Curbing Our Own Freedom

Romans 14:16, 22, 23 (See whole chapter)

Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. . . .So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. . . .Everything that does not come from faith is sin (misses the mark).

V. 15

If your brother is distressed by what you (do, say or) eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your (doing, saying or) eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died.

O my Father, please help me to curb the self-centeredness & selfishness in me that only considers what Bonnie wants. Teach me to honor myself and others as Yours.

Even so, Lord Jesus, come!

My Prayer, Too

Philippians 1:9-11

And this is my prayer: that [our] love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that [we] may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the Day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.

Amen!

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Faultless!

Jude 24

To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy.

You are able to keep me from falling! You are able to keep me from even stumbling! O my Father, continue to strengthen me in Your grace and faith; continue to hold me securely in Your hand. Keep Your arm around my shoulders and Your hand over my mouth, to say only what words You give me, and nothing from my flesh. Flood my heart and soul with Your peace.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Numbers Or Spiritual Growth?

I Thessalonians 3:6-7

But Timothy has just now come to see us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. . . . Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith.

Paul was not concerned about numbers. The church in Thessalonica had most likely grown numerically, too, but Paul focused only on their spiritual growth in faith and love. This is not so easy to quantify, like numbers are, but is so much more important! Each of us needs to see about our spiritual growth to maturity, both in ourselves personally, and as a group together. Then we need not worry about the numbers.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

To Understand

Luke 24:45

Then He opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures.

O my Father, open my mind to understand the scriptures.Thank you for Your promised Holy Spirit to dwell in me and enlighten my understanding as I seek to learn of Your ways. Let me not put obstacles in the way of obeying Your edicts. Humble me before You that You may be glorified in me.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Business

Matthew 20:15

"Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?" 

(See Matthew 20:1-16, The Parable of the Workers In the Vineyard.)

Already in America business owners don't have the right to pay what they want to their employees when unions have legislative support to hold them over a barrel to do what they want instead; and owners cannot be generous when they are forced to pay more than the business can sustain. The City of Detroit is an example of the results of these policies. Envy and jealousy are rampant today, and they are officially encouraged.

O my Father, please continue to wake up Your church. Teach us how to be Your hands and feet and voice to do what each of us can do to bring Your righteousness back to America before the end. 

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

God's Promises

Matthew 6:8

. . . Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. . . .

O my dear Father, Thank you for your promises, and Your faithfulness to keep them. Please, as a mercy to me, Father, draw my adult children to Yourself. Please show them Yourself, redeem them and teach them Your ways. Save them from themselves, and the poor decisions they have made. Lead them in Your ways of righteousness, and grant them new, eternal life. Teach them to be the Godly, gifted persons You designed each of them to be. Show me how I can be used of You in their lives, saying Your words, with Your compassion, and lead me in Your ways, open their eyes to observe my life as a demonstration of how Your ways benefit us, and You will receive all the credit. 

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!