Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped
from the boat, and he had compassion on
them and healed their sick.
Matthew 14:14, NLT

Reflection:

Do you know somebody that is really hurting
right now? Maybe your in some kind of pain,
physical, mental or spiritual. If so please
remember this verse. Jesus performed some
miracles and healed people because He "had
compassion on them." Jesus was, and is, a
loving, caring, and feeling person. Remember
this when you or someone you know is
suffering. Always keep in your heart that
Jesus, our shepherd, hurts with us. He
died for us on the cross, He knows what
it means to suffer pain. Jesus identifies
with us and has real compassion for us.
If Jesus can have compassion for us then
we should be able to feel compassion for
others. You see that is where the real
miracle lies "CARING"

Prayer:

Lord thank You for Your love and
compassion.Teach me to embrace others
with compassionate arms, no matter what
their age, color, creed, history, or belief.

Scripture:

The greatest among you must be a servant.
But those who exalt themselves will be
humbled, and those who humble themselves
will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12, NLT

Reflection:

Jesus Christ was a radical.
He was absolutely not a believer
in the status quo. Every part of
His ministry challenged society's
norm. Christ showed us that just
because the leaders of the church,
the government, of society in
general, say some
thing, "It just don't make it so'"
Today's verse is a perfect example.
To many in our society greatness
is defined as possessing ego, power,
wealth, and status. To Jesus Christ,
greatness comes from serving and
giving of yourself to help God and
others. Jesus taught us that service
keeps us aware of others' needs,
and it stops us from focusing
only on ourselves. I would like
to remind you that Jesus Christ
came into this world not as the
leader of the status quo but as
a servant of the people. The
question remains, "What kind
of greatness do you seek."

Prayer:

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred . . . let me sow love
Where there is injury . . . pardon
Where there is doubt . . . faith
Where there is despair . . . hope
Where there is darkness . . . light
Where there is sadness . . . joy
O, Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled . . . as to console
To be understood . . . as to understand,
To be loved . . . as to love
For it is in giving . . . that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned,
It is in dying . . . that we are born to eternal life.

In Jesus Name Amen

Scripture:

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
You have taken away my clothes of mourning
and clothed me with joy. Psalm 30:11

Reflection:

You know I think of this verse whenever I am
lonely, depressed or even afraid. This verse
reminds me that God can help. My God alone
truly sees my pain and so definitely offers to
turn my sadness into joy.

Prayer:

Thank You Almighty God for knowing my pain,
as You knew the pain of giving Your only Son
for us. You alone turn my sadness into
joy. Thank You for the Joy of Jesus.
In His Holy Name AMEN.