Christian Reflection and Prayer

A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
Proverbs 13:1

 

Our childhood experiences help shape and form who
we are as adults. Some amazing people are able to
take a terrible childhood and become fantastic adults
anyway, but for the most part, children who are raised
well are the ones who turn out well.

 

We need to take this concept and expand it beyond
our own families. While it is true and necessary that
we must work hard to give our own children positive
experiences in childhood, consequences for
inappropriate behavior when necessary, and provide
them with opportunities that will help them thrive, we
also need to do what we can to help all children around
the world. Not just because it is the moral thing to do,
but also because it is the best thing we can do to
ensure a better future for everyone.

 

Today, consider contributing to a charity that helps
children. No child should be hungry, hurt, or afraid. As
we take care of all God’s children, we pave the way for
a brighter future – not just for our own children, but for
all children of the world.

 

With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His
mercies never come to an end; they are new every
morning; great is Your faithfulness. "The LORD is
my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in
Him." The LORD is good to those who wait for Him,
to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one
should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.
Lamentations 3:22-26

 

The book of Lamentations beautifully reminds us
of how God's graces are new every morning

 

Looking at so many frightening situations, all too
often believers conclude they are alone, or they
may soon find themselves in a position from which
there is no escape and which can never be resolved.
You can understand why with people being martyred
every day, how some of the Savior's followers might
think their personal future -- as well as that of
Christianity -- must be very dark indeed.

 

This is why we need to constantly be reminded that
God's compassion will not fail us.The book of
Lamentations beautifully reminds us of how God's
graces are new every morning

 

I encourage you, when you are facing hard times, to
let God know how you feel, and let Him know you are
counting on His help.

 

Maybe we can expand that to read that you are
counting on and patiently waiting for the Lord's
assistance and intervention. Yes, you can do those
things with confidence because God has heard your
prayer. Because of Jesus' sacrifice and victory, the
Lord promises He will respond. That's why Psalm
27:14 gives us this encouragement: "Wait on the Lord:
be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart:
wait, I say, on the Lord."

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Dear Lord, no matter what type of problem or
persecution we meet, may we trust in You. Because
of the sacrifice of the Savior, we can be at peace and
know that Your faithful people may be persecuted, but
they will also be preserved. This I ask in Jesus' Name.
Amen.

Those who are kind benefit themselves,
but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
Proverbs 11:17

 

Often, the greatest way to serve others is by first giving
ourselves what others need to be given.

 

It says in Proverbs: “Those who are kind benefit
themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.” A
kind person is one who benefits himself. If we neglect
ourselves and hurt our bodies or souls, we end up
lashing out at others and becoming a cruel person.

 

An interesting story is told about Hillel the Elder (first
century BCE) who, upon leaving his students, told them
that he was on his way to fulfill a Divine commandment.
The students asked Hillel which commandment in
particular he intended to perform. To his surprised
students, Hillel answered that he was going to the
bathhouse. Hillel was teaching his students that it is a
great service to God to take care of one’s own body.

 

In another story, Hillel announced to his students that
he was on his way to do a kindness for a guest in his
home. The students asked, “Do you always have a guest
in your home?” Hillel replied that his soul was a guest in
his body – here today, but gone one day – and that by
eating, he was being kind to his guest.

 

Let’s all resolve to be extra kind and loving to the guest
in our home. Let’s take care of ourselves so that we may
care for others. When we are strong and loved, we have
the strength and love to give to others.

 

With prayers for shalom, peace,
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein