Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

1 Peter 2:9 (New International Version)

9But you are a chosen people, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging
to God, that you may declare the praises of
him who called you out of darkness into his
wonderful light.

from Our daily Bread

Reflection:

In the spring of 2009, Susan Boyle took the
stage of Britain’s Got Talent. Compared to
the other contestants, she was plain-looking.
No one expected much when she raised the
microphone to her lips. But then she began
to sing. Spellbound, the judges were clearly
taken with the beauty and power of the voice
that filled the auditorium as the audience stood
to their feet cheering with delight. All were
surprised that such a rivetingly beautiful song
came from such an unlikely source.

All of us can be unlikely sources when it comes
to the beauty of Jesus flowing out of us. But that
is how He planned it. Common folk like you and
me take turns on the stage of life in front of the
world’s skeptical audience so that our friends,
family, and all who fill the arena of our lives will
see and hear the love and grace of Jesus Christ
emerging from our lives.

I love Peter’s reminder that we are “a people for
His own possession, that [we] may proclaim the
excellencies of Him who called [us] out of darkness
into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9 esv). You might
think you’re an unlikely source, but when you allow
the Lord to flow through you, the watching world will
stand up and take notice.

Remember The beauty of Jesus may come from the
most unlikely sources

Prayer:

Oh Lord
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me
All His wonderful passion and purity!
O Thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine,
Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
In Jesus Name Amen

REMEMBER THIS!

Psalm 24

1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;

2 for he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the waters.

3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?
Who may stand in his holy place?

4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false. [a]

5 He will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God his Savior.

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, O God of Jacob. [b]
Selah

7 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.

8 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.

10 Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory.

AMEN!

Scripture:

6 God began doing a good work in you,
and I am sure he will continue it until it
is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.
Philippians 1:6 (New Century Version)

Reflection:

Growing up I had a very special friend.
I was lucky to have a friend like this. 
He was the kind of person who really cared
and would remain loyal to his friends.
In other words he was someone I could
count on.  He was always there for me
in times of joy and times of sadness. 
He was there for his squad in Viet Nam,
he died a hero, they counted on him and
he came through.
Over the years I have had another very
special friend.  He was and is someone
I can always count on.  He is the kind
of friend that is always there for me. This
is one unique friend, you see when this
friend starts something with me, He
finishes it! 
That's right you already know who it is.
It's God!  What God starts, He finishes.
When I ask my friend for forgiveness,
He will forgive me and not quit.  As a
matter of fact He gave His life for me,
just like my buddy in Viet Nam.  But
He not only died for me, Jesus rose
from the dead, I was forgiven for an
eternity.
This friend Jesus can be your friend
too.  I promise He is the kind of
friend that is always there for you.
REMEMBER THIS, WHAT GOD
STARTS, HE FINISHES!  AND GOD
IS NOT FINISHED WITH YOU!

Prayer:

O Christ Jesus,
when all is darkness
and we feel our weakness and helplessness,
give us the sense of Your presence,
Your love, and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
in Your protecting love
and strengthening power,
so that nothing may frighten or worry us,
for, living close to You,
we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things.