Category: Scripture

Last Saturday afternoon, I was privileged to be a part of a “drive by encouragement” activity.  Some members of my church family made signs and decorated their cars.  We then drove around town to “visit” several member’s homes.  The caravan of vehicles honked their horns and shouted hellos as we drove by.  While we did this to encourage folks who get out less than most of us these days, I found myself very encouraged. It was fun to see people – even from a distance.  We received word from several who enjoyed the interaction.  Some were able to tell their neighbors.

While we were driving around, I counted 4 cars who had the right of way but stopped to allow us to stay together.  Many people along the way waved at us and gave their own greetings.  I had a “God is good” sign on my car – one person shared her agreement. 

We are living through hard times right now – hard for different reasons for different people.  This activity was a breath of fresh air as we all navigate stay at home orders.

As a church we are to show the love of God to one another.  Some days we are better at that than others.  I pray that this time of separation helps us to rethink how we are expressing the love of God.  We have needed to be creative since normal avenues of reaching out have been closed.  This hasn’t been all bad.  I hope you are in the position to give and receive the love of God.  You will find nothing better in life.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity you gave me to encourage and be encouraged.  Please help me to be sensitive to the needs of others.  Please guide me in showing Your love to others.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy;  

O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love.  

For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

The Prayer of St. Francis

I love the concepts in this prayer.  It sure sounds like something directly from the Bible – but it isn’t.  The words, however, are loaded with Biblical principle.  During times like these we need people who are willing to follow this prayer. Acts 20 tells what the Apostle Paul encouraged the Ephesian elders to do and the reward that goes with it.  Verse 35 talks about helping the weak.  Right now, we are hearing about protecting those who are most vulnerable physically.  While caring for the physically weak is a good principle, this verse is talking about protecting the spiritually weak.  We have so much focus on physical health right now that we are at risk of forgetting about spiritual health. 

There are countless needs right now. All kinds of needs.  Will you pray with me to meet whatever needs you can?  No one can meet every need – each of us has limited resources of our own.  However, through a relationship with Jesus Christ we have unlimited resources available to us.  God will bring us through, His way – and we will be blessed.

Dear Heavenly Father, there are so many hurts and needs right now.  Thank you for the many people who have already sought to reach out.  Please help us to set aside our own wishes and seek to help others as You want us to. I want to be an Instrument of Peace.  Please guide me and give me strength.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.