Messenger of Joy

Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.  – 1 Cor 10:31

Reflection.  There are many people who spend their lives trying to steal the limelight and prove their superiority.  Don’t be like that.  Be humble and give God the glory.

Prayer.  Dear Lord, teach me the truth that You are everything and I am nothing. 

Refrain from anger and turn away from wrath; do not fret — it does nothing but harm.  – Ps 37:8

Reflection.  By letting go of anger and forgiving others you will save yourself from needless misery and frustration.  Harboring a grudge is emotionally stressful.  “Refrain from anger,” and do yourself a favor.

Prayer.  God of mercy and love, take away my spirit of revenge. 

All you need to do is say “Yes” if you mean “Yes” and “No” if you mean “No.”  – Mt 5:37

Reflection.  Many self-help groups teach their members to keep it simple.  No fancy stuff.  No spin.  No denial.  Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “simple” as being free from guile and deception.  Yes or No.

Prayer.  Keep me, Lord, from being cunning.  Teach me how to keep it simple. 

Blessed are the merciful, for they will obtain mercy.  – Mt 5:7

Reflection.  Your readiness to show forth a spirit of forgiveness will have a ripple effect.  You will touch many lives by forgiving one person.  You are anointed, so forget your feelings and go forth.  Say yes I will forgive because the Lord asks it.

Prayer.  Dear Jesus, make my heart like unto Thine; fill me with Your tender love. 

Every good tree bears good fruit … a good tree cannot bear bad fruit.  – Mt 7:17, 18

Reflection.  A healthy fruit tree will produce an abundance of good fruit.  A spiritually healthy person will bear spiritual fruit for eternity.  A bad tree only produces bad fruit.  You decide.

Prayer.  Jesus, You are the vine and I am only one of the branches; bless my life with a bountiful harvest of spiritual fruitfulness. 

With everlasting love, I will have compassion on you.  – Isa 54:8

Reflection.  The only way to pray well is to pray often.  It makes God happy when you smile at Him, whisper sweet nothings to Him.  It sounds corny, but it’s true.

Prayer.  Lord, forgive my tendency to take You for granted.  I really do love You. 

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting.  – Prov 31:30

Reflection.  Thieves all have the same goal.  They try to get you to trust them; then they strike.  They can take a lot of time being charming, building up your trust, but once they have it, they act swiftly and then disappear.  Be on guard.

Prayer.  Lord, teach me to be as wise as a serpent, and as simple as a dove.  Deliver me from evil. 

Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.  – Rom 12:21

Reflection.  Every individual is a unique gift created to help make this a better world.  Your community needs the gifts that only you can give.  Constructive action on your part can improve the world around you.  Why not be a powerful force for good?

Prayer.  Lord, help me to overcome evil with my good actions. 

You are a letter from Christ entrusted to our care, a letter written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, and written … on tablets of the human heart. – 2 Cor 3:3

Reflection.  Your actions speak louder than your words.  Christ lives in you, and if you let Him out, He will use you as people flock to those who are willing to listen.  Become a good listener and you’ll never be lonely again.

Prayer.  Dear Jesus, I give You my life; do with me as You will. 

God has made me laugh and all who hear it will laugh with me.  – Gen 21:6

Reflection.  There are enough tensions in life without compounding them.  You will be much better off if you laugh more and cry less.  Life is too short to neglect the gift of laughter.

Prayer.  Lord, teach me how to enjoy my life more.