Friday, June 22, 2012

Lord, I Give You My Best RJD #13




I found some more old journals in my bookcase. This entry, taken from mid May 1999, reflects my desire and my frustration. I had been asked to work on a large project for the General Conference of the denomination I belonged to at that time. The project was to coordinate the daycare. It involved planning the daily activities, making decorations, and staffing. The planning involved deciding on and purchasing snacks, as well as finding kids songs, activities (rhythm band, play-dough, dress up, videos, puppets and stage.) I also had to purchase drawing/painting supplies. A dear friend had worked in daycare; she found me some men’s shirts and donated them. She also donated the play dough and the cookie cutters. She looked over my plans when I needed help.
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I took a liberty with the poem; I edited it to make it more in line with form and ‘meter’.
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(5/14/1999)

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in he name of the Lord Jesus. Giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

“If any one speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:11 (NIV)

Lord, Your word tells us to give
Each task our very best.
The apostles tell us this so that
Each day it’s for you we live.

You taught us to give each day
To You and to Your care.
When we obey this dear lesson,
We know You are there all the way. 

Father, You ask us to show
Your love, to others-not easy.
But You make a way for us
And guide us through from above.

Lord, I want to do my very best
As I work each day for you.
I do it because I love You.
You love me, I am blest.

Jesus, I need Your great strength.
Help me to stay obedient.
Guide me as I walk our path,
Please, dear Lord, help me through.

Lord, you go before me this day.
Thank You for being with me.
Guiding, encouraging, any yes,
Leading me along the way.

Helper, please take each care of mine
About these plans about my life.
Mould them to Your liking,
Because these plans are thine.

Savior, when I go to my final rest
When You call me home.
I want to be able to say,
“Lord, I gave You my best.”

 Quiet Spirit  Writing Ministry
 6/22/2012

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Prayers of Supplication




“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession,
and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings and all those
in authority, that we may live peaceful quiet lives in all goodness
and holiness. This is good and pleases God our Savior,”
1 Tim 2:1-3 (NIV)

            “Prayers” Paul impresses upon Timothy and later readers to we are to request God’s help for others, to stand before God on the behalf of everyone. Just what does Paul mean here?
            “ . . .for everyone” We, as believers in Christ, are to pray for those in our family, in our neighborhood, people we hear of, and even people with whom we may have issues, as well as those who have issues with us. This is a tall order. Also, we are to pray for our national leaders. Sometimes, this is easy for us to do; other times, it is difficult. However, if we strive to follow Paul’s guidance we experience a wonderful reward.

            “. . . peaceful quiet lives. . .” We recently had some work done to the outside of our home. First job went like clockwork, roof reshingled in less than a day. On the second job, the contractor ran into a snag. It caused a delay in the completion of the work. We didn’t know what the problem was until late in the afternoon. The man and his wife returned to tell us the situation and that the supply he searched for had to be special ordered. The job couldn’t be done for three to five days.
Not knowing what the holdup was caused Hubby to be in a bad mood which in turn caused me to be defensive. When we at lunch, I felt the need to pray for our contractor. It was about forty five minutes later that the gentleman and his wife drove in and shared with us the data about the supply hold-up. I found myself relaxed and calm on the inside. I could enjoy the light breeze coming in the open window and through the front door. 
            “. . . in all goodness and holiness.” When we are in tune with God through prayer, we feel His presence. We know we can go to Him with whatever need we have or are aware of. Our desire is to please Him in whatever we do.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Prayers of Confession





“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and
will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
 1 John 1:9 (NIV)

            God, in His wisdom, takes away all our sin and purifies our hearts when we confess our wrongdoing.
            He, who knows when we have transgressed and gone against His design for our lives, wants to hear from us because when we tell Him what we did and that we know it was wrong, He knows we are truly sorry for our sins.
            I remember an ad for a silver polish on television as I grew up. A person dipped a rust encrusted spoon into a container of the polish, let it set a few seconds—I’m sure it was time lapse photography--, and pulled it out. The utensil looked like brand new, all sparkly and clean.
            Our heavenly Father listens to our confession and speaks words of forgiveness, comfort, and healing into our ears. Sometimes, He chooses to put His hand on our shoulder; other times He wraps His arms around us and hugs us. In whatever way He chooses, God restores us to Himself.

Prayer:
            Thank You, Father, for hearing our confessions. Thank You, for Your forgiveness and Your cleansing us from our sins. We love You, Lord. We give You the praise. In the name of Jesus, we pray. AMEN  

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 ...