William Wilberforce, the man who pushed Great Britain to end its slave trade, longed for a society that worked . . .
“for the encouragement of piety and virtue; and for the preventing of vice, profaneness, and immorality.”
More virtue, less vice. That’s a cause we could all get behind.
What do you think of politicians?
• All bad!
• Some good, some bad
• Time will tell
No matter which side of the political divide we’re on, we’d like more virtue, less vice:
Proverbs 29:4 (CEV)
An honest ruler makes the nation strong;
a ruler who takes bribes will bring it to ruin.
Let us pray that virtue prevails.
We’ve prayed for homeless people, persecuted Christians, victims of disaster and abuse, first responders, those who are dying. We asked God to shelter them in the midst of their troubles.
When we pray for ourselves, we often ask for shelter from trouble instead of shelter in trouble.
Lord, teach us to measure your love for us not by the absence of trouble, but by Your presence with us.
I confess, Lord God:
I procrastinate for personal convenience.
I delay so I won’t disrupt my routine.
I put things off because I put my comfort first.
Forgive these failures. Teach me to get started, keep moving and finish the task. Make me fit for service in your kingdom.
Many thanks to the unknown soul who penned this prayer:
“Lord, grant that the fire of my heart
may melt the lead in my feet.”
Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV)
Look carefully then how you walk,
not as unwise but as wise,
making the best use of the time.
Most of the time, procrastination isn’t my “best use of the time.”
It’s time for a change!
Got a 2019 resolution? How goes it?
• Already broken!
• I’m still thinking about it
• Time will tell
Last week I shared my “one word” resolution, fit, taken from “fit for service in the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:63 NIV).
It’s my nature to delay, put it off, think it through. I decided to start by studying other translations. Look what I found:
Luke 9:63 (MSG)
Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day.”
Methinks I should get started. Now.
“At The Salvation Army, our doors are open every day – and night – of the year. Through our emergency housing facilities, homeless shelters, transitional living centers, group homes, and family shelters, we provide over 10 million nights of lodging annually.”
The Salvation Army goes beyond a safe bed for a night. They provide physical, emotional and spiritual support to homeless adults and children with the goal of a stable home on earth (and an eternal home in heaven).
Lord, give us eyes to see and hearts to love the homeless. And give us the wisdom to provide more than a roof and bed. Grant those who are homeless eyes to see the way out–in your name.
Lord, I’m like the athlete who loves victory but hates practice. You know when I fail to eat healthy and exercise, the days I skip worship and Bible study, the times I look for the easy way out. Give me the wisdom to know what I should do and the will to do it. Make me fit for your service.
