[This morning in Kids Church we looked at the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7). First all the kids hid, and the leaders went looking until we found each one. Then we read the story Jesus told, and then we made our own fluffy, finger-puppet sheep and named them after someone we know who hasn't found Jesus yet. The kids took these home as a reminder to pray for that person during the week.]
Jesus loves everyone, and wants everyone to experience the fullness of His love by accepting Him as their Saviour, and Master over their lives. He is delighted when a 'lost sheep' is found, and we should be too!
If we're going to follow Jesus, we need to work with Him in finding His lost sheep, and rejoice with Him when they are found.
Jesus, please allow me to work with You in finding Your lost sheep. Open my eyes to opportunities, give me Your words to speak, help me to make all my actions reflections of Your love for all people. I think especially of dear friends and family who are still lost without You. Please extend Your loving mercy over them, open their eyes to their need for You, and bring them into Your fold. Thank You for being mighty to save.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Paul Mattee's visit, Sunday 6th June, 2010
This morning Pastor Paul Mattee (from Kenya) spoke in Church. He gave a talk to the kids about the offerings which Cain and Abel brought before God. Abel's offering was pleasing to God, because he gave with pure motives from the depths of his heart; but Cain's offering was rejected because his motives were not pure.
This is a good reminder that no matter what we are doing for Christ - be it praying, worshiping, sharing the Good News of the Bible, anything and everything - we must do it for God, and God alone, and we must do it with great joy in that we are serving our maker, our King, our dearest friend, our Father, our Saviour!
It made me think about my motives in all the things I am doing 'for God'. I realised that sometimes I do things, in part for God, but also in part to receive recognition. As Matthew 6:2 says, 'Thus, whenever you give to the poor, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites in the synagogues and in the streets like to do, that they may be recognised and honoured and praised by men. Truly I tell you, they have their reward in full already' (Amplified Version).
God, my Father, Creator and King, please forgive me for the times I have brought you offerings with an impure heart and false motives. I thank You that You know my heart to its depths, and that You have the power to change it. Please transform my heart, so that I may focus only on living in perfect relationship with You, and on pleasing You because You are worthy. May I not desire the praise or recognition of others, only the delight that my offering may bring to You. Please strengthen me with Your Holy Spirit, continue to remind me to consider my motives, and enable me to present a pleasing offering to You with my whole life. Thank You God for Your forgiveness, Your love and mercy, Your power to save and transform, and Your faithfulness! I praise You God.
This is a good reminder that no matter what we are doing for Christ - be it praying, worshiping, sharing the Good News of the Bible, anything and everything - we must do it for God, and God alone, and we must do it with great joy in that we are serving our maker, our King, our dearest friend, our Father, our Saviour!
It made me think about my motives in all the things I am doing 'for God'. I realised that sometimes I do things, in part for God, but also in part to receive recognition. As Matthew 6:2 says, 'Thus, whenever you give to the poor, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites in the synagogues and in the streets like to do, that they may be recognised and honoured and praised by men. Truly I tell you, they have their reward in full already' (Amplified Version).
God, my Father, Creator and King, please forgive me for the times I have brought you offerings with an impure heart and false motives. I thank You that You know my heart to its depths, and that You have the power to change it. Please transform my heart, so that I may focus only on living in perfect relationship with You, and on pleasing You because You are worthy. May I not desire the praise or recognition of others, only the delight that my offering may bring to You. Please strengthen me with Your Holy Spirit, continue to remind me to consider my motives, and enable me to present a pleasing offering to You with my whole life. Thank You God for Your forgiveness, Your love and mercy, Your power to save and transform, and Your faithfulness! I praise You God.
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