Month: June 2018

Science and ethics: listen for God

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quote-we-can-t-simply-do-our-science-and-not-worry-about-the-ethical-issues-bill-joy-133-50-02The ethical results of current research is staring us in the face. We don’t always think about this as being connected with our faith. However, it is critical to our belief system. I am thinking way beyond abortion and gay marriage. I am considering choosing the characteristics of our children, immortality for those who can pay, who can have access to healthcare, when do we let people die to husband our resources?

These are questions that we have to consider now and ones that we must lean on our core ethics, our faith and our God. We must listen for God’s voice to discern how to move forward. Begin to pray about these things and listen for God now!

Infinite, intimate God, the issues before us are way beyond our understanding. Guide us in your wisdom to do your will. AMEN

Rest in God

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seek God 3We spend so much time in prayer asking God for things but take little time so listen for answers. We must seek to be with God. To rest in silence and meditation and wait for him. God waits for us…we just have to let him find us. In God’s presence is peace.

Patient God, you wait for us to come to you and we doing asking for things. Help us to learn to just rest in you presence. AMEN

He maketh me

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He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.………….Psalm 23

god rested

Have you ever thought about the word “maketh” in this part of the Psalm? God didn’t just ask us to rest. He makes us rest. The trouble is we don’t take this seriously. There is always something to be done. Things pull at us 24/7. But God “maketh me to lie down.” God demands that we take time to stop, rest and be at peace. Keep that in mind.

Caring God, you know that we cannot race through every day and still hear your voice. We must lie down in green pastures. AMEN

Be careful

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...in taking up another’s cross, one must sometimes be crushed by the weight. —-Paul Kalanithi

When Jesus walked the way of the cross he was helped to carry the burden by someone in the crowd. As Christians we are also called to help carry someone else’s burdens. It is important that we do so but we do have to call on God to help or we will be crushed by the weight. We can also call on other Christians to help. Only with the help of God and others can we bear the burden.

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Comforting God, remind us that we cannot carry burdens alone. We have to call on you and others. AMEN

God made us!

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God made me on a morning when he had nothing else to do.———-C.F. Lloyd

We can often feel this way about ourselves. We can’t imagine that we have any skills or talents to offer. We feel useless.

One quote that I have always loved is “God didn’t make junk.” Each of us has something to offer. Each of us has gifts that God has given us. We just have to recognize them and put them to use for his kingdom. We are worthy….God made us.

ta da

Imaginative God, you made each of us unique. Help us to find and use the gifts that you have given us. AMEN

Prayer and action

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Faith moves mountains, but you have to keep pushing while you are praying. —-Mason Cooley

EndAction

Prayer is a wonderful thing. It not only links us to God but it also changes us. Often when we pray we ask God for something from health to things. It is important to remember that we are also involved in the answer to the prayer. W can’t stay on our knees. We are God’s hands and feet and we must do what we can. Pray but work also.

God of wisdom, we are part of your plan for the people of earth. We are meant to us our hands and feet to do your will. Help us to remember this. AMEN

God forgives—others can too

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Eve left the garden and wondered if God was still hurt by her betrayal of His love for her. ———————-Suzanne Boyd

We often do things that hurt others. If we care about them we regret that hurt. We wish we could take it back. We also do things that we know makes God dismayed and disappointed. In both cases we need to seek forgiveness. Genuine regret can be seen and felt by the person we hurt. By acknowledging our regret and asking for forgiveness we can begin to set things right.sorry

Be sure to say you are sorry when you hurt someone.

Forgiving God, we know that when we ask forgiveness we will receive it from you. Help us to also seek forgiveness from those we hurt. AMEN

God is in control

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Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
This was one of my grandmother’s favorite verses. On the surface it sounds easy but maybe not. God does work for our good at all times but he does want something in return. He wants us to love Him. He wants us to fulfill the purpose that he has called us to do.
That is not easy. It requires us to do our best to follow him each day and listen for His voice in all things. To do this we have to take the time to listen and then to act. Do we do this?
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Forgiving God, we know that we don’t listen all the time or follow through with your desires. Help us to see more clearly the way we should go. AMEN

There will be a new day

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eleanor

Sometimes things do go well. Bad things happen. We can’t see our way through. There seems to be no hope. But God is with us and will bring us to a new day. He will help us find a path, another solution. Trust God. His love for us never fails.

Loving God, remind us that you are with us every moment and a new day will come. AMEN

J E S U S

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To holy people the very name of Jesus is a name to feed upon, a name to transport. His name can raise the dead and transfigure and beautify the living. ———–John Henry

jesus-name

One of the most amazing ways to pray is to simply repeat the name of Jesus. It is a soothing and enlightening way to meditate on God. Somewhere in the process our petty problems seem to disappear, and we can feel “the peace that passes all understanding.” This may not happen every time, but if you continue the practice it will come.

Lord, we have asked you before to teach us to pray and you gave us The Lord’s Prayer. Help us pray our way into your presence in many different ways. AMEN