Prayer for Peterson family and community

Gracious God, we come to You in the name of Jesus, acknowledging You as our refuge and stronghold in this time of sorrow and desperation.  Our hearts are broken and our sympathy goes out to this family who has lost a precious child in such a tragic accident.  We do not understand, but our faith in You tells us that we are to trust You in and through this time.


Wrap Your arms around this entire family, their friends, Bodee's classmates and teammates, his teachers and coaches and the community.  Your Word says, "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." (Matt. 5:4) We acknowledge You as the God of healing and comfort.  As persons reach out in Your name, let us see You at work, Lord.


May we as a community be found faithful in our continued prayer and acts of compassion for them in the days and weeks ahead.  We are looking to You, Lord, and pray this in the name of Jesus who suffered and died for us and who sent the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter and Counselor.  Amen.


Praying with you,
Carolyn

The Law of God and Real Life

I John 3:4 says, “Those who sin are opposed to the law of God, for all sin opposes the law of God.”

I have heard people say that as Christ followers we are not under law, but rather under grace.  But what does the phrase “law of God” mean?  Is it only the laws or commands given in the Old Testament?  What if the law of God refers to the mindset of God, the patterns or order that God has established in both the natural and spiritual realms and absolute truth as it exists in the whole universe and beyond?  Isn’t it logical that the law of God is inherent in God’s character or nature?  If so, to oppose the law of God is to be against God.

Grace provides for the forgiveness of sin when we repent and ask for it.  Grace provides the power to be faithful to God.  Grace does not mean we can do whatever we want and still be in good standing with God.

So much depends upon how we understand God.  If we see God existing to help us fulfill our purposes, to meet our goals and provide for our comfort, we will always be disappointed with God.  The life God has for us begins to unfold when we understand that our part is to serve the purposes of God.  Only God can give us the best possible life and fulfill our God given destiny.

Tremendous hope, encouragement and meaning is found in placing total trust in God and asking God, through the Holy Spirit who indwells every Christ follower, to direct and empower us!  I pray that we will experience that more and more.

Serving God with you,

Marvin       

Thoughts from morning devotions

So many times I struggle by trying to do something in my own strength.  These words really struck me this week as I read from my devotional, At His Feet.  "What He has demanded of us He Himself will fulfill....Faith and complete dependence on Jesus are to precede obedience.  When we strive for obedience first, we are overwhelmed with our inabilities."  My prayer is that it would be more and more about the Lord's power in me! 
In Him,
Carolyn