THE WALK TO THE CROSS

"And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." Luke 14: 27 (NIV ©1984)

We are well into lent, just five weeks until Easter. Have you taken the time to reflect on the enormous sacrifice Jesus made on your behalf? What have you been willing to sacrifice for him?

What if Jesus had said, "Sorry, Father, I am really busy right now. For one thing, my mother needs to be cared for. And, I have thousands of people to feed and there are many to heal everywhere I go. I can’t end my earthly ministry in five weeks. It will take longer than that to turn the work over to my followers. And, they really aren’t ready. Look how impulsive Peter can be. And, Judas, he doesn’t understand my message at all!"

I imagine we have all used similar excuses. We believe in Jesus as the son of God and every word written about him down to the last dot and dash. But, giving up our own personal goals and taking on the ministry God has called us to, is a whole other life than what we have carved out for ourselves. True living begins when we step into the will of God our father.

Ministry does not always mean a calling to the clergy. Ministry is the work God has for us to do that furthers his plan for the world, at least in our corner of the neighborhood. Now is the time, as we walk toward Easter carrying our own cross, to accept the precious, beautiful life he has always had waiting for us—but, in the past, we have been too busy to bend and pick it up. Let us pray:
"Holy Father, Love Devine, you want to save this life of mine. Let this season of preparing my heart for Easter, be the time I finally realize that my true and perfect life isn’t mine anyway. Take this independent life I hold onto so fervently and use it to your glory. May I never believe that my ministry is all about me. If it is not all about you, God, it isn’t ministry; it is ego building and attention seeking. Forgive me for how long it has taken me to accept so great a jewel as my life lived for and with you. In the name of Jesus, your son, whose steps along the Via Dolorosa I choose to follow, I pray. Amen."

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."Copyright 2013 Doris Gaines Rapp

For children and teens, go to: http://inmyprayerchair.blogspot.com And . . .
https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Prayer-Chair/476665319066226
(copy and paste to address line if needed)

Pearls on Monday - (Living-love-lavishly)

"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces." Matthew 7:6 (NIV © 1984 Biblica)

God’s truth and wisdom are like precious pearls to the loving heart. Christians usually spend Sunday in worship where they string their spiritual beads on charged and recharged threads of love. On Monday, many must return to the world, where their jewels of great price may not be respected.

Jesus told us not to throw pearls before swine. Guard your treasures, the words of great price, when you are in the world where others may choose not to listen. In stead, share the practice of truth. Show don’t tell.

Living-love-lavishly is "heard" more than words. Jesus taught his truths through stories called parables. Our lives are living parables that bear witness to what God has done for us when we believe. Now, go and be one of Christ’s pearly parables, living-love-lavishly. Let us pray:

"Abba, God, I sit at your feet in worship of you, for you only are holy. Please, come and build an outpost of your love in my heart, that I might love those around me into a relationship with you. I ask that you teach me to guard the priceless jewels you have given me, from those who may deny your truths or wipe the dirt of the streets on them. I know I have one gem to pass on to others, my witness—my own story that tells of the grace, love, forgiveness and salvation you have done in my life. Let me show your blessings to those around me. Keep me humble and loving, so that only you shine through. In the name of Jesus, your son, the pure example of a life-lived-lavishly for you, I pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2013 Doris Gaines Rapp  

For children and teens, go to:
http://www.directbuybooks.comhttp://inmyprayerchair.blogspot.com And . . .
https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Prayer-Chair/476665319066226 (copy and paste to address line if needed)

MY PRAYER CHAIR

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." 1 John 5: 14-15 (NIV©1984)

We know for sure that God hears our prayers. He is not a genie in a jug and we cannot wish upon his name like the first star of the evening. We can ask for the blessings that are within his will for us and his church.

Children and teens are just learning how to pray and that God is always there to hear us when we speak to him. I have started a Facebook page to provide a site where kids can go to find help in their praying. It is My Prayer Chair and the link is https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Prayer-Chair/476665319066226 . You can copy and paste it to your address line or go to your Facebook page and type in My Prayer Chair. There are two fb pages with the same title. Look for the chair from Tom Lincoln’s cabin as the profile picture. I will still be posting these Prayer Therapy Prayers to my email list each Monday and then post them to www.prayertherapyrapp.blogspot.com.

We are all concerned about our children. Perhaps you will want your child or teen to log onto the fb page while you are present, or check the posts and responses from your own computer. If you feel comfortable with the page, then encourage the children and teens in your life to log onto the page and allow me to pray with them. Or, you can post a request on your child’s behalf on the fb page or at http://inmyprayerchair.blogspot.com http://www.yprayerchair.blogspot.comand I will post a prayer and you can share it with your child. God loves them and he wants them to know that. Let us pray:

"Father God, your son held the little children on his knee because he wanted to show that the Kingdom of God is for children too. May our own children know of his love for them. For this day, let me see beyond my own needs and recognize the hurt and pain of my children. Speak to my heart and let me know what I am to tell my children about communicating with you. Forgive me when I am self-absorbed, for I love my children and I know you love them even more. In the name of Jesus, your son and the friend and savior of small children, I pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2013 Doris Gaines Rapp
https://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Prayer-Chair/476665319066226 (copy and paste to address line if needed)

FULL BY EXTENSION

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18: 20 (NIV ©1984)

"The biggest is best." We apply that statement, right or wrong, to everything, even to churches.

The mega-church does have some great features:
Small groups where Christian relationships are formed
A variety of activities, some of which may interest you 
 
A small church has:A small group where Christian friendships are born and that is why you attend
Activities where your talents are of service

 

Maybe every pew is not filled in the little church you attend. Remember, beloved of God, every time a child puts on warm mittens or a bright cap through a mission of your church, that child sits with you in church. Every time a marathon runner eats a bowl of warm soup from the outreach of your members, that athlete is there on the pew with you and takes your love with them wherever they go. Every time an inmate from your jail ministry turns his heart from himself and focuses his prayers on the needs of his/her family, he and that entire family join in Christian praise and fellowship in your little church each Sunday morning. Your church is full—through the extension of your love and outreach.

 

Praise the Lord, not for large numbers but for large hearts. Praise him not for glittering gold church adornments but for the sparkle in a child’s eye or the love in a shut-in’s heart. The church of Jesus Christ in worship of the Lord God, is not contained withing any church building or crammed into the balcony, it is on the streets, in the homes, workplaces, and agencies where the members carry his word, hope, and grace. Every church is full by an extension of each member’s love. Let us pray:

 

"Father of every one of us, whether we worship in large groups or small, you are always there within our midst when we gather in your name. We praise your holiness. May we dwell within your presence even after we leave your sanctuary, for your work is done beyond the building’s walls. May none of your children boast of being more blessed than another by virtue of size or wealth or opportunity. We know you choose to bless your children with the work to which you have called them. May today be the day when we look beyond the sanctuary walls and seek to expand your love in new and less familiar places. We know we will not walk alone out there. You will go with us and cover us with your own presence and the great cloud of witnesses that have gone before and those who pray for us from the church pews. Forgive us when we thought your ministry was only for those within our wall. While it begins there, it flows through the streets of our town and further outreach when we are willing to be a conduit and not a funnel. Give us courage and strength to carry your love and grace where the church doors end and your greater world begins. In the name of Jesus, your son and our redeemer we pray. Amen"

 

Doris 

"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."

Copyright 2013 Doris Gaines Rapp