Christian Reflection and Prayer

Scripture:

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
You have taken away my clothes of mourning
and clothed me with joy. Psalm 30:11

Reflection:

You know I think of this verse whenever I am
lonely, depressed or even afraid.  This verse
reminds me that God can help.  My God alone
truly sees my pain and so definitely offers to
turn my sadness into joy.

Prayer:

Thank You Almighty God for knowing my pain,
as You knew the pain of giving Your only Son
for us.  You alone turn my sadness into
joy.  Thank You for the Joy of Jesus.
In His Holy Name AMEN.

Scripture:
     
"And what do you benefit if you gain
the whole world but lose your own soul?
Is anything worth more than your soul?"
Mark 8:36-37, NLT    
   

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What is faith? It is the confident
assurance that what we hope for
is going to happen. It is the
evidence of things we cannot
see. God gave his approval to
people in days of old because
of their faith.
Hebrews 11:1-2 NLT

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Holy Father,

You are the one who knows how
absolutely special fathers are.
You made them that way.

How else can a man work so
hard, give so much, and love
unconditionally,
without your strength?

So first, Lord, thank You for
fathers, for daddies.
For big, strong men with tender
hearts, with hands that are
calloused and rough,
yet so soft and gentle when
hearts need mending.

Lord, help children to delight this
day in being with their dads,
even if it must be only by phone.

May the precious memories flow,
and bring laughter,and new love
and appreciation.

Lord, please take care of our dads.
Though they are brave and protective,
they must also be frightened
sometimes,when money runs low,
when we need things, when we're
hurt or sick.

Lord, when their hearts break
because they can't do it all,
please help us to let them know
how much we love them.

And how much You love them.

Lord, forgive the men who know
they are not good fathers,
and help them to know when and
if they can make things better,
with Your help.

And Oh, Lord, for those Dads who
keep trying and keep loving after
messing up so many times,
help their children to love them
even more in return.

Lord, for that Dad who has lost
a child, please let him know You
are there, right beside him,
for nothing else can heal a heart
so torn.

For the father who is parenting alone,
strengthen him with your love.

For those whose father is already
with You,

Give him a hug, Lord,

and tell him it's from his children.

And you, too, Lord.

Happy Father's Day!

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Scripture:

The LORD protects those of childlike faith;
I was facing death, and then he saved me.
Psalm 116:6

Reflection:

At the hospital, have you ever been to the
viewing room, a room that is set up for new
fathers to see their new babies.  There is
nothing more beautiful than observing a new
father as he tenderly watches over his
newborn child. Did you know that our God
is like that new father and that He is watching
over you right now, this very minute.  My
question is, "Why not turn to Him with
childlike faith and trust Him?  You can you
know.  You can trust our God. He is there
for you, watching over you!

Prayer:

Thank You God for always watching over me.
For always being there, loving me, guiding me,
protecting me, and caring for me.  Thank You
for your Son, in His Holy Name I pray AMEN!

Scripture:

The LORD is just! He is my rock!
There is nothing but goodness in him!
(Psalm 92:15)

Reflection:

You know there are a lot people,
right now, that are going through
a lot of pain.  You might be one of
them. I don't know about you, but
I'm in the midst of a difficult
situation right now in my life.  If I may,
there is something that I would like
to pass along to you. I've
discovered that when I have my
doubts or fears, when I am feeling
completely surrounded with problems,
there is one thing that I must remember.
GOD IS FILLED WITH GOODNESS. It's
hard to explain, but I do know that if I
open my heart and I take this heartache
to God, He will fill me with His goodness.
He does that with me, and I know that He
will do that with you. I can't explain it,
I just feel His goodness.  Please open your
heart to God and He will fill YOU with His
goodness.   

Prayer:

Oh Lord I'm having some real problems
right now, It's really getting to me God.
Lord You are my rock, fill me with Your
goodness, right now in my life.

Scripture:

"Your children shall be like
olive plants all around your
table."  (Psalm 128:3)

Reflection:

After helping to raise 4 teenagers,
things I have learned:

1.  Some teens follow life in a straight
line, while others zig-zag along life's
pathway.  It's absolutely best to "zig"
with them in love and courage.

2.  All teenagers need unconditional love
because they live in a conditional world.

3.  A love of God's Word is vital to
successfully transferring faith from one
generation to the next.

4.  Teens need to develop a relationship
with Christ that is based not on rules but
on a deep love of Jesus.

Here's where I need to ask a question;
Has God placed any young people in
your life.  If He has, if you are privileged
enough to have a young person in your life,
Remember this!   WHATEVER THEIR AGE
LOVE THEM UNCONDITIONALLY.  HELP
THEM TO LEARN GOD'S WORD.  SHOW
THEM HOW TO HAVE A DEEP LOVE FOR
JESUS.        AND BABY HOLD ON!!!!!!!!!!!

Please Keep in Mind:

Parents give your children guidance and
instruction from God's Word;  Then with
wisdom and compassion teach them how
to love the Lord.

Now ask yourself this question;
Do you now how to Love the Lord?

Scripture:

"Do all things without complaining
and disputing."  Philippians 2:14

Reflection:

Do know a complainer, even worse
are you a complainer?  There is
absolutely nothing worse than being
around a griper.  
There is something important that we
must remember.  That the cancer
of a complaining spirit can undermine
the spiritual and emotional health of a
individual and can infect not only
yourself but your entire family and all
those who surround you.  This can result in
discontent, frustration, and even
rebellion.
We need to avoid a complaining a spirit
especially because we are serving
Jesus Christ.  Instead of complaining,
we should rejoice and thank God for
what He had done!  

Something to remember:

"When things go wrong, I would not be
a grumbler;  
    Complaining, seeing everything as
grim;
For when I think how the Lord has
blessed me,
     I cannot help but give my praise
to Him.  (Hess)

Prayer:

Thank You for Your blessings Lord,
and forgive my complaints.  In Your
Name AMEN!

Scripture:

O Sovereign LORD! You have made the
heavens and earth by your great power.
Nothing is too hard for you! Jeremiah 32:17

Reflection:

I think there is something we should keep in
mine.  It is something that we should never
forget.  It is hard times for many of use,
and we should remember, "that nothing is
impossible for God".  That's right nothing
is impossible for God.   Now I don't think we
need to test God, but He does want us to
have great hope in His ability to work
miracles.  That's right God can perform
miracles in your life.  Don't forget that!
So I have a suggestion, "PRAY BIG
TODAY!

Prayer:

Lord I know in my heart and mind
that you can work miracles, I ask You
to perform this miracle in my life today!

Scripture:

The disciples were meeting behind locked
doors because they were afraid of the Jewish
leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing
there among them! John 20:19

Reflection:

On that day, when Jesus Christ, the
Savior of the world, was executed on
the cross, it seemed like the world
suddenly stopped.  His followers were
depressed, angry, afraid, and without
hope.  But God the Father had a plan
that was, even then,  being perfectly
carried out.  Guess what?  God's
plan is in your life today!  Jesus
Christ is standing there right beside
you all the way.  Take advantage
of the closeness of Christ, and be
an active participant in God's plan.
JESUS IS KNOCKING OPEN THE
DOOR!!!!!!

Prayer:

Oh Lord there are time when I'm
angry and depressed.  I know You
are there standing beside me.  I
know You're there for me. Give
me the wisdom to accept Your
help and the strength to use it.
In Your Holy Name, Jesus Christ
my Lord AMEN.