A spiritual thought
archie
When God forgives us, we don’t have to worry that He might remind us later of our past offenses.
Pray, otherwise temptation will overpower us for while we are willing enough, our bodies are weak.
THE SERENITY PRAYER
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.
We put every problem on one side or the other: a situation can either be accepted or it can be changed. If we are powerless over it, we have to first accept it--then we can do something about it. But if we have a situation that we need to change and we are trying to accept it, we are just making it worse.
The greatest truth in the Serenity Prayer is "Grant me ...wisdom to know the difference," to know which side to put it on.
We need to realize that on our own, we don’t even have that. We don’t even know whether to accept things or change things, so we ask Him for the wisdom to know which is which.
Source unknown
Always Say A Prayer
archie
Whatever God says is good.
Prayer can change things.
TO BUSY TO PRAY
As you got up this morning, I watched you and hoped you would talk to Me, even if it was just a few words, asking My opinion or thanking Me for something good that happened in your life yesterday, but I noticed you were too busy trying to find the right outfit to put on and wear to work. I waited again.
When you ran around the house getting ready, I knew there would be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello, but you were too busy. At one point you had to wait fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wanted to talk to Me but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip.
I watched as you went to work and I waited patiently all day long. With all your activities I guess you were too busy to say anything to Me. I noticed that before lunch you looked around, maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to Me, that is why you didn’t bow your head. You glanced three or four tables over and you noticed some of your friends talking to Me briefly before they ate, but you didn’t. That’s okay. There is still more time left, and I have hope that you will talk to Me yet you went home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do.
After a few of them were done you turned on the TV, I don’t know if you like TV or not, just about anything goes there and you spent a lot of time each day in front of it, not thinking about anything--just enjoying the show. I waited patiently again as you watched the TV and ate your meal, but again you didn’t talk to Me. At bedtime I guess you felt too tired.
After you said goodnight to your family you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time. That’s okay because you may not realize that I am always there for you. I’ve got patience, more than you will ever know. I even want to teach you how to be patient with others as well. I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, a prayer or thought or a thankful part of your heart. It is hard to have a one sided conversation.
Well, you are getting up again and once again I will wait with nothing but love for you hoping that today you will give Me some time.
Have a nice day!
Your friend, God
Unknown source
archie
What we want from God, we must be prepared to give to others.
Prayer confesses our absolute dependence on God.
TRUST GOD
One day, one friend asked another,
'How is it that you are always so happy?
You have so much energy,
And you never seem to get down.'
With her eyes smiling, she said,
'I know the Secret!'
'What Secret is that?'
To which she replied,
I'll tell you all about it,
But you have to promise to
Share the Secret with others.'
'The Secret is this:
I have learned there is little I can do
In my life that will make me truly happy
I must depend on God to make
Me happy and to meet my needs.
When a need arises in my life,
I have to trust God to supply
According to His riches.
I have learned most of the time
I don't need half of what I think I do.
He has never let me down.
Since I learned that 'Secret', I am happy.'
The questioner's first thought was,
'That's too simple! '
But upon reflecting over her own life
She recalled how she thought a bigger house
Would make her happy, but it didn't!
She thought a better paying job
Would make her happy, but it hadn't.
When did she realize her greatest happiness?
Sitting on the floor with her grandchildren,
Playing games, eating pizza or reading a story,
A simple gift from God.
Now you know it too!
We can't depend on people to make us happy.
Only God in His infinite wisdom can do that.
Trust Him!
And now I pass the Secret on to you!
So once you get it, what will you do?
You have to tell someone the Secret, too!
That God in His wisdom will take care of You!
But it's not really a secret.
We just have to believe it and do it.
Really trust God!
Source unknown
archie
What is impossible from a human perspective is possible with God.
Prayer is a privilege and duty of the children of God.
A WAY TO PRAY
A man’s daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her father. When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows. An empty chair sat beside his bed. The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit. "I guess you were expecting me," he said. "No, who are you?" said the father. The minister told him his name and then remarked, "I see the empty chair I figured you knew I was going to show up." "Oh yeah, the chair," said the bed ridden man. "Would you mind closing the door?" Puzzled, the minister shut the door. "I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man. "But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head. I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day about four years ago my best friend said to me, ‘Johnny, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with God. “Here is what I suggest." "Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see God on the chair. It’s not spooky because he promised, "I’ll be with you always." Then just speak to Him in the same way you’re doing with me right now." "So, I tried it and I’ve liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I’m careful though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she’d either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm." The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, anointed him with oil, and returned to the church. Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her daddy had died that afternoon. "Did he die in peace?" he asked. "Yes, and when I left the house about two o’ clock, he called me over to his bedside and told me he loved me and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange about his death. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that?" The minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, "I wish we could all go like that."
Source unknown
archie
What we have in our hearts, not in our bank accounts, matters to God.
Prayer demonstrates our reliance on God.
TRUST GOD
A young, new preacher was walking with an older, more seasoned preacher in the garden one day. Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was asking the older preacher for some advice.
The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any petals. The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and ministry.
But because of his great respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact. It wasn’t long before he realized how impossible this was to do.
Noticing the younger preacher’s inability to unfold the rosebud without tearing it, the older preacher began to recite the following poem:
It is only a tiny rosebud,
A flower of God’s design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.
The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I.
God opens this flower so sweetly,
Then, in my hands, they die.
If I cannot unfold a rosebud,
This flower of God’s design,
Then how can I have the wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?
So I’ll trust in Him for leading
Each moment of my day.
I will look to Him for His guidance
Each step of the pilgrim way.
The pathway that lies before me,
Only my Heavenly Father knows.
I’ll trust Him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.
Source unknown
archie
What we call adversity, God calls opportunity.
Prayer doesn’t arrange the material world to meet our preferences, it changes our thoughts about the world.
UNGRATEFULNESS
This past November, we found ourselves with no income, soon to be kicked out of our apartment and expecting a second child. As time went on and I was unable to find work, and therefore unable to afford an apartment, we were actually facing the unthinkable prospect of not having any place to live. It was all we could do to fend off panic.
With the eviction date just days away, we found ourselves calling to God with all the urgency of shell-shocked soldiers in a foxhole. Our rescue came with two simple rings of the telephone.
First an advertising agency offered me a job (for far more than I was expecting), and then we found out that the family that was first in line for an apartment we could afford had found another place to live. We’d be a little more crowded than we had been, but we rushed to take the apartment. Suddenly, an income and a place to live! You’d think I would be praising God, right?
Well, as we were moving in, it became increasingly clear that our not only was our new apartment smaller than our old one, it was significantly smaller. We simply were not going to fit without a lot of cramming. To add to our frustration, the walls weren’t painted, fixtures didn’t work, and the noise from the street below was deafening.
Late that night, I got out of bed and went into the darkened living room to sulk. After a while, my wife Nicole came out and saw me sitting in the shadow of a stack of boxes. "What’s the matter?" she said.
"What’s the matter? We’re never going to fit, that’s what’s the matter!" I snapped.
She looked at me for a moment without saying a word. And as she did, I felt myself shrink under the weight of her hurt eyes. How ugly, how pathetic I was. Just days before, I was telling God that I’d live in a cave if need be. Now, in just a few hours, I had completely forgotten how desperate we’d been and how merciful His provisions.
Lord, forgive my ungrateful heart and help me to see clearly Your gracious gifts.
Source unknown
archie
What God wants us to do is rarely what we want to do.
Prayer is a two way proposition, after talking to God, why not listen to Him a little while?
WE ARE A LOT WEALTHIER THEN WE THINK
A tax assessor came one day to a poor Christian to determine the amount of taxes he would have to pay.
The following conversation took place: "What property do you possess?" asked the assessor.
"I am a very wealthy man," replied the Christian.
"List your possessions, please," the assessor instructed.
The Christian said:
"First, I have everlasting life, John 3:16.
Second, I have a mansion in heaven, John 14:2.
Third, I have peace that passes all understanding, Philippians 4:7.
Fourth, I have joy unspeakable, 1 Peter 1:8.
Fifth, I have divine love which never fails, 1 Corinthians 13:8.
Sixth, I have a faithful wife, Proverbs 31:10.
Seventh, I have healthy, happy obedient children, Exodus 20:12.
Eighth, I have true, loyal friends, Proverbs 18:24.
Ninth, I have songs in the night, Psalms! 42:8.
Tenth, I have a crown of life, James 1:12.”
The tax assessor closed his book, and said, "Truly you are a very rich man, but your property is not subject to taxation."
I pray that all of us will have this kind of tax free "wealth."
Source unknown
archie
Weakness should help us remember our need for God’s guidance, strength and help.
Prayer is more effective than panic, panic confirms our hopelessness, prayer confirms our hope in God.
WHAT GOD CANNOT DO ALL THINGS
I gave you life,
but cannot live it for you.
I can give you directions,
but I cannot be there to lead you.
I can take you to church,
but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong,
but I cannot always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful clothes,
but I cannot make you beautiful inside.
I can offer you advice,
but I cannot accept it for you.
I can teach you respect,
but I cannot force you to show honor.
I can advise you about friends,
but cannot choose them for you.
I can tell you about alcohol and drugs,
but I can't say "No" for you.
I can tell you about lofty goals,
but I can't achieve them for you.
I can teach you about kindness,
but I can't force you to be gracious
I can pray for you,
but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can tell you how to live,
but I cannot give you eternal life.
I can love you with unconditional love all of My life, and I will.
I can give you love,
but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to share,
but I cannot make you unselfish.
Harold Kushner
archie
What does God want from us: trust, praise, obedience.
Prayer is acknowledgement of our personal helplessness.
THE WEIGHT OF A PRAYER
Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food. John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store at once.
Visualizing the family needs, she said: 'Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can.' John told her he could not give her credit, since she did not have a charge account at his store.
Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family. The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, 'Do you have a grocery list?' Louise replied, 'Yes sir.' 'o.k' he said, 'put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries.'
Louise hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.
The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down. The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, 'I can't believe it.' The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more.
The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer, which said: 'Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands.' The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence.
Louise thanked him and left the store. The other customer handed a fifty dollar bill to the grocer and said; 'It was worth every penny of it.
Only God Knows how much a prayer weighs.'
Author unknown
archie
We will never be counted out if we count God in.
Prayer is not a rigid routine we practice in the presence of a bureaucratic god who wishes that our prayers would be more orderly, it is a conversation, and a messy one, at that, with Someone we love and Who loves us.
WHEN THINGS DON’T TURN OUT OUR WAY
Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, 'Things aren't always what they seem.' The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel how could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him, he accused. The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die. 'Things aren't always what they seem,' the older angel replied. 'When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it.' 'Then last night as we slept in the farmer’s bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem.' Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You just might not know it until sometime later.
Source unknown