Christian Reflection and Prayer

 Verse

 

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Proverbs 31:8

 

Voice

 

Weary or bitter or bewildered as we may be, God is
faithful. [God] lets us wander so we will know what it
means to come home.
Marilynne Robinson

 

Prayer

 

Lord, teach us to notice our surroundings, to see the
beauty we pass by, the pain we look away from, and
the ways in which we can serve others.

Nehemiah said, 'Go and enjoy choice food and sweet
drinks, and send some to those who have nothing
prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve,
for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'" - Nehemiah 8:10
 
No matter who you are, if you have Jesus, you have joy.
If you have Christ within you, you have joy.

 

No matter how depressed, no matter how blue, no matter
how sick, I think it's in there. So much of living a joyful life
is not about having joy, but about releasing joy.

 

You are a joyful person. Claim that! Think to yourself
"I am a joyful person." Joy is a good thing. Joy is happy,
and joy is holy. The joy that you have in your life gives joy
to others. Your joy gives strength and hope and life to
people who are struggling. And although sometimes we're
struggling ourselves, one of the best things you can do is
release your joy into a hurting world.

 

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank you for the joy in my life.
Help me to claim that joy and share it with others. Amen.

 

REFLECTION: How is Jesus bringing joy to your life today?

 

(Bobby Schuller)

Verse

 

And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.
And because of the increase of lawlessness, the love
of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the
end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will
be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all
the nations; and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:11-14

 

Voice

 

We must be global Christians with a global vision because
our God is a global God.
John Stott

 

Prayer

 

Lord, remind us that the command to love our neighbor is
not constrained by geographical boundaries. Amen.