Our Father, My Father

When Jesus was teaching us to pray, he said, "Our Father.....  He's my father.  I am fortunate to have a good earthly father who loves and provides for his family and who is not perfect.  But I have a God who is my heavenly Father who loves me and provides for my needs and is perfect.  If my earthly Father would do me no harm then I know my heavenly Father never would. 

Lord today I pray for those who did not have an earthly father who was there to meet their needs, to protect them from harm.  I pray especially for the one who hears that You are his Father and cringes in fear remembering the earthly father who brought pain to his/her life.  Lord, wrap them today in Your arms of love so that they may feel the love of a father the way You meant for it to be.

Thank You, for giving me a father who, even before he knew You, was an example of Your love for me.

Like Ananias

(Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, "Ananias."  And he said, "Here I am, Lord."  So the Lord said to him, "Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.  And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight."  Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.  And here he has authority from the chief  priests to bind all who call on Your name."  But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. - Acts 9:10-15)

Lord, help me to not hesitate to be Your voice to those whom I, through the eyes of the flesh, may deem unworthy or undeserving of Your grace.  May I, like Ananias, be obedient to go wherever and to whomever You send me.  For I do not know what You have chosen for them to do for Your kingdom perhaps one of these will be the voice that my brother hears in the wilderness of his sin.

Salt, Not Lemons

(You are the salt of th the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?  It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.  Matt. 5:13)

I am the salt of the earth.  Salt adds flavor.  It also preserves.  I have to admit that lately, especially at work, I've been acting more like lemon juice - a bit sour to the taste.  There are a lot of changes happening and I don't like change.  More work and fewer people to do it and when you work with the public that doesn't make your customer or you very happy.

Lord, help me to be the salt that you have created me to be.  Help me to preserve peace and harmony at work and not to add to the chaos.  Help me to submit to the leadership placed over me and to remember that they also are having to submit to someone and the directions they are giving are often coming from someone else.