The Prodigal

Luke 15:11-32

I read again the story of the lost son. My older daughter has shared with me that she felt like that prodigal son's older brother, since I let my younger daughter come back home. In that story, the father represented God, and did nothing wrong; the one in the wrong was the older brother, in not appreciating what he already had, and being jealous and resentful of his little brother. And my older daughter has "never" accepted her sister. But I am not God, and so I recognize that I have not done righteously toward my older daughter. Lord, please show me my fault, how I have wronged my children, and how to make amends to them to heal our relationships.

Even so, come. Lord Jesus!

(Note: This is my journal entry of several years ago. Much has passed "under the bridge" since that time. God is faithful and answered my prayer in ways I did not expect.)

Weighed Down Or Cheered Up?

Proverbs 12:25

An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.

O my Father, Your kind words have consoled me so often! Please teach me to be kind in my attitude and words; help me to allow Your compassion to temper, or replace, my own attitudes, so that my words will be gracious and kind.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Kindness

Proverbs 11:16

A kindhearted woman gains respect . . .

O my Father, You have been so kind to me and mine. Please help me to give Your kindnesses to others. Teach me how to soften my words and attitudes with Your kindnesses and compassion. Help me to be more like You, Father, to grow each day into Your image, continually putting off the "old man" and putting on the "new man," forming new habits and new ways of responding.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

The Golden Rule

Matthew 7:12

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

O my Father, please help me to always consider others in this way; to continuously treat them in the way I would want to be treated, and to listen to my own words as they would hear them. Grant me Your love and compassion, for my own are so inadequate!

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Following His Commands

Genesis 6:22; 7:5

Noah did everything just as God commanded him.

And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him.

O my Father God, teach me also Your ways, that I will delight in following You, that I may be strengthened to obey, doing everything You have commanded me to do; to do all those things You have planned ahead of time for me to accomplish for Your kingdom. Thank You for all You have done in my life, and keep me close to You, not turning away from following You in any manner.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Every Thought Captive

II Corinthians 10:5b

We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

O my Father, teach me to take every thought captive to consider every thought, so that when I open my mouth or pick up my pen or approach my keyboard to send a message, that my words would come from You, and be obedient to everything I know and have learned of Christ.

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

The Power Of Words

Proverbs 12:18

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Words are very powerful. God used His Word to create everything that exists. He has made us in His very image, in His likeness, and our words also have amazing power. We can both build up and tear down relationships with our words. I know that I need to be very careful with my own words, because in the past I have wounded others and erected barriers; and I have also been able to mend feelings and heal relationships, all with words. I know that I need to think first, considering how the hearer may receive the words I utter, text and email.

O my Father, I know that my words have pierced like a sword! Please, Father, help me be mindful, not absent-minded, in the midst of whatever is happening! Keep Your arm around my shoulder and Your hand over my mouth. Give me Your wisdom, and let kindness be under my tongue; that Your words on my tongue may bring healing! Teach me to rely on You in the crunch of this life, that Your ways would be my instinct, not the ways of my flesh!

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!