May 11 Meeting needs abundantly

Consider the great love of the LORD !

They:                                                              But God:

Wandered in desert wastelands with no place, no home; hungry, thirsty, fading	Led them by a direct path to a city with a place for home, good food and drink, revitalized them
Depressed, prisoners, suffering in chains, in bitterness rejected the Lord	Freed them, broke their chains, brought them out of darkness and gloom, loved them
Rebelled in foolishness bringing suffering upon themselves, dying	Healed them, saved their lives
Sought adventure and wealth, befallen by tragedy, discouraged, lost	Delivered from distress, calmed storms, provided safety, brought them home
Were needy	Blessed them, lifted out of their affliction, increased their numbers, fed them

Imagine what He is willing to do for you !! And me!!  Amen

Psalm 107:1-43

Feb 16 Friendship rewarded

Lord Jesus, when I read about the paralytic man who had four friends who brought him to You, I marvel at his good fortune.

How blessed he was to have four such close and loyal friends who would not give up in bringing him to You for healing. They not only carried him from wherever they came from but were so determined in their efforts that they climbed up onto the roof and dug a hole in it. Then, carefully, they lowered their friend down into Your presence with ropes.

It makes me wonder what kind of a man he must have been to have earned such loyalty and devotion. We don’t know how long he had been paralyzed, but he obviously needed help with a great many things and relied on others’ assistance and generosity, perhaps even pity. I have been around people who were in need like this who were not pleasant. Their own frustration with their limitations resulted in much anger and bitterness that spilled over into their attitude and treatment of others.

Oh Lord, when I am in situations where I am dependent on others to do for me, please let me remember this man. Let me be patient and kind to those who help me. Remind me to be thankful and grateful for their support and continued friendship to me. Let my circumstances bring out kindness and appreciation in me rather than bitterness.

If I live long enough, it is likely these times will come. As these bodies age, there is often weakness and infirmity. Be my strength, and let Your strength shine through my weakness. And may “my tongue speak of Your righteousness and of Your praises all day long.” Let me be a blessing to those around me. Amen

Mark 2:1-12; Psalm 35:28

Jan 31 Thank You thank You thank You

“Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard Jesus was passing by they called out. When You stopped, You asked what they wanted You to do for them. They asked for their sight. You had compassion on them and healed them! What a miracle!

I depend on Your mercy as well. And Your mercies are new every day. But if You were to ask what I want of You, I am already so blessed, it would be hard to answer.

You have already given me eternal life in Your presence for all time. You have forgiven my sin. You have allowed me to be born in a time when most disease is treatable, water and air are safe to drink and breathe, and injuries do not usually become life threatening. I have no fear of wild animals attacking as I live in a safe place. You have placed me in a country where I have freedoms that most in the world do not. I can worship You freely, I can travel where I want, can vote for my form of government and live my life in peace within its protected borders, without persecution.

You have allowed me to be born into a loving, supportive, Christian family who raised me to love You. And who gave me not only adequate food, shelter, and an education, but loved me and encouraged me.

You have protected me and saved me from more tragedy and trauma than I know about. And have blessed me with a husband and children, and friends. I live in a beautiful place where every day I can look to the mountains and be reminded of Your strength and majesty. I can enjoy four seasons with all the consistent changes that come with them; weather, wildlife, life cycles of plants, flowers, trees. I have full use of all my senses that can take in the beauty around me and see your infinite diversity at work in birdsongs, floral aromas, the lushness of grass, the chill of fresh snow, the painted sky at sunrise and sunset.

As I think of all these things, my heart overflows with gratitude and thanksgiving. Forgive me for not voicing it every day. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You! For as many days as I have left on this earth, there will always be something to thank You for. And when I pass into that next part of our eternal relationship, “I will enter Your gates with thanksgiving in my heart, and enter Your courts with praise!”

Matthew 20:29-34, Psalm 100:4

May 11 Meeting needs abundantly

Consider the great love of the LORD !

They:                                                              But God:

 

Wandered in desert wastelands with no place, no home; hungry, thirsty, fading	Led them by a direct path to a city with a place for home, good food and drink, revitalized them
Depressed, prisoners, suffering in chains, in bitterness rejected the Lord	Freed them, broke their chains, brought them out of darkness and gloom, loved them
Rebelled in foolishness bringing suffering upon themselves, dying	Healed them, saved their lives
Sought adventure and wealth, befallen by tragedy, discouraged, lost	Delivered from distress, calmed storms, provided safety, brought them home
Were needy	Blessed them, lifted out of their affliction, increased their numbers, fed them

Imagine what He is willing to do for you !! And me!!  Amen

Psalm 107:1-43