This morning's Gospel reading included the section of Matthew 6 which contains "The Lord's Prayer." In Matthew, the prayer is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. It is not (as recorded elsewhere) in response to a request from the disciples that he would teach them to pray. The prayer is among Jesus' instructions; the prayer is intertwined with his sermon.
He does introduce the prayer by telling us that some pray for mixed reasons. There are some (he calls them "Gentiles") who "heap up empty phrases", thinking "that they will be heard for their many words."
He begins, "Our Father....:"
When we are together, we often pray this prayer. I realized some time back, that too often this prayer was becoming a method for signaling that our time together was at an end. We finish our Bible study, we repeat together the Lord's Prayer. The business of the Council is over, we close with the Lord's Prayer. It is always appropriate to pray this prayer, so long as it is "prayed," and not "said together" as a way of dismissing folks to their other activities. When used in this way, it concerns me that even this wonderful prayer has become "empty phrases."
God forbid that we would ever allow the phrases of this prayer to become "empty."
I imagine most of us know this prayer by heart. Knowing it by heart, it is easy to repeat it from memorization. Memorizing something differs significantly from knowing something by heart. In the case of the latter, we have taken the thing into us and have made it part of the life-blood that courses through us and all that we do. It isn't recalling a collection of words and phrases; it is exposing what is at the very core of our being.
We will continue to pray together the Lord's Prayer. In so doing, we are reminded of the petitions which should go into every prayer. Let us promise each other than when we repeat these often repeated words, we will reflect (and perhaps share) how this ancient prayer is taking new roots in our life with this recitation.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Devotion - Thursday, February 24
I am often invited to offer letters of recommendation for students applying for jobs or graduate studies. I am honored with each invitation and pleased to have the opportunity to reflect on the student, on our time together, and to celebrate the many gifts God has poured into their lives. The letter (or these days the on-line form) is not the "recommendation." The recommendation is the affirmation of my heart that here is a person whom God has enabled to do so many things.
II Corinthians 3 begins with Paul asking the reader, "Do we need letters of recommendation to you?" He then goes on to say, "you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."
I am also in a position to bear testimony to these letters - to the recommendations which are inscribed on your hearts, written by the Spirit of God. I not only get to observe your aptitude for excellence in the classroom, but more importantly how it is that your faith shines forth in your life. These are the letters of recommendation most precious to us and so essential to our lives.
Think of your own letter - for yourself or for others around you. What do the paragraphs contain? Identify the strengths; acknowledge the weaknesses. And remember that no one is selected to be a lone ranger, we all become members of a team. What are the traits, needed by your team members, in order for you to be prepared for whatever may come?
"You are a letter from Christ.... written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."
II Corinthians 3 begins with Paul asking the reader, "Do we need letters of recommendation to you?" He then goes on to say, "you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."
I am also in a position to bear testimony to these letters - to the recommendations which are inscribed on your hearts, written by the Spirit of God. I not only get to observe your aptitude for excellence in the classroom, but more importantly how it is that your faith shines forth in your life. These are the letters of recommendation most precious to us and so essential to our lives.
Think of your own letter - for yourself or for others around you. What do the paragraphs contain? Identify the strengths; acknowledge the weaknesses. And remember that no one is selected to be a lone ranger, we all become members of a team. What are the traits, needed by your team members, in order for you to be prepared for whatever may come?
"You are a letter from Christ.... written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Devotion - Wednesday, February 23
Sometimes, faithfully living out the Gospel, means speaking a harsh word.
This morning I was reading from II Corinthians. Midway into the first chapter, Paul says, "I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit." Details of an earlier "painful visit" are not given, but we can assume that Paul had come to Corinth to "remind" them of the message and to encourage them to "stand firm" in the faith.
The harsh word need not be a word spoken in anger. Much of what follows in this chapter is Paul's attempt to make it clear that he was not angry with them, he has forgiven them, and asks their forgiveness. He is not angry; he is being true to the message of Christ.
Perhaps this is where we have missed the mark and begun to associate harsh words with inappropriate words. It can be difficult to speak a harsh word which is not angry. Maybe we put off speaking the word until the anger has taken root. We avoid until we can't avoid any longer and we simply explode.
There may have been an explosion in Corinth. Paul felt the need to speak of forgiveness. But what we do know is that speaking this word made it possible for the community to go on. Remembering the Word of God brought them back to the place they needed to be. Remaining silent may have prevented painful interactions, but it would not have enabled them to be in the place where God would have them be. Speaking the harsh word restored them to the community which appropriately bears the name of Christ.
Sometimes, faithfully living out the Gospel, means speaking a harsh word.
This morning I was reading from II Corinthians. Midway into the first chapter, Paul says, "I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit." Details of an earlier "painful visit" are not given, but we can assume that Paul had come to Corinth to "remind" them of the message and to encourage them to "stand firm" in the faith.
The harsh word need not be a word spoken in anger. Much of what follows in this chapter is Paul's attempt to make it clear that he was not angry with them, he has forgiven them, and asks their forgiveness. He is not angry; he is being true to the message of Christ.
Perhaps this is where we have missed the mark and begun to associate harsh words with inappropriate words. It can be difficult to speak a harsh word which is not angry. Maybe we put off speaking the word until the anger has taken root. We avoid until we can't avoid any longer and we simply explode.
There may have been an explosion in Corinth. Paul felt the need to speak of forgiveness. But what we do know is that speaking this word made it possible for the community to go on. Remembering the Word of God brought them back to the place they needed to be. Remaining silent may have prevented painful interactions, but it would not have enabled them to be in the place where God would have them be. Speaking the harsh word restored them to the community which appropriately bears the name of Christ.
Sometimes, faithfully living out the Gospel, means speaking a harsh word.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Devotion - Tuesday, February 22
I was in a conversation yesterday with a person from a differing theological background. I made sure that the conversation included my standard, "I am a Lutheran (in part) because the Lutheran tradition does not have a doctrine of church - we do not consider ourselves The Church, but a theological movement within the Church." Thus, we can articulate this theological position without ever needing to determine whether our input is the "correct" one, or if the position taken by another might be right. We are committed to helping the whole church understand God's Word and live our God's will. We refuse to say that one group is doing this right and the other wrong.
The conversation arose around a topic of great import. "What is the purpose of a Christian life?" My conversation partner held the understanding of "being saved and gaining access to heaven." Gently (gentleness is always a matter of perception) I tried to suggest another way of looking at the question. Sure, salvation's last enemy is death. We need not fear the grave. Eternity is ours. But making access to heaven our reason for following Jesus seems to be a bit narcissistic.
I returned to yesterday's conversation when I turned in my devotional guide to today's readings. Contained there is the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. It words are often repeated, appropriately so. I remind you of them today and I encourage you to look for opportunities to live them. They are a wonderful reminder that God calls us into discipleship for the sake of the world. Our eternal, heavenly home is a bonus at the end of a well-lived life.
Here is the prayer. Take time to meditate on each line. Make time to bring each line into your day.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
The conversation arose around a topic of great import. "What is the purpose of a Christian life?" My conversation partner held the understanding of "being saved and gaining access to heaven." Gently (gentleness is always a matter of perception) I tried to suggest another way of looking at the question. Sure, salvation's last enemy is death. We need not fear the grave. Eternity is ours. But making access to heaven our reason for following Jesus seems to be a bit narcissistic.
I returned to yesterday's conversation when I turned in my devotional guide to today's readings. Contained there is the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. It words are often repeated, appropriately so. I remind you of them today and I encourage you to look for opportunities to live them. They are a wonderful reminder that God calls us into discipleship for the sake of the world. Our eternal, heavenly home is a bonus at the end of a well-lived life.
Here is the prayer. Take time to meditate on each line. Make time to bring each line into your day.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
Monday, February 21, 2011
Devotion - Monday, February 21
We finished up I Corinthians yesterday morning, during our LCM Sunday Church School class. It on one of the closing comments that I wish to reflect this morning. I was brought back to that thought, when I opened my devotional guide and realized that it would be directing me to II Corinthians over the next couple of weeks. II Corinthians will be our text for LCM SCS starting this Sunday.
It will be helpful to me to read II Corinthians in the mornings, as a devotional, before delving into it later in the week in preparation for study. It will be the same words and the same information, but looked at in differing ways. My morning read is intended to guide me in my prayer; my study time is to help me understand.
The ending of I Corinthians, the comment on which I reflected this morning, includes a comment from Paul that he hopes to come to Corinth soon. But, he says, he will not drop by for a short visit. In fact, he won't come unless he can stay for a while. He says that he even hopes he might be able to winter with them.
Paul knows that it takes time for faith (and an understanding of faith) to be passed from one to another.
Too often we treat Christian faith as if it were a tidbit of information - a secret told to another. Rather, it is a relationship and a way of life. Faith comes to us by hearing, and we hear the words of those who proclaim it in our lives. This is a process, and it takes time.
If I am lucky, by the end of the school year, I will have made my way through II Corinthians. I am looking forward to Paul spending the winter with me, in devotion and in study, so that I might be strengthened in my discipleship; so that I might more fully understand the wisdom of God's Word. If it does take me months to compete this one book, that is okay. I need time - time to not only learn the words but to integrate into my life what the words are intended to communicate.
Open your bibles to II Corinthians. Read along. And share what it is that you are learning by a slow and intentional walk with Paul.
It will be helpful to me to read II Corinthians in the mornings, as a devotional, before delving into it later in the week in preparation for study. It will be the same words and the same information, but looked at in differing ways. My morning read is intended to guide me in my prayer; my study time is to help me understand.
The ending of I Corinthians, the comment on which I reflected this morning, includes a comment from Paul that he hopes to come to Corinth soon. But, he says, he will not drop by for a short visit. In fact, he won't come unless he can stay for a while. He says that he even hopes he might be able to winter with them.
Paul knows that it takes time for faith (and an understanding of faith) to be passed from one to another.
Too often we treat Christian faith as if it were a tidbit of information - a secret told to another. Rather, it is a relationship and a way of life. Faith comes to us by hearing, and we hear the words of those who proclaim it in our lives. This is a process, and it takes time.
If I am lucky, by the end of the school year, I will have made my way through II Corinthians. I am looking forward to Paul spending the winter with me, in devotion and in study, so that I might be strengthened in my discipleship; so that I might more fully understand the wisdom of God's Word. If it does take me months to compete this one book, that is okay. I need time - time to not only learn the words but to integrate into my life what the words are intended to communicate.
Open your bibles to II Corinthians. Read along. And share what it is that you are learning by a slow and intentional walk with Paul.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sermon - February 20, 2011
7th Sunday after the Epiphany
Matthew 5:38-48
Being Perfect
”Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Perfection has never been my strong suit. It is a characteristic not often displayed in the daily occurrences of my life. In fact, there are some who would claim it is an attribute totally lacking in the makeup of my personality. Jesus says,”Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” and I ask myself, “What am I to do with such a challenge?"
I know - look for parallel verses! As often as not, one of the other three gospels contains the same saying, with a few words changed. Maybe "Be perfect" has a parallel omitting the call to perfection. Sure enough, Luke, Chapter 6, contains a saying very similar to Matthew 5:48, but with one big difference. Again Jesus is speaking of loving those we might otherwise choose not to love, and then, in the 36th verse he says, "Be merciful, even as (God) is merciful." No perfection, just mercy. I can live with being merciful. This is a characteristic some have said I do posses. I may not be perfect, being merciful I can handle.
Why didn't Matthew just say "merciful" and leave out all that stuff about "perfection"? Jesus can expect his followers to be merciful, but perfection is out of reach for most of us. Especially if perfection is to meet the high standards Jesus has set.
In reading the lessons from the back of the bulletin rather than from your bible you often fail to realize the significance of just were a particular verse occurs. For five Sundays now, we have been making our way through Matthew's 4th and 5th chapters. Each Sunday, the Gospel reading has picked up exactly where it left off the week before. It was four weeks ago, just after Jesus had called his disciples, that we began reading from the section of Matthew which is most often referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus begins by announcing God’s blessings. In those verses often referred to as “The Beatitudes,” he addresses his hears and reminds them of how blessed they truly are. From there, he begins to instruct us as to how those who have received God's blessings ought to show forth their privileged status.
I haven’t been here myself for the past two weeks, so I am not real sure how Danielle handled the part which included a reminder that we are “the salt of the earth” and ”the light of the world.” The admonition was to ”let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to (God) who is in heaven.”
Last week, when it was Larry’s turn, we heard Jesus' reminders that to hate and to harbor anger brings on the same judgment as murder. To look "lustfully" at someone amounts to adultery. To enter into a marriage out of self-centeredness is worse than adultery. And to swear is to misuse God's name. Through these four paragraphs, Jesus tells his listeners that a right relationship with God is shown forth in a right relationship with one's neighbors.
Jesus is setting up a new standard. He is telling us that being one of his disciples means we live our lives differently. And he doesn't stop with what has gone before. In today's reading he continues. Two more admonitions are given, both focusing on the anger invoked by another's wrong doings. ”You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.”
Jesus acknowledges that the Hebraic law set a limit on revenge: the punishment could not exceed the injury. "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." But, Jesus tells those who are his followers that to retaliate in any form is wrong. The wounded party responds by offering even more than is required.
Again, Jesus doesn't stop. He continues: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” It isn't enough, Jesus says, to do good to those who have done good to us, even the sinners do this. More is expected of those who stand in the light of God's blessings.
"Love your enemy, pray for those who persecute you." "Give to the one who begs from you and do not refuse any one who would borrow from you." "Do not swear, but let what you say be simply "Yes" or "No"". "Do not look at another lustfully, to do so is to commit adultery." "Do not be angry with your brother/sister." These are the things Jesus is talking about as he reaches the crescendo and instructs his listeners that they,”Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Perfection is never easy. But when it is required immediately upon hearing how Jesus expects his followers to live, it truly is impossible. I may be able to refrain from putting out the eye of the one who has wronged me, but how can I begin to love and to pray on behalf of my assailant? What is Jesus expecting?
Remember that Luke, in his parallel verse, uses the word "mercy"? I wondered, given the placement of Jesus' instruction, how Luke could make such a substitution. We being to get a clue when we look up Matthew's word, translated for us as "perfect." The Greek word is teleioi. Its meaning isn't perfection in a moral sense; rather it calls upon us to pattern our lives after God's undivided and totally impartial love. We are to be "perfect", as God is perfect, in always being merciful.
What Jesus expects of us is within reach. We may not be able to avoid the lustful glance; we may find it impossible not to harbor revenge in our hearts, �But we can still behave mercifully. We can choose to love rather than to retaliate. The perfection, ¬ which Jesus says we must possess, shines forth each time we exhibit the mercy God has shown toward us.
Maybe an example of choosing to act in a particular way can be seen in the marital covenant. How awe inspiring is that part of the liturgy in which we look each other in the eye and mutually promise to live and act toward one another out of love no matter how circumstances (for better, for worse) or feelings may change. In an age where feelings are exalted, it is liberating to remember that often we love because we choose to do so. We "fall in love", hopefully many times during our married life, but "being in love" doesn't keep us together. We stay married because, in spite of it all, we choose to act mercifully toward the other.
Jesus sets before his disciples a difficult standard. He tells us that we must exceed the requirements of the ancient laws. He tells us,”Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” You must pattern your life after God, allowing mercy to shine forth in all you do. Living the Christian lifestyle doesn't come naturally; it is an act of the will. God acts mercifully toward us, we choose to pattern our responses after God's.
AMEN
Matthew 5:38-48
Being Perfect
”Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Perfection has never been my strong suit. It is a characteristic not often displayed in the daily occurrences of my life. In fact, there are some who would claim it is an attribute totally lacking in the makeup of my personality. Jesus says,”Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” and I ask myself, “What am I to do with such a challenge?"
I know - look for parallel verses! As often as not, one of the other three gospels contains the same saying, with a few words changed. Maybe "Be perfect" has a parallel omitting the call to perfection. Sure enough, Luke, Chapter 6, contains a saying very similar to Matthew 5:48, but with one big difference. Again Jesus is speaking of loving those we might otherwise choose not to love, and then, in the 36th verse he says, "Be merciful, even as (God) is merciful." No perfection, just mercy. I can live with being merciful. This is a characteristic some have said I do posses. I may not be perfect, being merciful I can handle.
Why didn't Matthew just say "merciful" and leave out all that stuff about "perfection"? Jesus can expect his followers to be merciful, but perfection is out of reach for most of us. Especially if perfection is to meet the high standards Jesus has set.
In reading the lessons from the back of the bulletin rather than from your bible you often fail to realize the significance of just were a particular verse occurs. For five Sundays now, we have been making our way through Matthew's 4th and 5th chapters. Each Sunday, the Gospel reading has picked up exactly where it left off the week before. It was four weeks ago, just after Jesus had called his disciples, that we began reading from the section of Matthew which is most often referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus begins by announcing God’s blessings. In those verses often referred to as “The Beatitudes,” he addresses his hears and reminds them of how blessed they truly are. From there, he begins to instruct us as to how those who have received God's blessings ought to show forth their privileged status.
I haven’t been here myself for the past two weeks, so I am not real sure how Danielle handled the part which included a reminder that we are “the salt of the earth” and ”the light of the world.” The admonition was to ”let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to (God) who is in heaven.”
Last week, when it was Larry’s turn, we heard Jesus' reminders that to hate and to harbor anger brings on the same judgment as murder. To look "lustfully" at someone amounts to adultery. To enter into a marriage out of self-centeredness is worse than adultery. And to swear is to misuse God's name. Through these four paragraphs, Jesus tells his listeners that a right relationship with God is shown forth in a right relationship with one's neighbors.
Jesus is setting up a new standard. He is telling us that being one of his disciples means we live our lives differently. And he doesn't stop with what has gone before. In today's reading he continues. Two more admonitions are given, both focusing on the anger invoked by another's wrong doings. ”You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.”
Jesus acknowledges that the Hebraic law set a limit on revenge: the punishment could not exceed the injury. "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." But, Jesus tells those who are his followers that to retaliate in any form is wrong. The wounded party responds by offering even more than is required.
Again, Jesus doesn't stop. He continues: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” It isn't enough, Jesus says, to do good to those who have done good to us, even the sinners do this. More is expected of those who stand in the light of God's blessings.
"Love your enemy, pray for those who persecute you." "Give to the one who begs from you and do not refuse any one who would borrow from you." "Do not swear, but let what you say be simply "Yes" or "No"". "Do not look at another lustfully, to do so is to commit adultery." "Do not be angry with your brother/sister." These are the things Jesus is talking about as he reaches the crescendo and instructs his listeners that they,”Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Perfection is never easy. But when it is required immediately upon hearing how Jesus expects his followers to live, it truly is impossible. I may be able to refrain from putting out the eye of the one who has wronged me, but how can I begin to love and to pray on behalf of my assailant? What is Jesus expecting?
Remember that Luke, in his parallel verse, uses the word "mercy"? I wondered, given the placement of Jesus' instruction, how Luke could make such a substitution. We being to get a clue when we look up Matthew's word, translated for us as "perfect." The Greek word is teleioi. Its meaning isn't perfection in a moral sense; rather it calls upon us to pattern our lives after God's undivided and totally impartial love. We are to be "perfect", as God is perfect, in always being merciful.
What Jesus expects of us is within reach. We may not be able to avoid the lustful glance; we may find it impossible not to harbor revenge in our hearts, �But we can still behave mercifully. We can choose to love rather than to retaliate. The perfection, ¬ which Jesus says we must possess, shines forth each time we exhibit the mercy God has shown toward us.
Maybe an example of choosing to act in a particular way can be seen in the marital covenant. How awe inspiring is that part of the liturgy in which we look each other in the eye and mutually promise to live and act toward one another out of love no matter how circumstances (for better, for worse) or feelings may change. In an age where feelings are exalted, it is liberating to remember that often we love because we choose to do so. We "fall in love", hopefully many times during our married life, but "being in love" doesn't keep us together. We stay married because, in spite of it all, we choose to act mercifully toward the other.
Jesus sets before his disciples a difficult standard. He tells us that we must exceed the requirements of the ancient laws. He tells us,”Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” You must pattern your life after God, allowing mercy to shine forth in all you do. Living the Christian lifestyle doesn't come naturally; it is an act of the will. God acts mercifully toward us, we choose to pattern our responses after God's.
AMEN
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Devotion - Wednesday, February 16
So often, too often, we go to God in order to ask for that we desire. Years ago I shared a model for prayer called A.C.T.S. It stands for "Acclamation, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication." The model is intended to prevent us from too quickly moving to our own requests, but rather to begin with an acknowledgment of God and what God has done for us.
Martin Luther, in his Small Catechism, points out that this is why "deliver us from evil" comes near the end. What more do we pray for, once we have secured God's protection?
This morning's opening prayer brought these thoughts to mind. It concludes with this line: "We do not so much ask for the strength which you have promised as for the grace to use what you have already supplied."
God has promised us much - and God will give it to us. There are so many other things which desires us to have.
But moving too quickly to those things, or desiring them too strongly, can interfere with that which God has already given us. It may blind us to the grace which is already in our lives.
In my prayers this morning, I asked God for His aid. But I also thanked God for the resources he has already given me - resources with which I can face the day's challenges.
We ask, not only for the strength which God has promised, but also for the grace to use what he has already supplied.
Martin Luther, in his Small Catechism, points out that this is why "deliver us from evil" comes near the end. What more do we pray for, once we have secured God's protection?
This morning's opening prayer brought these thoughts to mind. It concludes with this line: "We do not so much ask for the strength which you have promised as for the grace to use what you have already supplied."
God has promised us much - and God will give it to us. There are so many other things which desires us to have.
But moving too quickly to those things, or desiring them too strongly, can interfere with that which God has already given us. It may blind us to the grace which is already in our lives.
In my prayers this morning, I asked God for His aid. But I also thanked God for the resources he has already given me - resources with which I can face the day's challenges.
We ask, not only for the strength which God has promised, but also for the grace to use what he has already supplied.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
