Amos 2:4-5 - Pointing out sin

This is what the Lord says:
  “For three sins of Judah,
     even for four, I will not relent.
Because they have rejected the law of the Lord
     and have not kept his decrees,
because they have been led astray by false gods,
     the gods their ancestors followed,
I will send fire on Judah
     that will consume the fortresses of Jerusalem.”

Amos is a prophet in the Old Testament time. In this book, to this point, in similar passages the Lord has told of the atrocious acts of  heathen nations and how he will destroy them. Then God's own people are condemned because of their sin. Some times we point out the sins of others while failing to realize our own sins. We are all equal at the foot of the cross.

Lord, thank you for helping us to realize when we have sinned. Please help us to focus on sinning less and bringing you glory rather than focussing on the sins of others. Amen.

Source: http://biblehub.com/commentaries/amos/2-4.htm

1 Corinthians 10:23 - Choices

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.

We have freedom in Christ, but just because we can, doesn't mean we ought to. Sometimes we restrict ourselves from various foods or activities based on reasons of health, conscious or religion. As long as our decision to do or not do something seeks the good of others and to glorify God, we can feel comfortable with our choices.

Lord, thank you for the freedom you give us. Please help us to make choices which seek the good of others and glorify you. Amen

Psalm 103:8 - The great example

The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
     slow to anger, abounding in love.

The Lord is a great example for us. God loves us and is compassionate and gracious towards us. He is so patient and is slow to anger. The other day at Wal-mart my son and I were making a large purchase of Christmas gifts for a family in need. While we were patting ourselves on the back for helping others, the cashier was really not helpful regarding a few pricing issues. While I ran through the store to get another item with the correct bar code, I had to remind myself to be kind and not get angry. In our interactions with family, fellow Christians, co-workers, store clerks, waiters, and any others we come across as we go about our lives, lets remember to be compassionate, gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love.

Lord, thank you for leading by example and treating us as we should treat others. Please help us to follow through treat others with the love you show us. Amen.

Psalm 89:21 - God will take care of him

My hand will sustain him;
     surely my arm will strengthen him.

When someone you love is struggling, it is hard to watch. When you have hopes and dreams for them and you see some of those hopes and dreams falling away, it is so disappointing. But I have to remember, God is in control. He will sustain and strengthen them. He will let the things happen that need to happen. I am not in control of the situation and worry will not help. Look for the blessings within each disappointment and manage our expectations.

Lord, thank you for taking care of those we love. Please help them to reach out for your sustenance and strength. Amen.

Psalm 5:11 - Praying for other believers

But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
     let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
     that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

The first three verses of this chapter are addressing God, as in the beginning of a prayer. I especially like verse 3, "In the morning Lord, you hear my voice". The writer then laments on his enemies. The end of the chapter he concludes with prayers for others and I think this may be what is missing in my prayer life. I pray for others sometimes, but not on a regular basis. Considering others, especially other believers, and their situations and needs will help me treat people better as I interact with them.

Lord, thank you for hearing our prayers. Please let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Amen.

1 Thessalonians 3:13 - Strengthen your hearts

May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

This prayer is from Paul at the end of the introduction to his letter to the church at Thssalonica. He is happy to hear these new Christians are remaining faithful and he prays for God to strengthen them to remain faithful. When we share Christ with people, we want to continue to keep them in our prayers, asking God to strengthen their hearts.

Lord, thank you for allowing us to come before you on behalf of others. Please strengthen the hearts of new Christians everywere so that they will be blameless and holy when Jesus returns. Amen.

Genesis 45:5 - Righting a wrong

And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.

Joseph completely had the right to be angry and tell his brothers how horrid they had been, but he doesn't. Not only does he forgive his brothers, he comforts them and tells them how God was using them to his purposes. How do we react when someone had wronged us? What an opportunity Joseph had to shame his brothers! It is easy to take delight in this kind of circumstance. 

Lord, thank you for being there to comfort us when we have been wronged. Please help us to react correctly and see your hand in every situation. Amen.

Genesis 40:6-7 - How are you?

When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?”

I am so impressed that Joseph even cared about the other prisoners. He was unjustly in prison, but because he was so trustworthy, he had been given responsibility over other prisoners. It is a rare person who would actually care about the prisoners in his care enough to notice they were sad. Do we care about the people around us? It is so easy to get wrapped up in our own problems and not even see those who are struggling. A co-worker of mine every day asks, "How are you doing today?" and she asks it in such a way that I really believe she cares about me and recognizes when I am having an off day. 

Lord, thank you so much for those special people who really care about us and thank you for caring about us. Please help me to care about others and notice when they need some encouragement. Amen.

Genesis 21:22 - Do people see God is with you in everything you do?

At that time Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do.

When people look at your life, do they see God is with you in everything you do? Most of the time I think people do see God in my life. Then there are the times they don't, when my sin is right out front for all to see. We can take heart because in this situation Abimelek had also seen a half truth come from Abraham. Abraham told Abimilek his wife was his sister, so he took her. Abraham's lie almost caused Abimilek to sin against God, yet in the end Abimelek saw that God was with Abraham.

Lord, thank you for allowing your light to shine in our lives, regardless of our failings. Amen.

Genesis 21:17

God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.

God loves everyone. I sometimes get so wrapped up in my world and my issues, I forget that God loves everyone else too. He may be doing things in our lives which we may or may not want, with a purpose having nothing to do with us. Sarah wanted Hagar and her son sent away, but God still loved them and took care of them even thought they were not the "main story." 

Lord, Thank you for loving me, and for loving everyone else. Please help me to see beyond my story, to know you are working things out for more people than just me and those close to me. Amen. 

Genesis 12:2

"I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

In this passage God promises good things to Abram, but the purpose of the promise is to be a blessing to others. When we ask God for his blessings and for his help, what is our purpose? Are we simply asking for ourselves, or are we asking so that we may be a blessing to others and bring glory to His name?

Lord, please bless me so that I may bless others. Amen.

Genesis 9:22

But Shem and Japheth took a garment and laid it across their shoulders; then they walked in backward and covered their father's naked body. Their faces were turned the other way so that they would not see their father naked.

The other day while watching a movie I heard this quote:

On a team, we try to make everyone look good and don't do things that point out the mistakes of other.

I think the example of Noah youngest son's demonstrates this quote beautifully. This is an area I really need to improve in. I think I am so concerned that everyone thinks I'm doing a good job, I find it necessary to point it out when others are not. I need to be a better team player and help everyone on the team look good and do their best.

Lord, please help me to remember to be a good team player and not point out the mistakes of others. Amen.

Philippians 2:21

For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

I think this means that Christians lookout for the interests of others. This solves so many problems. If we are looking out for the interests of others it will keep us from being selfish. We will put others needs above our own. We would never even think of cheating others or stealing their money or information to our gain. We are glad for opportunities to help others.

Lord, help me to always focus on the interests of others. Help me to know what is best for them and show me how I can be useful in their lives. Amen