requests, prayers,
intercession, and thanksgiving.
When we pray effectively, we do more than
communicate with God—we commune with him.
We become one in mind and spirit and purpose.
Today, let the focus of your prayer time be to
connect with God in a very real and personal way,
not as a slave would petition his master, but as a
son would enjoy the company of a loving and
gracious father.

Prayer:

(COMMUNE WITH GOD)