Prayers

VOD 03/07/11: You Can’t Find A Better Father.

Verse:

James 1:16-17
   Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (KJV)

Thought:

   A father is someone in your life that provides for your needs, protects you from harm, and gives you instruction on how to live a meaningful life. God has done that and has proven Himself to be deserving of the title ‘Father’. Actually, He didn’t have to prove anything. He chose to create mankind and to offer us eternal life. All we have to do is return His love and become His children by living our lives as He intended us to and reaping the benefits that a righteous way of life provides.

Prayer:

Our Heavenly Father,
   Thank You for this day and all of Your blessings. Abba Lord, thank You for all You have given us and for all You have done for us. Through Your love, kindness, and mercy You have shown how much You care for us. May we be found worthy of Your sacrifice by living as You have taught us to live. Open the hearts and minds of others to life’s possibilities made available through Your word.
   We lift our prayers up to You, our LORD and our Savior…Amen.


Good morning to one and all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours for a safe and wonder-filled day.

May God Bless,
Michael

VOD 03/08/11: Don’t Add Fuel To The Fire.

Verse:

Proverbs 17:14
   The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. (KJV)

Thought:

   It isn’t difficult at all to make a mountain out of a molehill…all you have to do is add a little dirt. How many times have you seen a little disagreement escalate into a full blown argument because neither party involved would take the initiative and put a stop to it? Nothing is achieved with harsh words. Agree to disagree, move on to something more productive, and remain good friends. Otherwise you risk the chance of causing irreparable harm to not only others, but yourself as well.

Prayer:

Our Heavenly Father,
   Thank You for this day and all of Your blessings. Abba Lord, if we find ourselves in disagreement with another, have Your Spirit give us the fortitude to hold our tongue and not add fuel to the fire. Allow us to see an alternative way out of the discussion and put to practice the patience and tactfulness that Your Word teaches and part on good terms with those whose friendship we value.
   We lift our prayers up to You, our LORD and our Savior…Amen.


Good morning to one and all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours for a safe and wonder-filled day.

May God Bless,
Michael

VOD 03/09/11: Time Will Show Who You Are.

Verse:

Job 27:6
   My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live. (KJV)

Thought:

   It only takes a moment to build a reputation but it takes a lifetime to build character. You can do one thing that stands out, good or bad, and all of a sudden you have a label that sticks with you for a long time. But for people to really see you for who you are takes an even longer time, like building trust. It is human nature for most people to be cautious before placing their trust in others. Stay strong in God’s Word and eventually they will come to know you and appreciate who you are.

Prayer:

Our Heavenly Father,
   Thank You for this day and all of Your blessings. Abba Lord, continue to watch over us and have the Holy Spirit guide us through life. Have us adopt the character of our Lord Jesus and hold fast to His teachings. Let us not stray nor become influenced by those that would have us deviate from Your Word. May our conduct be a testimony of our faith and inspire others to follow in His footsteps.
   We lift our prayers up to You, our LORD and our Savior…Amen.


Good morning to one and all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours for a safe and wonder-filled day.

May God Bless,
Michael

VOD 03/10/11: Make Yours Time Well Spent.

Verse:

Ecclesiastes 9:10
   Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. (KJV)

Thought:

   What is more important isn’t how many hours of work you put in, but how much work you put in the hours. You have to admit that there are times that we are more motivated and at other times not so much. There have been days when we have put more work into a couple of hours than we have put in all day at other times. Wouldn’t we much rather be remembered for what we did than for what we didn’t do? If we make every minute more productive, then the hours will take care of themselves.

Prayer:

Our Heavenly Father,
   Thank You for this day and all of Your blessings. Abba Lord, as we go about our daily lives, have Your Spirit instill in us the work ethic that You have taught us. Let our hands not be slack while performing our daily tasks but strive to be as productive as possible each day. When we have finished our work, may our time of rest be better used with the study and devotion of Your Word.
   We lift our prayers up to You, our LORD and our Savior…Amen.


Good morning to one and all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours for a safe and wonder-filled day.

May God Bless,
Michael

VOD 03/11/11: Be Meek...But Strong.

Verse:

Psalms 149:4
   For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. (KJV)

Thought:

   Too many people associate the term meek with being timid, shy, and even weak-willed. This is not how God describes His children. He calls for us to be strong, yet humble in spirit and manner. Stand up for what you believe in but do it in such a way as to not appear to be reluctant…or an antagonist. A person can be strong in their beliefs without appearing to be too forceful or condemning of those not of like mind. Be a soft force to be reckoned with. Be like Jesus; a lamb with the heart of a lion.

Prayer:

Our Heavenly Father,
   Thank You for this day and all of Your blessings. Abba Lord, walk with us today and have Your Spirit give us the strength and courage to stand by our convictions. Let us exhibit the meekness and strength our Lord Jesus showed in the face of opposition. May our conduct be a reflection of Your will and hope for humanity. As Your children, may our conduct be a reflection of our Holy Father.
   We lift our prayers up to You, our LORD and our Savior…Amen.


Good morning to one and all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours for a safe and wonder-filled day.

May God Bless,
Michael

Sorry iv'e been MIA. Struggling a bit. Back and just the whole kitnkaboodle (is that a word:)

Sis, got the update and you both, your brother too, are in my prayers. Hang in there!

Welcome to all readers and newcomers.

SW, good to see you! Jack, Michael, Greg, good to see yous too!

VOD 03/12/11: You Don’t Have To Die To Live.

Verse:

John 15:13
   Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (KJV)

Thought:

   When it comes to staying alive, most people’s mind set is ‘Better me than thee!’. Though this scripture indeed indicates that to give one’s life for another is the most extreme showing of love, when you follow the life of Jesus you see it also has a double meaning. He spent His entire life trying to help others live. Isn’t this another example of how you can ‘lay down your life’ for others? Time spent in the pursuit of helping to improve the lives of others improves the lives of the benefactors.

Prayer:

Our Heavenly Father,
   Thank You for this day and all of Your blessings. Abba Lord, help us recognize how we may be of service to others. Show us the opportunities to help improve the life of those less fortunate than ourselves. Let us see the possibilities of showing others how they too may be of assistance to those in need of comfort. May we always show the love towards others that You show to Your children.
   We lift our prayers up to You, our LORD and our Savior…Amen.


Good morning to one and all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours for a safe and wonder-filled day.

May God Bless,
Michael

VOD 03/13/11: To Have Faith Is To Live.

Verse:

2 Corinthians 5:6-8
   Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (KJV)

Thought:

   Having faith means to challenge ourselves to venture past what the eyes can see. Faith means to believe that our almighty God exists and that Jesus died for our sins so we may have everlasting life. Faith means to know that our life here on Earth is only temporary and that when we leave these mortal bodies, we will be in the presence of our LORD. Faith is the intangible quality in our lives that gives us hope and courage against adversity. Faith gives us confidence that we will live forever.

Prayer:

Our Heavenly Father,
   Thank You for this day and all of Your blessings. Abba Lord, have Your Holy Spirit help us to stay strong in our faith that You and Your Son, Jesus the Christ, will be waiting with open arms when we pass from this life to the next. While here, let us always live by the teachings expressed in Your Word and set an example of the righteous way of living for others to see and follow in every day life.
   We lift our prayers up to You, our LORD and our Savior…Amen.


Good morning to one and all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours for a safe and wonder-filled day.

May God Bless,
Michael

VOD 03/14/11: We Must Live As We Teach.

Verse:

Matthew 23:3
   All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. (KJV)

Thought:

   From this scripture arises the old adage, ‘Actions speak louder than words’ and one of our parents’ favorite admonishments, ‘Do as I say and not as I do’. A person’s character is perceived by what others observe them doing. This is particularly pertinent when it comes to the instructions we give our children on how to live. Jesus’ words would not have held much meaning if He hadn’t lived as He had taught. We must be careful to live as though He is watching our every move, because He is.

Prayer:

Our Heavenly Father,
   Thank You for this day and all of Your blessings. Abba Lord, thank You for sending Your Son to show us how we should be a people of our word by living according to Your Word. Give us the knowledge needed to raise our children to be good examples of Christian living. Let our actions reflect the teachings of Jesus in all we do. May our conduct be in praise of Your grace and glory.
   We lift our prayers up to You, our LORD and our Savior…Amen.


Good morning to one and all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours for a safe and wonder-filled day.

May God Bless,
Michael

VOD 03/15/11: If It’s Worth Doing…Do It!

Verse:

2 Corinthians 8:11
   Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. (KJV)

Thought:

   ‘There is no job, today, that cannot be better started tomorrow.’ So said Buddy Ebsen’s bum character on the old Andy Griffith Show. How many have fallen prey to that logic! We can’t finish anything if at first we don’t begin. Procrastination is not one of the more desired qualities a person needs to acquire. The good LORD has given us abilities to persevere but they can only be realized if we put them to use. If it is worth doing, then by all means do it and stop talking about doing it.

Prayer:

Our Heavenly Father,
   Thank You for this day and all of Your blessings. Abba Lord, let us not put off until tomorrow what can be done today. Have the Holy Spirit fill us with the resolve and determination to have our day be as productive as possible. Let us strive to use the abilities that You have given us to perform our daily task to completion. May our work ethic be an inspiration to others and exhibit your will.
   We lift our prayers up to you, our LORD and our Savior…Amen.


Good morning to one and all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours for a safe and wonder-filled day.

May God Bless,
Michael

I want to lift up the suffering people of Japan, Father.  We know that historically, they have been resistant to the gospel, however, we also know You love them as much as us.  We know that Your Spirit can melt the hard hearted, and self- sufficient.  May Your people that are there shine forth as they live out Your love.  May those of Your children who are helping- those in civilian and military positions- bear witness to Your grace even as they render loving care.  Show us how to minister to the whole man, and use this prayer to bless the people of Japan in their hour of need.  My heart goes out to the fishing village in northern Japan that lost 10,000 of its total 17,000 residents.  Speak to their hearts, I pray.  Intervene to cool the nuclear power plants that threaten many more lives by giving of radiation from their damaged containment vessels.  We intercede as You taught us and command us, and because we understand Your grace and loving heart for the lost.  In Jesus' Precious Name we pray.  Amen.

Although long from this board you have been in my thoughts and prayers.. peace

VOD 03/16/11: Study And You Can Graduate.

Verse:

2 Timothy 2:15
   Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)

Thought:

   Did you not have to study in order to graduate? Did you not have to study to learn the job you are presently at? Of course you did. You had to learn your company’s Standard Operational Procedures (SOP). It’s called On the Job Training (OJT). When it comes to learning God’s Word, you won’t graduate until He returns. In the meantime, you have to study God’s Plan for You (GPY). You can find all the information you need in the greatest textbook of all, the Bible, written especially for you.

Prayer:

Our Heavenly Father,
   Thank You for this day and all of Your blessings. Abba Lord, have Your Spirit guide us in the study of Your Word so that we can be found worthy upon the return of Your Son, Jesus. Let us put the knowledge we acquire from our studies to practical, everyday use in our lives. May we hold fast to Your teachings and help in the instruction of others so that they may share in Your kingdom also.
   We lift our prayers up to You, our LORD and our Savior…Amen.


Good morning to one and all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours for a safe and wonder-filled day.

May God Bless,
Michael

It is a great duty to become the living example of God’s word on daily basis. Without study and the wisdom that comes with it, this duty would be like a child performing open heart surgery. ...peace

VOD 03/17/11: Fear Not, He Will Help You.

Verse:

Isaiah 41:13 
   For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. (KJV)

Thought:

  Earthly fears are no fears at all. Answer the big question of eternity and the little questions of life fall into perspective. Remember, the disciples were ordinary men given an extraordinary task. They were your friend next door trying to make a living and provide for their families. But they were more devoted than they were afraid and, as a result, did some compelling things. You, too, have the ability to reach beyond your potential if you would only put your trust in God and what He can do for you.

Prayer:

Our Heavenly Father,
   Thank you for this day and all of Your blessings. Abba Lord, let Your words of hope give us hope and courage for today. You have been with us and are with us now as You will be throughout all eternity. Remove our fears and replace them with the confidence that all things are possible as long as we trust in You. May our faith and trust be an inspiration to others of Your almighty love and grace.
  We lift this prayer up to You, our Lord and our Savior...Amen.


Good morning to one and all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours for a safe and wonder-filled day.

May God Bless,
Michael

Good analogy, Rookie. Never heard it put quite that way.

VOD 03/18/11: Do You Have An Umbrella?

Verse:

Matthew 6:33
   But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (KJV)

Thought:

   Your earthly rank or title has little meaning if you are not right with the Father. Who do you think will rate more favor with Him: the ungodly CEO, who only wants others to serve him/her, or the godly janitor, who finds satisfaction in the service of others? One would do well to remember the words of 1 Samuel 2:7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up. Though He may cause the rain to fall on the good and the bad, He provides an umbrella for the good.

Prayer:

Our Heavenly Father,
  Thank You for this day and all of Your blessings. Abba Lord, let us be content with whatever station in life You see fit to place us. Let us not be envious of others or their perceived status. Give us the contentment of knowing that in serving others and spreading Your word and living our lives as a living testimony of Your love, compassion, and mercy, we achieve the greatest position of all.
  We lift this prayer up to You, our LORD and our Savior...Amen.


Good morning to one and all. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours for a safe and wonder-filled day.

May God Bless,
Michael

Because CBSSports is making it increasingly difficult for me to post my VODs on the 'Prayers' thread, I will confine them to my 'Verse of the Day' blog. It is located at:

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/
view/15689445


I hope to see you there. I just can no longer risk any possible damage to my operating system inadvertently stemming from CBS's 'improvements'.

May God Bless,
Michael

Michael, sorry the "improvements" are giving you problems.  Thanks for your persist efforts to post the VOD here.  I will link over to your blog as soon as I can.

Thanks to all of you who have been praying for Mom.  She had the gel injection in here knee last Wednesday.  By Sunday, she has been able to walk a bit without assistance, could shower and dress herself, and stood up to cook.  Praise God for His faithfulness.  It has been a long month for all of us.  My brother and I are very tired and sore from the lifting and carrying and pushing the wheelchair.  Families are supposed to care for one another, as we are told in God's word, and we had to convince Mom that there was a time when she had to do everything for us and this was time for us to do everything for her until she recovers.  She was understandably depressed from a month of inactivity, but she's doing much better and we hope for further improvements without surgery.  Our Lord will supply all our needs!  All glory to Him!

Please keep a family friend in prayer.  Fran has cancer and is undergoing treatments.  He also was checked for short term memory loss and was found to have early signs of Alziemers (sorry about the spelling).  He and his wife are great Christians and have been long time family friends.

Be God's!
Sissy

"Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked."
Ps.84:10

"Have you noticed how much praying for revival has been going on of late - and how little revival has resulted? I believe the problem is that we have been trying to substitute praying for obeying, and it simply will not work.  To pray for revival while ignoring the plain precept laid down in Scripture is to waste a lot of words and get nothing for our trouble. Prayer will become effective when we stop using it as a substitute for obedience." - A. W. Tozer