J. Randal Matheny – Page 46

2016-10-29

You’re not merely a polite listener

Lord, I bumped into an acquaintance in a store yesterday. She talks nonstop. I almost feel sorry for her, because of whatever need she feels that keeps her talking all the time. After a while patience runs out, and I have to run away from her.

But you’re not like that with those who come to you constantly with their needs. You’re not merely a polite listener looking to escape the torrent of words at the first opportunity. You hear and respond. You answer prayer. You are glad when we come to you.

Thank you for your open door, for always welcoming us in our prayers, for working in us and through us for good. There is no one else for us. We have nowhere else to go but you. You hold out the hope of eternal life and the peace the passes understanding. The world gropes in the dark for some meaning and finds only scraps and tatters. Blessed be the Lord who calls us to love and purpose and fulfillment!

2016-10-28

Grateful to be called

What a blessing to be in your presence, heavenly Father! What security and peace we feel to walk before you.

Even to the unjust you show yourself benevolent. How much more do you care for and show concern for your righteous people!

Many people are concerned with freedom and privacy today. And even though they are legitimate concerns in the nations, we are grateful to be free in the way that really matters.

Many today run after possessions. We give thanks that we have what can never be taken away from us.

Many today seek pleasures. We are thankful for the profound joy of following Christ and having our separating sins removed.

Many today seek a better place to live, even moving to other countries in search of improved conditions. We praise you that we have been transferred from dark and evil powers into the kingdom of the Son whom you love.

Many want to change jobs. We are profoundly grateful to be called to the greatest work of all, that of explaining to those who are far away what you have done in Christ to reconcile us to yourself.

2016-10-27

Make Me Yours

Bold is what I want to be,
And loving, so that all can see
God cares and moves both heaven and earth
To bring about in man that birth
That makes him sons of righteousness
And daughters in spirit, nothing less
Than fullest heirs, upward bound,
Above both gravity and ground.

O Lord, how can I not be bold,
Abides in me your Spirit of old,
How can I not have love as wide
As yours — For all men Jesus died —
For good and bad, for evil and just,
Since all return one day to dust?

Make me yours, a saint in name
And truth, unwilling to be the same
As men of this dying world, of flesh,
Renewing the mind, recalling afresh
The gift of life. Make me a man
Of courage and love, willing to span
The dividing gulf, in Jesus’ path —
And save us, save us all from wrath.

2016-10-25

Empower

Before you, Lord, I humble my soul,
In need of love and grace and sight;
Lift up my heart, I give it whole,
Empower my hands to save and smite.

To save the lost, to smite the foe,
To love the lonely, to flee from wrong,
To walk the way of Christ below,
To join the angels in heavenly song.

2016-10-24

Eyes and ears

Lord, how much we’re affected by negative thoughts and worldly conversations around us! How badly we turn to bitterness, anxiety, resentment, worry, and selfishness! Renew our minds daily. Put the word in front of us. Remind us that we have every reason to rejoice.

Thank you for the gift of forgiveness in Jesus Christ, meaning that we can enjoy your presence and blessing. Thank you for the gift of the spiritual family, who befriends us in Christ and prompts us to grow. Thank you for your gift of the Spirit, who dwells in us and produces that spiritual fruit which remains forever.

Help us to use our eyes and ears for spiritual gain. Help us to learn wisdom. Help us to see our neighbor’s need and hear the emptiness of his heart. Help us to speak that word of encouragement, that message of salvation, that he has yet to obey.

While the world rants about politics, corruption, and injustice, let us give example of righteousness, self-control, and honesty. Thank you for the possibility of doing this through your strength and character.

2016-10-21

Things don’t look good

Lord, from the limited vision of my perch, things don’t look good for the near future, in politics, economy, and society. It looks like Christians will have a harder time of it. They might be tempted to draw back from their efforts to proclaim the Good News in all the world.

But you know all things, you see every maneuver and hidden scheme of mankind. And you can change the course of events in the blink of an eye. You can raise up people and bring down those on high. And you listen to our prayers.

Father, we ask on behalf of your saints and your mission in this world. Do what will be the greatest blessing, what will serve best your kingdom. In our shortsightedness, it seems it would be best to bring new, decent people to take countries in crisis forward for good progress. Create space for such as these, raise up men and women who can point the way to a moral stance and to a society that treats all equally.

Above all, let us seek to be just, righteous, compassionate, and loving, especially to those in the family of faith. Help us to know that among your children you have established that perfect society. Thank you that we are already a part of this spiritual nation. Let us be more diligent in our efforts to show others that it is here, in the body of Christ, where you create the community that demonstrates your character and conduct.

2016-10-12

O Savior, Come to Us

Eternal God, Lord over all, the One
To whom we owe both life and breath,
Reveal your love to us in the Son,
To know its height and width and depth.

O Savior, come to us, abide
In mercy with your humble creatures;
Your words of power our surest guide,
Your many works our able teachers.

For us your presence is all we need,
Our only good and pure delight;
Upon your healthy grace we feed,
To keep our holy Lord in sight.

2016-10-11

10 reasons to give thanks today

Thanks be to God

For another day of life, full of blessing, full of your presence.
For the opportunities you constantly present to us; help us to see and take advantage of them.
For good study resources and encouraging literature.
For the message of the Bible that always instructs, inspires, and empowers us.
For the power of the mind, and the gift of creativity.
For free will to choose our way and the many good options to use our day.
For gifts of service, that allow us to glorify your name.
For sustaining life, providing necessities, offering meaningful work, allowing opportunity of employment.
For your sovereign rule that guides the affairs of men toward your final goal, regardless of the evil plans and injustice of rulers and governors.
For friends who love at all times, for brothers and sisters in Christ who encourage in faith, for saints whose examples remind us of our Lord and Savior.

Help me today to speak directly and appropriately to the needs of others, about the solution found always in Christ.

2016-10-10

In the End

In the end, there’s only you and me,
For all the love that flowed endlessly
Among my closest friends and family,
Standing on the sands of a timeless sea.

Gifts and gladness filled my days and years,
You gave me strength to overcome my fears,
You taught me through the trials and bitter tears,
With faith that lasts until the darkness clears.

Final words are hard to choose and say,
Knowing there’ll not be another day,
With awe I take the very last step this way,
To live a life beyond this mortal clay.

What yet can be, for all man lost and cried,
A place to rest, where peace and joy abide;
You’ve walked with me, always by my side,
Go with me now to cross the great divide.

2016-10-09

I want to live his life

Lord God who makes himself present among his people, thank you for coming in the person of Jesus Christ. I want to be in him. I want to live his life, having died his death. Prepare that eternal place for me, as I obey and welcome your habitation with me now.

Make today a day of joy and progress for the kingdom. Make this day a day of grace and love. Bring to us your power and truth.

Forgive and give us strength to resist temptation. Thank you for the victory in Christ. Let us keep our eyes on the resurrection, that makes all our efforts here worthwhile.