Christian Reflection and Prayer

 

"If anyone wants to be a follower of Mine, let him renounce

himself and take up his cross and follow Me" Mark 8:34

There is an amusing story about a priest and a rabbi who

are playing golf together for the first time. The rabbi soon

discovers that the priest is an excellent putter. He also

notices that before putting, the priest always makes the

sign of the Cross. Halfway through the course, the rabbi

is losing by ten strokes. Consequently, he asks the priest

if he thinks it will be all right if he too crosses himself.

"Sure rabbi, go ahead," the priest says. "But it won't do

you any good until you learn how to putt."

We can go through the motions making the sign of the

cross. But until we begin making the cross the ultimate

sign that we have accepted the teachings of Jesus, it

won't do us any good.

 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13
 
All of us in this world, believers and unbelievers alike, are blind.
None of us knows what is in front of us and what tomorrow will
bring.

But some of us, with Jesus as our Savior, are able to live life
rather than just endure it. Christians don't know what the future
holds, but they do know their Lord holds the future. They know
a God who loves them so much that He was willing to sacrifice
His Son for their salvation is not going to walk away from them.

He is not going to desert them. He is not going to play cruel
and nasty jokes on them. He is not going to change His mind
and one morning decide to hate them and make their existence
as miserable as He can.

No. Christians know they are in the hands of a loving Father.
They may not always understand why He allows things to
happen to them. They may not always be able to figure out
where He is leading them. But they know His hand is a loving
hand. When they are afraid, His arms are the place to which
they run. When things seem dark, His presence is what they
seek. When they are sad, He may not take away their cause
for sadness, but He will comfort them by sharing their pain.

The knowledge that "God is love" makes all the difference in
how Christians approach their unknown tomorrows
(see 1 John 4:7-12).

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, grant that I may rely on Your love and support,
which are always there. Let my risen Savior stay with me,
and may I always live a life that stays with Him. In His Name
Amen

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)

Verse

Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not
see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not
smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not
walk; they make no sound in their throats. Those who
make them are like them; so are all who trust in them.

- Psalm 115:4-8

Voice

The things that we love tell us what we are.
Thomas Aquinas


Prayer

God of abundance, help us live today trusting that there
will be enough for tomorrow. Your sources have no end.
Teach us to share our resources, believing that the more
we give, the more you will provide for all. Amen.
Common Prayer

(Our Daily Bread)