What Does God Give?
A very special friend helped guide me through some troubled times once and I have treasured the words that she wrote in a card. She said they were passed to her and she was just doing a favor in return.
"He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when labors increase:
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, He's multiplied peace."
Since this is the season of Thanksgiving, may these words be a rich blessing to you this day.
Mid-week Prayer
Loving Father, when You first placed these words in the heart of Your servant, never did he realize how they would literally travel the world. Are our words like that as well? Please make them be for Your glory. In Christ's precious name we pray. Amen
Join me next week for another Mid-week Epistle as we begin the glorious season of Advent. This is the celebration of the coming of the Christ Child.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
True, Simple Love
Many stories have been written about love and its magnificent power. Sometimes children can sum hundreds of pages up in two simple sentences.
A little girl was asked the question, "What is love?" Her answer was: "Love is when your mommy reads you a bedtime story. True Love is when she doesn't skip any pages!"
I guess God truly loves us because He didn't skip any of the pages of your life so far nor will He in the future. He will be there and be willing to write on each of them with you.
Mid-Week Prayer
Loving God, come and share True Love with us this day. Let us know the fullness of Your Holy Presence. In the blessed name of Christ we pray. Amen.
This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Next week we will be amazed when we hear the story of the need to have forgiveness in our lives.
Many stories have been written about love and its magnificent power. Sometimes children can sum hundreds of pages up in two simple sentences.
A little girl was asked the question, "What is love?" Her answer was: "Love is when your mommy reads you a bedtime story. True Love is when she doesn't skip any pages!"
I guess God truly loves us because He didn't skip any of the pages of your life so far nor will He in the future. He will be there and be willing to write on each of them with you.
Mid-Week Prayer
Loving God, come and share True Love with us this day. Let us know the fullness of Your Holy Presence. In the blessed name of Christ we pray. Amen.
This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Next week we will be amazed when we hear the story of the need to have forgiveness in our lives.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Keeping It Safe
A new mailman was delivering mail on his route for the first time. He noticed that many of the mailboxes were knocked down or damaged, apparently as a result of careless driving or vandalism. Then he came upon an old mailbox in mint condition. He couldn't figure out why until he dropped off the mail and pulled away from the curb.
In his rear view mirror, he saw an elderly woman walk to the mailbox, pull it out of the ground, heave it onto her shoulder and walk merrily up her driveway.
That is one way to keep from being undamaged in the world. Only make yourself available if the times when you know it is safe and you can quickly retreat into your sanctuary.
However, that is not the way that Christ chose to walk in this world. His life was one that was continually battered by words, actions, and even crucifixion. The reason was because He was doing it for you and I. Not so we could be safe, but so we could live boldly in face of all difficulties.
Mid-week Prayer
Loving Father, it is hard to believe that we can be so cruel even in this modern world today. Surely we have learned something from our past? Show us continually the way that Christ walked so boldly and yet so lovingly for all to see. In His power and promise we pray. Amen.
This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Next week we will more of the power of love.
A new mailman was delivering mail on his route for the first time. He noticed that many of the mailboxes were knocked down or damaged, apparently as a result of careless driving or vandalism. Then he came upon an old mailbox in mint condition. He couldn't figure out why until he dropped off the mail and pulled away from the curb.
In his rear view mirror, he saw an elderly woman walk to the mailbox, pull it out of the ground, heave it onto her shoulder and walk merrily up her driveway.
That is one way to keep from being undamaged in the world. Only make yourself available if the times when you know it is safe and you can quickly retreat into your sanctuary.
However, that is not the way that Christ chose to walk in this world. His life was one that was continually battered by words, actions, and even crucifixion. The reason was because He was doing it for you and I. Not so we could be safe, but so we could live boldly in face of all difficulties.
Mid-week Prayer
Loving Father, it is hard to believe that we can be so cruel even in this modern world today. Surely we have learned something from our past? Show us continually the way that Christ walked so boldly and yet so lovingly for all to see. In His power and promise we pray. Amen.
This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Next week we will more of the power of love.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Raise Your Hand
There is a rule among English Choirboys of the early nineteenth century. If you make a mistake while practicing, you don't stop, you don't speak, you don't launch into a long explanation, you simply raise your hand. It's a way of saying, "Yes, I know I made a mistake. Don't worry. I'll correct it next time around." Then you continue.
In life today, we spend a lot of time trying to explain why we failed at something. We try to justify it to our friends, our family, and even to God. Maybe it would be a good idea just to raise our hand and acknowledge that we stumbled. Then when we continue down the road, we look with wiser eyes and a more discerning heart. I think that would change our world a lot.
Be aware that the secret is that we do not make the same mistake again, but we learn how to live in the light of God's way.
Mid-week Prayer
Father, forgive us for the times when we came before you with long explanations of our life when all You desire for us to do is learn Your graciousness. Empower our lives to know we will stumble, but also that we will be blessed with Your never ending love and forgiveness. In the blessed name of Christ. Amen.
This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Join me next week and maybe you can find a different look at life.
There is a rule among English Choirboys of the early nineteenth century. If you make a mistake while practicing, you don't stop, you don't speak, you don't launch into a long explanation, you simply raise your hand. It's a way of saying, "Yes, I know I made a mistake. Don't worry. I'll correct it next time around." Then you continue.
In life today, we spend a lot of time trying to explain why we failed at something. We try to justify it to our friends, our family, and even to God. Maybe it would be a good idea just to raise our hand and acknowledge that we stumbled. Then when we continue down the road, we look with wiser eyes and a more discerning heart. I think that would change our world a lot.
Be aware that the secret is that we do not make the same mistake again, but we learn how to live in the light of God's way.
Mid-week Prayer
Father, forgive us for the times when we came before you with long explanations of our life when all You desire for us to do is learn Your graciousness. Empower our lives to know we will stumble, but also that we will be blessed with Your never ending love and forgiveness. In the blessed name of Christ. Amen.
This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Join me next week and maybe you can find a different look at life.
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