Christian Reflection and Prayer

We can choose growth or stagnation. We can use
whatever circumstances we are given as opportunities
to grow and thrive, or we can let our circumstances
get the best of us and beat us into defeat. In life,
success doesn’t necessarily go to the one who is
most talented, brilliant, or savvy – it goes to the one
who chooses to follow the path of blessings.

No matter what situation you find yourself in
today, know beyond the shadow of doubt that it is one
in which you can thrive. All you need to do is make
that choice. Cling to God and to His Word and choose
life’s blessings!

“If you lend money to one of my people among you who i
s needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no
interest.” — Exodus 22:25

A wealthy person may have every material and physical
thing, but there is more to be had in the spiritual realm.
The poor help the wealthy by giving them the opportunity
to serve the Lord and earn great rewards from above. As
it says in Proverbs, “The generous will themselves be
blessed, for they share their food with the poor” (22:9).

So next time someone asks you for help, or you spot
someone in need, remember they represent precious,
holy souls. God calls them “My people.” If they are His
people, surely they should be “our people” as well, and
we should treat them with dignity, respect, compassion,
and love.

With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

(excerpts taken from Holy Land Moments)

An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but
a reliable messenger brings healing.
Proverbs 13:17 NLT

A credible message needs a credible messenger
because charisma without character is catastrophe.
Peter Kuzmic

Letters from God

A U.S. ambassador resides in a foreign country and
yet lives on U.S.-owned property. Though the laws of
that land may differ from ours, the ambassador is still
responsible to uphold the laws and rules of his own
government. His words and actions can never be
wholly his for he does not act in his own capacity.
When he speaks, he is a messenger for his
government. When he acts, his deeds reflect on the
country he represents. We are Christ's ambassadors
and therefore his messengers. Too often we think that
the message we preach reflects our faith. However,
on a much deeper level it is the message of our
everyday words and actions that are influential. We
are the letter from God that people read. We become
unreliable messengers when we speak crudely, gossip a
bout a neighbor, or act dishonestly.

Our words and actions reflect God, who lives inside us,
to people who never open a Bible or enter a church.
Never forget that you are an ambassador for Christ
and a messenger of hope. Ask his Spirit to empower
you to deliver the Good News with your life and words.

LORD, thank you for allowing me to be your ambassador.
Let my message be honest and true. Help me to
encourage others and to go out of my way to speak a
kind word. Forgive me for times when I have spoken
without thinking. Let me live in such a way that my
words and actions represent you so that my message
may be one of love and hope.

Adapted from The One Year® Book of Praying through
the Bible by Cheri Fuller, Tyndale House Publishers
(2003), entry for April 21.