Scripture:

"He must increase, but I must decrease."
(John 3:30)

Reflection:

"Behind every man is a great woman", "Behind every
candidate there is a great politician, " etc, etc,
I really believe that we as Christians are called upon
to have a similar approach in making Jesus known to the
world. We need to be content to work behind the scenes.
John 3:30 says "He must increase, but I must decrease".
That ain't easy to do is it? Many of us want to have the
glory, many of us want the focus to be on us and not on
God. But please remember what Oswald Chambers reminds
of us: "Goodness and purity ought never to attract attention
to themselves, they ought simply to be magnets to draw to
Jesus Christ. A beautiful saint may be a hindrance if he does
not present Jesus Christ but only what Christ has done for him:
he will leave the impression--'What a fine character that man is!'--
that is not being a true friend of the Bridegroom: I am increasing
all the time, He is not."
Remember Jesus Christ is the lead on stage, we are behind
the scenes. I think we have a few preachers that need to remember
this.

Prayer:

Lord I pray that I am a worker for Your Glory not for Mine]
THANK YOU GOD FOR BEING GOD

Quote of the Day

Abigail Kelley Foster
Pacifist Abolitionist
(1811-1877)

"Go where you are least wanted, for there you are most needed."

Scripture:

"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
(Colossians 3:17)

My parents had one very specific rule as I was growing up.
They were constantly teaching to always say "please" and
"thank you". Actually it was my first words learned.
I soon learned in my life the connection between asking
politely and receiving gratefully. The problem is that as we get
older that connection begins to disconnect, Especially with God.
We ask for more and praise a lot less. We need to be reminded
what the Apostle Paul tell us in Colossians 3:15-17= "Be
Thankful" (v.15), "Sing with gratitude to the Lord" (v.16), "Do all in
the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through Him" (v.17).

Prayer:

I thank you Lord for Blessings you give us on our way, May
I forever be Grateful, and Praise You everyday. (Roworth)
THANK YOU GOD FOR BEING GOD!!!!

Quote for the Day

St. Claire of Assisi
Spiritual Teacher and Guide, Political and Religious Peacemaker
(1193-1223)

"Go forth in peace, for you have followed the good road. Go
forth without fear, for He that created you has sanctified you, has
always protected you, and loves you as a mother."

Scripture:

"Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.
They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing
as they return with the harvest." Psalm 126:5-6 NLT

"For he has not ignored the suffering of the needy. He has
not turned and walked away. He has listened to their cries
for help". Psalm 22:24 NLT
"
Reflection:

You know, I believe one of the worse things about
televangelists talking about being born again, is
that they give the distinct impression that if you
accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, there will be no
more suffering, and that your life will be filled with
joy. I do agree there is a great deal of joy in your
life, I disagree about the suffering. The Bible does
not promise that we as Christians won't suffer.
Actually we can expect to suffer. As Christians
we will be persecuted and suffer. We are
surrounded by evil, I really believe this. The world
is full of evil, and the good do suffer from the evil.
But what God promises us that our suffering will
bring new growth. As I look back in my life, I see
that many of the things that I truly suffered from has
made me a better person and, without a doubt, a
better Christian.
You know the worst kind of suffering is the suffering
we experience alone. It helps when we have another
person who is sympathetic with our problem, the
suffering is much easier to bear. God is not only
our Father, He is our partner. Jesus Christ hears
our cries. I am totally convinced that my Savior
Jesus Christ has never failed to respond to my pain
and suffering. You see thats the beauty of having
Jesus Christ in my life, I still suffer in my life but
I'm never alone, I never suffer alone, Jesus Christ
is always there for me. He is there for you.

Prayer:

Oh Jesus, thank you for always being there. You
are my Savior and my companion. You take the
pain away. Since You have come in to my life I
grown, I turn my suffering over to You. THANK YOU
GOD FOR BEING GOD!

I Cannot Do This Alone

O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray
And to concentrate my thoughts on you:
I cannot do this alone.
In me there is darkness,
But with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not leave me;
I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace.
In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways,
But you know the way for me…
Restore me to liberty,
And enable me to live now
That I may answer before you and before me.
Lord, whatever this day may bring,
Your name be praised.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

This is a prayer I pray everyday. It is my prayer
that it is your prayer.

Prayer for Peace

Heal my wounded heart.
Grant me the courage to change my heart.
Let Peace live in my heart.

Fill me with compassion for those suffering in war.
Help me care for those in war.
Help me bring Peace to those in war.

Help me stop wars.
Help soldiers stop wars.
Help leaders stop wars.

Fill me with Peace and Justice.
Help me to work for Peace with Justice.
Let there be Peace with Justice among all peoples.