INSPIRATIONAL IMAGES
God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.
Martin Luther
Look back and ‘Thank’ God
Look forward and ‘Trust’ God.
Look around and ‘Serve’ God.
Look within and ‘Find’ God!’
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
PSALM 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd; (That’s Relationship!) I shall not want. (That’s Supply!)
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: (That’s Rest!) he leadeth me beside the still waters. (That’s Refreshment!)
3 He restoreth my soul: (That’s Healing!) he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness (That’s Guidance!) for his name’s sake. (That’s Purpose!)
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, (That’s Testing!) I will fear no evil: (That’s Protection!) for thou art with me; (That’s Faithfulness!) thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.(That’s Discipline!)
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: (That’s Hope!) thou anointest my head with oil; (That’s Consecration!) my cup runneth over. (That’s Abundance!)
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life (That’s Blessing!) and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (That’s Security!)
FIVE FINGER PRAYER
1. . Your thumb is nearest you.
So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a ‘sweet duty.’
2. The next finger is the pointing finger.
Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them In your prayers.
3. The next finger is the tallest finger.
It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God’s
Guidance.
4. The fourth finger is our ring finger.
Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify . It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
5. And lastly comes our little finger
The smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, ‘The least shall be the greatest among you.’ Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.
JELLY BEAN PRAYER
Galatians 5:22–23
FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND
One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.
After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.
This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
“Lord, you said once I decided to follow you, You’d walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me.”
He whispered, “My precious child, I love you and will never leave you
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you.”