Saturday, August 16, 2008

We Are All Needy People

Several of my friends are facing difficult times at the moment.
One lady, a few years younger than I had to move her mother to an assisted living facility recently.
One of our Drama Team members has been concerned about his elderly father's health issues. The father has been in the hospital and extended care for about a month.
An elderly friend is moving her and her husband back to their home state due to his dementia.
One lady had cancer, took treatments, was told "Cancer free" after two tests. She developed symptoms of something, it was given a name. Recently, her husband took her to the hospital and found out the doctors had 'misdiagnosed' her. They are going for a third opinion and await yet another test specific to her original illness.
A personal friend has dealt with symptoms of a chronic disease/disorder for close to a year without receiving a firm diagnosis. Her husband's state of well-being continues to deteriorate since late last summer.
An older couple has gone through the illness and loss of one of their granddaughters.
These are just a few of the needs I am aware of in my faith community. The important thought here is these are PEOPLE OF FAITH. They believe God will see them through.
And, I too believe HE WILL.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Consider Peter's Prayer

Read (Matthew 14)

Peter and the other disciples were in a boat crossing the Sea of Galilee. A storm came up, surprising them. Out of nowhere, Jesus appeared, walking across the lake. Jesus told them not to fear and yes, it was Him. Peter, still doubting, tells Jesus to prove that it’s Him by asking him, Peter, to join Him. Jesus said, “Come.” He watched as Peter ventured out of the boat. Peter’s concentration broke when he looked at the wind. He began to sink into the water. “Lord, save me.” Peter cried out. This cryptic prayer quickly got answered as Jesus stretched out his arm to Peter.
As a child of God, some of my prayers are like Peter’s, an SOS for help. Peter’s prayer comes out of fear. Like Peter, I too have my moments of fear. It is in these times, I need a quick connection to Jesus. Peter’s prayer also comes from helplessness. He couldn’t do anything to get himself out of the fix he had gotten into. We also get ourselves into situations we can’t handle or remedy on our own. We, like Peter, cry out, “Lord, save me.” Or “Lord, help me.” We even cry out, “Lord, help them.” Jesus heard Peter’s short prayer; He also hears my short prayers. And I am thankful He does.

Monday, August 11, 2008

A Prayer of Praise and Faith

Lord:
I thank you for your presence, for guiding me through.
You comfort me when no one else can.

You know me better than all my family and my friends.
You know what I need and when I need it.

You comfort me when I am downcast.
You listen to my plight, calming my fears.

You buoy up my soul;
And wrap me in your loving arms.

Yet, you chastise me when I sin.
You reveal that You are God and I am me.

You work on my behalf even when I am unaware.
You love me when I feel most unlovely.

You do these things because you love me.
I can never experience a greater love than Yours.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Jesus and the Storms of Life

Read Mark 4:35-41

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled
and do not be afraid.” John 14:27.(NIV)

Jesus and his disciples set sail for the other side of the lake. A storm comes out of nowhere. The waves almost capsize the boat. The disciples are afraid. Jesus is asleep in the back of the boat. The disciples go and wake him, saying, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ Jesus gets up, looks at the wind and waves, saying, “Quiet! Be Still!” The wind dies down; a calmness takes over.
In our daily lives storms, in the form of difficult times, appear. Certain of these storms are very severe. We don’t know the outcomes . We, like the disciples, get scared. We, also, go to Jesus, asking for protection and guidance.
Jesus enters the scene and intercedes for us just as he did for the disciples. Did you notice in the scripture passage that after the disciples seek Jesus they don’t speak until after the crisis has passed? We should let Jesus do his work and we should stand alongside and pray.

Prayer: Dear Lord, Please remind us that you are in control of the storms of our lives.

Thought for the Day

We have to let God be God.

Prayer Focus: Those who need God to calm their lives.

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...